Shenandoah Autumn: Courage under Fire Book

In the summer of 1864, for the second time in the Civil War, two great armies struggled for control of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, one to defend the granary of the Confederacy, the other to destroy its ability to support the rebel cause. But sixteen-year-old Matilda MacDonald is tired of war, and lonely on the farm with only her mother and their servant, Jenna, for company. Concerned about her father, who is away fighting for the Confederacy, Matilda, wants to help treat the wounded at the hospitals. Her mother prevents her involvement until once again the guns of war disturb their peace.

During the Confederate charge at the battle of Kernstown, young Private Will Hamilton of the 8th Louisiana Infantry falls wounded. Brought to the MacDonald farm for treatment, Will first arouses Matilda's sympathy and then her love. In the fall, war returns to the Valley as General Philip Sheridan's revitalized Union stragglers threatened both her home and Will's life. Her decisions and actions are vital in the effort to protect the people she loves and smuggle Will back to his regiment.

Shenandoah Autumn is the story of struggle and courage on the home front during the war, as women sustained the men who fought and made their own contributions.

Children's Literature

During the summer of 1864, Southern sympathizers Mattie and her mother nurse the wounded Confederate soldier Will Hamilton back to life. Mattie and Will fall in love, but must part when Will is smuggled back to his regiment. At war's end, Will returns to claim Mattie and take her to his Louisiana home. The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is the setting for this Civil War romance, sympathetically-if stiltedly-told by southern writer Joslyn.