The Red Cross Girls with the Russian Army

In Short

This novel follows three American Red Cross volunteers—Mildred, Nona, and Barbara—as they transition from the battlefields of Belgium to the harsh climate and political volatility of wartime Russia. Far from home, the women confront not only the grim realities of field hospitals and military retreats but also the complex personal histories and revolutionary stirrings of the people they encounter. It is a work of historical juvenile fiction that captures the earnest, service-oriented spirit of the era, emphasizing the intersection of global conflict and private character growth.

The Story

The narrative begins with the nurses established in Russia, where they grapple with the stark, freezing conditions of a makeshift hospital. Nona Davis, having recently left the trauma of the Belgian front, encounters an old acquaintance, the mysterious Sonya Valesky, in a peasant’s hut. This meeting sparks a mystery, as Sonya’s past is tied to radical political movements and a connection to Nona’s own mother, whom she knew years ago in Russia. As the girls continue their nursing duties, the shadow of the German advance looms over the fortress of Grovno, where they are stationed.

Mildred Thornton, often the most composed of the trio, begins to notice the silent indicators of an impending retreat. She deduces that General Alexis, a respected commander, is preparing to withdraw to avoid capture and to regroup beyond the Styr River. When the order to evacuate arrives, the girls are separated. Mildred remains behind to assist in a high-stakes, secret mission: nursing the wounded general in a secluded, abandoned house. Her success in this task earns her the profound respect and eventually the unexpected affection of the commander, who recognizes her courage and calm demeanor.

Meanwhile, Nona and Barbara make their way to Petrograd. In the capital, they find a city of stark contrasts, where the opulence of the Winter Palace sits alongside the squalor of the streets. Nona, determined to help her friend Sonya, secures permission to visit her in prison, confronting the dark, repressive reality of the Russian penal system. During this time, they also interact with Lieutenant Michael Orlaff, a young officer whose nobility and reserve mirror the complex social strata of the country.

The final arc reunites the friends in a moment of reflection and transition. Mildred, having survived the ordeal of the retreat and the dangerous nursing work, is now the focus of General Alexis’s quiet, respectful devotion. Though they part with promises of future correspondence, the girls prepare to return to their American lives. The story concludes with a shift in perspective, moving briefly to France to visit another member of their circle, Eugenia, and her husband. The final tone is one of gratitude and resolution, acknowledging the heavy toll of the war while affirming the deep, durable bonds of friendship formed amidst the chaos.

How It Unfolds

The encounter in the hut Nona discovers the elusive Sonya Valesky in a remote dwelling, unearthing a hidden link to her mother’s past. This meeting introduces themes of political idealism and the secrets kept by those caught in the tides of history.

The looming shadow of war Tensions escalate at the fortress of Grovno as the nurses struggle with the cold, the lack of supplies, and the news of the approaching German army. Mildred observes the silent, tactical shifts of the military, realizing that a retreat is imminent.

The secret mission Mildred is chosen for a dangerous, isolated nursing assignment that forces her into close proximity with General Alexis. Her poise under pressure transforms her relationship with the military leader from professional duty to personal admiration.

The capital’s divide Nona and Barbara navigate the strange, sensory-rich streets of Petrograd, experiencing both the grandeur of imperial life and the harsh reality of political prisoners. Nona’s visit to the prison highlights the human cost of the revolutionary fervor sweeping the nation.

The final reunion The friends reconvene to share their disparate experiences, processing their growth and the weight of their responsibilities. They move toward their departure, carrying the lessons of their service back toward a world that feels both distant and changed.

The People

Mildred Thornton serves as the story’s anchor. Initially characterized by her upbringing in a wealthy, structured home, she sheds her "society girl" persona, discovering a sense of purpose through her nursing. She is the one who gains the most independence, particularly through her bond with General Alexis.

Nona Davis is the group’s bridge to the past. Her search for the truth regarding her mother’s history and her friendship with the revolutionary Sonya Valesky adds a layer of intellectual depth to the group. She is observant and deeply sensitive to the moral complexities of the war.

Barbara Meade is the most relatable and vulnerable of the three. Her fears regarding the war, her longing for home, and her anxiety about her engagement to Dick Thornton provide the emotional grounding for the trio. She represents the "everyday" girl caught in extraordinary circumstances.

General Alexis acts as the catalyst for Mildred’s growth. Though he is a man of high rank and serious responsibilities, he is portrayed as possessing a surprising, almost boyish simplicity. His affection for Mildred highlights her development from an assistant to an equal.

Sonya Valesky is the figure of mystery. As a woman who has defied her social station and adopted radical, Tolstoyan beliefs, she represents the "new Russia" that the girls are only just beginning to understand. She is a tragic, aging character who leaves a lasting mark on Nona.

In Its Own Voice

"No, I have not written you, but I have thought of you many times and have followed your history more closely than you dream."

(Nona recognizes the mysterious Sonya Valesky, revealing the deep, unexpected connection between their families.)

"One big thing her war experiences had done for Mildred Thornton, it had given her a new sense of values."

(The narrator reflects on how the harsh realities of the battlefield have permanently altered Mildred’s perspective on her former social life.)

"So man gone mad, despoils the gentle earth and wages war on beauty and on good."

(Nona reads a poem by George Sterling to Sonya, using the verse to find meaning in the overwhelming tragedy of the conflict.)

What It's Really About

At its heart, this book is a meditation on the transformation of identity through service. It argues that war functions as a crucible, stripping away the trivialities of social rank and material wealth to reveal the core of an individual’s character. The girls’ journey is not just a geographic one; it is an evolution from sheltered observers to capable, empathetic participants in a global crisis. The book also touches upon the clash between the rigid, aristocratic traditions of old Russia and the stirrings of a more egalitarian, idealistic future, using the girls’ outsider perspectives to question the inevitability of power and the endurance of human suffering.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the classic "girls’ school" or "nursing heroine" genre of the early twentieth century will find this an evocative, if somewhat stylized, read. It offers a fascinating window into the specific patriotic and humanitarian ideals of the 1914–1918 era, written with a sincerity that is rarely found in modern accounts of the war. You will feel the bitter cold of the Russian winter and the stifling, claustrophobic atmosphere of a fortress under threat.

However, the reader should be prepared for the period-typical sentimentality. The dialogue is often formal and didactic, and the views on class, gender, and national character reflect the biases of 1916. The plot moves with a deliberate, sometimes leisurely pace, prioritizing the internal emotional growth of the characters over the tactical details of the war. If you are looking for a gritty, realistic combat narrative, you will find this too tame; but if you are interested in the domestic and psychological ripples of the Great War, it remains a poignant, well-meaning piece of history. What stays with you is the image of these young women, far from the comforts of home, trying to find beauty and purpose in a landscape that seems, in every direction, to be falling apart.