Character Relationship Map: Union Bound

Characters

• Joseph Hoover (played by Sean Stone) — protagonist

  A Union prisoner who befriends Thomas J. Ryan and Robert Spencer at Florence Stockade and joins their escape plan. After escaping with Thomas, he continues north with him, relying on help along the wa...

• Thomas J. Ryan (played by Randy Wayne) — supporting

  A Union corporal imprisoned at Florence Stockade who says he has few friends after his time at Andersonville. He befriends Joseph Hoover and Robert Spencer and plans an escape with them. After fleeing...

• Jim Young (played by Tank Jones) — supporting

  A man who was taken from his family eighteen years earlier and reunites with his mother when Thomas and Joseph reach a place familiar to Thomas. He joins the travelers on their journey, and a Confeder...

• Simon (played by Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.) — supporting

  An overseer at the plantation where Thomas, Joseph, and Jim seek shelter. Jim's mother tries to keep Simon from discovering the travelers, but Simon finds the men. The account ends at the confrontatio...

• Robert Spencer (played by Christian Fortune) — supporting

  A Union prisoner at Florence Stockade who befriends Thomas J. Ryan and Joseph Hoover. He joins them in seeking a chance to escape, but guards spot the escapees in the woods and shoot him. Robert dies...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Simon → Jim Young (Conflict Pursuer And Fugitive) — Simon threatens the travelers' concealment by discovering them; the account does not establish what happens after the confrontation.

  Jim's mother tries to keep Simon, the overseer, from discovering the travelers, but Simon finds the men.

• Jim Young → Joseph Hoover (Alliance Traveling Allies) — Joseph and Jim travel together with Thomas and face questioning by a Confederate patrol.

  After meeting Jim Young, Joseph continues the journey with him and Thomas.

• Jim Young → Thomas J. Ryan (Alliance Traveling Allies) — Jim joins Thomas and Joseph on their journey, sharing the danger of traveling while pursued.

  After meeting Jim Young, Thomas continues the journey with him and Joseph.

• Joseph Hoover → Robert Spencer (Social Friends) — They share the stockade and an escape attempt, which ends when Robert is shot and dies.

  Joseph and Robert are among the three prisoners who settle in together and seek a chance to escape.

• Thomas J. Ryan → Robert Spencer (Social Friends) — Robert is part of Thomas's small circle in the stockade; his death during the escape attempt ends their companionship.

  Thomas befriends Robert at Florence Stockade, and the three men settle in together while looking for a chance to escape.

• Thomas J. Ryan → Joseph Hoover (Alliance Escape Partners) — Their friendship becomes a practical partnership as they escape confinement and face dangers on the road.

  Thomas befriends Joseph at Florence Stockade. They escape together, rely on help while traveling north, and continue their journey with Jim.

Story Analysis

Union prisoners escape confinement and travel north, relying on help while facing pursuit and an unresolved final danger.

Plot Progression

1. Confinement and Friendship — Union prisoners endure harsh treatment at Florence Stockade. Thomas befriends Joseph and Robert, and the three begin looking for a way out.
2. Escape at a Cost — The escape attempt is discovered in the woods, where Robert is shot and dies. Thomas and Joseph get away using a disguise and crossing water, but Thomas warns that freedom remains distant.
3. A Dangerous Road North — Samuel provides directions and a boat, and the fugitives continue along the river. Hungry and exhausted, they seek shelter and food at a plantation before reaching a place familiar to Thomas.
4. Jim's Reunion and Discovery — The travelers meet Jim Young, who reunites with his mother after eighteen years apart. She warns him of the danger, hides the travelers, and tries to keep Simon from finding them, but Simon discovers...
5. The Patrol's Unresolved Threat — Thomas, Joseph, and Jim continue into North Carolina, where a Confederate patrol questions them about their presence and aid to an escaped enslaved man. Thomas challenges the soldiers and Joseph threa...