To My Best Girl

Behind all descriptions of historical events are the stories of real people. This is the extraordinary true story of a citizen soldier and the girl he loves, as both become embroiled in the cauldron of our nation’s Civil War.

Rufus Dawes will emerge from a prolific yet troubled family background to become a heroic officer thrust into horrific battles while fighting with the most famous Union unit of the war. But before those stirring war scenes there is the early life of a proud and intelligent descendant of leading patriots and pioneers who helped form the United States, the Northwest Territory, and the state of Ohio.

Rufus will meet beautiful and vibrant Mary Beman Gates while in college and fall in love. But there is separation due to distance and social standing, apparently little reciprocal feeling, and competition by others better situated than he. Can it ever become more than infatuation? The outbreak of war intervenes. Doubting his own survival, is it possible to fulfill any dream of a life with Mary?

Mary is a girl from Marietta, Ohio with a loving family who becomes a young woman while witnessing many acquaintances and suitors, along with an only brother, march off to war. Will she— should she—become involved with a soldier whose life is in daily jeopardy far away?

The drama unfolds upon Rufus and Mary, and upon family members and soldiers who experience their own battles, trying to survive while patriotically performing their duty to the nation. Quoting many letters and diary entries, most never published, this is a timeless story of love and courage.