E. L. Doctorow's novel, The...
E. L. Doctorow's novel, The March, is about General Sherman's "March to the
Sea." Pearl is a slave fathered by the plantation's master. After liberation, she follows
Sherman on the nursing staff. Her former mistress (Mattie) arrives, searching for her two
sons who are Confederate soldiers. Mattie discovers her older son dead and nearly loses
her sanity. Pearl sets out and finds the younger brother (Jamie) among the confederate
captives. With her nurse's cape on, Pearl bluffs the Union officer to release Jamie.