This story is set in the time of the American Civil War in 1863 in Gettysburg, USA. Virginia Dickens' brother and father have gone to the countryside to help their Uncle Jack hide his horses from the army while she is to stay at Reverend McCully's house for a few days. However, a few days soon turn into weeks and the battle is coming closer to where Virginia lives. Even worse, there is no news from her father and brother. She decides to go out to find them. A battle is going on. Can she get back home safely? Will she ever find her father and brother?