Category: Robert E. Lee

The Turn of We the People: Privy

10/6/2026

Someday stairs

11/13

We have stepped Johnny.
We have Gus.
These are those stairs.
Servant slave stairs.
Someday stairs.
Someday.
Not much room Reb.
The main stairs are double-wide.
Betsey and James.
Yeah.
The second floor rooms were not public.
True.
Betsey and James had a right to be up here.
They aided Varina and Jeff.
Varina trusted Betsey.
Betsey kept secrets.
Observant.
Mansion ran well.

Indoor outhouse

What's that small green door?
Privy Yank.
An indoor outhouse?
Of course.
Jeff had a private stool.
Imagine he shared it some.
Varina for sure.
Guests like Lee.
Cabinet members.
Probably.
The Chesnuts?
Sure.
Who cleaned it?
Not Jeff Gus.
There would have been chamber pots too.
Nature calls.
And the slave servants cleaned up.
Somebody's chore for sure.
And down these steps.
No doubt carefully.

Privy councils

King's have privy councils Reb.
Private advisors.
It sounds funny.
Kind of a campfire joke.
I was having a privy council.
Might mean making a number two.
Johnny, we have the same sense of campfire humor.
We probably would have got along.
Except for trying to kill each other.
We actually needed a We the People Congress.
Not a council.
And public, no secret debates.
Let us deliberate.
Very Elbridge of you Yank.
I thought of Madison.
Your brain has changed.
I have a brain?
You got something.
It's this place Johnny …

*Next Up: 13 October part 12/13 The Turn of We the People: Freedom Seekers.

Posted by Bryan W Brickner / Support the US Constitution

The Turn of We the People: Wake Up (Jesus Was Woke)

9/17/2026

Constitution Day 2026

8/13

Den of traitors.
Treason happened here Gus.
It's a small room compared to the others.
Secrets don't like a crowd.
Too many eyes.
And ears.
Indeed.
Which is why anti-republic forces always want We the People asleep.
Eyes closed.
Can't see a thing that way Yank.
Sleep right through the usurpation.
It's Constitution Day.
Smudge Day.
The day We the People need to remember.
A republic for which we stand.
And we stand wide-awake Yank.
Not asleep like before.
Correct.

Asleep to the rule of law

Johnny, does that door lead to the upstairs landing?
Does.
So all the prominent traitors walked through that door.
To meet with Jeff, the chief contemner.
Lee.
Beauregard.
Bragg.
Hood.
All asleep to the rule of law Reb.
Jeff Davis was anti-woke to America’s founding.
Just like the 435 are today.
Jeff would be impressed by today's anti-wokeness.
Admire it even I imagine.
Keep ‘em asleep Jeff would argue.
Don't wake up and read the US Constitution Johnny.
Just be like before.
Trust the liars.
And be the greatest generation to never read the founders.
Asleep at the wheel We the People are.
Asleep.

Jesus was woke

Reb, is that all America has today?
Can't read?
Can't wake up?
Maybe likes being asleep?
Seems so Johnny.
Maybe being anti-woke is a new virtue?
Shame on the anti-woke.
Honor to the woke.
Jesus was woke.
Maybe We the People need to look at our reflection.
Look at ourselves, see ourselves.
Eyes open Gus.
Wake up from the usurpation.
Wake up from the thievery of our rights.
And see again.
Ever higher.

*Next Up: 22 September part 9/13 The Turn of We the People: Think of the Children.

Posted by Bryan W Brickner / Support the US Constitution

The Turn of We the People: Jeff Had A Bad Day

9/8/2026

Conscription

7/13

This is weird Johnny.
Which part?
Us standing in the bedroom of Jeff Davis.
And about to enter his private office.
What's that closed door ahead?
Children's room Gus.
Children, war room, and sleepy time with Varina.
Jeff was out of the mansion during most days.
Had that other office.
Public one.
This one was private.
Place to talk.
Secrets Reb.
All the special plans.
Plans like conscripting Johnnies permanently into the war.
We had only volunteered Gus.
I recall you saying Robert E. Lee wrote the first draft for conscription.
Bobby did.
Where's the bed?
Why?
Cuz.
Turn to eleven.

4 July 1863

Bedtime stories Johnny.
Looks comfy don't it.
Bad dreams though.
Bad days too.
Like when they lost a child.
Jeff paced all night.
No doubt.
Way more bad days than good days Gus.
In the war, which one was the worst?
That would be 4 July 1863.
The surrender of Vicksburg.
You were in the Vicksburg theatre.
I was Johnny.
Quite a day I imagine.
The same day as Gettysburg Reb, 4 July 1863.
The last of three bloody days.
And there was another one Johnny, another Union victory.
The victory without a battle.
Won by maneuver.
Tullahoma.

The war was lost

The speed of news trickled in back then Johnny.
Meant Jeff had a string of bad days.
No amount of pacing can cure that.
The war was lost at that point Yank.
Say more.
We lost the Mississippi River.
Navigation.
Retreated from Pennsylvania.
Degradation.
And gave up Tennessee.
Starvation.
We were done.
Did Jeff know this?
That was the problem.
Jeff?
He had lost his way.
Didn't know how to make peace.
Never did.
We need leaders who understand how to make peace.
Amen.
I feel like walking forward Reb.
Me too Yank.

*Next Up: 17 September part 8/13 The Turn of We the People: Wake Up.

Posted by Bryan W Brickner / Support the US Constitution

The Return of We the People: Righteousness

7/1/2026

Acquiescence

13/13

How’s your stomach Reb?
Almost there.
We had a madness flip.
And a sadness flip.
Most pancakes take at least three flips Johnny.
Righteousness.
Teach.
It is wrong.
The 435?
I mean how no one speaks publicly Yank.
Silence is acquiescence.
And it is wrong.
We have the right to petition.
We can read.
We can ask.
We can do.
The Constitution was written for a simple audience Johnny.
It was read before fireplaces and around tables.

Self-evident

In fancy rooms and log cabins.
Wherever Americans gathered.
No one needed a lawyer.
Righteous.
No one needed a Supreme Court.
Righteous.
Because constitutional representation was self-evident.
Is.
We don't need a court to tell us it says two Senators per state.
Manifest Yank.
The Constitution is wisdom to the mighty.
And succour to the brave.
Elbridge being back is a sign needed Reb.
He represents someone who denied the thirty Thousand on Usurpation Day.
An original Usurpecan.
And someone who comes back to the Republic.

For the duration

Like Lee.
Longstreet and Mosby too Yank.
Seems Lincolnesque.
The returning.
Righteousness is more than being right.
Rooted in justice.
It is a commitment.
For the duration.
Victory.
Madness, sadness, and righteousness Gus.
Feelings Johnny.
Nice to feel again.
If your stomach flipping is a sign, what would it mean?
Some kind of turn.
For?
We the People.

*Next up: 31 July 2026 (part 1/13) The Turn of We the People.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner / Support the US Constitution

The Return of We the People: Comedy and Tragedy

6/22/2026

Feelings

10/13

Where are the goddesses?
[Silence]
Reb?
[Silence]
This is no time to go poofing Johnny?
I, I … didn't poof.
You okay?
I think I had a feeling Gus.
You?
I know.
A feeling?
I think it was.
What?
Felt like I had a stomach and it was flipping.
Flipping?
Like a pancake.
Why?
Spirits.
Where are the goddesses?
Turn to the left.

Tragedy

Who is this Johnny?
Tragedy I think.
Tragedy?
A representation.
Why Tragedy?
Ask the Greeks.
Why here I mean?
Came with the house.
Shouldn't it be Athena?
It was Tragedy.
Victory?
We have Comedy over here.
Of course we do.
They go together.
In theater and war.

Comedy

Comedy Yank.
So these were here when Robert E. Lee walked in?
Lincoln too.
And when Varina and Betsey went out for the day.
And here to welcome them home.
Quite the symbols.
Set a tone.
What’s with the wired chairs?
Props.
Don't sit?
Right.
Won't stop a goddess.
Hardly.
You hear that?
Hear something.
Sounds of music.
A cue perhaps?
Goddesses suggesting we move on.
Outro music.
Let's continue touring Reb.
And leave the timeless to be.

*Next up: 29 June (part 11/13) The Return of We the People: Madness.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner / Support the US Constitution

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 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: Aside

4/14/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: All In

Part XI of XIII

“… Question about Burnside.”
“Go Gus.”
“How does one do that?”
“Treason?”
“Yes.”
“Once you decide what side you're on, it doesn’t feel like treason anymore.”
“Because you’re feeling a different value.”
“Correct.”
“So once Burnside was in, he’d be in.”
“Burnside was a problem gambler Gus.”
“Couldn’t stop?”
“Always all in.”
“All in like this bridge.”
“Gus, I think the Antietam washed out the old bridge on a regular basis.”
“And somebody said ‘Never again!’ Johnny.”
“Never again.”
“Let’s cross the bridge Reb.”
“Touching-elbows style.”
“And find some shade.”
“Let’s …”

Next Up: 19 April and part XII of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Shade.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Refuse

4/13/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Air

Part X of XIII

“… Seems to not refuse his left Johnny.”
“Did the same thing at South Mountain.”
“That was 14 September.”
“Left his left in the air Yank.”
“Easy fencer move to do.”
“Furthermore, on 16 September, Burnside doesn’t recon Mill Road.”
“What’s that mean Johnny?”
“It’s the first main road off of Rohrersville.”
“Leads to a mill.”
“And Harper’s Ferry Road.”
“You Rebs could have come from Harper’s Ferry via the Harper’s Ferry Road.”
“Two did.”
“Two who?”
“General Jeb Stuart and an aide.”
“From Harper’s Ferry to Sharpsburg?”
“Took a little over an hour at a gallop.”
“When?”
“One o’clock, 15 September.”
“Someone crossing the bridge Reb.”
“Let’s step aside.”
“Sure …”

Next Up: 14 April and part XI of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Aside.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Bridge

4/12/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Medieval

Part IX of XIII

“… The bridge Johnny.”
“Look at that hill.”
“Like a wall.”
“With every Reb shooting at the same spot.”
“Concentration of fire.”
“Kill zone Gus.”
“Feels like a drawbridge.”
“Over a moat.”
“To a castle wall.”
“Medieval.”
“Castles worked for awhile Reb.”
“A few could defend from many.”
“Just like here.”
“Gus, after the Yanks crossed at Snavely’s, they headed toward the bridge and not Harper’s Ferry Road and Lee’s line of retreat.”
“The left is floating again.”
“In the air and by orders.”
“And not only the Ninth Corps Reb.”
“The left flank of the Army of the Potomac.”
“Burnside …”

Next Up: 13 April and part X of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Refuse.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner