Two Flags West

A Confederate cavalry officer who accepts a precarious Union assignment to garrison a remote frontier fort. He must navigate loyalty to the Confederacy while leading a reluctant, mixed-unit contingent, and his past deed—killing Elena Kenniston’s husband—haunts his authority. His pragmatism and resolve drive his efforts to keep his men alive and coherent under pressure.

The widowed sister-in-law to Major Kenniston, Elena is stranded at Fort Thorn and skeptical of Tucker’s protective stance. Her survival instincts and wary trust create tension with the Union soldiers, while her Confederate ties complicate relationships on both sides. She embodies the human cost of the war’s reach into personal lives.

A stern Fort Thorn commander with a war-wounded limp who distrusts the Union troops yet keeps a wary eye on his own household’s safety. He views the frontier as a proving ground for discipline and control, while his protective stance towards Elena hints at unresolved family dynamics. His strategic caution keeps the troops alert to potential ambushes.

A compassionate Union captain who offers Confederate prisoners a chance at release in exchange for serving with the Union on the frontier. He embodies the war’s moral ambiguity, balancing sympathy with strategic necessity as he negotiates with opposing troops. His leadership underpins the fragile alliances at Fort Thorn.

A junior officer within the Union contingent who participates in the tense exchanges between factions. He reflects the inexperienced but earnest wing of the Northern force, navigating the politics of enlistment and the realities of frontier duty.

A seasoned sergeant who embodies the gruff realism of frontier life. He keeps his squad focused amid misgivings about the broader mission and the shifting loyalties around them.

A civilian figure tied to the garrison’s dynamic, whose presence underscores the civilian-military overlap in frontier conflicts and the broader war’s reach beyond battlefields.