Yesterday's circus elephant news got me thinking about possible elephant related PODs.
During the US Civil War the king of Siam offered to send the US a large supply of elephants for the war effort and breeding stock. Lincoln politely declined and pointed out elephants wouldn't do very well in most of the US.
What scenario would lead to Lincoln accepting the offer and more importantly the use of elephants is considered enough of a success that the army maintains them for some period after the war?
During the US Civil War the king of Siam offered to send the US a large supply of elephants for the war effort and breeding stock. Lincoln politely declined and pointed out elephants wouldn't do very well in most of the US.
What scenario would lead to Lincoln accepting the offer and more importantly the use of elephants is considered enough of a success that the army maintains them for some period after the war?