Category: Henry Kyd Douglas

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Shade

4/19/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Decisive

Part XII of XIII

“… Shade Reb.”
“We’re only a bit from the bridge.”
“Who’s McKinley?”
“Ohio Volunteer Yank and future president.”
“Fought here at the bridge?”
“Crossed at Snavely’s, then to the bridge like the other Yanks.”
“Johnny, if McKinley and the others had taken Harper’s Ferry Road …”
“Decisive Union victory.”
“Oops.”
“Boteler’s Ford, Lee’s line of retreat, would have been in cannon range.”
“Boteler’s you say?”
“That ford had many names – Shepherdstown, Blacksford’s – I mean the one on the Potomac by Kyd’s place.”
“Boteler was someone we visited at Elmwood.”
“Name around these parts.”
“Kyd was like Burnside, just the other side?”
“Yes and no Gus.”
“How yes?”
“Giving aid to the enemy.”
“Treason.”
“The no …”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Fair

“… Involves time.”
“Kyd lost the special orders so they could be found.”
“An act.”
“The rest of the war?”
“Doesn’t appear so.”
“You once said you thought Kyd acted out of fair play.”
“Yes.”
“You never said what that was?”
“Short story is Kyd knew something and didn’t think it was fair.”
“Planting the orders made a correction.”
“And some other Maryland things.”
“Then Kyd comes back to being a loyal rebel.”
“Correct.”
“Burnside was more.”
“All in.”
“Who knew?”
“As few as possible.”
“Jefferson Davis?”
“And some other leaders.”
“Generals?”
“Lee, Bragg, Thomas.”
“Longstreet?”
“Probably not.”
“Speechless Johnny.”
“No laughing crow?”
“Been quiet.”
“Well then …”

Next Up: 20 April and the series finale Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Washington.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Georgia Overlook

3/22/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Ferry Hill

Part I of XIII

“This it Reb?”
“Ferry Hill Yank.”
“Fancy place.”
“Henry Kyd Douglas had means.”
“It’s like we’re waiting for him.”
“Saddle up!”
“But who was Kyd?”
“Ask that of any of us Gus.”
“Did we hear the word sedition while in the Valley?”
“Insurrection too.”
“My laughing crow.”
“Yeah.”
“It’s not about me, Gus Kotka.”
“Say more.”
“Well …”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Shepherdstown

“… Is that Shepherdstown?”
“West Virginia.”
“Elmwood Cemetery.”
“Kyd’s buried there.”
“Reb, this Antietam thing.”
“Burnside helping Lee and Lee knowing Burnside was helping him.”
“It’s teaching us something about today.”
“Treason.”
“Before we go to Washington.”
“Garland and the thirty Thousand.”
“Because there are modern Burnsides.”
“Agreed.”
“Where’s our flag?”
“This way …”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Overlook

“… The Georgia Overlook.”
“Can’t see a thing Reb.”
“The bridge is at the top of the flag.”
“I see an arch.”
“Yanks ran across that field.”
“And you Rebs shot ‘em.”
“As quick as we could.”
“How’d you Georgians survive the artillery?”
“There was some.”
“Some?”
“Numbers don’t lie Gus.”
“People do Johnny.”
“Affirmed.”
“Burnside was an artillery officer.”
“West Point.”
“These trees, this Maryland rock, shells exploding, ricocheting ...”
“Right.”
“I don’t understand Johnny.”
“Some things …”

Next Up: 26 March and part II of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Overlooked.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere On Our Way: Up

1/4/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank SOOW: Up

Part II of XIII

“Up is good.”
“It is Gus.”
“We’ve covered some ground here at Somewhere.”
“We have.”
“Quite a bit since Elmwood really.”
“Yup.”
“We talked of you killing me.”
“We talked of your Valkyrie.”
“Crate.”
“Is that her name?”
“Might as well be.”
“I like it Gus.”
“We talked of Kyd.”
“We talked of Special Lost Orders.”
“Orders lost to be found.”
“Planted.”
“We talked of Ambrose Burnside.”
“Fencers.”
“The Anti-Republic cabal.”
“George Thomas.”
“Bested by Grant.”
“Grant.”
“What about Captain Downs?”
“What about him?”
“What do you know Johnny?”
“Just a bit Gus, although …”

Next Up: 11 January 2019 and part III of the winter series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere On Our Way: Touching Elbows.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

A New Pamphlet: A Dissenting Opinion from Johnny Reb and Gus Yank about George Thomas

11/14/2018

Set and setting

While waiting for the sun to move again, the spirits Johnny Reb and Gus Yank (Kotka) are sitting at the New York monument on the Antietam battlefield. The two are discussing a dissenting opinion about Union General George Thomas; Johnny and Gus say Thomas was working with (not against) the Confederate States of America and its Anti-Republic cabal.

A Dissenting Opinion from Johnny Reb and Gus Yank about George Thomas
Pamphlet Kindle

*Next Up: Johnny Reb and Gus Yank continue the Somewhere On Our Way We the People series on 21 December 2018.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Gus Yank and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Republic

8/11/2018

Republic

13 of 13

“… It looks like Kyd ‘lost’ the orders so they could be found.”
“Reb … that would have been treason against the Confederacy.”
“And for the Republic, what word would you use?”
“I don’t know.”
“Me either Gus.”
“The special orders Johnny, they told the disposition of Confederate forces.”
“The Union knew Lee had divided his army.”
“Lee divided in order to capture Harpers Ferry.”
“Right.”
“Advantage Union.”
“Lee thought the garrison at Harpers Ferry would run.”
“They didn’t.”
“They were ordered not to surrender, and, haphazardly, reinforced.”
“How Johnny?”
“The way time can. Lee could have marched on Harpers Ferry and made them run when he was at Leesburg on 4 September; at that time, we was only about 20 miles from the Ferry and then we could have turned north to Frederick.”
“Reinforcements?”
“The Yanks in Winchester and Martinsburg didn’t run for safety like Lee predicted: instead, they ended up at Harpers Ferry.”
“Total?”
“The delay in not taking the Ferry allowed you Yanks to double the size of the garrison, from say about 6,000 to 12,000.”
“Lot more Yanks Reb.”
“Sure was.”
“That’s why Lee divided his army at Frederick.”
“Those Yanks were a threat to our flank.”
“Because of the Shenandoah Valley.”
“Right.”
“Motive Reb?”
“Why’d Kyd do it Gus?”
“If it was Kyd, what was his reasoning?”
“Maybe save the likes of you.”
“How?”
“Stop the war before you got in it.”
“By ‘losing’ the special orders.”
“The victory strings Yank.”
“What about them?”
“Some victories had strings attached to them; they came at the expense of what you referred to as treason.”
“Treason against the Republic?”
“Which would be support for the Anti-Republic.”
“You’re saying that’s what Kyd knew.”
“He knew.”
“Who did the treasonous acts Johnny?”
“Because of Kyd Gus, I won’t show you just one example, I’ll tell you about two generals that were Anti-Republic Yanks.”
“Generals Johnny?”
“Generals.”
“Will I know them?”
“Their first names are ‘Ambrose’ and ‘George.’”
“Reb … you mean …”

*Next Up: Saturday, 1 September and a new pamphlet release, A Dissenting Opinion from Johnny Reb and Gus Yank about Ambrose Burnside.

Thank you! Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Gus Yank and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Kyd

8/9/2018

Kyd

12 of 13

“… An order was ‘lost’ Yank.”
“Lost?”
“When Lee moved the Army of Northern Virginia from Frederick, orders were issued.”
“Standard Reb.”
“There was an extra copy made.”
“Not standard Johnny.”
“It got wrapped with three cigars.”
“Is there a Valkyrie in this story?”
“Union soldiers found the cigars and orders.”
“I heard of this around here Reb: The Lost Special Orders, No. 191.”
“So-called lost.”
“One doesn’t just lose a copy of special orders.”
“Correct.”
“Takes a someone or someones to do that.”
“Yes.”
“Go on.”
“It looks like Kyd was involved in leaving the orders to be found.”
“That’s quite a charge to make.”
“The evidence bears the suggestion.”
“You believe so Johnny?”
“That’s the issue Gus: Kyd had opportunity.”
“The orders showed Lee had divided his forces.”
“Yes.”
“Finding the orders changed events.”
“Yes, though Lee had lost the initiative before the orders were found.”
“How?”
“The Union moved to Frederick quicker than Lee expected.”
“And the Union finding the ‘misplaced’ orders compounded Lee’s problem.”
“Pretty well said Yank.”
“Kyd?”
“The orders were placed Gus, left to be found, not lost.”
“Left by Kyd?”
“Kyd was involved Yank …”

Next Up: The summer series finale (Part 13) on 11 August, Gus Yank and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Republic.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Gus Yank and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Strings

8/7/2018

Strings

11 of 13

“… And let’s talk about Kyd.”
“I hear music sometimes Reb.”
“Happens.”
“Normal?”
“Fairly.”
“Thanks for the Valkyrie explanation.”
“Did you see her wings?”
“Seeing her … you know …”
“That was probably planned.”
“… If the plan was to stun me, it worked.”
“Up to that point, you had the drop on me and the other Johnny.”
“Once you fired, she started from behind the bullet and overtook it.”
“It hit.”
“I just remember jawing with you about ‘Who got me killed?’”
“Kyd time.”
“Go J.”
“I want to use you Yank to talk about him.”
“Go for it.”
“Lincoln asked for volunteers in 1862 after a string of Confederate victories in Virginia.”
“Lee.”
“Augustus Kotka, citizen from Valparaiso Indiana –
“Valpo!”
“- Volunteered.”
“Did.”
“While you were volunteering that September, Kyd was on Jackson’s staff.”
“Stonewall.”
“There’s more to the string of victories than I can say now.”
“Okay.”
“Kyd would have known what I know is my point.”
“So Kyd had things on his mind, maybe knew things about Lee and Jackson and 1862, that others didn’t know.”
“Yes.”
“Being a young staff officer, that’s like being a private.”
“Carry weight.”
“Kyd? Did he carry weight?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“To the right of the sunrise, maybe ten miles, is South Mountain.”
“Interesting name.”
“Beyond that, less than 20 miles, is Frederick Maryland.”
“What happened there?”
“We rested there for three days after crossing the Potomac and leaving Virginia.”
“Everyone heard of that crossing.”
“Right.”
“What’s the problem Reb?”
“Orders were …”

Next Up: Part 12 on 9 August of the summer series Gus Yank and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Kyd.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Seeing Things

7/4/2018

Seeing Things

8 of 13

“… What didn’t you see before Reb?”
“Haven’t you wondered why you’re here Gus?”
“Here Somewhere or with you in general?”
“Same thing.”
“Yes, I’ve wondered.”
“I have too.”
“What are you seeing now Johnny?”
“You Kotka.”
“Come on.”
“See how it looks like the cannon is firing on the eagle.”
“Yes.”
“A group, a cabal, tried to kill our Republic.”
“Cabals collude Johnny.”
“Collusion became treason.”
“Go on.”
“Our war, the US Civil War, didn’t start in 1861 Gus.”
“Of course it did Reb, when you all fired on the federals in Fort Sumter.”
“Try 4 July 1850.”
“I don’t see it Reb.”
“President Taylor Gus.”
“He died of cholera.”
“They say.”
“You saying something else Johnny?”
“He was killed.”
“Assassinated?”
“Others have said so.”
“Need to see some evidence Johnny.”
“I know the how Yank, but there’s more to say about you and your Valkyrie first.”
“When is it Kyd time?”
“Next.”
“What’s this how you speak of Johnny?”
“How the assassins killed President Taylor.”
“Say more.”
“You and the Valkyrie first.”
“Okay, though …”

Next Up: Part 9 on 18 July of the summer series Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: More to Say.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: In-Between Time

6/30/2018

In-Between Time

5 of 13

“Reb?”
“Yeah Gus.”
“The sun, it doesn’t seem to be moving.”
“Right.”
“What’s up with that?”
“It appears we’re In-Between Time.”
“Sounds like a problem.”
“Not really.”
“Did you do it?”
“No Gus.”
“Something higher?”
“Something higher.”
“I thought maybe as a composite spirit, I mean, I’m not always sure what you can and can’t do.”
“Me either.”
“So how does this work, this In-Between Time?”
“Maybe think of it as we’re between Tick and Tock.”
“So there’s been a Tick of Time …”
“Right.”
“… And you’re saying there’ll be a Tock of Time.”
“I can’t stop the sun Gus.”
“So what do we do?”
“Deep water.”
“Time to weather our storms you're saying.”
“You were gonna tell me something else about 11 August.”
“You were gonna tell me something about Kyd.”
“How shall we proceed?”
“I’ll begin, I mean, I’ll say my peace Johnny.”
“Thanks Gus …”

Next Up: Part 6 on 2 July of the summer series Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Gus’ Peace.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Thereat: Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb, On Our Way Somewhere

12/24/2017

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Complications

XIII of XIII

“… Here Yank, by the fence.”
“Cover.”
“Looks clear though.”
“This is that-Somewhere plateau.”
“Dunker Church.”
“Land paid for.”
“Let’s talk a bit Yank.”
“About Kyd?”
“That and something else.”
“What’s complicated about Kyd Reb?”
“I don’t know what isn’t.”
“Start.”
“Antietam was a day in a campaign.”
“Lee’s 1862 Maryland Campaign.”
“This plateau was the fulcrum of that campaign.”
“We talked of that.”
“There were other fulcrums too.”
“Go on.”
“Kyd, he …”
“… Fought here?”
“With himself Gus.”
“Thus the complications.”
“Right.”
“What else?”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Fire

“Something you said Gus.”
“When?”
“At the cemetery.”
“You never said its name?”
“Elmwood.”
“And what did I say?”
“‘Alive’ when I asked ‘What’s a Reb without a Yank?’”
“I meant from the war.”
“We’d all already be dead by now Gus.”
“Okay.”
“It made me remember something about you, something about Private Augustus Kotka.”
“Go on.”
“There were two Johnnies there when I killed you.”
“So?”
“You had the drop on us Gus.”
“Maybe.”
“The first Johnny saw you and yelled.”
“His mouth moved.”
“He yelled ‘Yank!’”
“Then?”
“Then I drew and fired.”
“Which hand?”
“Right.”
[Silence.]
“That’s why you said ‘Alive’ before: you had the drop on two Johnnies Gus, so you could’ve fired first … why didn’t you fire?”
“There’s something else that happened, something you didn’t mention.”
“Say more.”
“Say more about Kyd.”
“Fair enough Gus.”
“Let’s say we bivouac here, you know – out there.”
“You know it’s daybreak, right?”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Ponderances

“Recall Reb, that I was a private and volunteer.”
“Meaning?”
“‘Bivouac’ was my favorite command.”
“Rest does sound good.”
“What happens next?”
“Rest.”
“How about a song first?”
“I know one called ‘Deep Water’ you might like.”
“Guitar?”
“Plucking.”
“Say more.”
“Imagine a goddess singing about weathering the storm.”
“Goddess you say.”
“Blunt one … then we’ll do some-Somewhere bivouac time.”
“Can I comment on the song?”
“Later.”
“Ponderances?”
“Encouraged.”
“Let’s hear it then Johnny.”
“Here we go Gus …”

*Next Up: A dietary-double feature begins on Saturday December 30th with an order of Peppered Cannabinoids, followed on NYE with an abstract gut-serotonin poem, A Microbiota Ode to the Brain-Gut Axis.

We’ll continue journeying with Gus, Johnny and We the People on Juneteenth 2018.

Thanks All ~ Peace.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner