Heal Union: Grant Sides With Lee: Gus and Johnny Track Virginia

The Heal Union spring series continues with INDIA.

Gus and Johnny Tracks

“Nice tracks Reb!”
“Right on Gus!”

“Virginia’s pretty – from a hobo’s perspective.”
“This is old Virginia Gus.”
“Whatcha’ mean Reb?”
“Remember the Monster Bridge?”
“Yeah,” Gus recalled, “we said we’d cross the river, the Potomac.”
“We did.”
“Where’s it at?”
“Back the tracks.”
“Back down the tracks is Maryland and Antietam – Sharpsburg.”
“Correct.”
“So we crossed over,” summed Gus, “and we’re in Virginia.”
“Not anymore.”
“You said Virginia was on the other side Johnny – and we was going there.”
“I did.”
“Then what’s up?”
“I was talking like an 1862 Johnny Reb.”
“Compared to …”
“An 1865 Johnny Reb.”
“Okay.”
“Like the one who wrote to Grant.” clarified Reb.
“Lee’s letter to Grant,” Gus followed, “seeking clarification on the terms of his surrender.”
“ – And the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.”
“Right.”
“Lee sought Grant’s help – ”
“We’re not in Virginia?” Gus interrupted.
“Not yet.”
“Can we rally at the Potomac?”
“Sure thing …”

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Gus and Johnny Potomac Rally

“There’s that confounded bridge.”
“A different one,” Reb noted, “and over there is Maryland and a place called Ferry Hill.”
“Fairy Hill.”
“Right.”
“And we’re in?”
“Shepherdstown.”
“Virginia.”
“No,” Reb added, “not anymore.”
“West Virginia then.”
“Correct.”
“I get it,” Gus pondered; “the Johnny seeing Virginia was true, just with the war, this land became the star known as West Virginia.”
“In 1863.”
“What is this place?”
“A monument.”
“To Fairies?”

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James Rumsey's Steamboat

“To Firsts.”
“How so?”
“Down there by those ruins …”
“Those Fairy stepping stones?”
“No, bridge ruins,” Reb offered, “down there a dude first powered a boat by steam.”
“Here on the Potomac?”
“Yeah.”
“When and who?”
“1787 by James Rumsey.”
“So it’s a monument to a Virginian in West Virginia.”
“Right.”
“True American.”
“We should be going.”
“Back on track.”
“There’re lots of people waiting.”
“Lots?”
“Sure,” confided Reb, “a receiving party even.”
“A party,” Gus gathered, “that’s special.”
“Ready?”
“Am.”

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Gus and Johnny Virginia Land

“Welcome Home Gus!”
“Welcome Home Johnny! ~ These Virginians, eh?”
“They are.”
“Lots of em’ too.”
“Correct.”
“So Grant stood up for Lee?”
“He did,” explained Johnny, “as lots of people were in favor of punishing the leaders of the rebellion.”
“Punish men like Lee.”
“Right, so Lee reached out to Grant and suggested the terms of surrender excluded trials.”
“Grant agreed with Lee?”
“He did,” continued Johnny, “and Grant fought for Lee against President Johnson.”
“Grant and Lee working together.”
“President Johnson wanted to punish Lee and the others; Grant was livid and said no way, that he didn’t fight for the surrender of Lee’s army to then see it all blown on a trial.”
“Grant got mad?”
“Yes.”
“So what’s next Johnny?”
“We have a week pass Gus.”
“Weak?”
“Seven days.”
“Oh … and we’re off ‘til the 17th?”
“That’s it.”
“So a ‘hurry up and wait’ moment.”
“Soldier’s time.”
“Right on Reb ~ I’ll do some visiting …”
“Right on Gus ~ me too.”

*Next Heal Union: 240th Bunker Hill and Thomas Knowlton on 17 June.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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