Jonathan is a thirteen-year-old boy living in a New Jersey village during the spring of 1778. Desperate to experience the perceived glory of battle like his older brother, he disobeys his father and volunteers to fight when a local alarm bell sounds. He marches into his first skirmish carrying a borrowed twelve-pound musket, completely unprepared for the terrifying realities of combat.

The Corporal is a tough, rough-looking veteran who gathers and leads a small group of local volunteers against advancing Hessian troops. Wearing tattered clothes and muddy boots, he is highly dedicated to the war effort and utilizes harsh tactics to achieve his military objectives. He prioritizes strategic success over the safety of the amateur soldiers under his command.

The Old Hessian Soldier is a grizzled, practical veteran and the leader of a trio of elite German mercenaries known as grenadiers. He wears the spectacular blue and yellow uniform of his unit. He speaks no English but communicates through direct gestures and facial expressions, maintaining strict control over his prisoners and his men.

The Tall Hessian Soldier is one of the three German mercenaries who take Jonathan captive. He serves as the strongman of the small group, functioning competently and quietly under the older soldier's command. His physical presence easily deters any early thoughts of escape.

A teenage Hessian grenadier whose age closely mirrors that of Jonathan's older brother. He sports a thin, growing mustache and attempts to bridge the language barrier by teaching Jonathan simple German words. He follows orders diligently but displays a relatively approachable demeanor.

The French Boy is a very young child, significantly smaller than Jonathan's seven-year-old sister. Traumatized and unable to speak English, he relies entirely on gestures to communicate. He forms a quick attachment to Jonathan for safety in the chaotic environment.

The French Volunteer is an older militiaman who recently moved to the area and joined the local American fighters. He speaks fluent French and possesses a serene, steadying influence. He helps the frightened volunteers process the harsh realities of the conflict.

A farmer and his wife who inhabit a small log house surrounded by a fenced pasture near the Rocktown battlefield. Their tragic circumstances heavily influence Jonathan's understanding of the conflict and the severe toll the war takes on local civilians.

A veteran of the American Revolution who sustained a serious leg wound the previous year. Having experienced the harrowing reality of combat firsthand, he strictly forbids his young son from joining the fight, desperately wishing to spare him from the trauma of war.

An older, patriotic man who manages the village's primary gathering place. Though he supplies Jonathan with a heavy musket, he recognizes the boy's innocence and urges him to slip out the back door and avoid the impending skirmish.

Jonathan's mother strongly dislikes the ongoing conflict. She constantly worries for her eldest son, who is currently serving with General Washington in Pennsylvania. She encourages Jonathan to seek news at the tavern, inadvertently launching his dangerous journey.

Jonathan's elder sibling is currently serving miles away with General Washington's army. His military status serves as Jonathan's primary inspiration for wanting to abandon the farm and fight.

An older militiaman who knows Jonathan's family well. Sweating heavily during the march, he questions why Jonathan is participating without his father's permission and carries an ominous sense of dread about the impending battle.