alternatehistory.com

In the aftermath of the assasination of President Douglas in late 1863, Vice President Joe Lane, a conservative "Copperhead" who tought that the South should be allowed to seccede and was opposed to the abolition of slavery and political equality for black people, took the reins of government. As soon as he took office he signaled his intention to sue for peace with the CSA, which brough panic among the generals in the field.

It was General Freemont that took unilateral action to invade western tennessee and captured it all before proper peace negotiation could began, at the same time General Sherman brocke through the Atlanta bockede and seiged the city, burning approximately two-thirds of it and forcing the Confederate government to move to Richmond. General Grant began his invasion of Arkansas then. This series of attacks, all against orders from President Lane, is known as "The General's Mutuny"- Ultimatley none were punished by the subsequent Republican administrations

Despite overwhelming oppostion from Congress, public opinion, and the previous cabinet (most of all Sec of State Seward), Lane still had the authority to began peace negotiations. On the New Year of 1864, he officially recognized the independance of all secceding states.

President Lane was subsequently impeched by Congress shortly after, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate Benjamin Wade was left to guide the nation for the reminder of his term until the innaguration of President Freemont in 1865