Farmers That Helped Shape America chronicles the settling of the untamed wilderness that is today's western Maryland and the participation of Isaac Van Sickle and his relatives in the Civil War. It also explores other historical developments, such as westward expansion; the building of the National Road; the B&O Railroad and the C&O Canal and their impact on the mid-Atlantic region.

This recounting begins with the Van Sickle family, which was one of the earliest settling families in today's western Maryland. The Van Sickle family and a number of relatives played a vital role in the Battle of Monocacy (commonly referred to as the battle that saved Washington, D.C.) due to their service in the Union army as members of the Third Potomac Home Brigade. The Van Sickles's adventures were shared by untold tens of thousands of hard working, poorly educated, patriotic young men from both the north and south; Collins's retelling offers a unique insight into their Civil War era service. This story of hardships, survival, and courage of Collins's ancestors will remind the reader of the selfless sacrifices that their own ancestors made in making and defending freedom. The Van Sickles's story honors our past, present, and future soldiers.