Eager to prove himself, John joins the cavalry of Nathan Forrest, a crafty, audacious, and well-known Civil War commander. But will John become disillusioned by the reality of war before he finds glory?

Riding off to war with a good friend and the idealism of youth, John Barrett soon finds himself under the command of the bravest and boldest commander of the Civil War.

Nathan Forrest terrifies his enemies but endears himself to his comrades. In camp, he is a firm but caring leader who ensures his men are following orders, taking care of their horses, and themselves. On the battlefield, he becomes an instrument of destruction. His thundering orders slice through the chaos of war and spur his soldiers to action.

At first, John craves the thrill of action and becomes restless at the military camp. However, after embarking on countless midnight raids, fighting through drawn-out, bloody battles, and experiencing the deprivation of war, his excitement begins to fade.

John Barrett follows Forrest to the bitter end, but what will it cost him?

Riding with Forrest is a fictional historical memoir that tells the coming-of-age story of its narrator while also providing insight into the bleak realities of war.