Taken by the Enemy

by Oliver Optic

"Taken by the Enemy" by Oliver Optic is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative centers on Captain Horatio Passford, the owner of a steam-yacht named Bellevite, who is thrown into turmoil upon learning of the outbreak of the Civil War. Faced with the reality of the conflict and the imminent danger it poses to his daughter Florence, who is in the South, Captain Passford resolves to undertake a perilous mission to rescue her and bring his brother's family out of enemy territory. At the start of the story, Captain Passford is aboard the Bellevite, returning home from an extensive cruise. His initial tranquility is shattered by shocking news delivered via a newspaper that reveals the North and South are officially at war. This revelation triggers his agitation as he worries about his daughter residing in a Confederate state. His thoughts quickly pivot towards action, and he begins to strategize a daring plan to rescue Florence and his brother's family, leading to the unfolding of a tense and dramatic adventure amidst the turmoil of the Civil War.