Teach Them Diligently Pigeon Forge 2026

When Virginia secedes from the Union and joins the Confederacy, Elizabeth Van Lew of Richmond is horrified. She risks everything to support the Union – her social standing, wealth, and even life itself. Wanting to help Union prisoners, she visits the notorious Libby Prison, a former tobacco warehouse on the James River. In addition to providing food and money, she smuggles messages and passes information to Union forces. She helps prisoners escape, even hiding them in her home. In addition, she orchestrates a massive breakout with her powerful spy ring, the Richmond Underground. She also places a spy within the Confederate White House to report on Jefferson Davis’ activities. By 1865, she communicates directly with General Grant who later raved that she provided the most valuable information about Richmond that he received during the war.