Frederick March, patriarch of the March family, serves as an officer in the Union Army during the Civil War. On leave at the story's beginning due to a broken arm, he picnics with his family near their Gettysburg home and spots Confederate scouts at a nearby riverbank. Recognizing the threat, he chooses to report this intelligence to his superiors despite his reluctance to leave his family.

His departure coincides with the Confederate occupation of the area. The March family home is destroyed during the ensuing battle and their savings stolen, forcing them to leave Gettysburg. With no alternatives, they relocate to Newcord seeking shelter with Frederick's estranged aunt, Aunt March.

Aunt March provides the displaced family a place to stay, albeit coldly, offering temporary refuge as they attempt to rebuild after losing their home and finances. Frederick March's absence and the war's consequences directly cause their relocation and initial hardships in Newcord.