“When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”  And thus starts one of the greatest documents in world history: the Declaration of Independence.  There were 56 signers who signed this document, and each one of them knew what the consequences were for speaking out against the Crown of England.  As July 4, 1776 dawned, the day it was adopted as the public out-cry against English tyranny, so did a new era of prosperity for the thirteen fledgling colonies, part of what is now known as the United States of America.  Times were difficult, and England wouldn’t give up that easily.  America was already a year into a war that would cost many lives, but ultimately end in freedom.

 

Years later, as tensions between France and England steadily increased due to the Napoleonic Wars, the fledgling nation of America was again caught in the middle of the conflict.  Believing the source of Britain's strength was in its commerce, Napoleon placed heavy restriction on trade ships that had any connection with England.  In retaliation, England did the same.  Consequently, the U.S. was totally cut off from trade.  But there were many more aspects involved in starting the War of 1812, many of which got resolved before the first shot was fired.  The British, still brooding over the insolence of the U.S., made alliances with the Native Americans, and the French sided with the U.S.  So now the small nation of America was faced with a brutal force from within.  The Indians had long hated the white man’s coming, and now was their chance to get even.

 

Right in the midst of a famous battle with the Indians at Fort Harrison, this story weaves fictitious characters into a real-life setting.  As Abe and his family are Quakers, they don’t believe in fighting.  But now, as Chief Pa-koi-shee-can of the Potawatomi war band advances toward their little settlement on the banks of the Wabash river, will their faith in God be strong enough to withstand certain death?  With no weapon to defend themselves, they can only pray to their heavenly Father and trust God for deliverance.  Will their faith see them through?