The Union of Brothers: A story of love and courage

"The Union of Brothers" is a fictionalized account of my great grandfather's life, his service in the Civil War and his struggle to make it home.

Firman Kirk was a nineteen year old lumberman in the Mountains of Central Pennsylvania when he was recruited to join the 1st Rifles, 13th Reserves, 42nd.Regiment of the newly formed Pennsylvania Reserve Corp. This unit is more commonly known as the "Bucktails."

He meets a young woman, Ophelia, on the eve of his departure for army training at Camp Curtin. She becomes his foundation of strength when he doubts the chances of his living through battles from Antietam Creek, Gettysburg and through other historic battles far from home. His survival of Andersonville prison rest with a lock of hair from Ophelia, whom he hopes to marry after the war, sent in a previous letter. How did he survive? How did their love endure the many battles? This historical fiction novel will keep you turning pages.