An immaculate description of a soldier and his ways has been presented in this work. In the backdrop of the American Civil War, the book dwells on the spirits of soldiers and their discipline.

This is a book of short stories centered around the Civil War and its aftermath. The author was a prominent Virginian in his day, and his writing shows a talent for poignant reminiscences. The title comes from the second story, in which an artillery unit detached from Lee's army determines to follow their last orders—not to let their cannons fall into Union hands—despite Lee's surrender and the end of the War in Virginia. The other stories focus on individuals in the post-War years.

Thomas Nelson Page (April 23, 1853 – November 1, 1922) was a lawyer and American writer. He also served as the U.S. ambassador to Italy under the administration of President Woodrow Wilson during World War I. Page was an activist in stimulating the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities to mobilize to save historical sites at Yorktown and elsewhere, especially in the Historic Triangle of Virginia, from loss to development. Thomas Nelson Page was one of the best-known writers of his day. He also was a defender of the white man's right to lynch. Page was by no means some regional joke. He served as Woodrow Wilson's ambassador to Italy, and the president referred to him as a "national ornament".