Escape from Richmond is a Civil War novel based on family history. Will Brunner, physician and minister, and his friends are imprisoned because they refuse to join the Richmond Volunteer and later the Confederate Army. Before the war begins, Olivia Brunner Organizes a wagon train of women and children -- her children and the wives and children of Will's friends. They travel north to The Kanawha Valley where she will wait with her Uncle for the release of her husband. Battling, illness, accidents, injuries, fear and discouragement and death, they arrive in The Valley, build homes and wait. Meanwhile, the war begins, the Confederate Army moves to Richmond and Will and his friends battle their own discouragement, hunger, cold and fear for their families. They escape from Libby Prison and begin their journey north, traveling by night and sleeping by day, hoping to reach Cabin Creek and their families.