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Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Equals

8/1/2018

Equals

10 of 13

“… See?”
“I see New York Yanks Johnny – and officers at that.”
“Before, when it looked like the cannon was firing on the monument.”
“The cannon fired on these men.”
“These ‘Mericans Gus.”
“I see that Johnny.”
“These men, these NY Yanks, they can’t communicate with me Gus: you can.”
“Why?”
“Why the Valkyrie?”
“Just a story you said.”
“Your story.”
“I’m to fight again, with you?”
“Not against with, together with this time.”
“So we defend the Constitution, together, instead of attacking each other, over the Constitution, like we did before.”
“As equals.”
“Equals?”
“There’s a missing counter-balance in my story, a ‘Gus Yank’ so to speak.”
“You ain’t really asking or telling me, are you Reb?”
“Explanation I thought … could also be a volunteer moment.”
“‘Captain Downs’ … the privates had fun with that one.”
“What if he had been promoted?”
“Major Downs, big fun.”
“How about ‘Gustuv’ and ‘Hugo’?”
“Not so much, strong names, you know, like Jonathan.”
“And Augustus.”
“Let’s take a seat Reb.”
“Let’s …”

Next Up: Part 11 on 7 August of the summer series Gus Yank and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Strings.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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

7/4/2018

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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

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Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Monuments

6/26/2018

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Monuments

3 of 13

“… Though there wasn’t a monument anywhere there, by the Antietam.”
“What did the crow say, in Yank, Gus?”
“Sounded like, ‘Yank, over there.'”
“And then?”
“It flew north, sort of laughing too I thought.”
“What else?”
“I think a human saw me.”
“You don’t say.”
“I do.”
“Where?”
“The New York monument … the one with the eagle on the pedestal.”
“Yes.”
“I was coming upon it and couldn’t tell there was a human on the other side.”
“What happened?”
“I think he’d been crying Reb, ‘cuz of the monument.”
“Go on.”
“The human was gathering himself, composing himself again after the cry, and he smiled and nodded a greeting.”
“Then what?”
“I nodded, continued on by, and then doubled-back after he left.”
“Did you see what might have upset him?”
“Sure did Johnny …”

Next Up: Part 4 on 28 June of the summer series Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Books.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Constitution Day: Gus Kotka, Johnny Reb and Antietam 1862

9/16/2014

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Antietam Somewhere

War Cry Heal Union
The summer series finale (10 of 10)

Honoring Constitution Day 2014 and 1862

“Hey Gus.”
“Hey Reb.”
“Our Once Upon A Time chat got interrupted yesterday …”
“Darn Squeak.”
“… Right,” continued Reb, “and welcome to Somewhere.”
“I’d say it’s nice like Nowhere,” Gus observed, “– and thistles too.”
“It wasn’t always this nice.”
“So where is Somewhere Reb?”
“Antietam.”
“No shi-kiddding?”
“No kidding.”
“So, the Dandies of Harlem Heights.”
“Yeah.”
“I figure,” Gus began, “you wanted me to see the problem.”
“What problem is that?”
“The problem of who got me shot,” Gus stated, “so you brought me the story of the battle through the eyes of the Yankee Doodle Dandies.”
“American Rebels.”
“And to show me the similarities between Leitch and the other soldier, the one killed on the field.”
“Thomas Knowlton.
“Yeah him: I remember Leitch died thirteen days later ~ sort of one day for each Stripe.”
“Nice reckoning.”
“So where we at on Antietam?”
“An orientation perhaps?”
“Great ... and is it Constitution Day in Somewhere, I mean Antietam, too?”
“Eternally Gus …”

Sharpsburg Somewhere

“You were here Johnny.”
“Yeah,” Reb panned, “the question is where were you in September 1862?”
“South Bend Indiana.”
“Indiana ‘eh.”
“Right, the 99th Volunteers were mustered into the US Army …” Gus paused: “I volunteered after …”
“After what?” Reb asked.
“… Antietam is the culmination of Robert E. Lee’s Maryland Campaign.”
“You volunteered in August 1862, right?”
“Did: the 99th was mustered into service 21 August 1862,” affirmed Gus and added, “- I see your suggestion Johnny.”
“Still need that orientation Yank?”
“Not really.”
“Whatcha’ thinking?”
“All these citizens Reb … their lives for what?”
“The bloodiest day in our heritage.”
“There’s something else, isn’t there?”
“Generally …”
“The Potomac’s near.”
“Yes.”
“Can we go there?” asked Gus.
“For a moment …”

Potomac Somewhere

“… Here it is.”
“Big.”
“Not so big …”
“No, the thing across it?”
“Bridge Yank.”
“Monster of a Bridge.”
“Yeah.”
“Is that Virginia?” wondered Gus.
"It is."
“So much talk about it ~ seems like a place to go.”
“Say more ..."
“Crossing a river is symbolic.”
“It’s been said so.”
“Can we …”
“Visit Virginia,” Reb pondered, “like maybe next year?”
“I’m available ~ you?”
“Think so.”
“Summer again Reb?”
“Feels like Spring.”
“Great.”
“It's Time to go Gus.”
“You hear something?”
“No ... just Time.”
“Thanks Reb.”
“Thanks Gus.”

Gus and Reb Somewhere Sunset

*In October, look for Ew Publishing’s mini-series, Whiskey 220: The Rebellion. Hosted on the BWB Blog, Whiskey 220 honors the successful conclusion to a domestic insurrection 220 years ago; it does so by highlighting President George Washington’s personal notes while traveling to inspect the State militias: the series includes a meeting with Virginia’s Governor Henry Lee III. Whiskey 220 begins Saturday, 11 October.

Thanks All!
~
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Video:
Johnny Cash sings Civil War songs

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1776: Gus Kotka, Johnny Reb and the Dandies of Harlem Heights

9/15/2014

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War Cry Heal Union: The series (9 of 10)

Once upon a time …

“Hey Gus.”
“Hey Reb ~ Where we at?”
“Once Upon A Time.”
“Once Upon A Time?” Gus quizzed, “you said we’d meet Somewhere next time.”
“I did,” Reb confirmed, “and tomorrow's Somewhere …”

Once Upon A Time Green Bean

“Great … then what’s with the green bean?”
“It’s a kitchen Gus.”
“Okay …”
“There’s a Dandy story here,” assured Reb, “and it’ll make our Somewhere time better.”
“A dandy one ‘eh?”
“The Dandies of Harlem Heights.”
“No kidding?” crafted Gus, “… then what goes with Once Upon A Time?”
“Burners …” offered Reb.”
“Burners?”
“… They like art.”
“Who’s Art?”
“… C’mon Gus ~ this way.”
“Sure thing Reb ~ though who’s Art? …”

Once Upon A Time Do Not Stop

“… Hey Reb ~ wait-a-Sec.”
“What now Yank?”
“Are we in Art's dream?”
“You can say that.”
“Then how come you and I are different?”
“Whatcha’ mean Yank?”
“Once Upon A Time? …” thought Gus, “How’d you do this?”
“I’m a composite Spirit,” answered Johnny Reb, “and you’re an individual Spirit Gus.”
“Okay …”
“You get to do your Spirit thing, be that US Army Private, 99th Indiana Infantry Regiment - ”
“Volunteer.”
“Yes, Volunteer Augustus Kotka, killed skirmishing the siege of Atlanta, 11 August 1864.”
“And you Reb? … How’d you die?”
“All the Johnnies Gus.”
“All? … You mean all the deaths?”
“Yes ~ and all the lives too.”
“Which is why you can do more …”
“Right.”
“It’s like …” Gus reasoned, “you’re a Macro and I’m a Micro Spirit.”
“Right again.”
“One more thing … Is that a piñata?”
“… Gus ~ C’mon …”

Once Upon A Time 48 Stars

“… Gus ~ Here we are.”
“What kind of flag is that?”
“’Merican.”
“The stars Reb …”
“Forty-eight.”
“Lots ~ so where are the Dandies?”
“Here, in the map.” [Richard Hanser, The Glorious Hour of Lt. Monroe, 1976:87.]
“Map’s too small Reb.”
“I know … I just wanted to say something.”
“Good ~ I like listening.”
“Sure you do …”
“I do ~ speak your peace Johnny.”
“The Stripes,” started Reb, “they represent the 13 Colonies in Rebellion.”
“Yes ~ and the Spirit of ’76.”
“And that Spirit had bodies … you know, humans.”
“Of course.”
“In the map are four American Rebels: a General, Colonel, Major and Lieutenant.”
“Officers.”
“Yes: Washington, Knowlton, Leitch and Monroe.”
“George and James for Washington and Monroe: who’s Knowlton?”
“Thomas Knowlton, Connecticut.”
“Say more …”
“Bunker Hill, 1775.”
“With ya’ now.”
“In the map it’s more than a year later,” Reb continued, “16 September 1776 and the New York Battle of Harlem Heights.”
“Who’s Leitch?”
“Andrew Leitch, Virginia … he’d been in New York four days.”
“Had been … what happened?”
“Washington has Knowlton’s Rangers skirmishing –”
“I know Skirmish.”
“– Against some Brits. Knowlton then leads the Rangers and the Third Virginia Regiment on a flanking movement. Knowlton is shot scouting the Brits; Major Leitch, as second in command, steps into the spot Knowlton was just in to assess the situation …”
“That’s the right move.”
“… Right Yank ~ ‘cept the Brits had the range and put three shots into Leitch.”
“Did they die? ~ Then I mean?”
“Knowlton on the field and Leitch thirteen days later.”
“Yankee Doodle Dandy Rebels ~ Knowlton and Leitch.”
“Yes, a Stripe for Connecticut …”
“… And a Stripe for Virginia.”
“Soldiers like Washington and Monroe,” Reb continued, “who give witness to such moments, often feel they were fighting …”
“For something.”
“… And not Against something Gus: Yankee Doodle Dandies fought For Free Speech and Enumerated Representation, you know, like our Nowhere chat,” Reb flickered, “~ Oh’oh …”
“What?”
“Time to go.”
“Already?”
“Heard a Noise.”
“Whatcha’ hear?”
“Squeak.”
“Who’s Squeak?”
“… Gus ~ Tomorrow's Somewhere.”
“I’m with ya’ Reb …”

Video: Yankee Doodle: Music of the American Revolution
~
*Tomorrow ~ US Constitution Day, 17 September 2014, the War Cry Heal Union summer series finale: Gus Kotka, Johnny Reb and Antietam 17 September 1862.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Civil War: Battle Flags, Medals of Honor and Soldiers Unknown

7/19/2014

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Featherston's Brigade Flag ~ Franklin 1864

War Cry Heal Union: The series (5th of 10)

Honor and Death were present when Van de Graaff met Buckley.

Imagine a hot Georgia mid-afternoon 150 years ago today; about 1,000 soldiers, mostly Mississippians, hear the fate of Atlanta (and thus the Confederacy) is in their hands.

Now imagine another moment, one less than an hour from the other one, of a Mississippian (Van de Graaff / a name implying Germany) and a New Yorker (Buckley / who was born in Canada) meet and try to kill each other.

Here, I’ll explain …

The commander of the Mississippi brigade, Brigadier General Winfield Scott Featherston, a veteran who fought in the eastern theater (Virginia and Maryland) under the command of Robert E. Lee (at Antietam in 1862, for example), and then was transferred west (also by Lee) later that year. On this day, 20 July 1864, Featherston is leading an aspect of Confederate General John B. Hood’s plan of attack on the Federal approach to Atlanta. Hood was put in command by Jefferson Davis (President of the Confederacy) and brought an “I’ll attack” strategy to the defense of Atlanta; the battle at Peachtree Creek was his first effort.

33rd Mississippi Battle Flag ~ Peachtree Creek 1864

Hood told General Stewart, who told General Loring, who told Featherston who then told the 1,000 Mississippians (including Van de Graaff) of their moment. So off they go in attack, six Confederate/MS battalions forward into six Federal battalions ~ two from Ohio and one each from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and New York. The Federal line falls back; at first the charge succeeds with the Mississippi brigade taking the ridge; then the Federals’ fire cannon into the breached line (into the Mississippians) and counter-assault.

The 26th Wisconsin captured the battle flag pictured here from one of Featherston’s battalions, the 33rd Mississippi, and its loss (capture) would have taken place during this phase of the battle; in total, Featherston’s brigade would lose seven battle flags at Peachtree Creek.

Which brings us to the meeting of Van de Graaff and Buckley.

Private Dennis B Buckley ~ Peachtree Creek 1864

Private Dennis B. Buckley of the 136th New York battalion struggles with the battalion Adjutant of the 31st Mississippi, W.J. Van de Graaff. Various reports note a hand-to-hand struggle for the flag of the 31st; it would have looked like the one pictured above, the 33rd’s. Van de Graaff, who was carrying the flag only because the other bearers had been shot, lost the flag to Buckley; Buckley, after wresting control of the flag, was then shot and killed. Private Dennis B. Buckley was awarded the US Medal of Honor for capturing the 31st’s battle flag and is buried in Marietta National Cemetery.

Being from Illinois, I usually see our Civil War more or less from the Federal perspective; today, having been myself an Adjutant (battalion staff officer/personnel, US Army, Saudi Arabia 1991), it’s Van de Graaff that I’m feeling. In his report of the battle, Featherston made special mention of the 31st’s leaders who died on 20 July 1864, specifically, their commander Lt. Col. J. W. Drane and executive officer Major F. M. Gillespie. The 31st suffered 164 casualties from 215 men sent into battle; here’s what Featherston wrote in his report of Van de Graaff, followed by the names of the unit’s leaders killed or reported missing: “Adjt. W.L. Van de Graaff, of the 31st Mississippi Regiment, a gallant and accomplished officer, a young man of promise and great moral worth, seized the colors of his regiment and bore them to the front after two or three color bearers had been shot down, and following their example shared their fate. He fell with the colors in his hand.”

Killed:
Lt. Col. J. W. Drane, Major F. M. Gillespie, Capt. John B. Ketchum, Adjutant W. J. Van de Graaff , Lt. W. D. Carradine, Lt. J. C. Morrow, Sgt. J. M. Johnson.
Missing:
Capt. G. W. Lewdon, Capt. C. W. Richards, Lt. S. M. Bobbs, Lt. J. C. Hallum, Lt. Thomas Lyles, Lt. P. G. McGraw, Sgt. J. S. Bridges, Sgt. J. J. Cudley.

Representing all our citizens in a new constitutional House of Representatives, one for every 30,000, is something we have to look forward to; while doing so, let’s look back and perhaps think again ~ of the individual citizen-soldiers of our Civil War ~ as well.

Next time, July 27th, is the sixth essay in the War Cry Heal Union series ~ Henry Lee III, father of Robert E. Lee, defends the First Amendment and the Unrepresented.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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“Victory or Death” ~ George Washington’s 1776 Christmas Day Message

12/24/2013

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“Victory or Death” would have been in the minds of 18 year-old Lt. Monroe and the other soldiers crossing the Delaware River that night, 25 December 1776: the phrase was General Washington’s countersign for the attack on the British camp in Trenton. The now (mostly) nameless soldiers crossing with Lt. Monroe were part of the advance party; they were to secure and hold a crossroad.

This wasn’t the young lieutenant’s first combat; he was in battle against British Regulars at Harlem Heights in September (a Continental victory) and then again during a raid on Tories (Americans loyal to the crown) at White Plains in October (another victory). Those victories had little impact on the British advance – that happened at Trenton.

The 2,400 soldiers preparing for battle that Christmas day were the best the American’s had – or more accurately – about all they had. The British had run the Continentals across and out of New Jersey. Soldiers’ enlistments were expiring January 1 and there wasn’t enough of anything (like shoes, blankets and coats) and barely a revolution. In Trenton, protected by the river, was a British camp garrisoned by mercenaries: these were Hessians – professional soldiers the British crown ‘rented’ from German princes and deployed against Washington and the rebellion.

Richard Hanser’s 1976 book, The Glorious Hour of Lt. Monroe, is a biographical tale of revolutionary moments; Lt. Monroe’s big moment takes place on the 26th during the assault. What follows is an excerpt from Hanser’s book (p. 132-3); it’s in the first-person and it’s the voice of Lt. Monroe (50 years older) writing about that night and an encounter he had guarding the crossroad:

“After crossing the river I was sent with my command [a piece of artillery] to the intersection of Pennytown [now Pennington] and Maiden Head [now Lawrenceville] roads, with strict orders to let no one pass until I was ordered forward. Whilst occupying the position, the resident of a dwelling some distance up a lane had his attention directed to some unusual commotion by the barking of dogs. He came out in the dark to learn the cause, and encountered my command, and supposing we were from the British camp ordered us off.

“He was violent and determined in his manner, and very profane, and wanted to know what we were doing there on such a stormy night. I advised him to go to his home and be quiet, or I would arrest him. When he discovered that we were American soldiers, he insisted that we should go to his house and not stay out in the storm, and he would give us something to eat. I told him my orders were strict and we could not leave. When he returned to the house, he brought us some victuals.

“He said to me, ‘I know something is to be done, and I am going with you. I am a doctor, and I may help some poor fellow.’ When orders came for us to hasten on to Trenton, the doctor went with us.”

Let's pause here for tomorrow’s post ~ “Major Wilkinson, this is a glorious day for our Country.”

Merry Christmas All ~ Peace-up!
Bryan W. Brickner

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Federalist #58

9/12/2013

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Excerpt from Chapter 3:11, Oligarchy
The Book of the Is (2013)

11
The previous charge might raise some eyebrows as it looks a lot like what has happened. We can look at why Madison said this wouldn’t happen, as discussed in Federalist 58, and maybe we can see why one for every thirty Thousand is a fair and agreed upon number.

In Federalist 58, Madison again places the charge to be defended in the title: “Objection That The Number of Members Will Not Be Augmented as the Progress of Population Demands Considered.” Madison and the others saw the problem clearly and even anticipated what we now face. Here is also where we see an assumption made by the Constitutional Convention breakdown: the founders thought the large states would defend this principle.

Perhaps it just hasn’t happened yet, as it probably will be the large states that will demand House augmentation. Madison: “There is a peculiarity in the federal Constitution which insures a watchful attention in a majority both of the people and of their representatives to a constitutional augmentation of the latter.”

I see how Madison is still going to be correct; he and the others thought augmentation would take place because the general population in the larger states would demand it. If states like California, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio, if they demanded constitutional representation, they would achieve it.

This “peculiarity” hasn’t materialized only because the large states haven’t demanded it. Madison wrote that from the interest of the large states: “it may with certainty be inferred that the larger States will be strenuous advocates for increasing the number and weight of that part of the legislature in which their influence predominates.” Madison argued that if there were problems, the general population could step in by building a coalition of the constitutionally willing:

Should the representatives or people, therefore, of the smaller States oppose at any time a reasonable addition of members, a coalition of a very few States will be sufficient to overrule the opposition; a coalition which, notwithstanding the rivalship and local prejudices which might prevent it on ordinary occasions, would not fail to take place, when not merely prompted by common interest, but justified by equity and the principles of the Constitution.

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Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Equals

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

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Monuments

Constitution Day: Gus Kotka, Johnny Reb and Antietam 1862

1776: Gus Kotka, Johnny Reb and the Dandies of Harlem Heights

Civil War: Battle Flags, Medals of Honor and Soldiers Unknown

“Victory or Death” ~ George Washington’s 1776 Christmas Day Message

Federalist #58

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