Sadly, we did the same thing. Carlisle Academy is the most famous. It even has almost 200 students buried on the grounds.
The saying at the time was "Kill the Indian, spare the man" meaning don't kill them physically but take the Indian out of them.
Fenians, Brits, Mexicans, Canucks and Frenchies....OH, MY! An alternate American Civil War
- Thread starter Alt History Buff
- Start date
Sadly, we did the same thing. Carlisle Academy is the most famous. It even has almost 200 students buried on the grounds.
The saying at the time was "Kill the Indian, spare the man" meaning don't kill them physically but take the Indian out of them.
Chapter 68
February, 1866
Washington DC
Though it seemed to take an unusual amount of time, enough State Legislatures had ratified the 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution to bring them into law. Given that the Amendment process required 2/3's Majority in the House and Senate and then ratified by 3/4's of the states in the Union. Given that 11 of the states had been in rebellion, the "reconstructionist" governments of these states were required to approve as well. Adequate numbers of state governments had approved over the winter of 1865/6 that these Amendments came into law.
The 15th continued to be vexing. There was a difference between FREEING a slave class and making it equal.
Newly elected Senator of Kentucky, Andrew Johnson (a Unionist Democrat during the war), would lead the objections to the "enforcement" clauses of the 15th Amendment which gave the central government powers to compel the states to obedience.
At least Lincoln could find solace that the new National bank was being embodied and would give the always fragile American financial system a stiffer spine during future difficulties.
Joseon Kingdom, Gangwa Island
The arrival of a joint Russian and French fleet off of Gangwa Islands, which dominated the mouth of the Han River (and therefore the Joseon Capital) would cause a stir. The Prince of the Great Court called upon the army....and local peasants....to expel the intruders. The foreign ships, commanded by French Admiral Pierre-Gustove Roze, who had been shamed by his defeat in Veracruz to the Americans, easily destroyed any Joseon vessels sent against them.
In the meantime, the island was seized by a predominantly Russian land forces commanded by the Russian Engineer Eduard Totleben who, with naval assistance, reduce the fortifications on Gangwa Islands within a few days.
With their foot squarely on the throat of the Han River, the Franco-Russian allies waited for the Prince of the Great Court to respond.
But they didn't call it the "Hermit Kingdom" for nothing. Foreign trade was almost non-existent the Joseon Kingdom and the loss of Gangwa Island didn't matter much to the lives of the Joseons.
The Prince of the Great Court refused to even speak directly to the barbarians.
Haiti
Emperor Faustin II of Haiti would rally his people to the inland fortifications built (and seldom used) over the past fifty years. His father had died the previous year after they'd been forced from the Capital. Faustin I had abdicated in favor of his son.
However, the already tenuous hold on the Soulouque family on the Haitian population was stretched even further as regional warlords assumed control over portions of the country. By 1866, it was apparent that the Haitians were fighting each other as much as the brutal invaders.
While the death toll was impossible to know accurately, it was estimated the perhaps a quarter of the pre-war population of roughly 800,000 thousand souls (a VERY rough estimate) had been lost already due to a combination of direct Spanish massacres, fratricidal Haitian murders and, as always, starvation and disease.
The cities of Haiti had already fallen, cutting off the nation from any food imports or sugar exports. The civilians were pressed to the interior, hiding in the hills where precious little sustenance could be found.
The worst was yet to come.
New York
Despite the high post-war unemployment rate (double-digit in some places), masses of immigrants had begun to arrive in America once again. Irish, German, Scandinavian, Polish, Jewish, Russian, Italian.....the list would go on and on and many of these peoples had never been seen in any significant numbers before on American shores.....and the volume of peoples arriving from Europe would only increase as the century approached its closes.
Germany remained in political convulsion and now factions, Poles and Jews were being terribly repressed by Russia, the Habsburg Empire was stagnating, Italy's initial unification-inspired enthusiasm failed to be matched by economic growth, Scandinavia's arable land could not meet the needs of an expanding population, Britain's grip on Ireland restricted her ambitions, Britain's own population increase resulted in a steady stream of emigrants.....
For all her faults, America was seen as a better option than remaining mired in European monarchal systems.
Washington DC
Though it seemed to take an unusual amount of time, enough State Legislatures had ratified the 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution to bring them into law. Given that the Amendment process required 2/3's Majority in the House and Senate and then ratified by 3/4's of the states in the Union. Given that 11 of the states had been in rebellion, the "reconstructionist" governments of these states were required to approve as well. Adequate numbers of state governments had approved over the winter of 1865/6 that these Amendments came into law.
The 15th continued to be vexing. There was a difference between FREEING a slave class and making it equal.
Newly elected Senator of Kentucky, Andrew Johnson (a Unionist Democrat during the war), would lead the objections to the "enforcement" clauses of the 15th Amendment which gave the central government powers to compel the states to obedience.
At least Lincoln could find solace that the new National bank was being embodied and would give the always fragile American financial system a stiffer spine during future difficulties.
Joseon Kingdom, Gangwa Island
The arrival of a joint Russian and French fleet off of Gangwa Islands, which dominated the mouth of the Han River (and therefore the Joseon Capital) would cause a stir. The Prince of the Great Court called upon the army....and local peasants....to expel the intruders. The foreign ships, commanded by French Admiral Pierre-Gustove Roze, who had been shamed by his defeat in Veracruz to the Americans, easily destroyed any Joseon vessels sent against them.
In the meantime, the island was seized by a predominantly Russian land forces commanded by the Russian Engineer Eduard Totleben who, with naval assistance, reduce the fortifications on Gangwa Islands within a few days.
With their foot squarely on the throat of the Han River, the Franco-Russian allies waited for the Prince of the Great Court to respond.
But they didn't call it the "Hermit Kingdom" for nothing. Foreign trade was almost non-existent the Joseon Kingdom and the loss of Gangwa Island didn't matter much to the lives of the Joseons.
The Prince of the Great Court refused to even speak directly to the barbarians.
Haiti
Emperor Faustin II of Haiti would rally his people to the inland fortifications built (and seldom used) over the past fifty years. His father had died the previous year after they'd been forced from the Capital. Faustin I had abdicated in favor of his son.
However, the already tenuous hold on the Soulouque family on the Haitian population was stretched even further as regional warlords assumed control over portions of the country. By 1866, it was apparent that the Haitians were fighting each other as much as the brutal invaders.
While the death toll was impossible to know accurately, it was estimated the perhaps a quarter of the pre-war population of roughly 800,000 thousand souls (a VERY rough estimate) had been lost already due to a combination of direct Spanish massacres, fratricidal Haitian murders and, as always, starvation and disease.
The cities of Haiti had already fallen, cutting off the nation from any food imports or sugar exports. The civilians were pressed to the interior, hiding in the hills where precious little sustenance could be found.
The worst was yet to come.
New York
Despite the high post-war unemployment rate (double-digit in some places), masses of immigrants had begun to arrive in America once again. Irish, German, Scandinavian, Polish, Jewish, Russian, Italian.....the list would go on and on and many of these peoples had never been seen in any significant numbers before on American shores.....and the volume of peoples arriving from Europe would only increase as the century approached its closes.
Germany remained in political convulsion and now factions, Poles and Jews were being terribly repressed by Russia, the Habsburg Empire was stagnating, Italy's initial unification-inspired enthusiasm failed to be matched by economic growth, Scandinavia's arable land could not meet the needs of an expanding population, Britain's grip on Ireland restricted her ambitions, Britain's own population increase resulted in a steady stream of emigrants.....
For all her faults, America was seen as a better option than remaining mired in European monarchal systems.
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Chapter 69
March, 1866
Washington DC
Lincoln was surprised to receive a request for General Hunt and Admiral Dahlgren for a short appointment. Usually, they would report directly to Stanton and Welles, respectively, but the President would not refuse anything to the men who helped win three wars in the past five years.
General Henry Hunt was considered by most contemporaries as the best artillerist and strategist of the former War Between the States, the "French and Mexican War" and the "3rd British War" (or the somewhat over-the-top "3rd War of Independence). Since the war, Hunt had taken over the "Board of Ordnance", the vital committee which oversaw supplying the army with weapons.
Dahlgren was not only the highest ranking sailor in the Navy but also the inventor of the fearsome "Dahlgren" Guns which were perhaps as big an advantage on the high seas as the repeating rifles had been on land.
When these men wanted a sit-down, the President gives them a sit-down without delay.
Besides, Lincoln found it odd that an Army General and a Navy Admiral wished to speak with him jointly.
The President welcomed the soldiers into his office and summoned tea, inquiring as to what he can do for them.
"Well, Mr. President," Hunt began, no doubt by mutual agreement ahead of time, "the Admiral and I are getting increasingly concerned with the status of our army and navy artillery. For example, on the my part, the Napoleons had been the core of the army artillery but we were outmatched.....and outmatched BADLY.....by the British breech-loading rifled cannon."
Throughout it all, Hunt had consistently ensured Union tactical domination and, usually, material superiority.....until the Armstrong Cannon arrived on the battlefields. The old American 1854 "Napoleon" smoothbore, bronze muzzle loader had done yeoman's work for years and helped win the War between the States. It was reliable and versatile, able to fire shot, shell, canister and grape. However, it had plainly had its day. The breech-loading Armstrong was lighter (requiring fewer horses and could be transported more easily across rough ground) but, more importantly, had greater range, was much more accurate and had a vastly superior rate of fire.
"When your enemy can hit you further, more accurately and more often, the outcome is plenty clear," Hunt concluded. "The same advantages were had with the repeaters, we suffered with the artillery. Fortunately, we came out ahead in the bargain against the British due to numbers and proximity. There is no guarantee it shall happen again."
Lincoln nodded. The technological innovations of the past few years had been fortunate indeed for America. Had the old "Springfield" musket remained the standard, the war may have gone VERY differently.
"I fear the same situation brewing in the navy, sir," Dahlgren rumbled.
With surprise, Lincoln's eyebrows rose, "Admiral, it was my understanding that your "Dahlgren" guns were America's greatest weapon in the past war at sea!"
The sailor nodded, "Indeed, sir, and I take great pride in that. HOWEVER.....my smoothbore guns, though immensely reliable and ideal for puncturing holes in inches of armor at close range, are already being made obsolete. While powerful, the guns lack great range and accuracy. New heavy rifled guns are being tested on British and French ships as we speak which would give them FAR more effective range, accuracy and rate of fire. Any enemy vessel may simply keep a greater distance from ours and pummel our ships to scrap with little danger to herself."
Hearing the Admiral effectively dismissing his own greatest creation as useless in the future filled Lincoln with dread. Nothing could have captured his attention more aptly.
"What do you wish from me, gentlemen?"
Hunt replied for both of them, "A free hand to develop new cannon with our military contractors. We need a superior...or at least competitive....set of light infantry cannon akin to the Armstrong, heavy siege guns and, for the Admiral," Hunt nodded towards Dahlgren, "the development of a series of rifled cannon for the navy with the power of a Dahlgren gun but rifled with breech-loading mechanism, a superior rate of fire, range, accuracy, etc."
"If we don't, Mr. President, I fear that Britain and France shall have a grave advantage over us in any future conflict," Dahlgren concluded.
Lincoln nodded, seeing why the men wanted to make sure they had high-level support before proceeding. There was always an entrenched resistance to change in the military and even politically-appointed positions like the Secretary of War and Secretary of Navy. Both Stanton and Welles were good men who helped win the wars but it was obvious even years ago that the Army needed to completely revamp her artillery arm. Hearing that the Navy would have to do the same was a bit shocking but Lincoln knew not to halt progress.
"Gentlemen, you have my complete support," Lincoln replied firmly, "Spend what you need to develop a new weapon. If you have any problems with the War or Navy Departments or push-back from Congress, you may report this to me immediately. I shall ensure you get what you need. But move quickly, for god's sake. With all the new ironclads in particular being laid down and launched throughout the world, I fear that a new war seems never far away."
"Thank you, Mr. President," the soldier and sailor intoned as one.
The Paraguay River
The nation of Paraguay held few roads and was utterly dominated by the only artery available, the Paraguay River and other watersheds. Control over those meant control over the region. Thus President Lopez of Paraguay had built heavy fortifications at key points in the river and built a series of gunboats.
Most of the male population of Paraguay was included in the militia, giving the small nation a rather disproportionate military capacity. Lopez had even attempted to make his nation independent of foreign arms requirements by building a forge and gun factory. Powder was always in short supply but he'd purchased and stored vast amounts throughout the the past few years as he'd was unsure if his landlocked nation could possibly acquire more. Like other nations lacking access to much niter, he ordered every dungheap and cave scraped of the raw material to add to his stocks.
The allied forces of Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and France dispatched ships up the Parana River (in Argentina) to where it became the Paraguay. It was assumed, as it generally was in most wars, that this would be a few months of campaigning, followed by a negotiated peace.
Like so many wars, it would NOT.
Washington DC
Lincoln was surprised to receive a request for General Hunt and Admiral Dahlgren for a short appointment. Usually, they would report directly to Stanton and Welles, respectively, but the President would not refuse anything to the men who helped win three wars in the past five years.
General Henry Hunt was considered by most contemporaries as the best artillerist and strategist of the former War Between the States, the "French and Mexican War" and the "3rd British War" (or the somewhat over-the-top "3rd War of Independence). Since the war, Hunt had taken over the "Board of Ordnance", the vital committee which oversaw supplying the army with weapons.
Dahlgren was not only the highest ranking sailor in the Navy but also the inventor of the fearsome "Dahlgren" Guns which were perhaps as big an advantage on the high seas as the repeating rifles had been on land.
When these men wanted a sit-down, the President gives them a sit-down without delay.
Besides, Lincoln found it odd that an Army General and a Navy Admiral wished to speak with him jointly.
The President welcomed the soldiers into his office and summoned tea, inquiring as to what he can do for them.
"Well, Mr. President," Hunt began, no doubt by mutual agreement ahead of time, "the Admiral and I are getting increasingly concerned with the status of our army and navy artillery. For example, on the my part, the Napoleons had been the core of the army artillery but we were outmatched.....and outmatched BADLY.....by the British breech-loading rifled cannon."
Throughout it all, Hunt had consistently ensured Union tactical domination and, usually, material superiority.....until the Armstrong Cannon arrived on the battlefields. The old American 1854 "Napoleon" smoothbore, bronze muzzle loader had done yeoman's work for years and helped win the War between the States. It was reliable and versatile, able to fire shot, shell, canister and grape. However, it had plainly had its day. The breech-loading Armstrong was lighter (requiring fewer horses and could be transported more easily across rough ground) but, more importantly, had greater range, was much more accurate and had a vastly superior rate of fire.
"When your enemy can hit you further, more accurately and more often, the outcome is plenty clear," Hunt concluded. "The same advantages were had with the repeaters, we suffered with the artillery. Fortunately, we came out ahead in the bargain against the British due to numbers and proximity. There is no guarantee it shall happen again."
Lincoln nodded. The technological innovations of the past few years had been fortunate indeed for America. Had the old "Springfield" musket remained the standard, the war may have gone VERY differently.
"I fear the same situation brewing in the navy, sir," Dahlgren rumbled.
With surprise, Lincoln's eyebrows rose, "Admiral, it was my understanding that your "Dahlgren" guns were America's greatest weapon in the past war at sea!"
The sailor nodded, "Indeed, sir, and I take great pride in that. HOWEVER.....my smoothbore guns, though immensely reliable and ideal for puncturing holes in inches of armor at close range, are already being made obsolete. While powerful, the guns lack great range and accuracy. New heavy rifled guns are being tested on British and French ships as we speak which would give them FAR more effective range, accuracy and rate of fire. Any enemy vessel may simply keep a greater distance from ours and pummel our ships to scrap with little danger to herself."
Hearing the Admiral effectively dismissing his own greatest creation as useless in the future filled Lincoln with dread. Nothing could have captured his attention more aptly.
"What do you wish from me, gentlemen?"
Hunt replied for both of them, "A free hand to develop new cannon with our military contractors. We need a superior...or at least competitive....set of light infantry cannon akin to the Armstrong, heavy siege guns and, for the Admiral," Hunt nodded towards Dahlgren, "the development of a series of rifled cannon for the navy with the power of a Dahlgren gun but rifled with breech-loading mechanism, a superior rate of fire, range, accuracy, etc."
"If we don't, Mr. President, I fear that Britain and France shall have a grave advantage over us in any future conflict," Dahlgren concluded.
Lincoln nodded, seeing why the men wanted to make sure they had high-level support before proceeding. There was always an entrenched resistance to change in the military and even politically-appointed positions like the Secretary of War and Secretary of Navy. Both Stanton and Welles were good men who helped win the wars but it was obvious even years ago that the Army needed to completely revamp her artillery arm. Hearing that the Navy would have to do the same was a bit shocking but Lincoln knew not to halt progress.
"Gentlemen, you have my complete support," Lincoln replied firmly, "Spend what you need to develop a new weapon. If you have any problems with the War or Navy Departments or push-back from Congress, you may report this to me immediately. I shall ensure you get what you need. But move quickly, for god's sake. With all the new ironclads in particular being laid down and launched throughout the world, I fear that a new war seems never far away."
"Thank you, Mr. President," the soldier and sailor intoned as one.
The Paraguay River
The nation of Paraguay held few roads and was utterly dominated by the only artery available, the Paraguay River and other watersheds. Control over those meant control over the region. Thus President Lopez of Paraguay had built heavy fortifications at key points in the river and built a series of gunboats.
Most of the male population of Paraguay was included in the militia, giving the small nation a rather disproportionate military capacity. Lopez had even attempted to make his nation independent of foreign arms requirements by building a forge and gun factory. Powder was always in short supply but he'd purchased and stored vast amounts throughout the the past few years as he'd was unsure if his landlocked nation could possibly acquire more. Like other nations lacking access to much niter, he ordered every dungheap and cave scraped of the raw material to add to his stocks.
The allied forces of Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and France dispatched ships up the Parana River (in Argentina) to where it became the Paraguay. It was assumed, as it generally was in most wars, that this would be a few months of campaigning, followed by a negotiated peace.
Like so many wars, it would NOT.
Chapter 70
April, 1866
Veracruz
General Ulysses Grant winced a bit as the Veracruz "volunteers" practiced their craft on the heavy Dahlgrens, Parrots and Rodmans in the Veracruz Harbor. No invader would ever again have such an easy time assaulting the city as the British, French and Spanish had in 1861. Per the War Department's permission, Grant's shrinking army would leave behind dozens of heavy guns like these as well as tens of thousands of lighter weapons.
American advisors had been teaching the Mexicans in their use as well as stretching President Lincoln's orders not to involve themselves unnecessarily in Mexican politics. Many American officers actively assisted the hunting down of packs of "Junta" Imperial officers and Senators.
But the American presence in Mexico had been reduced to a bare 3000 men, most in the region of Veracruz. It appeared obvious that France was NOT going to attempt another invasion soon and therefore the American presence would prove more of a provocation and embarrassment to Juarez' government than an aide.
All but a few hundred of the "advisors" would be relieved in the next few months.
Grant was happy to be going home. Two wars in Mexico was two too many for one lifetime.
As it turned out, his friend Ignazio Zaragoza had returned from an expedition in Oaxaca to wipe bout a stubborn band of Imperialists there and was present to witness the demonstration of Mexican gunnery.....prowess.
Grant looked over to Zaragoza and muttered, "They'll get better."
Zaragoza laughed. Grant had been in Mexico long enough to speak Spanish but the Mexican cringed at his accent. Far better to speak the English of Zaragoza's Texas kin.
"I should hope so, Grant, I should hope so."
Rumor had it that Juarez had picked Zaragoza as his successor in 1870. The man didn't seem interested much in politics, which was probably a good thing in Grant's estimation. A soldier who thought too much about politics was dangerous. He recalled Santa Anna and knew Mexico did not need another of those.
Cheyenne Territory
Though more than a bit shocked to find out that half his forces (the 7th Cavalry and the 2nd Colored Cavalry) was black, the former Confederate officer would make an effort not to irritate his men. It only took one to decide to shoot him out of his saddle.
While several former Confederates had served in the Union forces in the late "French and Mexican War", most had since retired. Lee was apparently the Chancellor of Washington University, Beauregard was Governor of Columbia, Longstreet had taken a position in the Department of Defense. Armistead worked as a railroad commissioner, etc.
Seeing nothing in civilian life which could match what he saw on the field, Stuart would accept a position as military governor of the newly broken out Territory of Cheyenne from the former lopsided Dakota Territory. Here the Sioux tribes and their allies were causing problems.
Stuart admired the Plains Indians and hoped that peace could be made but, if not, well, this was cavalry territory if ever there was one.
Washington DC
President Lincoln was getting to despair for the 1866 Congressional elections. The economy was sagging in the standard post-war doldrums and the public was beginning to realize (no matter how many times it was explained), the sheer debt the nation had taken on. Virtually all tariff funds were being applied directly to that debt as were most of the funds once reserved for the shrinking army.
Down to 150,000 men, over 90,000 serving in the south, the Army was finally reaching what Lincoln hoped would be a "normal" level. Had it not been for the Negroes, it may prove impossible to keep a volunteer army up to even that 150,000 man level. By 1866, nearly 40% of the effective army were Freedmen unaccustomed to receiving full meals and actual pay in their previous occupations on the plantation.
The western settlement programs were going splendidly. Some months nearly 50,000 Negroes from the old Confederacy (and at least that many whites from the entire country) were travelling west to new homesteads sectioned out by Army surveyors across a dozen territories and states. The government contracts originally intended for soldiers were slowly diverted to give the Freedmen better chances at making a good go of it in the west by providing animals, seed, tools, provisions, etc. The Freedmen's Bureau, despite opposition from many quarters politically, would greatly aid in the distribution of the lands and frequently fought for resources with the other settlement plans for soldiers and "urban poor" (the latter usually being impoverished immigrations stuck in the same cities in which they'd been unceremoniously dropped).
Even without the "free" land distributed by the government, there were even more settlers out west (and midwest) who moved out with the funds to purchase cheap land in Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, etc.
Polish immigrants flocked to Chicago and New York, Germans to Ohio and New York, Jews to Philadelphia and New York, Irish to Boston and New York, Russians to Detroit and New York, Italians to New Orleans and New York....etc, etc. etc (New York was a popular destination).
Within just a decade, the ethnic mix of America was rapidly changing and some would not like it.
But Lincoln was having some luck getting the 15th Amendment approved by Congress. By happenstance, a die-hard Confederate in Louisiana had published an effective "how-to" book for how Southern Whites could bypass the Amendment if/when it passed. One of Lincoln's allies would read the passage (published in a New Orleans newspaper) aloud in Congress. This would bring out quite the reaction. Even if some Congressmen and Senators did not like the idea of Black men voting, the concept of ANYONE resisting THEIR power was utterly unacceptable.
Lincoln would conscientiously update his Amendment proposal to include further protections against such resistance and found the mood in Congress turning in his direction.
Also, in 1866, the State of Tennessee would be the first of the former Confederate states to formally request complete readmission to the Union. The "reconstruction" governments were largely appointed by Washington but this request could only come from a true representation of the people. Lincoln took this as a good sign but had no intention of allowing any such return to normal status until true State Conventions approved the 13th, 14th and pending 15th Amendments. Until the latter was approved by Congress, there would be no return to normalcy in the South.
Veracruz
General Ulysses Grant winced a bit as the Veracruz "volunteers" practiced their craft on the heavy Dahlgrens, Parrots and Rodmans in the Veracruz Harbor. No invader would ever again have such an easy time assaulting the city as the British, French and Spanish had in 1861. Per the War Department's permission, Grant's shrinking army would leave behind dozens of heavy guns like these as well as tens of thousands of lighter weapons.
American advisors had been teaching the Mexicans in their use as well as stretching President Lincoln's orders not to involve themselves unnecessarily in Mexican politics. Many American officers actively assisted the hunting down of packs of "Junta" Imperial officers and Senators.
But the American presence in Mexico had been reduced to a bare 3000 men, most in the region of Veracruz. It appeared obvious that France was NOT going to attempt another invasion soon and therefore the American presence would prove more of a provocation and embarrassment to Juarez' government than an aide.
All but a few hundred of the "advisors" would be relieved in the next few months.
Grant was happy to be going home. Two wars in Mexico was two too many for one lifetime.
As it turned out, his friend Ignazio Zaragoza had returned from an expedition in Oaxaca to wipe bout a stubborn band of Imperialists there and was present to witness the demonstration of Mexican gunnery.....prowess.
Grant looked over to Zaragoza and muttered, "They'll get better."
Zaragoza laughed. Grant had been in Mexico long enough to speak Spanish but the Mexican cringed at his accent. Far better to speak the English of Zaragoza's Texas kin.
"I should hope so, Grant, I should hope so."
Rumor had it that Juarez had picked Zaragoza as his successor in 1870. The man didn't seem interested much in politics, which was probably a good thing in Grant's estimation. A soldier who thought too much about politics was dangerous. He recalled Santa Anna and knew Mexico did not need another of those.
Cheyenne Territory
Though more than a bit shocked to find out that half his forces (the 7th Cavalry and the 2nd Colored Cavalry) was black, the former Confederate officer would make an effort not to irritate his men. It only took one to decide to shoot him out of his saddle.
While several former Confederates had served in the Union forces in the late "French and Mexican War", most had since retired. Lee was apparently the Chancellor of Washington University, Beauregard was Governor of Columbia, Longstreet had taken a position in the Department of Defense. Armistead worked as a railroad commissioner, etc.
Seeing nothing in civilian life which could match what he saw on the field, Stuart would accept a position as military governor of the newly broken out Territory of Cheyenne from the former lopsided Dakota Territory. Here the Sioux tribes and their allies were causing problems.
Stuart admired the Plains Indians and hoped that peace could be made but, if not, well, this was cavalry territory if ever there was one.
Washington DC
President Lincoln was getting to despair for the 1866 Congressional elections. The economy was sagging in the standard post-war doldrums and the public was beginning to realize (no matter how many times it was explained), the sheer debt the nation had taken on. Virtually all tariff funds were being applied directly to that debt as were most of the funds once reserved for the shrinking army.
Down to 150,000 men, over 90,000 serving in the south, the Army was finally reaching what Lincoln hoped would be a "normal" level. Had it not been for the Negroes, it may prove impossible to keep a volunteer army up to even that 150,000 man level. By 1866, nearly 40% of the effective army were Freedmen unaccustomed to receiving full meals and actual pay in their previous occupations on the plantation.
The western settlement programs were going splendidly. Some months nearly 50,000 Negroes from the old Confederacy (and at least that many whites from the entire country) were travelling west to new homesteads sectioned out by Army surveyors across a dozen territories and states. The government contracts originally intended for soldiers were slowly diverted to give the Freedmen better chances at making a good go of it in the west by providing animals, seed, tools, provisions, etc. The Freedmen's Bureau, despite opposition from many quarters politically, would greatly aid in the distribution of the lands and frequently fought for resources with the other settlement plans for soldiers and "urban poor" (the latter usually being impoverished immigrations stuck in the same cities in which they'd been unceremoniously dropped).
Even without the "free" land distributed by the government, there were even more settlers out west (and midwest) who moved out with the funds to purchase cheap land in Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, etc.
Polish immigrants flocked to Chicago and New York, Germans to Ohio and New York, Jews to Philadelphia and New York, Irish to Boston and New York, Russians to Detroit and New York, Italians to New Orleans and New York....etc, etc. etc (New York was a popular destination).
Within just a decade, the ethnic mix of America was rapidly changing and some would not like it.
But Lincoln was having some luck getting the 15th Amendment approved by Congress. By happenstance, a die-hard Confederate in Louisiana had published an effective "how-to" book for how Southern Whites could bypass the Amendment if/when it passed. One of Lincoln's allies would read the passage (published in a New Orleans newspaper) aloud in Congress. This would bring out quite the reaction. Even if some Congressmen and Senators did not like the idea of Black men voting, the concept of ANYONE resisting THEIR power was utterly unacceptable.
Lincoln would conscientiously update his Amendment proposal to include further protections against such resistance and found the mood in Congress turning in his direction.
Also, in 1866, the State of Tennessee would be the first of the former Confederate states to formally request complete readmission to the Union. The "reconstruction" governments were largely appointed by Washington but this request could only come from a true representation of the people. Lincoln took this as a good sign but had no intention of allowing any such return to normal status until true State Conventions approved the 13th, 14th and pending 15th Amendments. Until the latter was approved by Congress, there would be no return to normalcy in the South.
Chapter 71
May, 1866
Rio de Janeiro
Emperor Pedro II was probably the most popular man in Brazil. Intelligent, dignified and dedicated to the betterment of his people, the Emperor was respected by all.
However, he was not as enthused about the potential for another war as he had been a short time ago.
Previously, Brazil had recognized Paraguay's independence as a hegemon against Brazil's natural rival in Argentina. However, the sundering of Argentina in which Buenos Aires had broken off under Mitre somewhat made a conflict between Paraguay and Argentina (a new ally) pointless.
Pedro II knew there were some who desired to gain some inland territory from the Spanish-speakers, though this seemed unnecessary. Brazil was vast.
Instead, the Emperor preferred to prop up a number of smaller nations as proxies in the future. Pedro had read of the new steel monsters being born in European shipyards and realized a few of those could easily cut off Brazil's coast, as they had in America.
Unfortunately, Pedro was also not an assertive man and he often wondered if his dynasty was meant to continue beyond him. His two sons, sadly, had died in childhood while his two surviving daughters were.......well, they were women. As his son's-in-law were French-born nobles, they were hardly going to be welcomed by the common Brazilian.
He supposed he may appoint one of his nephews his heir but....
Who knew?
Right now, the Emperor simply wanted out of the trap most of South America appeared to be mired within.
What was more, he did not like the idea of his nation becoming dependent upon France for protection against Great Britain. He sent out feelers to Britain for a reconciliation, at least to play one off against the other.
In the meantime, the Emperor struggled to find adequate volunteers and swiftly turned to the slave classes. With the Master's approval, the slaves could be turned to soldiers....though how they would be returned was something of a question. Would any Master want back a slave which had spent a year killing people?
The Emperor's daughter had been a voice in the abolition movement, the only political opinion she had. It was certainly fashionable among a certain crowd but the aristocrats of Brazil still depending upon slave labor and fiercely opposed abolition in any form.
To Pedro's eyes, abolition was somewhat redundant. So many Brazilian slaves had been manumitted over the past decades that well over 60% of the blacks and mulattos of Brazil were already free. At the rate things were going, slavery was going to be effectively dead by the end of the century so why upset the balance of things?
The Emperor feared the next few years would prove quite chaotic for the naturally conservative Brazilian people.
The Parana River
After a short, short battle, the allied forces managed to defeat Paraguay's river gunboats and push them back to the Paraguay River itself. Then, naturally, the matter of commander would crop up. Brazilian, Argentine, Uruguayan and French officers loathed allowing one of their rivals to assume power.
This was resolved by selecting an outsider with experience. George McClellan was an American soldiers who'd defending New York in the War Between the States. He had spent the past years attempting to get Russia or Austria to make him a Field Marshall.
Instead, he ended up seeking a commission in the South American War and happened to be at the right place at the right time. Though he barely spoken any Spanish or Portuguese, his French was good enough for most of the officers.
McClellan, a favorite with Lincoln for his energetic actions in the Shenandoah and later fortifying New York Harbor, given up his political plans for the moment to seek glory elsewhere. If this was the best he could do, then it was the best he could do.
McClellan used his engineering skill (he'd overseen the improvement and construction of dozens of military installations in New York) to focus the allied artillery upon the handful of fortresses along the Paraguay River. These tended to fall quickly enough.
However, the Paraguayan Army was not intent giving up so easily. In a series of short, sharp engagements, they bled the allies dry. This led to multiple rounds of bickering, threats to withdraw from the coalition and the occasional challenge to a duel.
McClellan, who had overseen the armaments of the Union Army for nearly two years, was appalled at the lack professionalism among the South Americans. The logistics chain was inept to the point of non-existence while the hospital facilities were primitive to say the least.
He'd been horrified to find that an entire battalion of Brazilians had been put out of action, a third of them dying, after they'd taken to drinking water from a local river. McClellan worked tirelessly to improve the sanitation of the allies.
In the meantime, he took heart in the dismal armaments of the Paraguayans who possessed arms a generation removed from even the obsolete Springfields and Enfields of the War Between the States. The Artillery was hardly better.
While his own coalition's weapons were not quite Union Army levels, at least most of his men had been armed with Enfields, a few Chassepots (one of the few upgrades the disgraced French soldiers had been given) and even a battery of Krupp cannons. Seeing them in action proved without a shadow of a doubt to the American that the old 1854 Napoleon Bronze Muzzle-loaders were about as useful as a bow and arrow. He hoped his replacement was doing his job in the Board of Ordnance.
Rio de Janeiro
Emperor Pedro II was probably the most popular man in Brazil. Intelligent, dignified and dedicated to the betterment of his people, the Emperor was respected by all.
However, he was not as enthused about the potential for another war as he had been a short time ago.
Previously, Brazil had recognized Paraguay's independence as a hegemon against Brazil's natural rival in Argentina. However, the sundering of Argentina in which Buenos Aires had broken off under Mitre somewhat made a conflict between Paraguay and Argentina (a new ally) pointless.
Pedro II knew there were some who desired to gain some inland territory from the Spanish-speakers, though this seemed unnecessary. Brazil was vast.
Instead, the Emperor preferred to prop up a number of smaller nations as proxies in the future. Pedro had read of the new steel monsters being born in European shipyards and realized a few of those could easily cut off Brazil's coast, as they had in America.
Unfortunately, Pedro was also not an assertive man and he often wondered if his dynasty was meant to continue beyond him. His two sons, sadly, had died in childhood while his two surviving daughters were.......well, they were women. As his son's-in-law were French-born nobles, they were hardly going to be welcomed by the common Brazilian.
He supposed he may appoint one of his nephews his heir but....
Who knew?
Right now, the Emperor simply wanted out of the trap most of South America appeared to be mired within.
What was more, he did not like the idea of his nation becoming dependent upon France for protection against Great Britain. He sent out feelers to Britain for a reconciliation, at least to play one off against the other.
In the meantime, the Emperor struggled to find adequate volunteers and swiftly turned to the slave classes. With the Master's approval, the slaves could be turned to soldiers....though how they would be returned was something of a question. Would any Master want back a slave which had spent a year killing people?
The Emperor's daughter had been a voice in the abolition movement, the only political opinion she had. It was certainly fashionable among a certain crowd but the aristocrats of Brazil still depending upon slave labor and fiercely opposed abolition in any form.
To Pedro's eyes, abolition was somewhat redundant. So many Brazilian slaves had been manumitted over the past decades that well over 60% of the blacks and mulattos of Brazil were already free. At the rate things were going, slavery was going to be effectively dead by the end of the century so why upset the balance of things?
The Emperor feared the next few years would prove quite chaotic for the naturally conservative Brazilian people.
The Parana River
After a short, short battle, the allied forces managed to defeat Paraguay's river gunboats and push them back to the Paraguay River itself. Then, naturally, the matter of commander would crop up. Brazilian, Argentine, Uruguayan and French officers loathed allowing one of their rivals to assume power.
This was resolved by selecting an outsider with experience. George McClellan was an American soldiers who'd defending New York in the War Between the States. He had spent the past years attempting to get Russia or Austria to make him a Field Marshall.
Instead, he ended up seeking a commission in the South American War and happened to be at the right place at the right time. Though he barely spoken any Spanish or Portuguese, his French was good enough for most of the officers.
McClellan, a favorite with Lincoln for his energetic actions in the Shenandoah and later fortifying New York Harbor, given up his political plans for the moment to seek glory elsewhere. If this was the best he could do, then it was the best he could do.
McClellan used his engineering skill (he'd overseen the improvement and construction of dozens of military installations in New York) to focus the allied artillery upon the handful of fortresses along the Paraguay River. These tended to fall quickly enough.
However, the Paraguayan Army was not intent giving up so easily. In a series of short, sharp engagements, they bled the allies dry. This led to multiple rounds of bickering, threats to withdraw from the coalition and the occasional challenge to a duel.
McClellan, who had overseen the armaments of the Union Army for nearly two years, was appalled at the lack professionalism among the South Americans. The logistics chain was inept to the point of non-existence while the hospital facilities were primitive to say the least.
He'd been horrified to find that an entire battalion of Brazilians had been put out of action, a third of them dying, after they'd taken to drinking water from a local river. McClellan worked tirelessly to improve the sanitation of the allies.
In the meantime, he took heart in the dismal armaments of the Paraguayans who possessed arms a generation removed from even the obsolete Springfields and Enfields of the War Between the States. The Artillery was hardly better.
While his own coalition's weapons were not quite Union Army levels, at least most of his men had been armed with Enfields, a few Chassepots (one of the few upgrades the disgraced French soldiers had been given) and even a battery of Krupp cannons. Seeing them in action proved without a shadow of a doubt to the American that the old 1854 Napoleon Bronze Muzzle-loaders were about as useful as a bow and arrow. He hoped his replacement was doing his job in the Board of Ordnance.
Chapter 72
June, 1866
Washington DC
Just weeks before the final summer recess, Congress finally approved the 15th Amendment. It was a more far-reaching document than Lincoln had originally intended to grant suffrage with no exemption based upon race. The fact that so many states (including northern ones) would probably resist implementing led to the President centralizing the administrative detail to the Federal Government. That each state had its own criteria for suffrage (property, time of residency, etc) would force Lincoln to add THAT adjustment to the 15th Amendment. Now, all men over the age of 18 were eligible.
Then, of course, the violent intimidation tactics being utilized throughout the south (and other areas) against Negroes would require a set procedure of how the Federal Government would compel the states.
With each escalation of the 15th Amendment's depth, there was more resistance.
Finally, though, Congress approved a document Lincoln was willing to live with.
Now the matter was dispatched to the State Legislatures for approval. Lincoln wanted enough to approve by the November elections as the economy was shaky at best and it was possible that Democrats could make great gains in both Federal and State elections.
Montana Territory
By the greatest happenstance, two of the best cavalrymen in the War Between the States and the French and Mexican War happened to meet while on patrol.
George Custer had been appointed Governor of Montana Territory while Jeb Stuart had been appointed as Governor of Cheyenne Territory (one of the few former Confederates to be granted high office). The two would camp together for several days recounting tales of daring of their duels in Virginia, then comparing notes of their experiences in Mexico (Custer had been part of Grant's army inland while Stuart had served in Lee's "Army of Virginia" (due to the high proportion of Virginians in command positions) which had marched along the Mexican coast.
It was a fine time. Both also shared their problems in the mundane administrative posts they possessed now. They shared a laugh on how they passed most of the tedious paperwork onto subordinates and spent most of their time in the saddle.
Many of the same tribes tended to straddle post territories. Fortunately, relations with the Lakota had been going well of late but the Cheyenne, Dakota and Arapaho were restless. Both Custer and Stuart, though, were sympathetic to the various Indian tribes and frequently championed them to the War Department, the Indian Affairs Bureau and Congress. Thus far, the worst scenario had been avoided.
Both lamented the end of war in North America and feared that they would die old men in their beds. What a horrible fate.
Stuart vowed to bring his wife Flora up in the fall to meet Custer's young wife Libby. With such a constrained social circle, it was a good idea for the ladies to become friends.
Sacramento
Having served as governor of Columbia for the past few years, P.T. Beauregard would be restless....for a better paying position.
Thus, he accepted the post as foreman of the western branch of the rapidly constructing Trans-Continental Railroad. The railroad was funded by America's government granting land to the railroads along the path, which could be sold to settlers. Thus the government, always strapped for cash, would avoid paying overly much for the construction of the railways.
Beauregard, always canny with money, negotiated not only a fine salary but a large amount of stock upon completion of the railway.
In truth, he would earn his money as his task would be the most arduous. While the eastern side of the railway was rapidly constructed through the flatlands of Nebraska, the western would have to cut through the Rocky Mountains.
Beauregard put out a call for all laborers he could find (thank god, there had not been a gold strike in the last year or two else he would be strapped for workers) and found, to his unsettlement, that nearly half of his workers were Negroes. Rumors that large numbers of Chinese would be willing to migrate and work the railroad were welcomed by Beauregard but the Legislature of California halted any immigration from that nation in 1865 (there was a court challenge pending).
London
Benjamin Disraeli, First Lord of the Treasury, would discuss the American offer at length.
Apparently, the American acquisition of the Virgin Islands was quietly offered to the British in exchange for the more proximate Bahama, Turk and Caicos Islands. On the surface, this made sense for both countries. The British possessions were hardly useful for much while the Virgin Islands were more proximate to the other British possessions in the area.
It would be a FAIR trade but no one which the British were prepared to make. The Bahamas had been in British possession for generations and it would be embarrassing to tell longtime British subjects and landowners that they now had to report to another nation. The Americans, obviously, would not have that problem.
Plus, there was also the general belief that, should there be a future conflict between America and Britain, that the American Virgin Islands could be captured easily enough.
Thus the British government....quite politely.....quietly declined and the Americans, who had not made the offer public themselves, would accept this and not bring up the subject again.
The scars had yet to heal over the past few years of war between the two countries and neither desired to renew the ill-feelings of the past.
Washington DC
Just weeks before the final summer recess, Congress finally approved the 15th Amendment. It was a more far-reaching document than Lincoln had originally intended to grant suffrage with no exemption based upon race. The fact that so many states (including northern ones) would probably resist implementing led to the President centralizing the administrative detail to the Federal Government. That each state had its own criteria for suffrage (property, time of residency, etc) would force Lincoln to add THAT adjustment to the 15th Amendment. Now, all men over the age of 18 were eligible.
Then, of course, the violent intimidation tactics being utilized throughout the south (and other areas) against Negroes would require a set procedure of how the Federal Government would compel the states.
With each escalation of the 15th Amendment's depth, there was more resistance.
Finally, though, Congress approved a document Lincoln was willing to live with.
Now the matter was dispatched to the State Legislatures for approval. Lincoln wanted enough to approve by the November elections as the economy was shaky at best and it was possible that Democrats could make great gains in both Federal and State elections.
Montana Territory
By the greatest happenstance, two of the best cavalrymen in the War Between the States and the French and Mexican War happened to meet while on patrol.
George Custer had been appointed Governor of Montana Territory while Jeb Stuart had been appointed as Governor of Cheyenne Territory (one of the few former Confederates to be granted high office). The two would camp together for several days recounting tales of daring of their duels in Virginia, then comparing notes of their experiences in Mexico (Custer had been part of Grant's army inland while Stuart had served in Lee's "Army of Virginia" (due to the high proportion of Virginians in command positions) which had marched along the Mexican coast.
It was a fine time. Both also shared their problems in the mundane administrative posts they possessed now. They shared a laugh on how they passed most of the tedious paperwork onto subordinates and spent most of their time in the saddle.
Many of the same tribes tended to straddle post territories. Fortunately, relations with the Lakota had been going well of late but the Cheyenne, Dakota and Arapaho were restless. Both Custer and Stuart, though, were sympathetic to the various Indian tribes and frequently championed them to the War Department, the Indian Affairs Bureau and Congress. Thus far, the worst scenario had been avoided.
Both lamented the end of war in North America and feared that they would die old men in their beds. What a horrible fate.
Stuart vowed to bring his wife Flora up in the fall to meet Custer's young wife Libby. With such a constrained social circle, it was a good idea for the ladies to become friends.
Sacramento
Having served as governor of Columbia for the past few years, P.T. Beauregard would be restless....for a better paying position.
Thus, he accepted the post as foreman of the western branch of the rapidly constructing Trans-Continental Railroad. The railroad was funded by America's government granting land to the railroads along the path, which could be sold to settlers. Thus the government, always strapped for cash, would avoid paying overly much for the construction of the railways.
Beauregard, always canny with money, negotiated not only a fine salary but a large amount of stock upon completion of the railway.
In truth, he would earn his money as his task would be the most arduous. While the eastern side of the railway was rapidly constructed through the flatlands of Nebraska, the western would have to cut through the Rocky Mountains.
Beauregard put out a call for all laborers he could find (thank god, there had not been a gold strike in the last year or two else he would be strapped for workers) and found, to his unsettlement, that nearly half of his workers were Negroes. Rumors that large numbers of Chinese would be willing to migrate and work the railroad were welcomed by Beauregard but the Legislature of California halted any immigration from that nation in 1865 (there was a court challenge pending).
London
Benjamin Disraeli, First Lord of the Treasury, would discuss the American offer at length.
Apparently, the American acquisition of the Virgin Islands was quietly offered to the British in exchange for the more proximate Bahama, Turk and Caicos Islands. On the surface, this made sense for both countries. The British possessions were hardly useful for much while the Virgin Islands were more proximate to the other British possessions in the area.
It would be a FAIR trade but no one which the British were prepared to make. The Bahamas had been in British possession for generations and it would be embarrassing to tell longtime British subjects and landowners that they now had to report to another nation. The Americans, obviously, would not have that problem.
Plus, there was also the general belief that, should there be a future conflict between America and Britain, that the American Virgin Islands could be captured easily enough.
Thus the British government....quite politely.....quietly declined and the Americans, who had not made the offer public themselves, would accept this and not bring up the subject again.
The scars had yet to heal over the past few years of war between the two countries and neither desired to renew the ill-feelings of the past.
Does voting apply to non-citizens?
Is Myles Keogh still second in command to Custer?
en.wikipedia.org
Is Myles Keogh still second in command to Custer?
Myles Keogh - Wikipedia
Jonathan1997
Banned
I am just working my way through this are you going for a America victory with the British reform in the government and build a large land army after the war.
Jonathan1997
Banned
Having Mexico be part of the United States or solve a lot of the problems but the reason the Americans originally didn't take Mexico was the cost of the racial divide between the Anglo Americans and the Mexican and Spanish population. I believe the Americans were afraid of America becoming Latino.
Does voting apply to non-citizens?
Is Myles Keogh still second in command to Custer?
Myles Keogh - Wikipedia
Voting would apply to anyone who had resided in the country for a set amount of time and took the oath of citizenship.
So no non-citizens then. OTL there were a lot of people who lived in America who were not citizens or on a path to it.
Imperial 1914
Banned
Is there going to be the reservation system for native American or can they move to anywhere the want and work anywhere they want
I cannot see the reservation system changing before the end of the Indian wars.
Chapter 73
July, 1866
Estero Bellaco, Southwestern Paraguay
In the first major land battle of the war, the allies would defeat the Paraguayans and press them further back inland.
The one-legged General McClellan would wonder why the war continued after this. In truth, the destruction of the Paraguay Navy after a series of naval conflicts effectively guaranteed that the Paraguayans could not win the war. It was just stubbornness as far the McClellan could tell.
Disease continued to carry off his boys no matter the American's attempt to include hygiene and provisions. McClellan could only imagine what this damned place would be like in Summer (it was winter in the Southern Hemisphere).
McClellan did not desire to be here when summer came and pressed on as quickly as possible.
He would end it (he hoped) at some speck on the map named "Curupayty".
Ireland
The "Young Ireland" movement had been hunted down....once again. Fenian weapons, no longer supplied by the American government, still flowed freely into the island but the handful of leaders knew better than to try to gather up a few dozen or a hundred or so local Fenians and attack the closest army billet. The British had over 25,000 soldiers in Ireland, twice that in "Loyal" militia and could easily call upon more.
Worse, the massive series of informants would likely alert the British within hours of a planned attack anyway.
The Fenians were being smothered. Dozens of leaders had been executed during the war in America (though this stopped after the peace was signed) and hundreds had been transported to Australia.
In truth, the worst of the Penal Laws had long been withdrawn decades ago, the British establishment felt that they'd conceded enough. Catholics could vote, run for office, no longer had to pay tithes to a Protestant Church, could bear arms, serve in the military and purchase land. Catholics now served in Parliament, though these were usually the upper class......the same as with the Protestants, for that matter.
Had previous generations of Irishmen been granted such boons (it was unthinkable a hundred years prior), the Island would have been ecstatic.
But the Famine.....the damned Famine.....changed everything. Many Irish would never trust the British government again, not after allowing a million Irish to starve and 3 million to emigrate. Not even the recovery of Ireland's economy, greater and greater Catholic political and economic growth and a general equal status within the Empire could lead to forgiveness over the tragedy of the 1840's.
Only Home Rule could do this....and THAT was anathema to the British. It would be effectively giving up direct control over Ireland. The Irish already SAT in Parliament, for God's Sake.......CATHOLIC Irish! What more could they ask?
What the Irish Catholic majority wanted was to run their own affairs. To the British, this meant Independence and THAT was unacceptable.
With the local government entirely designed to put down rebellion, the Fenians never seemed to have a chance.
Paris
Jefferson Davis was sitting in the cozy courtyard of his Parisian home when his French servant lead a tall, powerful-looking man into his presence. It took a moment before Davis recognized him through the series of scars crossing the man's face.
"Forrest?"
With a scowl, the Louisianan took off his hat, "Yes.....MR.PRESIDENT.....it is I, one of the incompetent commanders and cowardly solders who served in your army."
The former Confederate President paled, knowing that some excerpts of his book largely left THAT impression of his feeling. With greater hindsight, Davis had already regretted some of those words. But he'd never thought he'd come face to face with one of the most brilliant....and dangerous.....men in the war regardless of affiliation.
"Well, Mr. President, since you felt me and boys were nothing but cowards and traitors, I feel it right to restore my honor and theirs....."
Nathan Bedford Forrest presented a pair of pistols, not the old single-shot dueling pistol but actual Colt Revolvers. "One of two things are about to happen.....you will either face me in the streets right now....or I'll just execute you where you stand."
Davis, not a fearful man by nature, would manage to sputter, "Dueling is illegal in France, Forrest...."
"So is executing a man where he stands.....I can only assume....but that doesn't bother me either," Forrest raised one of the pistols and leveled it at Davis' face. The former Confederate President was grateful his wife was out shopping.
"Very well," Davis answered, trying mightily to keep his voice steady. Weakness was not something Forrest respected.
He followed the Louisianan Cavalryman out to the street. It was a quiet neighborhood with few shops, mainly residential. Thus there were few people out to interrupt. Forrest raised both weapons, barrel first and leveled them in Davis' face. "Which one do you want?"
Davis managed to affect a calm demeanor and slowly reached out to grasp the one on the right. Forrest, still keeping the other in Davis' face, backed up 20 steps. He then stopped and lowered his weapon to the side. Davis took the opportunity, to turn the gun around and place his finger on the trigger. He flexed a few times. The weight seemed right and he tried to get a sense of the balance. No doubt Forrest had killed MANY men with these guns.
Only a few Frenchmen were in sight and most had stopped what they were doing to stare at the tall men in the middle of the street brandishing weapons.
"Whenever you are ready.....MR. PRESIDENT," Forrest muttered just audibly enough for Davis to hear.
Apparently, the Louisianan was willing to give Davis the right to move quickly. This was no "old style" duel where a referee called the number of paces. This was just two men determined to survive. It reminded the Mississippian of the cheap dime novels of the west, the tales unlikely to have any basis in real life.
With a smirk at the absurdity, Davis raised his gun, aiming towards the center of Forrest's mass. The Louisianan was faster and, it would seem, more accurate. Even waiting for Davis to make the first move, Forrest would fire first. Davis' finger was just pulling the trigger when he felt the impact of Forrest's weapon strike his shoulder blade. HIs own weapon would fire wide and fall from his fingers.
Grasping his chest and gasping for breath, Davis looked up from the muck in which he lay as Forrest stepped over him.
"Well, I hope I've proven my valor to you, sir. A great feat given your high standards."
Forrest then raised his weapon again and fired five more times into Davis' skull. He looked on for a moment, ignoring the screams in the background, placed the remaining weapon in his coat pocket (leaving Davis' on the ground for proof that he'd had a chance to defend himself) and departed at a calm walk down the quiet Parisian lane. Within minutes he turned the corner and disappeared.
Siam
With the French domination of Vietnam and the British seizure of Lower Burma, the King of Siam knew that, eventually, his nation would face an invasion by the Europeans. If the Indian Subcontinent could be conquered and even might Cathay humiliated again and again by the western devil's, King Mongkut had long sought to play the French and British against one another to ensure the independence of his Kingdom. Western teachers, advisors and such were invited to modernize the nation.
However, the rivalry of Britain and France was reaching a new height and Siam was plainly in their sights.
A French vessel would founder off Siam's shores. The crew would manage to evacuate without casualties but the stricken ship would be pillaged by wreckers. When the French sailors attempted to stop them, two were injured.
The entire incident was happenstance and, had anyone bothered to inquire, King Mongkut would have sprinted to make restitution. However, French forces in Vietnam were being built up strictly for the purpose of seizing Bangkok.
Without so much as a formal complaint or a declaration of war, the French navy and army descended upon the Siamese coast.
Upper Burma
Two sons of King Mindon Min of Upper Burma rose in revolt, more of a blatant power grab than any political differences. The coup would be successful and the old King killed. Naturally, the two usurpers would fall upon one another, leading Upper Burma into chaos.
Estero Bellaco, Southwestern Paraguay
In the first major land battle of the war, the allies would defeat the Paraguayans and press them further back inland.
The one-legged General McClellan would wonder why the war continued after this. In truth, the destruction of the Paraguay Navy after a series of naval conflicts effectively guaranteed that the Paraguayans could not win the war. It was just stubbornness as far the McClellan could tell.
Disease continued to carry off his boys no matter the American's attempt to include hygiene and provisions. McClellan could only imagine what this damned place would be like in Summer (it was winter in the Southern Hemisphere).
McClellan did not desire to be here when summer came and pressed on as quickly as possible.
He would end it (he hoped) at some speck on the map named "Curupayty".
Ireland
The "Young Ireland" movement had been hunted down....once again. Fenian weapons, no longer supplied by the American government, still flowed freely into the island but the handful of leaders knew better than to try to gather up a few dozen or a hundred or so local Fenians and attack the closest army billet. The British had over 25,000 soldiers in Ireland, twice that in "Loyal" militia and could easily call upon more.
Worse, the massive series of informants would likely alert the British within hours of a planned attack anyway.
The Fenians were being smothered. Dozens of leaders had been executed during the war in America (though this stopped after the peace was signed) and hundreds had been transported to Australia.
In truth, the worst of the Penal Laws had long been withdrawn decades ago, the British establishment felt that they'd conceded enough. Catholics could vote, run for office, no longer had to pay tithes to a Protestant Church, could bear arms, serve in the military and purchase land. Catholics now served in Parliament, though these were usually the upper class......the same as with the Protestants, for that matter.
Had previous generations of Irishmen been granted such boons (it was unthinkable a hundred years prior), the Island would have been ecstatic.
But the Famine.....the damned Famine.....changed everything. Many Irish would never trust the British government again, not after allowing a million Irish to starve and 3 million to emigrate. Not even the recovery of Ireland's economy, greater and greater Catholic political and economic growth and a general equal status within the Empire could lead to forgiveness over the tragedy of the 1840's.
Only Home Rule could do this....and THAT was anathema to the British. It would be effectively giving up direct control over Ireland. The Irish already SAT in Parliament, for God's Sake.......CATHOLIC Irish! What more could they ask?
What the Irish Catholic majority wanted was to run their own affairs. To the British, this meant Independence and THAT was unacceptable.
With the local government entirely designed to put down rebellion, the Fenians never seemed to have a chance.
Paris
Jefferson Davis was sitting in the cozy courtyard of his Parisian home when his French servant lead a tall, powerful-looking man into his presence. It took a moment before Davis recognized him through the series of scars crossing the man's face.
"Forrest?"
With a scowl, the Louisianan took off his hat, "Yes.....MR.PRESIDENT.....it is I, one of the incompetent commanders and cowardly solders who served in your army."
The former Confederate President paled, knowing that some excerpts of his book largely left THAT impression of his feeling. With greater hindsight, Davis had already regretted some of those words. But he'd never thought he'd come face to face with one of the most brilliant....and dangerous.....men in the war regardless of affiliation.
"Well, Mr. President, since you felt me and boys were nothing but cowards and traitors, I feel it right to restore my honor and theirs....."
Nathan Bedford Forrest presented a pair of pistols, not the old single-shot dueling pistol but actual Colt Revolvers. "One of two things are about to happen.....you will either face me in the streets right now....or I'll just execute you where you stand."
Davis, not a fearful man by nature, would manage to sputter, "Dueling is illegal in France, Forrest...."
"So is executing a man where he stands.....I can only assume....but that doesn't bother me either," Forrest raised one of the pistols and leveled it at Davis' face. The former Confederate President was grateful his wife was out shopping.
"Very well," Davis answered, trying mightily to keep his voice steady. Weakness was not something Forrest respected.
He followed the Louisianan Cavalryman out to the street. It was a quiet neighborhood with few shops, mainly residential. Thus there were few people out to interrupt. Forrest raised both weapons, barrel first and leveled them in Davis' face. "Which one do you want?"
Davis managed to affect a calm demeanor and slowly reached out to grasp the one on the right. Forrest, still keeping the other in Davis' face, backed up 20 steps. He then stopped and lowered his weapon to the side. Davis took the opportunity, to turn the gun around and place his finger on the trigger. He flexed a few times. The weight seemed right and he tried to get a sense of the balance. No doubt Forrest had killed MANY men with these guns.
Only a few Frenchmen were in sight and most had stopped what they were doing to stare at the tall men in the middle of the street brandishing weapons.
"Whenever you are ready.....MR. PRESIDENT," Forrest muttered just audibly enough for Davis to hear.
Apparently, the Louisianan was willing to give Davis the right to move quickly. This was no "old style" duel where a referee called the number of paces. This was just two men determined to survive. It reminded the Mississippian of the cheap dime novels of the west, the tales unlikely to have any basis in real life.
With a smirk at the absurdity, Davis raised his gun, aiming towards the center of Forrest's mass. The Louisianan was faster and, it would seem, more accurate. Even waiting for Davis to make the first move, Forrest would fire first. Davis' finger was just pulling the trigger when he felt the impact of Forrest's weapon strike his shoulder blade. HIs own weapon would fire wide and fall from his fingers.
Grasping his chest and gasping for breath, Davis looked up from the muck in which he lay as Forrest stepped over him.
"Well, I hope I've proven my valor to you, sir. A great feat given your high standards."
Forrest then raised his weapon again and fired five more times into Davis' skull. He looked on for a moment, ignoring the screams in the background, placed the remaining weapon in his coat pocket (leaving Davis' on the ground for proof that he'd had a chance to defend himself) and departed at a calm walk down the quiet Parisian lane. Within minutes he turned the corner and disappeared.
Siam
With the French domination of Vietnam and the British seizure of Lower Burma, the King of Siam knew that, eventually, his nation would face an invasion by the Europeans. If the Indian Subcontinent could be conquered and even might Cathay humiliated again and again by the western devil's, King Mongkut had long sought to play the French and British against one another to ensure the independence of his Kingdom. Western teachers, advisors and such were invited to modernize the nation.
However, the rivalry of Britain and France was reaching a new height and Siam was plainly in their sights.
A French vessel would founder off Siam's shores. The crew would manage to evacuate without casualties but the stricken ship would be pillaged by wreckers. When the French sailors attempted to stop them, two were injured.
The entire incident was happenstance and, had anyone bothered to inquire, King Mongkut would have sprinted to make restitution. However, French forces in Vietnam were being built up strictly for the purpose of seizing Bangkok.
Without so much as a formal complaint or a declaration of war, the French navy and army descended upon the Siamese coast.
Upper Burma
Two sons of King Mindon Min of Upper Burma rose in revolt, more of a blatant power grab than any political differences. The coup would be successful and the old King killed. Naturally, the two usurpers would fall upon one another, leading Upper Burma into chaos.
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I think the "reservation system" was somewhat contradictory. Many American governmental officials encouraged the Indians to work in towns, purchase and farm land, etc. I don't believe that individuals were necessarily "imprisoned" on the land but the intent was to keep the whole tribe from going where it wanted.