How is the theme of death examined in the text?

Death is one of the main themes of the book. Death surrounds the characters everywhere - on the battlefield and in the McGavock house and on their land. Each soldier and character handles death differently. The change for Bushrod comes when Jack Bishop dies. During Bishop's last hour, he talks very little. Nebo, Bushrod and Anna stay by his side. When Bishop dies, Bushrod is left disconsolate. Bushrod is upset that he had been sleeping when Jack died. He thinks about their childhood and time together in the Army.