The Warrant of the Heart

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Christine Kelly's inspiring tale, drawn from family journals, begins after the tragic death of her relatives in a Boston riot in 1863. Assuming the identity of Chris Kelly, she joined the Union Navy, experiencing significant naval battles, including the Battle of Mobile Bay. After honorable service, she joined the US Marshal Service, where she was tasked with extraditing a murder suspect. During the journey, Chris gained notoriety after their train was seized by Confederate troops and adopted a young orphan girl. Their travels led them through the Sierra Nevada, where they developed ties with the Cheyenne nation. Following the trial, where Chris's testimony exonerated the woman, they returned to adopt another girl. The family's story highlights the emergence of independent women during a repressive era, and a romance blossomed among the adopted daughters. While the narrative maintains historical accuracy, it features fictional names at the family's request for privacy in their identities.