I generally hate Civil War PODs, but the discussion of gallantry has inspired me.
So, in 1863, the Confederate Congress threatened to enslave any black soldiers they caught, and to punish any white officers of such units. Because obviously the troops were fugitive slaves. In reply, Lincoln issued the aforementioned order.
I don't think it's a stretch to see the Confederates deciding Lincoln would never dare follow through on this threat, given the way they treated black prisoners as they did in OTL. And hey, they call him Honest Abe for a reason; after a few white officers get shot by the Confederates...
Hrm. What else can we do to make this worse? In OTL Confederate agents tried to set fire to New York City in November of 1864. Let's suppose they decide to do some bombings instead. Although most of the bombs fizzle, dozens of people are killed when Niblo's Theater is blown up on November 25, 1864.
As it happens, shooting white officers, enslaving black soldiers, and blowing up New York theaters does not break the Yankee spirit, and the war still ends at Appomattox. And then, on April 14, 1865, Mary Todd Lincoln among those killed at Ford's Theater.
What now?
-General Order 233, 1863The Government of the United States will give the same protection to all of its soldiers, and if the enemy shall sell or enslave any one because of his color, the offense shall be punished by retaliation upon the enemy's prisoners in our possession. It is, therefore ordered, for every soldier of the United States, killed in violation of the laws of war, a rebel soldier shall be executed; and for every one enslaved by the enemy, or sold into slavery, a rebel soldier shall be placed at hard labor on the public works, and continued at such labor until the other shall be released and receive the treatment due to prisoners of war.
So, in 1863, the Confederate Congress threatened to enslave any black soldiers they caught, and to punish any white officers of such units. Because obviously the troops were fugitive slaves. In reply, Lincoln issued the aforementioned order.
I don't think it's a stretch to see the Confederates deciding Lincoln would never dare follow through on this threat, given the way they treated black prisoners as they did in OTL. And hey, they call him Honest Abe for a reason; after a few white officers get shot by the Confederates...
Hrm. What else can we do to make this worse? In OTL Confederate agents tried to set fire to New York City in November of 1864. Let's suppose they decide to do some bombings instead. Although most of the bombs fizzle, dozens of people are killed when Niblo's Theater is blown up on November 25, 1864.
As it happens, shooting white officers, enslaving black soldiers, and blowing up New York theaters does not break the Yankee spirit, and the war still ends at Appomattox. And then, on April 14, 1865, Mary Todd Lincoln among those killed at Ford's Theater.
What now?