Through letters he writes in his journal, thirteen-year-old Amos finds a confidant in a queer historical figure from the Civil War.

"Hopelessly hapless Hal Rifkind, a.k.a. Cartboy, is off to summer camp. And not just any old camp, but history camp. Campers have to learn how to churn butter, plant maize, and carry water from the stream--or they get punished for not doing their chores. What else could possibly go wrong for Cartboy?"--

While touring with group of Confederate Civil War re-enactors for a summer internship, Libby and Dev attempt to design and sell Southern Confederate costumes for a ball, investigate haunted battle grounds, and seek handsome Southern soldier boys.