By September 1862, the South appears to be on the verge of victory. President Lincoln wants to emancipate all slaves but recognizes he needs a victory on the battlefield before he can do so. Dissatisfied with his current commander, he sends George Hazard to sound out Gen. Ulysses S. Grant on whether he would take on overall command of the Northern forces. After the disgruntled former overseer kills a runaway slave from Mont Royal, the family decides to offer safe passage to any of their slaves who wish to leave. Soon after, Ashton arrives and is shocked to find Brett and Madeline working in the fields. She also reveals to Madeline that she knows her great secret, which she will make public unless she leaves. Virgilia is now working in a Union field hospital and is admonished by the chief nurse, Mrs. Neal, to treat all soldiers the same. Charles and Billy come face-to-face on the battlefield.

Ulysses S. Grant is made commander of the Northern Armies, having an immediate effect but at very high costs in casualties. George Hazard, now himself a brigadier general, receives a field assignment but is taken prisoner and transported to Libby Prison in Richmond. Having been admonished to treat all soldiers with equal care regardless of what side they are on, Virgilia finds herself in trouble after one of them dies and she is charged with murder. She again turns to Congressman Sam Greene for help and is now ready to pay the price he demands of her. Now living under a false name, Madeline makes the acquaintance of a handsome rogue. Orry meanwhile has hired a Pinkerton's detective to try and track her down. With state's rights advocates continuing their battle with President Davis over his ever-growing authority, Bent sees himself as the future President of the Confederacy and recruits James Hontoon to be his Vice President.