Turtledove
Jorge Rodriguez
Fictional Character
Southern Victory
POD: September 10, 1862
Appearance(s): The Center Cannot Hold
through
In at the Death
Type of Appearance: Direct (POV in The Grapple and In at the Death)
Nationality: Confederate States
Religion: Catholicism
Date of Birth: 1919
Occupation: Soldier, farmer
Parents: Hipolito Rodriguez,
Magdalena Rodriguez
Relatives: Pedro Rodriguez (brother)
Miguel Rodriguez (brother)

Guadalupe Rodriguez (sister)
Susana Rodriguez (sister)

Military Branch: Freedom Youth Corps
Confederate States Army (Second Great War)

Jorge Rodriguez (b. 1919) was the son of Hipolito Rodriguez. As a young man in the 1930s, he served in the Confederate Freedom Youth Corps. Later, during the Second Great War, he served in the Army of Northern Virginia[1] until 1943, when, like most of that army, he was transferred to Tennessee. He served in Sergeant Hugo Blackledge's squad of Captain Nelson Cash's company, eventually reaching the rank of corporal.[2] Rodriguez and his company were transferred to guard the Confederate army's final retreats from the United States Army advancing on Georgia in 1944. They were forced toward Savannah where they were evacuated by ship to South Carolina. From there, they went north by train to the Virginia front.[3] Rodriguez and his comrades were finally forced to surrender in Appomattox, Virginia.[4]

After his country's final defeat, Rodriguez was released and returned to his childhood home in Baroyeca, Sonora. His older brother Pedro, who'd been a POW for much of the war, had arrived first. Unlike Jorge, who was tired of war, Pedro was unwilling to accept the Confederacy's defeat.[5]

Jorge would come to town whenever he could when a train was scheduled hoping that his younger brother Miguel would have been released. On one occasion, Freedom Party organizer Robert Quinn disembarked having also served in the army and released from a POW camp. Quinn admitted that he intended to surreptitiously revive the Freedom Party and tried to recruit Jorge. Jorge refused, saying he had enough fighting. Quinn was disappointed but accepted this. Jorge returned home and spoke of meeting Quinn which excited Pedro. Jorge tried to discourage him but was concerned that Pedro was still enthusiastic.[6]

Miguel was finally released and arrived in a crippled state from an artillery blast needing constant care. Adding to Jorge's concern was Pedro's continued interest in joining Quinn's conspiracy. Jorge eventually sent an anonymous letter to occupying U.S. authorities informing on Quinn. He was anguished over his actions and got drunk at La Culebra Verde afterward. A few days later, Pedro learned of Quinn's arrest and tried to get Jorge's help in getting Quinn free by force. Jorge convinced Pedro that the U.S. authorities' response would be too severe, that they would take and kill hostages. Pedro balked, claiming it would be worth it, but Jorge asked what if their mother or sister were a hostage, or Lupe Flores whom he knew Pedro was sweet on. Pedro was frustrated, but acknowledged they couldn't do anything.[7]

References[]

  1. See Inconsistencies (Southern Victory).
  2. In at the Death, pgs. 174-175, hc.
  3. Ibid., pgs. 220-222.
  4. Ibid., pgs. 330-334.
  5. Ibid., pgs. 422-426.
  6. Ibid., pgs. 497-502.
  7. Ibid., pgs. 559-563.