In Thomas Nelson Page's novel A Soldier of the Empire, the story follows the life of a young man named John Randolph, who is born into a wealthy Virginia family in the early 1800s. Randolph is a passionate patriot and dreams of joining the military to fight for the United States in the War of 1812. However, his father refuses to let him enlist, so Randolph decides to join the British army instead. Randolph is sent to Canada, where he quickly rises through the ranks and becomes a respected officer. He is sent to fight in the Battle of New Orleans, where he is wounded and taken prisoner. While in captivity, Randolph meets a young woman named Mary, who helps him to escape. Randolph and Mary eventually marry and return to Virginia, where Randolph is reunited with his family. He is welcomed back with open arms and is given a hero's welcome. Randolph and Mary settle down and have a family of their own. The novel follows Randolph's life as he struggles to balance his loyalty to the United States with his loyalty to the British Empire. It is a story of love, loyalty, and courage in the face of adversity.
By Thomas Nelson Page · First published 1891 · Genre: Historical Fiction, War Fiction, Adventure Fiction