1846 is the year in which the armies of Mexico and the United States faced off in a two-year territorial conflict which many in Washington did not expect to last two weeks. Civilian Peace Commissioner Nicholas Trist, upright family man employed in the State Department, rides with the U.S. Army through war-torn Mexico in hopes of making a peace treaty that very few believe is even possible. His harrowing secret mission becomes far more a secret in the end than it was at the start; so much so that most of us have never heard of it. But it's all here now - living history with its extraordinary cast of characters: The Peace Commissioner and Mr. Freaner, the intrepid young war correspondent who also risks life and limb time and again to help him; The slave-trading President, determined to seize not only California but all of Mexico; his friend, the trouble-making liar; and his Cabinet, far better at intrigue than conducting a war; The colorful Mexican General who tries to sell out his own country; The young U.S. Army officers whose names become famous later on; The earnest war protestor in the United States Congress who is condemned by his constituents but lives to become a great President; The young Englishman who rides alone through bandit country to prove his country wants to help settle the war; The Catholic priest who commands the Mexican corps of militia, and the legendary Texas Ranger who keeps trying to catch him but can't; The Mexican Boy Heroes who defend a Castle to the end; and the San Patricio Battalion, defectors who fight for Mexican land and citizenship; The Mexican Commissioners, distinguished public servants; they fight for the opportunity to make peace, and they too are valiant.