Senator Horace Chilton's memoirs of growing up in Tyler, Texas, during secession, Civil War and Reconstruction, including an account of the emancipation of the family's slaves. His father, George Chilton, belonged to the Knights of the Golden Circle, was a delegate to the Secession Convention, and served in the Third Texas Cavalry, then as ordnance officer under Gen. Bee. He was elected to Congress after the war but was denied his seat.