1860

Volume I of the Drieborg Chronicles

As the storm clouds of war gather over a divided nation, the Drieborg family stands at a crossroads. Set against the rugged backdrop of 1860-1861 Michigan, this first installment of the Drieborg Chronicles brings to life the trials and tribulations of Dutch immigrants who have built a thriving farm near Lowell. The nation may be on the brink of conflict, but for the Drieborgs, their world is one of faith, hard work, and community.

At the heart of this tale is Michael Drieborg, a young man on the cusp of adulthood. Nearly 18, he wrestles with the fervent call to serve in the Union Army while honoring his parents' wishes to remain on the family farm. Through Michael's eyes, readers are drawn into the rich tapestry of rural American life—where the rhythms of farming, the bonds of church and school, and the whispers of change collide.

The story sweeps us to Lincoln’s campaign rallies, the tense moments as Southern states break away, and the friction within the townsfolk as war draws near. With every passing day, the pressures on young men to enlist grow stronger. For Michael, that call becomes personal and urgent when a clash with the spoiled son of a wealthy local puts him at a fateful crossroads: face a penalty or enlist in the cavalry. Torn between duty to his country and loyalty to his family, Michael chooses the path of the soldier.

1860: America Moves Toward War paints a vivid portrait of life in a time of upheaval, where courage, faith, and sacrifice are tested. As the drums of war grow louder, the Drieborgs—and America—are set on a course from which there is no turning back.

Join Michael as he embarks on a journey that will shape the man he is destined to become, in a nation that must decide its own fate.