I Shall Be Near to You: A Novel

In an era devoid of modern day technology, you are newly married and a war is raging. The trickle flow of information sets all on edge. Hoping for news from loved ones, each mail delivery breeds both fear and anticipation.

Spirited, hand on hip Rosetta Edwards refuses to become a spinster. Persuading her sweetheart, Jeremiah Wakefield, to marry her before he joins the Army, Rosetta enjoys two weeks of marital bliss. Unable to bear a year without Jeremiah, Rosetta secretly follows him; temporarily shedding her identity for that of Private Joss Stone, soldier of Company H of the Ninety-Seventh Volunteers. Recovering from the shock of Rosetta’s audacious presence, Jeremiah, failing to convince Rosetta to return home, allows her to stay. What follows is a poignant story of love, friendship, and war.

McCabe expertly depicts the harrowing aspects of the Civil War from camp life to the battlefield. Despite constant terror of discovery and daily experiencing the gruesome effects of battle, Rosetta’s resolve to stay with her husband displays her strength to be one. Though women today do not have to go through such extremes as Rosetta, this story will resonate with all who’ve had loved ones away at war.