Martin sits down with author and historian Linda Zimmermann to explore her powerful new book, A Civil War Soldier and Me—the true story of Sgt. Albion Brooks of the 8th Connecticut Volunteers.

Over the course of 30 years, Linda traced Albion’s life through original letters, diaries, and family papers spanning three generations. In this conversation, she and Martin discuss how a single Civil War soldier became a personal obsession, starting with a dusty trunk of documents and leading to thousands of miles of battlefield travel.

You’ll hear about:

• Albion’s journey from Maine and Bridgeport, CT to the front lines

• His experiences at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Burnside’s North Carolina Expedition, Drury’s Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, and Cold Harbor

• What his letters reveal about courage, humor, faith, and the emotional weight of war

• Linda’s immersive battlefield visits that retrace where he marched, fought, and died

• Albion’s final hours at Cold Harbor, as recorded by the chaplain who stood at his bedside

• Martin also shares a brief anecdote about his own Civil War–era family history, adding another personal layer to the discussion

If you’re drawn to personal soldier stories, Civil War history, or the emotional power of original letters and diaries, this episode of The Everything Else Show offers a rare, intimate look at one young man whose words still speak across 160 years.

SHOW NOTES

In this episode, we’re joined by Johanna McBrien who has worked in the field for more than 40 years in the antiques, publishing, and museum fields. From Historic New England to teaching at RISD and Boston Architectural College, Johanna has spent her career digging into the rich stories behind furniture, interiors, and decorative arts. Johanna discusses her love for 18th century Salem, MA furniture (see our related video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVB-tb1GOfk ), also she talks about what’s hot (and what’s not) in the antiques market, why you should collect what you love instead of chasing value, and how the loss of historical education is putting our connection to antiques at risk. For Johanna, it’s simple: when antiques lose their stories, they lose their soul. Tune in for a thoughtful, engaging chat about why history matters—and why understanding the past is essential to preserving the beauty and relevance of antiques today. Johanna is the currently t executive director of the Dedham Museum and Archive.

Martin grew up near historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire—a treasure trove of Colonial-era antiques and stories. In the 1980s, he uncovered a set of stunning fire buckets and portraits linked to local artist John S. Blunt. With help from his friend, historian Joe Copley, Martin pieced together their history, leading to a record-breaking $32,500 bid at auction. It’s a story about discovery, passion for history, and the thrill of bringing the past to life—dedicated to Joe, who helped preserve Portsmouth’s legacy. Post script: I forgot to mention, the red pigment on the back of the canvases, was a telltale of John S. Blunt’s work! John S. Blunt, Portsmouth (1798-1835)

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