 He began writing what would become his second novel in 1894, using various contemporary and written accounts (such as those published previously by "Century Magazine") as inspiration.It is believed that he based the fictional battle on that of Chancellorsville; he may also have interviewed veterans of the 124th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the Orange Blossoms.Initially shortened and serialized in newspapers in December 1894, the novel was published in full in October 1895.