alternatehistory.com

The Path to Sumter

May 3rd, 1848. Washington D.C

It was a bright and sunny day within the capitol of the United States and its people were up and about in the town with multiple celebrations throughout. They had good reason to as news had just arrived of the finalized peace between the U.S and Great Britain with the Treaty of Lisbon. Americans all over the nation were throwing parties as they had just successfully beaten their former overlords and managed to get Oregon, along with the addition of Quebec to the free nations of the world. While tens of thousands had died within the war their loss had been avenged with total victory, their bodies being able to rest in peace knowing the fact that their lives contributed to this momentous occasion. Inside the capitol a parade was walking down the streets with President Harrison front and center in his uniform on a white steed, waving to the crowds and earning multiple rounds of applause from the citizens who had their homes defended by this man. Veterans marched in parade uniform and were showered with gifts and kisses by civilians. At the same time was a contrasting image of despair and destruction in numerous areas due to the damage inflicted by the British in the Battle of Washington. Yet those who continued to work on the ruins were filled with a new sense of hope that the killing was over and they could rebuild the capitol and make it great again. After the parade many of the veterans went off to celebrate their own way in the city. Many soldiers did so by going to the local tavern of the President's Pub, located on Pennsylvania Avenue just across the street from the White House. The President's Pub had been built by many Democrats who were fans of Johnson's administration and wanted his delicious beer to expand across the nation. During the Battle of Washington, Harrison had used the place as a supply depot for the American defenders. Today was the grand reopening of the tavern and it was flooded by soldiers celebrating the treaty. Two particular officers who would become instrumental in the upcoming Civil War were currently enjoying themselves in the front bar.

"Hot Damn! This is by far the best tasting beer on the Appalachians!" shouted Ulysses S. Grant in satisfaction.

"Yes it certainly is filling." replied Robert E. Lee who sat right next to the right of his friend. Unlike Grant, Lee who was not a particular drinker was only in the middle of his drink while Grant had been served three rounds.

"Yeah we sure kicked those limey asses all the way across the pond. I can just imagine the look on that bitch Victoria's face when she learned we took a huge slice of North America. Oregon may be full of trees and beavers and Quebec with Frenchies, but I say anything that takes another stab at the British Empire is a victory for me."

"Yes, to victory and peace." toasted Lee who was met with Grant's glass and other toasts from nearby drinkers. "Say Ulysses, now that we've won the war what exactly do you plan on doing in peace?"

"Oh you know, I'll probably take a train back to Ohio and marry Julia as soon as I get there. After that I plan on retiring from the Army and making my way into business. I have a lot of money from the war and some support from pa so I could either try and expand the tanning business or open up my own shop. Maybe I can build my own pub like this one."

Grant looked back to his Lee who was shaking his head in disappointment. "Ulysses, what I'm going to say is harsh but the only reason I'm doing so is because I consider you a friend. You, Ulysses Grant, are absolutely shit when it comes to economics."

"The hell man, where's all this coming from?"

"Throughout the campaign you like to frequently drink from the flask every chance you get. And whenever you get drunk in the camp you like to ramble, alot. I've heard every single tale about how you were a screwup with your families tannery, lost so much money in gambles around the town, invested in a cotton farm, IN OHIO. Good Lord, you don't even need to be a Virginian like me to know that's a load of crap."

"So, people can change. I can turn my whole life when I come back and get on my own two feet. You'll see."

"I'm not trying to discourage you from being successful in life. I just don't want you to enter into business when that is clearly not your forte. What is where your skills are at is right here, in the Army."

"Dammit Bobby you've known that I'm going to quit since the time we first met. I have been proud to serve my country for the past two years but Oregon is enough. Harrison will demobilize the forces soon and they'll be calling for soldiers to quit. I did my part, killed some British, and came out alive. Besides, it's not like I'm good enough to advance through the ranks anyways."

"But you're wrong on that regard, in every single form. When you served as the Quartermaster's Aid you managed to improve the entire system of supplies and logistics in Scott's force, which the man sent to Harrison himself and they had implemented throughout the Army. You became the hero of Valley Forge by holding out for three whole days and nights against constant red coat assault until we came in tor reinforce. You even received a medal of honor for that. Looking back can you really say that all of it was a waste, that you didn't do any good." Grant looked down and didn't look back at Lee as he knew he was right. It's just that his heart wasn't in all the way to serve in uniform for the rest of his life. "Tell you what, I have an offer from the General that can change your mind."

That certainly perked up Grant's interest. "What kind of offer?" "Well a few days ago as you know I was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel for my efforts throughout the war. Why I didn't tell you, because of the fact that I didn't decide until today, was that I got an offer to head on over to Quebec and help in the training of their new army. In order to complete the assignment I was given free reign to chose a list of officer who would accompany me to get the job done. I'd like you to come along as my second-in-command and help train the cavalry. Or the quartermaster corps if you still want to act on that profession."

Grant was visibly stunned by this offer as he had put down his drink and wore a face of total shock. "You would bring me along, to train a new military for an entire country?"

"I don't know what enemies we shall face in the coming years. Be they Britain again, the Spanish, or even the Texans. Though it would make for an interesting fight with our western neighbors. No matter what the United States shall need to stand strong and face all of its opponents with the same brutality and efficiency that we displayed in this war. To do that we shall need plenty of able men with brilliant minds to form the leadership, you and I. Your country needs you Ulysses, by staying within the Army you shall be able to fulfill your duty and make a name for yourself. So why don't you give it a shot? If these Quebecois are half as tough as their uncles during Napoleon's time then it is sure to be an interesting experience."

Grant thought long and hard on this offer. Swerving his glass as he contemplated his situation. All of Lee's points were true in his argument and by undergoing a prestigious assignment in Quebec he truly could kickstart his journey through the ranks. Offers like these didn't come freely and could easily slip away. It was a choice. Either try to gain wealth from an area where he had no luck before, or stay within his profession and perfect his main talent. "Well...alright. I guess it would be nice to go visit Quebec again. First, I have to get back to Ohio and marry Julia first. I've been waiting four long years to marry that girl and if she doesn't agree then I'm on my way out."

"Glad to hear that my friend. I can understand the situation since I've only been able to see Mary a few times since I was stationed in Washington. Maybe I can introduce her to Julia. If she's half of what you describe then I would certainly be interested in meeting her and I think both her and Mary will get along just fine."

"Nice to know that. Hey bartender, how about another round of drinks for us here?"

The bartender who had until know barely shown his face to the two officers came with another round of Kentucky Ale. "Coming right up. By the way I don't mean to intrude but I couldn't help but overhear of your good fortunes. I must say that it is rather swell to see such patriots serving our nation."

Upon the bartender making his way over both Lee and Grant dropped their jaws as they recognized the man behind the bar. "President Richard Johnson!!" both exclaimed.

the former president smiled at the recognition. "As you boys can tell I've made my triumphant return to Washington."

"Fuck You Dick! I never voted for you, you Kentucky cocksucker!" said a Boston man who was just leaving the tavern.

"Well as you can see I'm still not the most beloved president. Jokes on that Whigish turd as I overcharged his meal. Five dollars spent from a Whig is five dollars that will go to my bottle ship collection."

"Mr. President what are you doing here? I know you own this place but I would have thought that you would be in your home in Kentucky?" asked Lee.

"You see the reason I'm in town was to restart the bar and visit old Bill in the White House. Despite what some on both sides may think we managed to maintain good relations after the elections and correspond rather frequently. I just happened to be lucky to arrive in town with the news of the treaty coming, so I decided to open the place today. So far I've made a killing with the parade and our pub supplying the celebrations in the White House tonight. Tell you what boys, for beating old Vicky out of the country how about I give you soldiers a round on the house."

Before Johnson could stop the misheard Grant he turned back to the crowd and said, "Guess what boys? The President here just gave us a round on the house. To our now favorite president! Hail to the chief!" Grant shouted with happy cheers from the soldiers in attendance.

A nervous Johnson turned to Lee and said, "Your friend here is really lucky that I'm in a good mood and supportive of our boys in blue. Otherwise I would've kicked him out first thing."

December 5th, 1856. Topeka, Kansas

Owen Brown stood back in fear as his father, John Brown, led the latest paper in complete silence. News had just come to Kansas that day that the votes had been counted and Stephen Douglas reelected as president. While citizens of Kansas were not able to vote, Owen and his father snuck across the border and voted for Fremont in Missouri. It was a shame since the man had only been a few states away from the presidency and was their best hope for the cause. While Owen was slightly optimistic that they could still enact change in the future, his father held an opposite opinion as he felt that Douglas getting a second term would be a huge blow to their work.

After finally skimming all the way through the paper John Brown crumpled it up in a fury as his son finally saw his father turned red, his eyes bloodshot and full of anger. "FUCKING DAMMIT!!! THAT PLANTATION LOVING SON OF A BITCH IS GOING TO TARNISH THE PRESIDENCY FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS! IS THIS COUNTRY FULL OF RETARDS OR SATAN LOVERS?!?!" shouted Brown who threw his chair at the wall. It was a good thing that he did not have his signature shotgun on him or shells would have been sent flying through the air.

"Pa, it's going to be alright. Fremont's high turnout showed just how much the Republicans are gaining support after only a few years in existence. Just see next time and they'll gain the White House and congress for sure."

"Don't you pa me son. You have no idea of the evil that man is capable of. By the end of next year he'll probably have found a way to institute slavery all across the country. Then my work here will have been absolutely for nothing. We can't sit around and wait for fucking politicians to get things done. I say it's time we took matters in our own hands and hit them where it hurts."

This statement left Owen confused on his father's wish. "What do you mean pa? Haven't we been doing that here?"

"No son, we've just been playing Texan in Kansas and have done nothing but shoot some slave-owning pricks from Missouri. The rest of the country will look on but they won't care if it doesn't affect them. No, what I'm suggesting is that we cut the problem right at the source. The Deceleration of Independence gives us a right to dissolve the government if we desire. I say it's about damn time we put that right into action. We're going to kill that son of a bitch Douglas and bring true freedom to the United States once and for all."

A/N: Will Stephen Douglas die from Brown's machinations or will he live to see Lincoln elected? Find out next time on Lone Star Republic!