The Clothesline Code: The Story of Civil War Spies Lucy Ann and Dabney Walker

by Janet Halfmann, Trisha Mason (Illustrator)

A clever formerly enslaved couple uses laundry as a code to pass secrets from the South to the North during the Civil War. They risk their lives to help win freedom for all.

Genres: Civil War, Picture Books, Nonfiction, History

36 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2021

About the author

Janet Halfmann is a multi-award-winning children’s author who strives to make her books come alive for young readers and listeners. Many of her picture books are about animals, nature, and community. She also writes picture book biographies about little-known people of achievement. Recent titles by Janet include How Can We Be Kind?: Wisdom from the Animal Kingdom; Caterpillar's Surprise; Yay for Big Brothers!; Who Is Singing?; The Clothesline Code; A Bobby-Dazzler of a Pouch!; The Story of Civil War Hero Robert Smalls (Chapter Book for Grades 3-7); Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School; Grandma Is a Slowpoke; Animal Teachers; Eggs 1, 2, 3: Who Will the Babies Be?; Home in the Cave; Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish; Good Night, Little Sea Otter; Fur and Feathers; Little Skink's Tail; and Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story. Janet has written almost fifty fiction and nonfiction books for children.

Before becoming a children’s author, Janet was a daily newspaper reporter, children’s magazine editor, and a creator of coloring and activity books for Golden Books. She is the mother of four and the grandmother of seven. When Janet isn’t writing, she enjoys gardening, exploring nature, visiting living-history museums, and spending time with her family. She grew up on a farm in Michigan and now lives in WI. Find out more about Janet and her books at:
http://www.janethalfmannauthor.com
https://www.facebook.com/janethalfmann
https://twitter.com/JanetHalfmann
https://www.instagram.com/authorjanet...

Reviews

[Rochelle Melander · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Clothesline Code: The Story of Civil War Spies Lucy Ann and Dabney Walker by Janet Hoffmann takes readers on a journey back to Civil War times. Dabney was already a gifted spy when the Walkers devised a new code to help the Union effort. Newly free, Lucy Ann Walker risked her life to work with enslaved people at the Confederate headquarters—and spy on their war plans. Lucy Ann and Dabney helped win the war for the North. Their courage and ingenuity will inspire children and their families! Loved this book!

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was among others who endorsed author Janet Halfmann’s “hidden history”, THE CLOTHESLINE CODE: The Story of CIVIL WAR SPIES LUCY WALKER and DABNEY WALKER. before its release. Illustrations by Trisha Mason bring Janet’s heart-pounding story to life and augment understanding of the historical setting and circumstances, making it suited for ages 6-11, but for adult readers, too. Here’s my early endorsement:

“Be prepared for page after page of surprises in this accurate and dramatically written and illustrated profile of Civil War heroes Lucy Ann and Dabney Walker. This is an impressive account of the brilliance, bravery, and boldness of a married couple who escaped enslavement to become spies for Union forces. They were praised while alive but have been overlooked by history—until NOW!”

And here are more details to tide readers over until it releases on February 1, 2021:

Lucy and Dabny are two of the uncounted Black people who risked their lives to fight for and otherwise serve the Union forces during the Civil War. Black men who served in uniform for the North were nearly always segregated into all-Black units and assigned a white leader. In this portrait of heroes we learn that Dabny was assigned to a brand-new intelligence unit, accompanied by his wife. The Walkers were both bright and innovative. Careful observations, questioning, and determination inspired the couple to develop a complex way to adapt the army’s established flag-signal system into a secret clothesline code. If it worked, and if they could remain undiscovered, they could provide information about plans and troop movements from behind Confederate lines.

When they were fully confident in their code, they planned for Lucy to hang laundry in specific colors and positions from the enemy encampment. Dabny and Lucy recognized the risk, from being returned to enslavement or execution. Despite the dangers, both pushed ahead to contribute to the success of the Union Army and help to end both the Civil War and centuries of slavery.

The Walkers had already risked everything in escaping from their own enslavement, yet they continued to serve the wider community, the military, and the nation in which they were finally able to live freely. During their lives and for a few years after, their heroism and contributions were well known in the Washington area where they made their home after the war. Even so, history managed to ignore them for more than a century and half. It’s to the credit of Halfmann, Mason, and Brandylane Publishers that they are finally reaching a wider public.

This publication offers all the advantages of a fully illustrated picture book with images that amplify and enrich a well-told narrative. The word count is more than typical, but every word carries its weight. That includes the supplementary text throughout, from the dedication to introduction to author notes to resource references and quotation sources.

Halfmann has demonstrated a deft touch and craft in digging out the bones of stories from history, people and facts that were long-buried from the population as a whole. She identifies intrepid individuals who have championed and sustained these noble stories, often using primary sources. Then, like constructing a quilt, she transforms neglected and ragged scraps into a work of art that inspires and comforts without distorting the factual content. She showcases real lives and relationships. Janet is not Black, but she has a proven track record of pursuing authentic stories, accessing legitimate voices, and seeking the most reliable “own voices” to consult and provide corrections or validation as her works are developed.

Halfmann’s prior successes in this arena are shining spotlights on rarely reecognized heroes and s/heroes, opening the way for others to explore and share even further. Check out The Story of Civil War Hero ROBERT SMALLS (in picture book and chapter book formats) and multi-award-winning picture book, MIDNIGHT TEACHER: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School.

These, along with the Walker’s story, present colorful and dramatic content that invite screen adaptations. Until that happens, inspire yourself to make the most of your own lives by reading Halfmann’s titles, including THE CLOTHESLINE CODE: The Story of CIVIL WAR SPIES LUCY WALKER and DABNEY WALKER.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wars have spies. During the Civil War there were spies that were military personnel and some that were not. The Clothesline Code shares the true story of Dabney and Lucy Ann Walker, two people who helped win the war.

Dabney Walker was assigned to the new intelligence unit at the age of fifty-two. He was inspired by the use of flags as symbols for code using various combinations. During the war, these flags were used for communicating across long distances. Lucy Ann, Dabney’s wife, worked in the camp as the laundress. She wanted to help defeat General Robert E. Lee’s troop. Together, the couple come up with an idea to use the clothing on the clotheslines as a way to defeat General Lee.

There would be great danger for Lucy Ann going to the other side to spy, but the couple had faced greater danger escaping slavery. Their task was to create a unique laundry code for each unit. Certain colors of shirts would notify Dabney as to how close the troops were. With Lucy Ann in harm’s way, there was worry that she could be caught and what would happen to her if she did get caught. The couple’s idea was providing precise and timely information, that is until Dabney suddenly stopped receiving information from Lucy Ann. Would the mission be over, and they lose? What happened to Lucy Ann?

Author Janet Halfmann has shared another great story from our history. Young readers will enjoy colorful illustrations and a story that is a fast but interesting read. Parents and teachers can use this guide to teach about the Civil War, heroes and even specific events during before and after slavery.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always excited to find books, which deliver little-known yet very interesting facts from history...and that in a way younger readers can understand.

Dabney joined the Union forces and learned how they used a flag to communicate over distances. Wanting to help, he and his wife developed a plan to gain even more information on the Confederate army's movements. After developing their own secret code according to how his wife, Ann, hung laundry, she snuck across the river, and found a way to be employed as a wash-women. There, she signaled the movements of the Confederate soldiers at a huge risk to herself.


Not only does this book present a historic occurrence in a way young readers will understand but does so in an interesting way. The text is a little long for younger listeners, but those ages 6 and up will enjoy the tale, either as a read-aloud or on their own (when they are more sure of their words). The author keeps the tale flowing, allowing the facts to slide in without ever letting the tale slow down. But then, this is an interesting tale, anyway. Plus, it's easy to understand the threat and cheer for the couple even when the tension mounts.



One of my favorite things about this book are the illustrations. These are very well done and do a great job at bringing the time period across. The illustrations go hand-in-hand with the text and bring the tale to life. At the end, there is more information for anyone wanting to dive a little deeper into the historical moment.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would.

[Jane Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story of a loving black couple, Lucy Ann and Dabney Walker, who found a unique and daring way to help the Union during the Civil War. Dabney was assigned to an intelligence unit in the Union Army. Lucy Ann was a camp laundress. As formerly enslaved people, neither had been allowed to learn to read or write. How could they sneak behind enemy lines and set up a system for communicating what the Confederates were up to? The clothesline code was born.

Lucy Ann was the one who would go into enemy territory, learn Confederate secrets, and send them to Dabney, who would look at the clothesline and decode the message. Should they be found out, both of their lives were in danger. Suspense builds as the Walkers send messages back and forth. Readers feel Dabney's distress on days when messages don't come. Was Lucy Ann ok? Would their plan succeed?

The Walkers' determination to help defeat slavery demonstrates the power we all have in using everyday items, courage, and caring to change the world.

Halfmann's vivid writing and Trisha Mason's emotive illustrations bring these little-known heroes to life, engaging youth and adults.

I appreciate receiving a digital pre-published copy of the book from the author

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always in search of books that tell little-known stories about unlikely heroes, men, women, and youngsters who have made surprising contributions to the world or who acted bravely. In this picture book, illustrated with evocative drawings that clearly show facial expressions, the author highlights the contributions made by one African American couple to the Union army during the Civil War. They devised a simple but effective code using the clothing hung on the Rebels' clothesline. Robert Walker, 52 when he was assigned to the North's intelligence unit, got the inspiration from watching how troops waved flags, and then he and Lucy Ann tweaked that code for the clothesline. But Lucy Ann had to risk her life by venturing into Confederate territory and working as a laundry woman. Thanks to Lucy Ann's placement of clothing on the line, Dabney was able to share with troop leaders the plans of the Rebel forces, including their movement and even when they were trying to trick the Yankees. What a cool story that shows how much average individuals were willing to risk in order to help the Union cause and gain freedom for their people! I hope this story receives much more attention than it has so far.

[Cathy Ogren · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CLOTHESLINE CODE tells a compelling story about Dabney and Lucy Ann Walker, two black patriots, who fled slavery and became spies for the Union Army during the Civil War. The Walker's came up with a clever way to use different colors of clothing and different patterns of hanging laundry on a clothesline to send coded messages. Dabney and Lucy Ann worked hard to flesh out every single detail of their code and practiced until they knew exactly how to work it. Lucy Ann sneaked into the Confederate camp and blended in with the other women doing laundry there. She washed clothes for General Lee and his officers, and she also cooked for them. She was in the perfect place to gather information. The clothesline code worked well. Dabney decoded the messages sent by Lucy Ann which then provided the Union Army with valuable information about the enemy forces and their plans. This book is a fascinating look at American history and how two heroic people came up with an ingenious idea to help the Union Army during the Civil War.

[Cheryl Malandrinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Clothesline Code by Janet Halfmann is the fascinating story of Lucy Ann and Dabney Walker, who risked it all to save lives.

After learning about the way the Union intelligence camp used flag codes to communicate over long distances, Dabney Walker and his wife Lucy Ann devised a way to use laundry to create a clothesline code to send signals across the river, putting the Walkers–especially Lucy Ann–in grave danger.

This story shares the bravery of the Walkers, and how their efforts helped the Union army prepare to battle the Confederate army in the spring. The Afterword provides more information about these courageous people and the time period.

Sharing an important and, perhaps not as well known, story from this time period in history is the perfect way to celebrate Black History Month and honor the sacrifices many Blacks made to help the Union. Halfmann’s books never disappoint.

[Valerie Biel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful story of daring, unsung heroes from the civil war. I’m so grateful for writers like Halfmann who diligently tell the stories of little-known people who played important roles in our nation’s history. Kids (and adults) will love reading about the Walkers and the code they devised to help them secretly relay information to the Union Army that they gathered while spying across enemy lines. As slaves who had escaped to the north, their willingness to cross back into Confederate Army territory was unbelievably brave. Young readers will also be intrigued by the code the Walkers used and might even be inspired to try creating their own secret message code. This is an important piece of history, skillfully told in an engaging style and highlighted with vivid illustrations

[K.M. Waldvogel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Clothesline Code tells the story of a husband and wife who escaped slavery and helped the Union Army during the Civil War. It’s a great introduction to history for young readers. The colorful illustrations support the text in an intriguing way.

Dabney and Lucy Ann Walker devised an ingenious way to communicate by using pieces of laundry. But in order to do this, Lucy Ann had to sneak into enemy territory and work as a laundress in the camp of the Confederate Army. By using different colored shirts and moving the pieces of clothing around, Lucy Ann sent valuable information to Dabney who watched on the other side of the Rappahannock River.

This true story pays tribute to a brave couple who risked their freedom and their lives to stand up for what they believed.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Escaped African American couple go back south to spy on the Lee's Confederate army. They came up with a code assigning different color shirts for the Confederate generals, movement of the shirts, removing the shirt and adding shirts gave information about troop movement and size. Once a code was fully developed the wife was able to sneak across the river and attach herself to General Lee's camp. They even had a way to communicate traps. Praised as the "promptest and most reliable" of General Hooker's spies.