Billy Yank

"' If they were so good, why didn't they win? Checkmate, Davis... ites. ' - Billy Yank in Did the CONFEDERACY Have BETTER GENERALS?!?!?!"A Union Soldier in the American Civil War who also serves as a stand-in for modern opponents of the myth of the Lost Cause. He argues with Johnny Reb (a stand-in for Lost Causers) in the Checkmate Lincolnites! series. He is often calm and collected, while debunking Johnny Reb's claims with cited sources.

He was originally far more violent and confrontational (in the first episode of Checkmate, Lincolnites! he, or rather Atun-Shei in plainclothes), actually shoots the Confederate cavalry officer (that may or may not be Johnny Reb).

In later videos, he and Johnny Reb have a less-toxic relationship, sharing drinks, admitting when the other has a point, and even getting each other fairly thoughtful Christmas presents.

Confederate DESTROYS Yankee with FACTS and LOGIC
In the first episode of, Checkmate, Lincolnites!, Billy Yank wasn't a character, he was just Atun-Shei himself. He was more violent and confrontational. He, or rather Atun-Shei in plainclothes, actually shoots the Confederate cavalry officer that may or may not be Johnny Reb.

Confederate Soldiers DIDN'T Fight for SLAVERY!! (Or Did They?)
Billy Yank is seen debunking the Lost Cause myth that Johnny Reb, the common Confederate soldier, didn't fight to preserve the institution of slavery. He is now seen in a union uniform and is more calm and collected.

TARIFFS and TAXES: The REAL Cause of the CIVIL WAR?!
Billy Yank is seen debunking the Lost Cause myth that the American Civil War was fought over taxes and protectionist tariffs. He also playing a drinking game where whenever Johnny Reb tries to divert the conversation by pointing out something bad the Union did, he takes a drink.

Was it REALLY the WAR of NORTHERN AGGRESSION?!?!?!
Billy Yank is seen debunking the Lost Cause myths that Abraham Lincoln was a tyrant, that nobody in the North cared about slavery or abolitionism, and that the warmongering Union invaded the South without provocation or just cause during the Civil War.

Out of nowhere the Witchfinder-General appears in Billy Yank's seat to scold Johnny Reb when he argues in favor of those victimized in the Witch Hunts (mainly by comparing the Confederacy to them), the Witchfinder-General claiming that religious segregation is the correct way to live. This causes Johnny Reb to start channeling more Fascistic comments, turning into Klaus the Nazi as a form of Demonic Possession, leading to a harrowing exorcism scene. All this goes on while Billy Yank is getting more beer, completely unaware of what is happening in the other room.

When Johnny is unconscious after having the Nazi spirit exorcised, Billy genuinely asks if he's okay. When Johnny wakes up (with a trademark crazy Lost Cause rant taken straight from the comments section), Billy greets him with "Good to have you back, buddy."

Was GENERAL SHERMAN a WAR CRIMINAL?!?!?!?!
Billy Yank is seen debunking the Lost Cause myths surrounding William Tecumseh Sherman during the American Civil War, including the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea, and the burning of Columbia.

Early on in the episode, he suddenly gets very aggressive at Johnny Reb and begins to insult modern southerners. He almost immediately regrets this.

He has a another outburst later in the episode and actually pulls a gun and points it in-between Johnny's eyes and demands he repeats himself after he accused General Sherman of burning down old women's houses. After giving Johnny a good scare, he immediately holsters his gun and calmly debunks it without incident.

Were There Really BLACK CONFEDERATES???!!!
Billy Yank is seen debunking the Lost Cause myth that tens of thousands of black men served as soldiers in the Confederate army during the American Civil War.

Billy and Johnny also exchange gifts for Christmas. Johnny, knowing that Billy just quit smoking, gives him nicotine gum while Billy gives Johnny coffee (so that he could drink that "instead of that chicory crap"). This is a reference to how Union soldiers would often give Confederates coffee in exchange for tobacco. At the end of the episode, after seeing how upset Johnny is at losing another debate, Billy reveals he got him another present: a Civil War-themed chess set. And the episode ends on them exchanging banter as they set up their pieces to play a game together.

Did the CONFEDERACY Have BETTER GENERALS?!?!?!
Billy Yank is seen debunking Lost Cause myths – as well as more benign common misconceptions – about the military leadership of the Civil War.

While most Checkmate, Lincolnites! episodes end with Billy Yank and Johnny Reb on good terms with each other, this episode ends with Johnny so offended by Billy's brutal de-mythologizing of Robert E. Lee he just leaves with a cold "See you in Hell, Billy Yank."

You're Probably Wrong About Confederate Monuments
At the start of the video, after Johnny Reb reads a newspaper article calling for the removal of Confederate monuments, Billy Yank is seen giving the middle finger to multiple Confederate monuments