alternatehistory.com
Gods and Generals
March 5, 1845: Washington D.C.:
Winfield Scott, Commanding General of the United States Army, sat across from his Commander-in-Chief. He like many, many others did not have a high opinion of Joseph Smith as a man. Mainly due to the strange religious sect he led. With that said however, Smith was still the President and he'd still taken an oath to serve him.
“Thank you for coming to see me, General Scott, I assume you know why I called you here,” Smith said.
“I have a good idea, it's about those states trying to secede from the Union,” Scott practically spat the words. The people of the United States had voted for Smith, if there had been secession like this every time an election went a way some states didn't like, the United States would have ceased to exist long ago.
“Indeed, they are demanding that we give up Federal property to them. In particular Fort Pickens in Florida. As far as I'm concerned, as far as the law is concerned Florida is still a United States territory, not even a state. I will not give it up so easily,” Smith said.
“Are you certain that is a good idea, Mr. President? We would have to reinforce the port by sea. To supply it through land would mean marching troops through rebellious territory and escalating an already tense situation,” Scott said.
“I am well aware of the difficulties, General, but we cannot show weakness to those who would undermine our great nation. We simply cannot give into their demands. If we did they would simply demand more,” Smith replied.
“If we do not had over the fort the rebels will try to take it by force. There will be war,” Scott cautioned.
“I fear that a war is inevitable, General, the Confederates, as they call themselves will not rejoin us peaceably, and we cannot in good conscience let them go, it would only cause more problems for our country in the future, for the moment however I only wish to keep hold of our property. Perhaps if we show them that we will not back down they will see reason,” Smith said.
“Mr. President, I understand your position, but if it does come to war I fear that more states will join the Confederates,”
“I see, fear not, General Scott, no matter what happens, the Lord our God stands with the United Sates, we will emerge victorious and whole,” Smith said.
“I hope so, Mr. President, I truly do,” Scott said.
March 5, 1845, Montgomery, Alabama, Confederate States of America:
Confederate President Anson Jones, would have much rather been back in his home state of Texas, but Montgomery had been agreed upon as the capital so here he was. That said he still had a soft spot for his home, and that was what the current meeting. Across from him sat a the man Jones wanted to lead the new Confederate Army, Zachary Taylor.
“General Taylor, I wish to offer you command of the new Confederate Army, I trust there are no objections? You've proven yourself to be a capable military man, and being a slave holder, your appointment will appease many states,” Jones said.
“No, sir, I thank you for the honor,” Taylor said.
“Good, I also want to give you your first assignment, you are to take men to Texas and secure the Nueces strip,” Jones said.
“With all due respect, Mr. President, shouldn't we be focusing on the Yankees instead of the Mexicans? I don't think that Mormon firebrand in Washington is just going to give in to our demands,” Taylor said.
“I wouldn't worry too much, General, the Mexicans couldn't beat Texas alone. I doubt they would challenge the whole of the Confederacy,” Jones said with a laugh, “As for Joseph Smith, the man claims to see visions. He probably expects God to punish us. I'm sure God likes us good Christians more,” Jones said.
“And if it does come to war with the Yankees?” Taylor asked.
“Then will lick the damnyankees and their heathen President.”
Winfield Scott, Commanding General of the United States Army, sat across from his Commander-in-Chief. He like many, many others did not have a high opinion of Joseph Smith as a man. Mainly due to the strange religious sect he led. With that said however, Smith was still the President and he'd still taken an oath to serve him.
“Thank you for coming to see me, General Scott, I assume you know why I called you here,” Smith said.
“I have a good idea, it's about those states trying to secede from the Union,” Scott practically spat the words. The people of the United States had voted for Smith, if there had been secession like this every time an election went a way some states didn't like, the United States would have ceased to exist long ago.
“Indeed, they are demanding that we give up Federal property to them. In particular Fort Pickens in Florida. As far as I'm concerned, as far as the law is concerned Florida is still a United States territory, not even a state. I will not give it up so easily,” Smith said.
“Are you certain that is a good idea, Mr. President? We would have to reinforce the port by sea. To supply it through land would mean marching troops through rebellious territory and escalating an already tense situation,” Scott said.
“I am well aware of the difficulties, General, but we cannot show weakness to those who would undermine our great nation. We simply cannot give into their demands. If we did they would simply demand more,” Smith replied.
“If we do not had over the fort the rebels will try to take it by force. There will be war,” Scott cautioned.
“I fear that a war is inevitable, General, the Confederates, as they call themselves will not rejoin us peaceably, and we cannot in good conscience let them go, it would only cause more problems for our country in the future, for the moment however I only wish to keep hold of our property. Perhaps if we show them that we will not back down they will see reason,” Smith said.
“Mr. President, I understand your position, but if it does come to war I fear that more states will join the Confederates,”
“I see, fear not, General Scott, no matter what happens, the Lord our God stands with the United Sates, we will emerge victorious and whole,” Smith said.
“I hope so, Mr. President, I truly do,” Scott said.
March 5, 1845, Montgomery, Alabama, Confederate States of America:
Confederate President Anson Jones, would have much rather been back in his home state of Texas, but Montgomery had been agreed upon as the capital so here he was. That said he still had a soft spot for his home, and that was what the current meeting. Across from him sat a the man Jones wanted to lead the new Confederate Army, Zachary Taylor.
“General Taylor, I wish to offer you command of the new Confederate Army, I trust there are no objections? You've proven yourself to be a capable military man, and being a slave holder, your appointment will appease many states,” Jones said.
“No, sir, I thank you for the honor,” Taylor said.
“Good, I also want to give you your first assignment, you are to take men to Texas and secure the Nueces strip,” Jones said.
“With all due respect, Mr. President, shouldn't we be focusing on the Yankees instead of the Mexicans? I don't think that Mormon firebrand in Washington is just going to give in to our demands,” Taylor said.
“I wouldn't worry too much, General, the Mexicans couldn't beat Texas alone. I doubt they would challenge the whole of the Confederacy,” Jones said with a laugh, “As for Joseph Smith, the man claims to see visions. He probably expects God to punish us. I'm sure God likes us good Christians more,” Jones said.
“And if it does come to war with the Yankees?” Taylor asked.
“Then will lick the damnyankees and their heathen President.”
- Neshomancer
- Word Count: 680