A satire on Southern recruitment efforts during the early part of the Civil War. In a scene before a Confederate encampment, a reluctant civilian (center) is presented with a musket and military coat by two veteran soldiers, one wearing an absurdly tall fur hat. The recruit is restrained from behind by another officer. In the background left a troop of recruits drill; on the right two blacks soldiers, one with rolled pantlegs and military coat, look on with amusement.