The author, a Presbyterian ruling elder from South Carolina, gives here an eyewitness account of the political corruption and racial strife generated by profiteers from the North who seized control of the State government following the war. Leland, along with several other prominent citizens of the upstate, was arrested and falsely charged with "conspiracy and murder" for allegedly participating in the Laurens riot of October 20, 1870 which left several Blacks dead. This book includes the journal he kept during his incarceration, along with details of the massive financial fraud perpetuated on the State treasury during carpetbagger rule.