Category: Virginia

The Turn of We the People: Dionysus

7/31/2026

Happened

1/13

Didn't see that happening Johnny.
Me either.
They can move.
Yes they can.
And communicate.
With and without words.
No masks either.
They did admit to singing.
We spent America’s 250th 4th of July in Richmond Virginia.
In the Confederate Executive Mansion.
And not just you and me Johnny.
With two goddesses.
Comedy and Tragedy.
Happened.
Probably forgot all about your stomach flipping, eh Reb?
Mostly.
Lingering?
In a good way.

Chestnuts

They remembered you.
Seems so.
They said so Johnny.
Yeah.
Nice of them.
Didn't feel bad.
Comedy and Tragedy named Mary Chestnut and her diary.
Part of those days.
They also mentioned 12th and Clay.
The Chestnuts had a place on the corner Gus.
Neighbors of the Davises?
Friends too.
Like hang out in these rooms?
Countless times, happy and sad.
The goddesses cleared up why the blood red walls.
And the vine carpeting Yank.
Said it was for a Greek god of wine.
Dionysus.
Fancy name.

Communion

Partier.
So just make the carpets and walls red for the spilling of wine.
Of course.
One thinks of Jesus.
The wine?
Communion.
Others have said so too.
Dionysus like theater Johnny?
The Greeks held theatrical festivals in his honor.
How old is the dude?
Putting me on the spot Yank.
Estimate.
At least 3300 years.
Geepers!
Once upon a time Yank.
Our American spirit is just beginning.
In relation to Dionysus, we would be seven years old.
That explains things.
We ready Yank?
Ready to be ready Reb.

*Next Up: 7 August part 2/13 The Turn of We the People: Keep Moving.

Posted by Bryan W Brickner / Support the US Constitution

The Return of We the People: Betsey and James

5/18/2026

James Pemberton

Part 6/13

A bust.
For sure.
The owner of people.
How many Johnny?
Hundreds over the 30 years.
Davis owned James and Betsey?
Yes with a correction clarification.
Go.
Betsey self-emancipated with James Dennison.
Sign said James Pemberton.
Yet James Pemberton died in 1852.
Tough to run in 1864.
Right Yank.
Who was James Pemberton?
Jeff’s personal servant, slave, from 1829 until ‘52.
Twenty-three years.
Served Jeff’s father before that.

James Dennison

So James Dennison was Jeff’s servant slave after Pemberton died.
Now we enter new ground like your story Gus.
You said something was similar between me and Betsey and James.
Did.
What?
You all participated in events people wrote about.
So we can know me from the history of the 99th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
That and the war.
And for James and Betsey it was being a part of this place.
More part of the Davis household.
It is 1852 and James Dennison started … where are they at then?
Mississippi.
Then DC?
From 1853 until 1861 Gus.
DC from the eyes of James and Betsey.
Then Mississippi and Alabama and here in Virginia.
Same James Dennison?
Seems so.
Jeff was kind of stern.
Apparently James knew how to handle him.

Gospel

Betsey Johnny.
Varina's servant slave owned by Jeff.
Married to James?
Yes.
What did that mean, two enslaved in marriage?
Part of that humanness we talked about.
Say more Reb.
If in a long term relationship, that would possibly promote the interests of the owner.
Slave children.
Better behavior.
Less dissent.
More rights.
The Davis enslaved in Mississippi were freed by The Emancipation Proclamation, January 1863.
Correct Gus, and the Yankee army burned the Davis plantation in the same year.
So all their Mississippi friends and family were already free, by proclamation and war, by the time James and Betsey did the Someday walk.
Yes.
Feel like singing Johnny?
Do.
“I have read a fiery gospel, writ in burnished rows of steel.”
“As ye deal with my contemners, so with You my Grace shall deal.”

Next up: 1 June (part 7/13) The Return of We the People: Betsey and Varina.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

The Return of We the People: Steps and Doorways

4/27/2026

Portal

3 of 13

Got a sign Gus.
Quite a name.
Marketing.
Starfish House wasn't working?
Stingray.
Right.
During the war it was called the Executive or President’s Mansion.
It’s old.
Like us.
The sign Johnny.
Built in 1818.
As a home.
Then Executive Mansion.
Until April 1865.
Then Yanks moved in.
Then a school Reb.
Then a museum.
And now what is it?
Portal.
Davis stepped here.
Lincoln stepped here too Gus.
Some of his last.
True.

Context

So that doorway saw a lot.
Part of being a portal.
Robert E. Lee?
Yes.
Mosby?
Maybe.
Why maybe?
Blur, you know Yank, too many particulars.
Davis had an office?
Here as well.
Let's go inside.
Maybe we see the visitor’s center first?
See Charlie?
There are things inside that best have some context.
Like what?
Context.
There are goddesses.
Good guess.
I took the one on the sign as a hint.

Virginia

The Roman Virtus Gus.
Virtus is on the Virginia flag.
Virtue kills a tyrant.
Mortal combat as virtue Johnny.
According to Virginia.
Understandable not using the Virginia story you told me.
Another Roman story.
Father slays daughter to keep her from being enslaved.
Virginius and Virginia.
That would be a tough image to put on a flag Reb.
Especially in a slave state.
You mentioned goddesses.
I did.
Where?
Visitor's center first.
After you.
It’s around back.
To the left?
Follow me.
Okay …

Next up: 4 May (part 4/13) The Return of We the People: Emancipate Yourself

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Benjamin

10/15/2021

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin': People

Part XII of XIII

“… Here’s Ben Gus.”
“Three hundred years.”
“Ben’s birth year was 1724.”
“So you found some Benjamin history too?”
“Did.”
“What of Kentucky Sarah?”
“The Berry family was in Kentucky before it was Kentucky.”
“How?”
“There’s a Berry’s Lick operating in 1786.”
“Salt mining.”
“Sarah’s 1827 will stated she owned a thousand acres in Green River, Kentucky.”
“Making salt … in Kentucky … slave labor.”
“Yes.”
“More slave coin Johnny.”
“So much slave coin Ben would …”
“What would Benjamin do?”
“The word doesn’t sound right Gus, correct I mean.”
“What word?”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin': Gifted

“Gift.”
“Benjamin Berry gifted people?”
“Via deed Gus.”
“An example?”
“Legal papers.”
“Say what?”
“‘Deed of Gift to daughter Sarah Stribling – 4 negroes.’”
“When?”
“1804.”
“No words for that Reb.”
“How slavery worked.”
“What else?”
“Sarah’s birth name appears to be Mary.”
“Mary Berry.”
“Sarah might have been a middle name.”
“Always something in Berryville Reb.”
“Always something Yank.”
“Let’s front.”
“Sure …”

Next Up: 22 October and the series finale Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Front.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Greenland Gap

7/21/2021

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin': Kennedy Grogan

Part VIII of XIII

“… Here’s a part of me: Kennedy Grogan, C.S.A.”
“In memory of.”
“Killed at Greenland Gap, West Virginia.”
“Where’s that Johnny?”
“About a hundred miles west.”
“Grogan was killed April 25th, 1863.”
“Aged 20 years.”
“There’s no date of birth.”
“Might have been his birthday.”
“The day a Yank …”
“Right.”
“How’d we get here Johnny?”
“What do you mean?”
“Where ‘Mericans like me are killing ‘Mericans like Grogan.”
“Calhoun.”
“Where’d Calhoun learn usurpin’?”
“Yale.”
“A Northern connection.”
“Still.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin': Greenland Gap

“What do you know about Greenland Gap?”
“Yanks heard us Rebs were on the move, so they guarded the mountain gaps.”
“Grogan?”
“Why you being so formal?”
“Kenny then.”
“Kenny was riding with about fifteen hundred Confederate cavalry.”
“How many Yanks held the gap?”
“Around ninety.”
“Ninety?”
“Yank infantry fortified a few houses and a two-story, made of oak timbers, German church.”
“Turned it into a fort.”
“We assaulted the church after nightfall.”
“Kenny?”
“His unit, the 35th, was part of the assault.”
“Kenny was killed assaulting a fortified church?”
“Looks like.”
“Hear them crows?”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin': Grumble

“Do.”
“The assault?”
“With the church aflame, and out of ammunition, the Yanks surrendered.”
“Who were the Yanks?”
“Illinois Irish and Virginians who supported the Union.”
“Grogan is Irish.”
“Yes.”
“Irish killing Irish and Virginians killing Virginians.”
“Correct.”
“Got to keep my sense of humor Johnny.”
“We were mad at the surrendered Yanks.”
“What happened?”
“It was becoming a scene until Grumble Jones showed up and put a stop to it.”
“Grumble?”
“The general in charge, a nickname.”
“Grumble said?”
“They fought like brave men and did their duty. They shall have honorable treatment.”
“Let’s step Johnny.”
“Sure …”

Next Up: 21 August and part IX of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Obelisks and Things.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: On the Road Again

10/8/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank RMH: Quietude

Part 13 of 13

“… What now?”
“You’re right about the quietude Gus.”
“Maybe Morgan was kidding?”
“About?”
“Snake and Turkey.”
“How so?”
“I was thinking maybe he meant we were Snake and Turkey.”
“I had the same thought.”
“I couldn’t figure out which one of us was which though.”
“Bit of both.”
“Seems like Morgan -”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank RMH: Whoosh

[Whoosh.]

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank RMH: Wind

“- The wind?”
“Likely Yank.”
“Morgan?”
“Don’t know.”
“How ‘bout we step to Berryville Johnny?”
“Let’s.”
“Well, we’ll be seeing you Morgan.”
“You and the thirty Thousand.”
“Lead the way Reb.”
“Here we go …”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank RMH: Grace

“… Berryville USA.”
“Nice landing.”
“Benjamin Berry.”
“Revolutionary.”
“Probably knew Daniel.”
“Oh?”
“Morgan’s home is just a few miles away.”
“They knew each other.”
“And Sarah.”
“What’s next Reb?”
“Grace.”
“Really?”
“Looks to be a cemetery.”
“Our way.”
“Is on the road again.”
“First let’s people watch Reb.”
“Berryvillin’.”
“In Virginia.”
“Thanks Gus!”
“Thanks Johnny!”

Thanks All!
*Next Up: 3 November and a 2020.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: Thomas Sumpter (also Sumter)

10/3/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank RMH: Thomas Sumpter (also Sumter)

Part 10 of 13

“… Cannon without carriage.”
“Battle’s over.”
“There’s another thing about 9 April 1792 Gus.”
“What Johnny?”
“Fort Sumter.”
“What about Fort Sumter?”
“The fort was named after Thomas Sumpter.”
“With a P?”
“Yes.”
“Who’s he?”
“American revolutionary.”
“Knew Morgan?”
“Definitely, as Sumpter was from Virginia and, like Morgan, fought the British in South Carolina.”
“What’s Sumpter got to do with Usurpation Day?”
“Sumpter was in the House with Gerry.”
“Representing Virginia?”
“South Carolina.”
“Go on.”
“The British general Morgan defeated at Cowpens gave Sumpter a nickname.”
“What?”
“Carolina Gamecock.”
“Fighter.”
“Thomas Sumpter voted Against the usurpation on 9 April.”
“Supported Washington’s veto.”
“And the Constitution.”
“Unlike Gerry.”
“Fact.”
“And then you rebels, ordered by Jefferson Davis, fire on Sumpter’s namesake, Fort Sumter.”
“April 1861.”
“What’s the Latin mean?”
“This is about Cowpens.”
“Duci Ex- I can’t make it out Reb.”
“Duci Exercitis … Translates as leader of armies (or army leader).”
“Who’s the native?”
“Uh … let’s step over here.”
“Why Reb? …”

*Next Up: 6 October and part 11 of Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: Hellenistic.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank On Our Way: Mount Horeb

3/22/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank OOW: Mount Horeb

Part XIII of XIII

“… How’s this?”
“Feels like home.”
“Welcome home Gus.”
“Welcome home Johnny.”
“There wasn’t a horse before.”
“No?”
“It was people conveying the man.”
“Was there a child?”
“Yes.”
“Slave?”
“Represented.”
“Slavery, it means both: slaves and slavers.”
“Yup.”
“You bring the flag Reb?”
“I thought you did.”
“Not me.”
“Well then.”
“Well then what?”
“Let’s rally ‘round it.”
“Mount Horeb style.”
“Worked before.”
“Did.”

Thanks All!

*Next Up: Usurpation Day 2019.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank On Our Way: To Prevent Hogs Running At Large

3/15/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank OOW: Burgess

Part XII of XIII

“… See here?”
“George the Burgess.”
“Elected 24 July 1758.”
“Who’s on the horse Johnny?”
“The founder of Winchester.”
“They all look happy.”
“They do.”
“Reb?”
“Yeah.”
“Says George: ‘poured out barrels of rum, wine and beer on Election Day.’”
“A rather traditional way of electioneering Gus.”
“Just it’s George getting them drunk.”
“Winner.”
“Loyalist.”
“True.”
“When did George marry Martha?”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank OOW: Winchester

“In 1759.”
“Ah hah!”
“Ah hah what Gus?”
“George begins his rebellion.”
“With Martha you mean?”
“Frontier George becomes Tidewater George.”
“From loyalist to revolutionary.”
“Martha.”
“Like a fulcrum?”
“Yes.”
“I get it.”
“What’s with the hogs Johnny?”
“George’s first contribution to new laws.”
“Keeping hogs from running at-large in Winchester?”
“To protect the drinking water.”
“Environmental George.”
“Shall we move on Yank?”
“Mount Horeb maybe?”
“Let’s …”

Next Up: 22 March and the winter series finale, Johnny Reb and Gus Yank On Our Way: Mount Horeb.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank On Our Way: Survey

3/8/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank OOW: Hello

Part XI of XIII

“… You weren’t.”
“Young George Gus.”
“It’s like he’s saying hello.”
“‘Hey Gus and Johnny.’”
“Hey George.”
“Like that Yank?”
“Just like that.”
“Seems so.”
“When did George own slaves?”
“Age eleven.”
“What?”
“His father, Augustine Washington, died and George inherited ten slaves.”
“Ten people.”
“At age eleven.”
“When did George get to Winchester?”
“Says here …”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank OOW: Surveyor

“… 1748.”
“Just a kid Reb.”
“Yup.”
“So before coming here, George had owned people for five years.”
“Correct.”
“Then the 16 year-old George went to Winchester, or Frederick Town, to survey.”
“Frederick was the eldest son of King George the second.”
“The future king?”
“Would’ve been, but Frederick died in 1751.”
“Colonial George was a loyal subject Johnny.”
“He was Gus.”
“Slaving, surveying and serving.”
“And then George was elected Burgess.”
“Is that good Reb?”
“Yes.”
“What’d he do?”
“Represented this area in assembly.”
“Early political career, eh?”
“Well …”

Next Up: 15 March and part XII of the winter series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank On Our Way: To Prevent Hogs Running At Large.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner