A Yankee Girl at Antietam

In Short

Set against the divided loyalties of Maryland during the Civil War, this juvenile historical novel follows ten-year-old Roxana Delfield as she navigates secret missions, Confederate scouts, and the looming threat of battle. Staying with her grandmother near Sharpsburg, Roxy secretly feeds a fleeing Union soldier and later entertains wounded troops with a homemade paper circus. Through her friendship with a local red-haired girl named Polly, Roxy witnesses the human cost of war, ultimately helping veterans find comfort near the historic battlegrounds of Antietam.

The Story

Roxana Delfield lives temporarily at her Grandmother Miller’s farm in Antietam, Maryland, where she meets a spirited local girl named Polly Lawrence. Shortly after their meeting, Roxy encounters a starving young soldier hiding near the stone wall. Sympathizing with his plight and promising absolute secrecy, she steals food from the kitchen and delivers it to his hiding place. Confederate scouts soon arrive searching for the runaway, but Roxy’s grandmother firmly protects the household's privacy, while Polly cleverly makes off with the scouts' horses to prevent pursuit.

As the summer progresses, Roxy enjoys rural life, building a miniature house for squirrels, helping her grandmother quilt a traditional "Rising Sun" pattern, and hosting a paper-animal circus for her birthday party under a large sycamore tree. Her father, a Union captain, arrives safely for a brief visit, welcomed by a festive pine arch and traditional songs from the farm's former slaves, including Dulcie and Jacob. Soon, however, the war closes in. News arrives of Union defeats at Bull Run and the steady march of Confederate forces into Maryland under General Lee and Stonewall Jackson.

Refusing to remain idle, Roxy establishes a lookout post on a high rocky ledge to watch for advancing troops and signal Polly. During her watch, she is briefly detained by a Confederate scout who notices her signals. Later, she encounters an advancing column of Union soldiers and meets Etta-Belle, a formerly enslaved woman seeking refuge. The military buildup culminates in the historic Battle of Antietam. In the aftermath of the fierce fighting, which featured heavy casualties and pivotal engagements at the bridge by Union generals like Burnside and McClellan, the region transforms into a vast network of military hospitals.

Eager to ease the suffering of the wounded men, Roxy and Polly bring the paper-animal circus directly to the hospital tents. Their performance brings much-needed laughter and relief to soldiers recovering from the grim realities of battle. Lieutenant Philip Carver, the very soldier Roxy saved earlier, visits the farm to express his profound gratitude, confirming that her courageous assistance ensured his survival. By the end of her eventful stay, Roxy has matured through her encounters with soldiers, scouts, and refugees, standing side by side with Polly as they reflect on a summer forever changed by history.

How It Unfolds

• A chance encounter in the hills

While walking near her grandmother's farm, Roxy discovers a starving, desperate stranger hiding behind a thicket. She promptly promises to keep his presence a secret and brings him ample food from the kitchen.

• The stolen horses and the birthday circus

While Confederate scouts interrogate the family, Polly drives away with the scouts' horses to protect the fugitive. Later, Roxy celebrates her grandmother's birthday by staging a comical paper-animal circus under a grand sycamore tree for neighbors and friends.

• The approach of marching armies

Captain Delfield arrives for a joyful visit just before devastating news arrives regarding Union defeats at Bull Run and Confederate troop movements. The household realizes the Civil War is moving directly into their quiet Maryland community.

• Watching from the ledge

Roxy sets up a regular watch post on a rocky ledge, using a white cloth signal to communicate safely with Polly. A Confederate scout eventually discovers her lookout and questions her motives, but Roxy safely aids refugees like Etta-Belle.

• Bringing comfort to the wounded

Following the brutal Battle of Antietam, Roxy and Polly take their paper menagerie directly into the army hospital tents to cheer the soldiers. Lieutenant Carver visits the farm to thank Roxy personally, cementing the deep bonds formed during a turbulent summer.

The People

Roxana Delfield is a determined, compassionate ten-year-old girl from Newburyport who wants to prove herself useful to the Union cause. Standing in her way are the dangers of Confederate scouts, strict promises of secrecy, and the terrifying approach of actual combat. She ends the summer wiser, more courageous, and deeply connected to the people of Maryland. Polly Lawrence, her spirited, red-haired local friend, desires to protect her community and assist Roxy in monitoring the roads. Though occasionally stern when Roxy's secret-keeping causes misunderstandings, Polly remains a steadfast companion through every crisis. Grandma Miller provides a steady, loyal anchor for the household, standing bravely up to Confederate soldiers and guiding Roxy with calm wisdom and warmth. Dulcie, the stout and faithful cook, looks after the family with sharp observation and caution, offering practical warnings about the advancing armies. Finally, Lieutenant Philip Carver, the fleeing Union soldier Roxy saves, wants only to evade his pursuers and survive the bitter conflict. His eventual return to express gratitude highlights the profound impact of Roxy's bravery, transforming her from an ordinary child into a young girl who actively eased the hardships of war.

In Its Own Voice

While admiring the vibrant flora of the Maryland countryside during a quiet walk, Roxy fondly remembers her best friend back home in Massachusetts.

“I wish Amy Fletcher could see them, and the blue mountains, and the bridges,” she thought a little wistfully.

Hiding behind a dense thicket of tangled vines after fleeing his pursuers, the starving stranger extracts a solemn oath of silence from the young girl.

“Promise not to tell a human being that you have seen me; and can’t you get me something to eat?”

When armed Southern soldiers arrive at the farmhouse demanding information about the runaway, the family matriarch firmly asserts her authority and integrity.

“You are Southern soldiers and you will take the word of a Maryland woman,” said Mrs. Miller.

What It's Really About

This novel explores how large-scale historical conflicts intersect with domestic life, testing the boundaries of personal loyalty, compassion, and courage. Through Roxy’s experiences, the narrative examines the moral complexities of the Civil War, where ordinary citizens and children must choose between strict adherence to rules and basic human empathy. It highlights the quiet bravery required behind the front lines—whether feeding a starving stranger, protecting a refugee, or bringing laughter to wounded soldiers. Ultimately, the book argues that human kindness and community resilience matter just as much as military victories in healing a deeply divided nation.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy gentle, character-driven historical fiction will appreciate this charming glimpse into nineteenth-century domestic life during wartime. Reading it feels like stepping into a sunlit afternoon in the Maryland hills, balanced by the genuine tension of approaching armies and historic battles. Modern readers should be prepared for period-specific language, such as dialect rendering for Black characters like Dulcie, which reflects the racial attitudes and literary conventions of its 1923 publication date. Yet beneath these historical limitations lies an endearing, heartfelt story about a resourceful young girl whose empathy transcends political divides. The warm depiction of rural friendships, cooperative quilting bees, and the comforting power of a simple paper-animal circus will stay with you long after the final page. It is a wholesome, historically grounded tale that reminds us how children can find agency and spread joy even amid national turmoil.