Sam is a former slave and a natural leader living in The Bottom, a community near Colfax. He dreams of establishing a school for Black children, viewing education as the ultimate path to true freedom and equality. Driven by a deep sense of responsibility and pride in his family name, he joins the effort to defend the newly elected Republican officials at the courthouse.

Israel is a hardworking former slave who lives in The Bottom with his family. Haunted by the constant beatings he endured from a cruel overseer in his youth, he struggles with deep-seated fears and a broken spirit regarding white authority. Despite his reluctance and desire to stay home with his pregnant wife, he joins the courthouse defense out of a sense of obligation.

Isaac, widely known as McCully, is a gifted speaker and an assertive leader among the Black men defending the Colfax courthouse. He passionately believes in Reconstruction and the necessity of protecting the community's newly won rights by force if needed. He wears a distinctive brown fedora with a feather, which he calls his voting hat, symbolizing his hope for the future.

Noby is Israel and Lucy's younger son, a quiet boy who carries a cherished reading primer tucked into his waistband. Having survived a near-fatal illness as a baby, he possesses a stubborn streak and a keen awareness of his surroundings. He is deeply curious about the growing racial tensions in Colfax, often sneaking out to listen to the meetings held by white men.

Polly is Sam Tademy's steadfast, practical wife and the matriarch of the Tademy family. She serves as the historical witness to the events of the era, understanding the importance of preserving the community's true history. She balances her husband's idealistic dreaming with grounded realism and immense inner strength.

Jackson is the quiet, practical second son of Sam and Polly Tademy. Unlike his older brother, he does not naturally share his father's grand, idealistic visions, preferring instead the tangible work of farming and providing for his family. He grows up managing the heavy expectations placed upon the Tademy name to uplift the local community.

Hadnot is a prominent official in the White League, hailing from a large and politically connected local family. He is aggressive and deeply racist, actively plotting to use overwhelming violence to crush the Black community's attempts to establish equal rights.

David is Lucy's eldest son, whom Israel adopted. With his pale skin, freckles, sandy hair, and gray eyes, his appearance constantly reminds Israel of his white biological father. He works hard on the family farm but harbors deep resentment over the clear favoritism Israel shows toward his younger brother.

Nathan-Green is a quiet and retiring descendant of the Tademy family. He lacks the driving ambition and forceful personality of his predecessors, preferring a calm domestic life. He works as a teacher, fulfilling the family's legacy, though he approaches the role without the fierce passion of his grandfather.

Ted is the bright, athletic grandson of Jackson Tademy and Noby Smith. Growing up with a legacy of strong-willed ancestors, he wrestles with the weight of the Tademy name and his own desires to pursue a life outside of farming or teaching. He possesses a quick mind for mathematics and a strong sense of pride.

Lucy is Israel's devoted wife and the mother of David and Noby. Pregnant and fearful of the growing violence, she begs her husband to stay home, trusting in the law rather than armed resistance. She is a resilient woman who quietly holds her family together through periods of intense anxiety.

Green is the eldest son of Sam Tademy. He inherits his father's idealistic nature and shares his dream of bringing a school to the Black community in Colfax. He is one of the few Black youths who can read, making him a source of pride and hope for his father.

Levi is a determined organizer who rallies the Black men of Colfax to defend the newly elected Republican officials. He commands the defensive positions and negotiates directly with the white authorities, attempting to buy time for federal troops to arrive.

Nash is the former sheriff of Colfax who refuses to yield his position to the newly elected Republicans. He aligns himself with the White League, helping to organize the armed resistance against the Black community's occupation of the courthouse.

Hansom Brisco is a wealthy Black landowner in The Bottom. Known for his practical knowledge and generosity, he steps in to save Noby's life when the child is an infant, establishing a lasting bond with the Smith family.

Amy is the daughter of Isaac McCullen. She grows up deeply integrated into the Tademy household, eventually marrying Jackson Tademy and becoming a steady, supportive presence in his life and work.

Emma is Noby Smith's wife. She provides a steady, grounding presence for her husband, maintaining their household through difficult agricultural seasons and managing the consequences of his volatile temper.

Willie Dee is a young woman living in Aloha who catches the attention of Ted Tademy. She is spirited, occasionally demanding, and enjoys the attention of multiple suitors, making her courtship with Ted a complicated endeavor.

Lenora is the quiet and agreeable wife of Nathan-Green Tademy. She appreciates the stability and intellectual environment of the Tademy household, finding particular comfort in their family library.