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Author Archive | Sally Brinkmann
TOM JOHNSON
Since the boys’ mother died, I ain’t done too good. I been hitting the bottle, gambling, and leaving young Rob with all the farm work. He’s a good boy and deserves better. I told my boys this ain’t our war, but Billy joined up, and now we’ve not heard from him in months. Both sides […]
BIG BETTY
When they drug me up on that auction block in Winchester, I fear I get a new master even worser than the old one. Thomas Clifford make the highest bid, and I knows now this the best day of my life. Back then, I never hear tell of Quakers, but they kind people. Right off, […]
PRIVATE HERMAN JACOBS, CSA
When I first met Rob Johnson, I didn’t like him. He had just made corporal and did the sergeant’s bidding, which included robbing me of my deer meat. Ain’t nothing wrong with a man trying to keep from starving. Rob said the Yanks could have heard my shot, but I knew there wasn’t nobody up […]
CHARLES FAULKNER, Attorney at Law
I met Rob Johnson after the war. The vengeful men controlling Morgan County exacted reprisals from returning Rebel soldiers, and Rob was fighting to keep his land. I could see that he was smart and determined, qualities I admire. After they took Rob’s farm, I offered him a job. My law clerk had left and […]
TIM FOLEY
When I first saw Rob Johnson at Point Lookout Prison, he was badly wounded. The Yankee sergeant would have left the lad to die, but I brought him to the surgeon. You see, Rob has the look of me younger brother who died in an English prison. Rob survived and I’ve been looking out for […]
SERGEANT WILLIAMS, CSA
I’ve been in the military most of my life, and I’m a pretty good judge of men. In late 1861, I was ordered to take over a new squad with the 48th Virginia Infantry in Winchester. I was hard on my men, but I turned them into good soldiers. Two of my recruits were among […]
MABEL McCABE
When I ran the kitchen at the Pavilion Hotel, Rob Johnson delivered fresh vegetables and milk from his family’s farm. His ornery pa usually collected the payment, which I knew went straight to drink. Mrs. Johnson had been a good, God-fearing woman, but after she died the old man drank even more. The older son […]
NATE FIELDS
I grew up rough and survived by learning to take advantage of every situation. I was no patriot and found many ways to benefit from the chaos of war. When I joined Orrick’s Rebel Rangers as a scout, I found I had opportunities for profit. Many people had too much in life and I had […]
ROB JOHNSON As Told by Abigail Treverton
I come from a Quaker family and my father has pointed out repeatedly that Rob Johnson is not of our persuasion. He’s only hired help, working with us to conduct slaves to safety on the Underground Railroad. I was attracted to Rob the moment we met. He wore a fine tailored suit and looked handsome, […]