A Daughter of the Union

In the spring of 1862, as the Union grinds through the horrors of battle, a small band of girls gathers in a modest kitchen to stitch hand‑kerchiefs and knit socks for the troops. Led by sixteen‑year‑old Jeanne Vance, serious‑minded and fiercely patriotic, the group wrestles with the feeling that their contributions are too small for a war of such magnitude. Their conversations reveal a growing impatience to step beyond traditional chores and make a real difference for the soldiers fighting far from home.

The novel follows Jeanne’s determined search for purpose, tracing the girls’ involvement with local relief societies and the United States Sanitary Commission. As they navigate the expectations of family, community, and the war effort, they discover courage in unexpected places and learn that even the youngest can shape the tide of history. The story captures the energy of a nation at war while celebrating the quiet heroism of those working behind the front lines.