Alida; or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War. Founded on Fact

"Alida; or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War" by Amelia Stratton Comfield is a story set during the War of 1812 that centers around Alida, the youngest member of a kind family, dealing with love, loss, and the heavy weight of war on people's lives. It begins by showing Alida's family's peaceful life and her father's love for their home in the countryside, creating a feeling of warmth. The story quickly turns when her mother gets sick and dies, bringing sadness to the family, and then Alida's father makes the choice to send her off to a school for young women in New York City to continue learning. The story gives hints of friendships and maybe even people Alida could love, including her brother Albert, and these people seem like they will be important as Alida grows up, and as the war changes everything around them.