King Thomas
Banned
An American one of course, not a foreign aggressor. You can go back as far as you need to make it work.
The Election of 1876 remains unresolved, paralyzing civilian government at the same time the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 blows up. Without effective civil authority and a Socialist rebellion to crush, in steps Commanding General of the Army William T. Sherman to rescue the Union.
It's nicely chaotic, but Sherman is just about the least likely man to do this. While a ruthless and purely goal-oriented commander, he was also a man known for always staying out of politics and having fundamental respect for the supremacy of civil authority over the military. If everything goes to hell and the army must restore order, Sherman is the perfect candidate to do it precisely because he will do whatever is needed... and then organise elections and step down.
Of course, if he is, say, murdered by an ambitious rival with less scruples some time after assuming command of the provisional military government... Well.
Of course, if he is, say, murdered by an ambitious rival with less scruples some time after assuming command of the provisional military government... Well.
Apologies for the off topic post but whenever I hear that phrase I always think it's some obscure Victorian parlour game where you have to hide the "sausage" in a player's designated "hole" and pass it along like a hot potato because the player found with the sausage in their hole after some time limit loses.a general was playing hide the sausage
Apologies for the off topic post but whenever I hear that phrase I always think it's some obscure Victorian parlour game where you have to hide the "sausage" in a player's designated "hole" and pass it along like a hot potato because the player found with the sausage in their hole after some time limit loses.