Edgar Watson

Edgar Watson is born in 1856 in Clouds Creek, South Carolina. He grows up on a plantation and befriends many slaves. His father, Lige Watson, fights in the Civil War and is dishonorably discharged. When Lige returns to Clouds Creek, he physically abuses Watson, sometimes to the point of unconsciousness. In order to defend himself against his father, Watson creates an alter-ego for himself, Jack Watson, who is tough and able to stand up to his father’s abuses. Watson is a teenager the first time he fights back against his father. After beating up his father, Watson leaves his family and begins his independent life as a traveller and farmer. Watson works for his cousin Robert Briggs Watson, a former Confederate Captain turned successful farmer. Watson learns a lot about work ethic, loyalty, and kindness from Robert.

After Watson accidentally kills his Cousin Selden Tilghman, he flees...