History Literature / Andersonville

* LieBackAndThinkOfEngland: Actually Veronica Claffey was not like this, she actually gets off during sex. But she feels ashamed afterwards, because she thinks women are supposed to lie back and think of England.

* ADateWithRosiePalms: It's implied that Lucy Claffey, left without a husband after her boyfriend was killed in the war, masturbates in her bed at night.
--> "Lucy did not know exactly how the act of love was performed--she had only wicked whispered girlish gossip to go by--but in lonely nights she lay charmed by the contemplation of her own body, excited nearly into fever. Somewhere there might still be a man's body constructed for the express purpose of gratifying her own...when she cooled she was crushed by the enormity of her sin..."

* CommonalityConnection: Coral Tebbs ends up befriending Nat Stricker, an escaped Union prisoner largely because their both war amputees.

* FaceDeathWithDignity: While approaching the gallows, Raider leader Paddy Delaney calmly discusses who he iwhes his property to be given too.

* TheSoCalledCoward: Judah Hansom's decision to enlist in the army was inspired specifically because he was rankled by someone insinuating that he wasn't brave enough to do so. While this decision alone might indicate more pride than bravery, he does remain steady and dependable while a prisoner after having had time to cool off, personally taking on the lions share of the tunnel digging despite not liking closed spaces.

* VigilanteMilitia: Dreyfoos and his regulators, who form to take on The Raiders.

* FaceWithDignity: While approaching the gallows, Raider leader Paddy Delaney calmly discusses who he iwhes his property to be given too.

* TheSoCalledCoward: Judah Hansom's decision to enlist in the army was inspired specifically because he was rankled by someone insinuating that he wasn't brave enough to do so. While this decision alone might indicate more pride than bravery, but he does remain steady and dependable while a prisoner after having had time to cool off, personally taking on the lions share of the tunnel digging despite not liking closed spaces.

The novel includes both characters based on real persons and fictional characters, including Wirz, various Union prisoners inside the camp, and Confederate civilians living outside the camp. It has no direct connection to other fictional works inspired by Andersonville, such as stage play ''Theatre/TheAndersonvilleTrial'' or the Creator/JohnFrankenheimer TV movie ''Andersonville''.

* TheSoCalledCoward: Judah Hansom's decision to enlist in the army was inspired specifically because he was rankled by someone insinuating that he wasn't brave enough to do so. While this decision alone might indicate more of a HairTriggerTemper, but he does remain steady and dependable while a prisoner after hainvg had time to cool off.

* GentlemenRankers: Nathan Dreyfoos is from a wealthy and well-connected Jewish family, but he joins the Union army as a private soldier "because he feared the responsibility of command." His family is appalled.
* GoodGirlsAvoidAbortion: Laurel Tebbs nearly dies after her mother attempts to give her an abortion with a knitting needle, but Harrell Elkins and Mrs. Dillard save her.