Helen wants to contribute to the war effort after the United States goes to war in 1917--so she joins the Women's Land Army of America, an organization that trains women to do farm work, replacing the workers drafted into the army.
Cousins Patrick and Beth work to protect runaway slave Sally as they travel by train with President-elect Abraham Lincoln through northern New York state in 1861 aboard The Lincoln Special, getting assistance from Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln and her son Willie along the way.