George Scott peered at the nearby Union fortress. Something miraculous was taking place! Three enslaved men had entered but had not been cast out. To Scott, the fortress must be a sanctuary. A place where the three would be safe

from capture and harm—never to return to the Confederate South. But exactly why were they granted refuge?

Scott left the woods where he had been hiding and joined others in line to enter the fortress. Once inside, his knowledge of the area and the movements of the Confederate army impressed the fortress's commander, Major General Benjamin

Butler. Working together, they plotted a plan to save the fortress from enemy attack. Would the fortress survive? Would Scott survive?

Selene Castrovilla weaves a suspenseful tale revealing how two men's brave stand meant eventual freedom to thousands of African Americans and led President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.