Coming Soon
Soldier for the Union
A surgeon discovers a soldier with a secret
Soldier for the Union is both a war story and a love story told through the eyes of a battlefield medical unit. Amid the chaos of the Civil War, a young woman enlists alongside her brother. They fight shoulder-to-shoulder with their comrades until a combat injury unmasks her identity. A battle-weary regimental surgeon and his devoted nurse find themselves confronting more than wounds of the flesh—they must also reckon with secrets, grief, and the fragile nature of human resilience in the face of overwhelming loss.
Drawing on hidden history and the overlooked role of women who fought, Soldier for the Union weaves together themes of courage, self-sacrifice, the visible and invisible wounds of war, and the fragile bonds that sustain us in our darkest hours. It celebrates the quiet heroism of those who chose to heal rather than destroy.
Rich in historical detail, especially in its depiction of Civil War medicine, the novel offers an intimate portrait of healing and humanity amid unimaginable loss.
Advance Praise for Soldier for the Union
Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, Soldier for the Union is an engaging read that is as emotionally powerful as it is historically compelling. The rich cast of characters will move you, provoke you, and stay with you long after the final page.
Stella Leventoyannis Harvey, Author, Finding Callidora
Gripping from the first page, Soldier for the Union provides a haunting, evocative glimpse into the hidden history of women who fought in the Civil War. Magnificently researched, rich in atmosphere and emotion—on par with Cold Mountain."
Victoria Heland, Author, Mayfair Wage
About William W. Campbell
William W. Campbell is a neurologist, writer, artist and philanthropist. He is a retired U.S. Army colonel and recipient of the Legion of Merit. He lives with his wife and dogs in the woods near a lake in Virginia. His creative writing career began with short stories about memorable patients encountered over nearly fifty years of practice.
One of these won first place in the 2022 F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival Adult Short Story Contest. Other award-winning stories and essays have appeared in The Sherwood Forest Art and Literary Review, As You Were: The Military Review, Ink In Thirds, Five Minutes and the Glint Literary Journal. In 2024, he received the Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy from Brightpoint Community College. He is a signature member of the Virginia, Baltimore and Louisiana Watercolor Societies.
Artist’s Note
Watercolor is a paradoxical medium. It demands discipline yet rewards risk. I’m drawn to fast and loose watercolors, more jazz than classical, although I think you can do anything with the medium. At one point I painted a series of watercolor portraits using only a palette knife just to prove the point.
I’m especially drawn to painting Native Americans, partly because of the pageantry and regalia, but also because I want to honor their culture and the contributions they have made to this country. Most people don’t realize that, per capita, Native Americans have served in the U.S. military more than any other ethnic group. Many incorporate elements of the American flag into their regalia. They are a deeply patriotic people, despite all. Many times, I have joined the parade of veterans invited to circle the arena at the beginning of a powwow.
See selected paintings @williamcampbell8695 on Instagram.
For a more detailed description of my artistic journey see this Spotlight piece written by the Louisiana Watercolor Society on my election to signature membership.