Something like what recently happened in Virginia is not going to happen at all. By 2017 TTL, American politics has changed immensely due to the vastly different experiences the country has gone through in the post-Civil war era and the 20th century. A large majority of the domestic problems and foreign issues that we face today will not be the ones that TTL's United States faces due to different societal developments and cultural progression. There can be a protest of a similar level, but one of an entirely different issue. For various reasons, White Nationalism is not a thing TTL and most of the civil rights issues in regards to Blacks will have been solved by then. America is not going to be perfect on the issue of race, but it will be better than OTL and its going to face different social matters that arise due to the alternate course of history.
Lone Star Republic
- Thread starter Kaiser Chris
- Start date
Something like what recently happened in Virginia is not going to happen at all. By 2017 TTL, American politics has changed immensely due to the vastly different experiences the country has gone through in the post-Civil war era and the 20th century. A large majority of the domestic problems and foreign issues that we face today will not be the ones that TTL's United States faces due to different societal developments and cultural progression. There can be a protest of a similar level, but one of an entirely different issue. For various reasons, White Nationalism is not a thing TTL and most of the civil rights issues in regards to Blacks will have been solved by then. America is not going to be perfect on the issue of race, but it will be better than OTL and its going to face different social matters that arise due to the alternate course of history.
Happy that is the case, ESPECIALLY if it means Political Parties require people to have experience in Politics rather than wealth like OTL*spit*
Next update which should hopefully happen today, is going to be a narrative one that sort of wraps up some of the events in the Civil War/Mexican War and kicks things off for North America for the 1870's. Some special events include Lee and Grant talking after the signing of Davis' surrender, Juan Seguin meeting Abraham Lincoln, and a special event that is going to have big consequences in the future.
After that I plan to do a European update that involves culture and political developments in the 1850's. Then Chapter 92 is the prelude to the Paraguayan War.
I look forward to seeing what you have to cap off the "North American Wars Era". I have been putting about in my head another speech as a bit of fanfiction for the TL. This time for a Texas First idea being espoused by a Texan nationalist speaker in the close Post War. I hope to have something ready this week.
Lone Star Special: Beginning of a New Age
April 12th, 1863. Atlanta, Georgia. United States of America
Just three short years ago Atlanta was considered to be the Jewel of the Deep South. They were a center of industry and trade which was comparable to the likes of the big Northern cities such as Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Atlanta was known as the premier city for Southern aristocrats, something that one could quickly observe with the high profile citizens walking through the city as if they owned a section of the metropolis. There were hopes that Atlanta could be one of the hallmark cities within the nation. Unfortunately, as it was for the rest of the South, the war came.
Atlanta has one of the more tragic situations of being a city that had avoided the fighting altogether, yet would still end up ruined by the end of the war. The first year Atlanta still maintained much of its wealth and splendor, Governor Joseph Brown refusing to commit to much resources to the border states in order to defend the Confederacy. Slowly but surely Atlanta began to suffer decay. Without precious raw materials from the west, capitol from the North, and a steady influx of trade from Europe, Atlanta became isolated and economically stagnant as its businesses began to shrivel up one by one. Oh it was still the premier city of the Confederacy, however such was a title that meant no worth in large part due to the lack of competition. Throughout the continued campaigns Atlanta still could've emerged a survivor and rise up again. Then it had the misfortune of hosting the Confederate congress, starting a series of events that lead to the Riots and the eventual downfall of the Confederacy.
Inside the State Courthouse, Commander of the Union Army Robert E. Lee was able to obersve the full scope of the damage of the riots merely by looking out the window of the Chief Justice's office, a place where just minutes ago Jefferson Davis signed the surrender of the Confederacy. Where once stood pristine and cleaned streets along with an array of neoclassical architecture, stood a collection of garbage and debris, the city giving off more the appearance of ancient ruins rather than what had once been a hub of civilization weeks before. While Lee had no love lost for the Confederacy, he had never wanted to bring absolute death and destruction upon the enemy. After all at the end of the day they were Americans were they not?
'If this is the price of treason then I shudder to image what might have happened had blessed Virginia left the Union.' Thought Lee morbidly. The Commonwealth had come close to seceding the Union as tensions were high after Lincoln's election and many state congressmen urged the Governor to join Toombs in the "righteous crusade" to end the Union. It was only thanks to Petersburg that Virginia stayed and would eventually emerge as one of the biggest supporters of the Union cause.
"You know I can't help but be either relieved or worried that it was not a battle that caused this. Had the city suffered casualties in war then it would have been sad, but done through honor. This, it's just a plain tragedy. Something that damn Shakespeare would write." Lee turned his head around to see the figure of his friend and subordinate, Major General Ulysses S. Grant. Grant strode up to Lee with his trademark flask in hand. Grant would often use it before or after a battle to calm his nerves, here it was drunk in mourning for what the United States had lost.
"I suppose it is my fault, had I arrived here a week earlier than the carnage may have been stopped and we could have ended this war justly." Lamented Lee. The Virginian may have been a patriot and career soldier, but he was not a brute and often looked to save lives when possible.
Grant shook his head at his friends words and placed his hand on Lee's shoulders in a manner of reassurance. There is no way you could've known Robert. If the riots started in the first place then the situation was this bad all along. All that was needed was a fuse to light the damn powder keg." Grant raised his flask in a mock toast, "Here's to you Robert Judas Toombs, may you rot in hell for your crimes against America!" Grant said, taking a deep chug of his whiskey, emptying the flask. Inside the room some nearby officers shared his sentiment.
"Here! Here!"
"Rest in pieces you son o' a bitch."
"The President is dead, long live the President!"
Lee couldn't help but spare a look at Jefferson Davis who sat in the corner, silently taking it all in and not responding to the world, looking more a dead man than alive. Indeed it was hard for Lee to identify him at first with his hair having turned white and his skin losing all its life. While Davis may be brought onto trial in the future, Lee didn't think there was any need for the man already paid for his crimes.
"So Robert, what do you thinks going to happen to our country in the future. You think we can ever recover from this...this mess?" Grant asked.
Lee contemplated for a minute before responding. "Things may get tough in the near future, but I think we can pull through, we always have. Whether it was the burning of the White House or third invasions, America has always managed to come up on top in the end. In my opinion it's not a matter of if things will get better, but when. While I may not agree with everything Lincoln says, I do trust him to have his heart in the right place. It is just that our President is easily swayed by those around him, and the choices he make may not be the ones that are necessary. Then there's how to go about fixing a grand amount of problems that we've never dealt before. How to pay and properly reconcile the rebels to the rest of the Union. Finding proper care for the freed slaves and ensuring that they integrate into society. Dealing with the Indians in the west and the British in the North. Getting our economy back in order. These are all things that can't be solved in a couple years. It's likely that our great-grandchildren will still have to deal with the repercussions of our actions."
Grant nodded silently agreeing with Lee's wise words. Grant was a man of the present though and he didn't let it worry him too much. Whatever happens will happen and when that does they will solve it then. No use worrying about the future if you have to focus on today after all.
"So Ulysses, what exactly do you have planned for peace. The Army is going to demobilize any day now. Lots of men are going home to their families. With all you've done you can retire with plenty of honor and prestige." Lee asked, wanting to change the subject.
"You trying to kick me out of the service so you can keep the post of Commanding General, old man?" Grant asked jokingly.
Lee shook his head. "Hardly, you can have the damn job if you want to. It's just that most of my general staff is leaving for home, wouldn't blame you if you decided to follow."
"Nah, being a soldier is just about the only thing I'm good at. If I return home then I'll have nothing to look forward to for the rest of my days besides working in the family leather shop. Besides, I got a letter from Lincoln a while ago. Says he wants me to take command of this new 2nd Military District, that's roughly Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Or I guess West Tennessee what with Knoxville and all." 'So Lincoln's already thought ahead of the occupation, rather clever of that man.' Thought Lee. "What about you, going to continue being the head of the most powerful Army on Earth. Washington himself is the only other man whose ever earned four stars." Asked Grant.
"To be honest I am unsure. I think for the short term I shall continue command of the Army, help oversee it into peacetime and find some sort of plan to deal with reintegration and the Indians. When Lincoln's second term ends" something that all Union officers expected to happen with the man having won the civil war, "Then I think I shall retire to Richmond."
"Really?" asked Grant, rather stupefied. "You mean you aren't going to go after the White House yourself?"
Lee appeared rather shocked at that statement. "Me, why would I ever run for President? I'm not a politician, I'm just a soldier."
"So were Washington, Jackson, and Harrison. They were all soldier presidents as I recall. No reason that you can't do it yourself. You're the one man the entire country adores with only the President up infront of you. You could easily win in a landslide running on either party." Grant pointed out.
Lee simply chuckled at the statement. "As if such a thing would ever occur. The day I become President is the day pigs fly."
August 17th, 1863. Washington D.C. United States of America
It was a bright and sunny day in the capitol of the United States. People were going about their business as usual, most enjoying the peace and tranquility that came with the end of the war. While the American Civil War was relatively light and bloodless compared to the Napoleonic Wars and the future wars of the 20th century, it was at that point the largest war that the United States had ever been in and the effects of the battlefield could be felt all across the nation. Many could claim that they had a relative or friend who served in the Army, some having died while others knew people who fought on both sides. Indeed the full effects of the civil war could still be felt in the capitol with the high military presence that was still maintained thanks to continued mobilization, along with the buys sessions of congress that were focused on reunifying the nation. In the future numerous problems would arise such as civil rights and the economic integration of the South, for now the people would enjoy what little days of peace they had left.
In the center of the nation's capitol was the White House, the home of the highest office in the land, the President. Today the Lincoln household was busy preparing for the arrival of an important foreign delegation, servants scurrying to make the White House homely and politicians and bureaucrats coming in and out in order to seek an advantage from today's proceedings. Most foreign dignataries that visited the White House were little more than the ambassadors of their respective nations. Today's guest however was a head of state, more specifically, the President of the Republic of Texas.
In front of the White House on the northern lawn stood President Abraham Lincoln ready to greet his southern counterpart. Relations between Texas and the United States had been rather cool during the last two years due to the involvement of numerous Texan groups in aiding the Confederacy as well as a number of border incidents that occurred in the war, most famously Wichita. New issues also arised in peacetime due to the beginning of a refugee influx from the former Confederacy as well as the driving out of Indians from the Indian Territory. The two nations had no time to work on their issues in the past two years due to their focus on their respective wars. Now that peace had once again come to North America, it was the hope of President Lincoln that a conflict could be avoided with Texas so that he could focus on rebuilding the nation he had fought two years to keep together.
The gates to the White House then opened with a procession of carriages along with a contingent of guards for the the Texas President, the Texas Rangers. Unlike their American counterparts with the Presidential Guard, the responsibility of protecting the head of state in Texas lied within the Texas Rangers division, just one of their numerous duties in protecting the Republic. Over the years the Rangers were able to protect the President's life from a total of four attempted assassinations, one of which was stopped by Davy Crockett himself when he was commander in-chief, striking one of the assassins with his right hook and shooting another. They may have been less formal and had less training then the Guard, but there were few in Texas who could ever hope to equal the skill of a Ranger.
The procession came to a halt with the center carriage stopping directly in front of the White House doors. One of the Rangers got out of his saddle and proceeded to open the door of the carriage, letting down Texas President Juan Seguin along with his Maria. The Tejano President had aged considerably from his years in the Revolution, much of his hair greying and skin filled with wrinkles, most likely from the stress of running the Mexican War. Few could call the man elderly though as he still retained the same amount of fire and passion to serve his nation as he did in the Alamo. Seguin walked with his wife up the steps to greet Lincoln who had his own wife Mary Todd standing next to him. The American reached out his arm to his Texan counterpart.
"Senor Seguin, it is an honor to welcome you to the White House."
"Gracias Presidente Lincoln, y dios bendiga del pueblo de la república de texas." Said President Seguin.
Abraham and his wife merely stared back, the President unable to understand what Seguin had just said, having assumed the man spoke English like the majority of his country. A few awkward moments passed which was ended by Juan and Maria laughing much to the confusion of the two Lincolns. "Relax Mr. President. I merely jest with you. My English while a tad accented is very efficient. This is just a small joke I like to pull on the ambassadors back in Austin who only know of English. The look on your face was quite worth it."
President Lincoln let the tension out of him, glad that the talks had started on a warm welcome and that Seguin wasn't all business. "That is rather fortunate to hear. The State department had assured me that you were fluent so I was taken aback for a moment there. Why don't you come on inside of the White House. If you don't mind my wife Mary would love to take the first lady here on a tour of the grounds."
"That would be very good Mr. President."
So the camps broke out with the Texas president's procession following both first ladies as they went around the White House grounds. The two Presidents went deep inside the White House where Lincoln escorted Seguin to the oval office in the West Wing. Outside the Rangers and guards stared each other down, both waiting to spring in and strike the other down should some foul play happen.
Inside the Oval office Seguin settled down on the left coach while Lincoln took a seat on his opposite. "Thank you for taking the time to travel out to Washington Senor Seguin. I know that it must be difficult to leave the country after Texas had to go through such a long and difficult war against the Juarez regime. My congratulations by the way towards Texas for winning the conflict" said Lincoln.
"My thanks Senor, and my congratulations as well for your victory at Atlanta. While Texas may have had its struggles, our borders were mostly secure for the duration of the war, the California invasion only lasting less than a year and being swiftly pushed back. Having the whole country tear itself apart due to the issue of slavery, dreadful. Simply dreadful." Seguin replied, shaking his head at the awful notion of civil war. The Tejano himself was greatful that the only thing Texas experienced that came close to that was the Mormon Rebellion, for Texas could not exist after a civil war thanks to its infancy.
"Speaking of, has Texas decided to join the ranks of the free nations of the world?" Lincoln asked, unintentionally insulting Seguin for reminding him that Texas was now one of three nations in the world whose entire nation condoned slavery.
"If I am not mistaken Senor Lincoln, are there not six slave states that still exist in the Union, one of which was the same state that you were born in if I must recall." retorted Seguin.
Lincoln sighed at that, "Yes, however East Tennessee has already chosen to abolish slavery willingly and a 13th amendment is being voted upon by the states as we speak which shall abolish the wretched institution forever. I merely asked out of concern of Texas facing a similar conflict in the future as well, that and the Europeans have decided to renew its abolition movement thanks to the Proclamation."
"Our Republic is in the process of constructing a similar amendment. Matters are far more difficult as the slavers want a financial compensation while the Eastern half of the Texas Commonwealth is in a frenzy over the matter. Thankfully a majority of the citizenry have no love for the cause and would be more than willing to see it go. That and we do not have as much negros as Los Estados do. Since we are on the topic of civil wars though, I would like to bring up the troubles that our nation has gone through thanks to yours, while we were in the middle of fighting for our existence."
Lincoln merely nodded his head at that. The purpose of the meeting here today having been to discuss said border conflicts and prevent a collapse of peace on the North American continent. "Very well, what would you like to bring up first?"
"First it is the drovers of people who cross our borders without respect for sovereignty and try to claim land for themselves against the hard working people of Texas. Texas welcomes any and all who wish to join the Republic, but they must go through Customs and Immigration as according to the law. We are a small country. We cannot be expected to deal with thousands upon thousands of migrants without them having proper documentation. During the war your soldiers let tens of thousands of Southerners across Louisiana without trying to stop them once. The Rangers report of Union companies turning the other way as these refugiados enter Texas without care. They are leaching off the communities in the East while attacking freed negros and slaves to satisfy their revenge. These Anglos do not even respect the other groups such as the Indianos, Tejanos, Germans, and more. They are your citizens, keep them in America!" Seguin demanded.
Lincoln kept his cool as the Tejano stormed his list of complaints. While he did have some legitimate grievances, in Lincoln's view Seguin was ignoring Texas' own faults on the matter as well. "While it is true that army companies have not taken to securing the border Senor, that is because they were focused on keeping the country together while occupying the rebelling states. Besides is it not hypocritical of you to complain about the influx of refugees when your predecessors let Indians go across the borders without complaint."
"That is different!" Seguin protested. "The Indians have no respect for paper and they have no understanding of Western law, at least those who are not citizens of the Republic. The Inidans who we let across are merely small bands that are mostly hunters searching for buffalo or looking to settle. A couple of thousand Indians who keep to themselves, we can manage. What we can not manage are tens of thousands of Americano Anglos that have no respect for the law and try to bring the Confederacy with them."
"And what of the Texan citizens who have either joined the rebels in arms or supplied them ammunition and supplies across the Sabine.?" Lincoln questiond.
"Unlike what goes on in the Eastern side of the rivera, that is due to being unable to solve the issue due to sheer lack of manpower. Nearly all of our Rangers in the East were sent to the Rio Grande, leaving only town sheriffs to keep the peace. We did stop some of those deals and extradited rebels to Washington." This was true as there were a few times in the war where the Marshals coordinated with Texas Rangers to receive Confederate officials that had tried to set up operations in the Lone Star Republic with sympathetic merchants. "Not to mention how the Indian tribes forced the Confederados across the border at Wichita."
"Something which you threatened Montgomery for the conquest of the Western Mississippi for future attacks, something which would lead to war between us for the illegal seizure of American states." Lincoln said coldly. Lincoln had not taken kindly to the threat made during the war, even if it was justifiable in the eyes of the Texans for the violation of their borders. He had made it clear through the state department after Fort Sumter that any attempts to grab American land during the conflict would result in an all out war against the United States, a warning mostly aimed at Britain.
"Like I said in my telegram two years ago, it was a bluff. All our focus was against the tyrant Juarez, we could not spare the soldados against your nation or that backstabber Toombs." In truth Seguin was sorely tempted to intervene and claim land for Texas should the Confederacy succeed in their war. Plans had even been drawn up by the Texas War department for such a conquest, something they predicted could at least grant them the lands of the Indian Territory.
Lincoln sighed, wanting to get beyond nit-picking for who did what during the war. "President Seguin, while we wil try our upmost to keep the borders secure, I cannot guarantee that this exodus of Americans will stop. Our two nations have a long and thin border which anyone can easily exploit. Even if the unchecked crossings did stop, I have no doubt in my mind that there would be a good number of Southerners who will apply legally. Many in the occupied states still think Toombs was right and I the tyrant of the war. They cannot bare to simply comprehend that men of color deserve basic rights. Texas seems to be the best option for them to get away, though I have a feeling that they will not like what they would find." Seguin nodded in agreement. Had the Southern Americans simply assimilated into Texan society than Seguin could maybe overlook the gross violations of the borders. The issue was being created thanks to Southerners becoming unwilling to live by Texan values and accept that a Tejano had just as much rights as a white man.
"On other news," Lincoln began trying to change the subject momentarily so that talks could continue smoothly, "how goes the Southwestern portion of the Continental Railroad."
Seguin smiled at that, proud of Texas' rapid expansion of the domestic railways, "Operations had stopped during the war in Arizona due to the Mexican threat, now however they are able to resume thanks to funds shifting away from the Army and going back to the Railways. Boston should be connected to San Francisco by the end of the year. And California and Texas should be fully connected in the next year, or 1865 should work continue." Lincoln was momentarily confused by that statement, before remembering that there was a Texas Commonwealth inside the Republic of Texas. 'Redundant much?' Thought the American President. "What will happen to the Gulf Railway now that Louisiana has been devastated during the conflict?" asked Seguin.
"The Gulf Railway will be halted at the moment until Reconstruction is finished. Until that time I would prefer the rails be redirected towards Lamar and go through Arkansas, there they will make their way to St. Louis which will connect to the rest of the East." Inwardly Seguin was happy at this piece of news. If the Republicans in Washington were going to ignore full industrialization in the South then it only meant more capitol coming the way of Texas."
"By the way Senor Lincoln, is it possible that any of your Ironclads are for sale. The Texas Navy has been pestering me to purchase some in preparation for the next war against Mexico."
"I'll talk to the Navy Department and see what I can do."
May 3rd, 1863. Miami, Florida. United States of America
The small town of Miami while relatively minuscule compared to dozens of other towns and cities within the United States, was one of vast critical importance to the state of Florida. Before the war Miami had been a critical ship hub for the state due to its location at the bottom of the panhandle of the state. Ships would stop by on a regular basis to resupply or possibly trade goods that they had received in foreign ports. Traffic would come from all over the Atlantic, from the distant shores of Western Europe, to the Bahamas archipelago, to jungles of South America, and the sunny beaches of the Gulf coast. Before the Civil War there were plans by the Governor to turn Miami into a bustling city with a railroad connection to the North and would eventually become a port in comparison to New Orleans. Like nearly all cities that had become part of the Confederacy, this would soon change.
The Union blockade under the Annaconda plan virtually killed Miami economically. With no more traffic coming in from the North or the rest of the world, most of the cities businesses were forced to close shop and head elsewhere for better conditions. Eventually what was once a bustling port became little more than a gigantic fishing pier with only local fisherman able to successfully go into the waters for subsistence, the Union ships not bothering to deal with them for fisherman were of too little value. By the time the Confederacy surrendered at Atlanta, there were less than a 1,000 citizens within Miami. The city becoming a ghost of its former self.
While the geography and low development of Miami caused a period of stagnation for the citizens, it would later be revealed to be a blessing in disguise for the Magic City. With other major ports such as Charleston, New Orleans, and Mobile being ruined due to the fighting of the war, Miami was one of a handful of functioning ports in the South left standing with hundreds of acres of cheap land. Northern investment would come in tens of thousands of dollars over the coming years and the city would swell to hundreds of thousands thanks to a mix of northern carpetbaggers, free blacks, southern aristocrats, and Cuban migrants after the Spanish-American War. By 2017, Miami would become one of the most premier ports in the United States and one whose Latin culture would only be rivaled by Havana and Santo Domingo. But our focus today is not on the history of this cities expansion, rather an important event taking place that would leave a stain on the United States a decade later.
Entering the sleepy town around daybreak was a man who was either the son of the devil or a tragic savior depending on who you ask. This was a man who once had it all, the highest office in the land that only dozens would ever achieve. Yet he threw it all away, all on foolish notions of true American patriotism and the need to defend the rights of states and property. This was the man whose name would in time become slang for traitor, making Benedict Arnold look like a misunderstood hero. This man's name, was Robert Toombs.
Unlike what many within the Union Army believed had happened, Toombs did not die in the Atlanta Riots which caused the final end of the Confederacy. Seconds after the death of Susan O'Hare and the beginning of the riots, Toombs stealthily managed to escape the Statehouse grounds and made his way further from the city into the countryside. Knowing that the fall of Atlanta was the end of the cause, Toombs decided that escape was the only option preferable to death by the mob or capture by the Union Army. Using his personal revolver and knife that he kept at all times, Toombs protected his life and left the city limits as the first fires began to burn fiercely, escaping into the night.
Over the coming days Toombs would avoid civilization as much as possible, keeping on the lookout for Union troops. Toombs managed to return to his home in Washington, Georgia, and gathered up as much gold valuables and Union currency as he could in order to make an escape. Toombs would set fire to his own house and ride off into the night before a Union company managed to reach Washington the next day. These actions were done in order to keep up the appearance that Toombs was a dead man and had left the face of the Earth. Riding on horseback for over two weeks straight, Toombs finally managed to reach Miami on May 3rd. By that time he had grown a large beard and his clothes were shriveled up. Not many within the town knew the traitor President's old appearance, and those few that did would not be able to recognize the man that had entered. Toombs gave his horse away and made his way towards the docks, hoping to find a way to seek freedom.
Walking his way through the empty port, Toombs spotted an opportunity on a lone sail boat that by its appearences acted as a fishing vessel. Toombs made his way to the boat, which was called the SS Gloria, finding an old man of Spanish descent taking inventory. The old man spotted Toombs and made his way over to the stranger. "Hola Gringo. You aint exactly from here parts are you?"
"What makes you say that?" asks Toombs, nervous of being given away.
"I know just about every hombre that is within this here pueblo. I have never seen you before in my life in all mi thirty years of coming here, meaning you a stranger. So you looking for work? Lot of soldados come rushing into these parts wanting a job, but I have no dinero for them. The Yankees want beef and pork, fish not worth much when you can get salmon in Boston. So what you want gringo?"
Toombs, slightly confident that he wouldn't be found out, looked around to make sure that no one else was in the vicinity. He motioned the fisherman to lean in close and spoke softly to the Spaniard. "I need transportation, I need to get off the mainland as soon as possible."
"You in trouble with the Yankees? Former politician, soldado? I don't want no quarrel with Presidente Lincoln. In fact I pretty sure that Yankees were spotted close to here. The Yankees offer lotta dinero for ex-Confederados." The Fisherman said questioningly, looking to intimidate Toombs into running away.
Toombs then decided to pull out his trump card and took out of his coat a small bag of gold coins, putting it into the palm of the fisherman. The fisherman looked into the contents of the bag, and was shocked by the amount of gold. "Look, I just want to get out of America quickly and I want no questions asked. You get me out of here, and this can be all yours, and then some." Sweet talked the former President.
While the fisherman knew that he was likely getting into shady business, the hard currency was too good to pass up on. Confederate money was worth little more than toilet paper and Union coins and dollars were hard to come by. This small bag could easily make the fisherman one of the richest man in Southern Florida. "All right, I listen. Where to gringo?"
"I want to get to Cuba, Havana preferably."
"You know any Espanol gringo?"
"No, but living in a Spanish colony is far better than a land overrun by free niggers. The Spaniards, they know what's right, they don't betray their race like the Yankees. Just get me to there and all this money can be yours." Pleaded Toombs.
The fisherman thought long and hard on the matter, eventually decided that his personal needs outweighed the risk. This deal would produce far more than he ever could with a catch. "Alright gringo, we leave at sundown for the fishing trip. You just in luck that our trip will be 20 miles off of Cuba. We take you there tomorrow, then you go and do whatever you want."
"Deal!" Exclaimed Toombs, shaking the Spaniard's hand for saving his life.
Late that night the crew of the SS Gloria would make their way to international waters, with an unknown fugitive in the boat. The next day they would arrive within the port of Havana as promised, Toombs paying the fisherman and making his way off into the city to start off a new life free from the Yankees. For now Robert Toombs was dead to the world, only to be resurrected a decade later thanks to the actions of a certain Texas Ranger.
Just three short years ago Atlanta was considered to be the Jewel of the Deep South. They were a center of industry and trade which was comparable to the likes of the big Northern cities such as Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Atlanta was known as the premier city for Southern aristocrats, something that one could quickly observe with the high profile citizens walking through the city as if they owned a section of the metropolis. There were hopes that Atlanta could be one of the hallmark cities within the nation. Unfortunately, as it was for the rest of the South, the war came.
Atlanta has one of the more tragic situations of being a city that had avoided the fighting altogether, yet would still end up ruined by the end of the war. The first year Atlanta still maintained much of its wealth and splendor, Governor Joseph Brown refusing to commit to much resources to the border states in order to defend the Confederacy. Slowly but surely Atlanta began to suffer decay. Without precious raw materials from the west, capitol from the North, and a steady influx of trade from Europe, Atlanta became isolated and economically stagnant as its businesses began to shrivel up one by one. Oh it was still the premier city of the Confederacy, however such was a title that meant no worth in large part due to the lack of competition. Throughout the continued campaigns Atlanta still could've emerged a survivor and rise up again. Then it had the misfortune of hosting the Confederate congress, starting a series of events that lead to the Riots and the eventual downfall of the Confederacy.
Inside the State Courthouse, Commander of the Union Army Robert E. Lee was able to obersve the full scope of the damage of the riots merely by looking out the window of the Chief Justice's office, a place where just minutes ago Jefferson Davis signed the surrender of the Confederacy. Where once stood pristine and cleaned streets along with an array of neoclassical architecture, stood a collection of garbage and debris, the city giving off more the appearance of ancient ruins rather than what had once been a hub of civilization weeks before. While Lee had no love lost for the Confederacy, he had never wanted to bring absolute death and destruction upon the enemy. After all at the end of the day they were Americans were they not?
'If this is the price of treason then I shudder to image what might have happened had blessed Virginia left the Union.' Thought Lee morbidly. The Commonwealth had come close to seceding the Union as tensions were high after Lincoln's election and many state congressmen urged the Governor to join Toombs in the "righteous crusade" to end the Union. It was only thanks to Petersburg that Virginia stayed and would eventually emerge as one of the biggest supporters of the Union cause.
"You know I can't help but be either relieved or worried that it was not a battle that caused this. Had the city suffered casualties in war then it would have been sad, but done through honor. This, it's just a plain tragedy. Something that damn Shakespeare would write." Lee turned his head around to see the figure of his friend and subordinate, Major General Ulysses S. Grant. Grant strode up to Lee with his trademark flask in hand. Grant would often use it before or after a battle to calm his nerves, here it was drunk in mourning for what the United States had lost.
"I suppose it is my fault, had I arrived here a week earlier than the carnage may have been stopped and we could have ended this war justly." Lamented Lee. The Virginian may have been a patriot and career soldier, but he was not a brute and often looked to save lives when possible.
Grant shook his head at his friends words and placed his hand on Lee's shoulders in a manner of reassurance. There is no way you could've known Robert. If the riots started in the first place then the situation was this bad all along. All that was needed was a fuse to light the damn powder keg." Grant raised his flask in a mock toast, "Here's to you Robert Judas Toombs, may you rot in hell for your crimes against America!" Grant said, taking a deep chug of his whiskey, emptying the flask. Inside the room some nearby officers shared his sentiment.
"Here! Here!"
"Rest in pieces you son o' a bitch."
"The President is dead, long live the President!"
Lee couldn't help but spare a look at Jefferson Davis who sat in the corner, silently taking it all in and not responding to the world, looking more a dead man than alive. Indeed it was hard for Lee to identify him at first with his hair having turned white and his skin losing all its life. While Davis may be brought onto trial in the future, Lee didn't think there was any need for the man already paid for his crimes.
"So Robert, what do you thinks going to happen to our country in the future. You think we can ever recover from this...this mess?" Grant asked.
Lee contemplated for a minute before responding. "Things may get tough in the near future, but I think we can pull through, we always have. Whether it was the burning of the White House or third invasions, America has always managed to come up on top in the end. In my opinion it's not a matter of if things will get better, but when. While I may not agree with everything Lincoln says, I do trust him to have his heart in the right place. It is just that our President is easily swayed by those around him, and the choices he make may not be the ones that are necessary. Then there's how to go about fixing a grand amount of problems that we've never dealt before. How to pay and properly reconcile the rebels to the rest of the Union. Finding proper care for the freed slaves and ensuring that they integrate into society. Dealing with the Indians in the west and the British in the North. Getting our economy back in order. These are all things that can't be solved in a couple years. It's likely that our great-grandchildren will still have to deal with the repercussions of our actions."
Grant nodded silently agreeing with Lee's wise words. Grant was a man of the present though and he didn't let it worry him too much. Whatever happens will happen and when that does they will solve it then. No use worrying about the future if you have to focus on today after all.
"So Ulysses, what exactly do you have planned for peace. The Army is going to demobilize any day now. Lots of men are going home to their families. With all you've done you can retire with plenty of honor and prestige." Lee asked, wanting to change the subject.
"You trying to kick me out of the service so you can keep the post of Commanding General, old man?" Grant asked jokingly.
Lee shook his head. "Hardly, you can have the damn job if you want to. It's just that most of my general staff is leaving for home, wouldn't blame you if you decided to follow."
"Nah, being a soldier is just about the only thing I'm good at. If I return home then I'll have nothing to look forward to for the rest of my days besides working in the family leather shop. Besides, I got a letter from Lincoln a while ago. Says he wants me to take command of this new 2nd Military District, that's roughly Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Or I guess West Tennessee what with Knoxville and all." 'So Lincoln's already thought ahead of the occupation, rather clever of that man.' Thought Lee. "What about you, going to continue being the head of the most powerful Army on Earth. Washington himself is the only other man whose ever earned four stars." Asked Grant.
"To be honest I am unsure. I think for the short term I shall continue command of the Army, help oversee it into peacetime and find some sort of plan to deal with reintegration and the Indians. When Lincoln's second term ends" something that all Union officers expected to happen with the man having won the civil war, "Then I think I shall retire to Richmond."
"Really?" asked Grant, rather stupefied. "You mean you aren't going to go after the White House yourself?"
Lee appeared rather shocked at that statement. "Me, why would I ever run for President? I'm not a politician, I'm just a soldier."
"So were Washington, Jackson, and Harrison. They were all soldier presidents as I recall. No reason that you can't do it yourself. You're the one man the entire country adores with only the President up infront of you. You could easily win in a landslide running on either party." Grant pointed out.
Lee simply chuckled at the statement. "As if such a thing would ever occur. The day I become President is the day pigs fly."
August 17th, 1863. Washington D.C. United States of America
It was a bright and sunny day in the capitol of the United States. People were going about their business as usual, most enjoying the peace and tranquility that came with the end of the war. While the American Civil War was relatively light and bloodless compared to the Napoleonic Wars and the future wars of the 20th century, it was at that point the largest war that the United States had ever been in and the effects of the battlefield could be felt all across the nation. Many could claim that they had a relative or friend who served in the Army, some having died while others knew people who fought on both sides. Indeed the full effects of the civil war could still be felt in the capitol with the high military presence that was still maintained thanks to continued mobilization, along with the buys sessions of congress that were focused on reunifying the nation. In the future numerous problems would arise such as civil rights and the economic integration of the South, for now the people would enjoy what little days of peace they had left.
In the center of the nation's capitol was the White House, the home of the highest office in the land, the President. Today the Lincoln household was busy preparing for the arrival of an important foreign delegation, servants scurrying to make the White House homely and politicians and bureaucrats coming in and out in order to seek an advantage from today's proceedings. Most foreign dignataries that visited the White House were little more than the ambassadors of their respective nations. Today's guest however was a head of state, more specifically, the President of the Republic of Texas.
In front of the White House on the northern lawn stood President Abraham Lincoln ready to greet his southern counterpart. Relations between Texas and the United States had been rather cool during the last two years due to the involvement of numerous Texan groups in aiding the Confederacy as well as a number of border incidents that occurred in the war, most famously Wichita. New issues also arised in peacetime due to the beginning of a refugee influx from the former Confederacy as well as the driving out of Indians from the Indian Territory. The two nations had no time to work on their issues in the past two years due to their focus on their respective wars. Now that peace had once again come to North America, it was the hope of President Lincoln that a conflict could be avoided with Texas so that he could focus on rebuilding the nation he had fought two years to keep together.
The gates to the White House then opened with a procession of carriages along with a contingent of guards for the the Texas President, the Texas Rangers. Unlike their American counterparts with the Presidential Guard, the responsibility of protecting the head of state in Texas lied within the Texas Rangers division, just one of their numerous duties in protecting the Republic. Over the years the Rangers were able to protect the President's life from a total of four attempted assassinations, one of which was stopped by Davy Crockett himself when he was commander in-chief, striking one of the assassins with his right hook and shooting another. They may have been less formal and had less training then the Guard, but there were few in Texas who could ever hope to equal the skill of a Ranger.
The procession came to a halt with the center carriage stopping directly in front of the White House doors. One of the Rangers got out of his saddle and proceeded to open the door of the carriage, letting down Texas President Juan Seguin along with his Maria. The Tejano President had aged considerably from his years in the Revolution, much of his hair greying and skin filled with wrinkles, most likely from the stress of running the Mexican War. Few could call the man elderly though as he still retained the same amount of fire and passion to serve his nation as he did in the Alamo. Seguin walked with his wife up the steps to greet Lincoln who had his own wife Mary Todd standing next to him. The American reached out his arm to his Texan counterpart.
"Senor Seguin, it is an honor to welcome you to the White House."
"Gracias Presidente Lincoln, y dios bendiga del pueblo de la república de texas." Said President Seguin.
Abraham and his wife merely stared back, the President unable to understand what Seguin had just said, having assumed the man spoke English like the majority of his country. A few awkward moments passed which was ended by Juan and Maria laughing much to the confusion of the two Lincolns. "Relax Mr. President. I merely jest with you. My English while a tad accented is very efficient. This is just a small joke I like to pull on the ambassadors back in Austin who only know of English. The look on your face was quite worth it."
President Lincoln let the tension out of him, glad that the talks had started on a warm welcome and that Seguin wasn't all business. "That is rather fortunate to hear. The State department had assured me that you were fluent so I was taken aback for a moment there. Why don't you come on inside of the White House. If you don't mind my wife Mary would love to take the first lady here on a tour of the grounds."
"That would be very good Mr. President."
So the camps broke out with the Texas president's procession following both first ladies as they went around the White House grounds. The two Presidents went deep inside the White House where Lincoln escorted Seguin to the oval office in the West Wing. Outside the Rangers and guards stared each other down, both waiting to spring in and strike the other down should some foul play happen.
Inside the Oval office Seguin settled down on the left coach while Lincoln took a seat on his opposite. "Thank you for taking the time to travel out to Washington Senor Seguin. I know that it must be difficult to leave the country after Texas had to go through such a long and difficult war against the Juarez regime. My congratulations by the way towards Texas for winning the conflict" said Lincoln.
"My thanks Senor, and my congratulations as well for your victory at Atlanta. While Texas may have had its struggles, our borders were mostly secure for the duration of the war, the California invasion only lasting less than a year and being swiftly pushed back. Having the whole country tear itself apart due to the issue of slavery, dreadful. Simply dreadful." Seguin replied, shaking his head at the awful notion of civil war. The Tejano himself was greatful that the only thing Texas experienced that came close to that was the Mormon Rebellion, for Texas could not exist after a civil war thanks to its infancy.
"Speaking of, has Texas decided to join the ranks of the free nations of the world?" Lincoln asked, unintentionally insulting Seguin for reminding him that Texas was now one of three nations in the world whose entire nation condoned slavery.
"If I am not mistaken Senor Lincoln, are there not six slave states that still exist in the Union, one of which was the same state that you were born in if I must recall." retorted Seguin.
Lincoln sighed at that, "Yes, however East Tennessee has already chosen to abolish slavery willingly and a 13th amendment is being voted upon by the states as we speak which shall abolish the wretched institution forever. I merely asked out of concern of Texas facing a similar conflict in the future as well, that and the Europeans have decided to renew its abolition movement thanks to the Proclamation."
"Our Republic is in the process of constructing a similar amendment. Matters are far more difficult as the slavers want a financial compensation while the Eastern half of the Texas Commonwealth is in a frenzy over the matter. Thankfully a majority of the citizenry have no love for the cause and would be more than willing to see it go. That and we do not have as much negros as Los Estados do. Since we are on the topic of civil wars though, I would like to bring up the troubles that our nation has gone through thanks to yours, while we were in the middle of fighting for our existence."
Lincoln merely nodded his head at that. The purpose of the meeting here today having been to discuss said border conflicts and prevent a collapse of peace on the North American continent. "Very well, what would you like to bring up first?"
"First it is the drovers of people who cross our borders without respect for sovereignty and try to claim land for themselves against the hard working people of Texas. Texas welcomes any and all who wish to join the Republic, but they must go through Customs and Immigration as according to the law. We are a small country. We cannot be expected to deal with thousands upon thousands of migrants without them having proper documentation. During the war your soldiers let tens of thousands of Southerners across Louisiana without trying to stop them once. The Rangers report of Union companies turning the other way as these refugiados enter Texas without care. They are leaching off the communities in the East while attacking freed negros and slaves to satisfy their revenge. These Anglos do not even respect the other groups such as the Indianos, Tejanos, Germans, and more. They are your citizens, keep them in America!" Seguin demanded.
Lincoln kept his cool as the Tejano stormed his list of complaints. While he did have some legitimate grievances, in Lincoln's view Seguin was ignoring Texas' own faults on the matter as well. "While it is true that army companies have not taken to securing the border Senor, that is because they were focused on keeping the country together while occupying the rebelling states. Besides is it not hypocritical of you to complain about the influx of refugees when your predecessors let Indians go across the borders without complaint."
"That is different!" Seguin protested. "The Indians have no respect for paper and they have no understanding of Western law, at least those who are not citizens of the Republic. The Inidans who we let across are merely small bands that are mostly hunters searching for buffalo or looking to settle. A couple of thousand Indians who keep to themselves, we can manage. What we can not manage are tens of thousands of Americano Anglos that have no respect for the law and try to bring the Confederacy with them."
"And what of the Texan citizens who have either joined the rebels in arms or supplied them ammunition and supplies across the Sabine.?" Lincoln questiond.
"Unlike what goes on in the Eastern side of the rivera, that is due to being unable to solve the issue due to sheer lack of manpower. Nearly all of our Rangers in the East were sent to the Rio Grande, leaving only town sheriffs to keep the peace. We did stop some of those deals and extradited rebels to Washington." This was true as there were a few times in the war where the Marshals coordinated with Texas Rangers to receive Confederate officials that had tried to set up operations in the Lone Star Republic with sympathetic merchants. "Not to mention how the Indian tribes forced the Confederados across the border at Wichita."
"Something which you threatened Montgomery for the conquest of the Western Mississippi for future attacks, something which would lead to war between us for the illegal seizure of American states." Lincoln said coldly. Lincoln had not taken kindly to the threat made during the war, even if it was justifiable in the eyes of the Texans for the violation of their borders. He had made it clear through the state department after Fort Sumter that any attempts to grab American land during the conflict would result in an all out war against the United States, a warning mostly aimed at Britain.
"Like I said in my telegram two years ago, it was a bluff. All our focus was against the tyrant Juarez, we could not spare the soldados against your nation or that backstabber Toombs." In truth Seguin was sorely tempted to intervene and claim land for Texas should the Confederacy succeed in their war. Plans had even been drawn up by the Texas War department for such a conquest, something they predicted could at least grant them the lands of the Indian Territory.
Lincoln sighed, wanting to get beyond nit-picking for who did what during the war. "President Seguin, while we wil try our upmost to keep the borders secure, I cannot guarantee that this exodus of Americans will stop. Our two nations have a long and thin border which anyone can easily exploit. Even if the unchecked crossings did stop, I have no doubt in my mind that there would be a good number of Southerners who will apply legally. Many in the occupied states still think Toombs was right and I the tyrant of the war. They cannot bare to simply comprehend that men of color deserve basic rights. Texas seems to be the best option for them to get away, though I have a feeling that they will not like what they would find." Seguin nodded in agreement. Had the Southern Americans simply assimilated into Texan society than Seguin could maybe overlook the gross violations of the borders. The issue was being created thanks to Southerners becoming unwilling to live by Texan values and accept that a Tejano had just as much rights as a white man.
"On other news," Lincoln began trying to change the subject momentarily so that talks could continue smoothly, "how goes the Southwestern portion of the Continental Railroad."
Seguin smiled at that, proud of Texas' rapid expansion of the domestic railways, "Operations had stopped during the war in Arizona due to the Mexican threat, now however they are able to resume thanks to funds shifting away from the Army and going back to the Railways. Boston should be connected to San Francisco by the end of the year. And California and Texas should be fully connected in the next year, or 1865 should work continue." Lincoln was momentarily confused by that statement, before remembering that there was a Texas Commonwealth inside the Republic of Texas. 'Redundant much?' Thought the American President. "What will happen to the Gulf Railway now that Louisiana has been devastated during the conflict?" asked Seguin.
"The Gulf Railway will be halted at the moment until Reconstruction is finished. Until that time I would prefer the rails be redirected towards Lamar and go through Arkansas, there they will make their way to St. Louis which will connect to the rest of the East." Inwardly Seguin was happy at this piece of news. If the Republicans in Washington were going to ignore full industrialization in the South then it only meant more capitol coming the way of Texas."
"By the way Senor Lincoln, is it possible that any of your Ironclads are for sale. The Texas Navy has been pestering me to purchase some in preparation for the next war against Mexico."
"I'll talk to the Navy Department and see what I can do."
May 3rd, 1863. Miami, Florida. United States of America
The small town of Miami while relatively minuscule compared to dozens of other towns and cities within the United States, was one of vast critical importance to the state of Florida. Before the war Miami had been a critical ship hub for the state due to its location at the bottom of the panhandle of the state. Ships would stop by on a regular basis to resupply or possibly trade goods that they had received in foreign ports. Traffic would come from all over the Atlantic, from the distant shores of Western Europe, to the Bahamas archipelago, to jungles of South America, and the sunny beaches of the Gulf coast. Before the Civil War there were plans by the Governor to turn Miami into a bustling city with a railroad connection to the North and would eventually become a port in comparison to New Orleans. Like nearly all cities that had become part of the Confederacy, this would soon change.
The Union blockade under the Annaconda plan virtually killed Miami economically. With no more traffic coming in from the North or the rest of the world, most of the cities businesses were forced to close shop and head elsewhere for better conditions. Eventually what was once a bustling port became little more than a gigantic fishing pier with only local fisherman able to successfully go into the waters for subsistence, the Union ships not bothering to deal with them for fisherman were of too little value. By the time the Confederacy surrendered at Atlanta, there were less than a 1,000 citizens within Miami. The city becoming a ghost of its former self.
While the geography and low development of Miami caused a period of stagnation for the citizens, it would later be revealed to be a blessing in disguise for the Magic City. With other major ports such as Charleston, New Orleans, and Mobile being ruined due to the fighting of the war, Miami was one of a handful of functioning ports in the South left standing with hundreds of acres of cheap land. Northern investment would come in tens of thousands of dollars over the coming years and the city would swell to hundreds of thousands thanks to a mix of northern carpetbaggers, free blacks, southern aristocrats, and Cuban migrants after the Spanish-American War. By 2017, Miami would become one of the most premier ports in the United States and one whose Latin culture would only be rivaled by Havana and Santo Domingo. But our focus today is not on the history of this cities expansion, rather an important event taking place that would leave a stain on the United States a decade later.
Entering the sleepy town around daybreak was a man who was either the son of the devil or a tragic savior depending on who you ask. This was a man who once had it all, the highest office in the land that only dozens would ever achieve. Yet he threw it all away, all on foolish notions of true American patriotism and the need to defend the rights of states and property. This was the man whose name would in time become slang for traitor, making Benedict Arnold look like a misunderstood hero. This man's name, was Robert Toombs.
Unlike what many within the Union Army believed had happened, Toombs did not die in the Atlanta Riots which caused the final end of the Confederacy. Seconds after the death of Susan O'Hare and the beginning of the riots, Toombs stealthily managed to escape the Statehouse grounds and made his way further from the city into the countryside. Knowing that the fall of Atlanta was the end of the cause, Toombs decided that escape was the only option preferable to death by the mob or capture by the Union Army. Using his personal revolver and knife that he kept at all times, Toombs protected his life and left the city limits as the first fires began to burn fiercely, escaping into the night.
Over the coming days Toombs would avoid civilization as much as possible, keeping on the lookout for Union troops. Toombs managed to return to his home in Washington, Georgia, and gathered up as much gold valuables and Union currency as he could in order to make an escape. Toombs would set fire to his own house and ride off into the night before a Union company managed to reach Washington the next day. These actions were done in order to keep up the appearance that Toombs was a dead man and had left the face of the Earth. Riding on horseback for over two weeks straight, Toombs finally managed to reach Miami on May 3rd. By that time he had grown a large beard and his clothes were shriveled up. Not many within the town knew the traitor President's old appearance, and those few that did would not be able to recognize the man that had entered. Toombs gave his horse away and made his way towards the docks, hoping to find a way to seek freedom.
Walking his way through the empty port, Toombs spotted an opportunity on a lone sail boat that by its appearences acted as a fishing vessel. Toombs made his way to the boat, which was called the SS Gloria, finding an old man of Spanish descent taking inventory. The old man spotted Toombs and made his way over to the stranger. "Hola Gringo. You aint exactly from here parts are you?"
"What makes you say that?" asks Toombs, nervous of being given away.
"I know just about every hombre that is within this here pueblo. I have never seen you before in my life in all mi thirty years of coming here, meaning you a stranger. So you looking for work? Lot of soldados come rushing into these parts wanting a job, but I have no dinero for them. The Yankees want beef and pork, fish not worth much when you can get salmon in Boston. So what you want gringo?"
Toombs, slightly confident that he wouldn't be found out, looked around to make sure that no one else was in the vicinity. He motioned the fisherman to lean in close and spoke softly to the Spaniard. "I need transportation, I need to get off the mainland as soon as possible."
"You in trouble with the Yankees? Former politician, soldado? I don't want no quarrel with Presidente Lincoln. In fact I pretty sure that Yankees were spotted close to here. The Yankees offer lotta dinero for ex-Confederados." The Fisherman said questioningly, looking to intimidate Toombs into running away.
Toombs then decided to pull out his trump card and took out of his coat a small bag of gold coins, putting it into the palm of the fisherman. The fisherman looked into the contents of the bag, and was shocked by the amount of gold. "Look, I just want to get out of America quickly and I want no questions asked. You get me out of here, and this can be all yours, and then some." Sweet talked the former President.
While the fisherman knew that he was likely getting into shady business, the hard currency was too good to pass up on. Confederate money was worth little more than toilet paper and Union coins and dollars were hard to come by. This small bag could easily make the fisherman one of the richest man in Southern Florida. "All right, I listen. Where to gringo?"
"I want to get to Cuba, Havana preferably."
"You know any Espanol gringo?"
"No, but living in a Spanish colony is far better than a land overrun by free niggers. The Spaniards, they know what's right, they don't betray their race like the Yankees. Just get me to there and all this money can be yours." Pleaded Toombs.
The fisherman thought long and hard on the matter, eventually decided that his personal needs outweighed the risk. This deal would produce far more than he ever could with a catch. "Alright gringo, we leave at sundown for the fishing trip. You just in luck that our trip will be 20 miles off of Cuba. We take you there tomorrow, then you go and do whatever you want."
"Deal!" Exclaimed Toombs, shaking the Spaniard's hand for saving his life.
Late that night the crew of the SS Gloria would make their way to international waters, with an unknown fugitive in the boat. The next day they would arrive within the port of Havana as promised, Toombs paying the fisherman and making his way off into the city to start off a new life free from the Yankees. For now Robert Toombs was dead to the world, only to be resurrected a decade later thanks to the actions of a certain Texas Ranger.
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I live south of Houston but right now I'm in College Station. We've been getting some pretty bad rain over here but thankfully the flooding only reached a couple of inches. Most of my family is in the Houston area but thank God none of their houses or neighborhoods are really suffering so we haven't really been hit hard by Harvey. I was supposed to start going to classes yesterday but they cancelled it for yesterday and today. Might continue later in the week if we should have more rain, something the forecasters say is likely.
Still, be safe @Kaiser Chris. I live in San Antonio, and we thankfully dodged a bullet on Harvey not swiping us directly. That being said, it looks to be swinging back inland over the next few days (on top of still crapping rain all over SE Texas), so be careful!
Also, loving the TL!
Also, loving the TL!
Another title for this piece could be, "The Victors and the Vanquished".
I like the touch of the Rangers serving as the presidential guard. Is it a distinct branch of the Ranger's organization?
Hmm, I wonder if the current crisis will mean stronger border security between the two nations going forward?
Will Grat get a cabinet post with Lee I wonder. Will the occupation of the South be longer or shorter than OTL?
I like the touch of the Rangers serving as the presidential guard. Is it a distinct branch of the Ranger's organization?
Hmm, I wonder if the current crisis will mean stronger border security between the two nations going forward?
Will Grat get a cabinet post with Lee I wonder. Will the occupation of the South be longer or shorter than OTL?
The Rangers who guard the President and other members of congress are a distinct branch of the organization. It's nothing too formal yet as their main job is simply protect the president and there's no training required since they recruit veteran Rangers for the job. It's a cyclical department so one Ranger guards Seguin for his term and then leaves to go back to the frontier.
Yes, but at least there is open dialogue between Austin and Washington so they can try and figure something out. Plus Seguin can committ more resources to the East. That itself is what I think one of the greatest ironies of this chapter, Texas trying to kick out AMERICAN illegal immigrants.
Grant will not get a cabinet post, but he will rise higher in the Army from now. As for the occupation of the South, roughly the same time but with a largely different outcome.
My heart goes out to you and Texas. Long live the Lone Star!
One effect I see of the war, is the Solid South not being as large as OTL. In part because the South will be more clearly divided.
Between the Former Confederacy and the Unionist South. The Unionists seeing themselves as the true Americans heirs to the best of the Southern Traditions goings back to the founding and having shed themselves of the vices that lead their Southern Brethren to treason and ruin. Virginia I see as the prime example. Having come from the war having repelled rebel invaders, this saving DC, and come through the war fairly intact economically and with the glory of their native son Lee becoming a great hero.
By contrast the Former Confederacy is devastated economically and politically. As this update showed the South's economy and infrastructure has been set back decades. And that's before the gutting of the slave economy. Also a generation of politicians young and old tainted and quite possibly banned from office. Probably a good bit of brain drain to come as well with young men going North or west.
Less sympathy from the Border States to the Former Confederacy as well, the CSA being far more aggressive and either seeking conquest or seeking to break off chunks of states.
So I think the cultures will be more distinct than OTL between the Unionist South and Former CSA.
I am guessing we will next time in America cover the fates of Davis, General Cooper, and other prominent rebels.
Also it looks like Toombs has given up, and is just trying to fade into obscurity.
Between the Former Confederacy and the Unionist South. The Unionists seeing themselves as the true Americans heirs to the best of the Southern Traditions goings back to the founding and having shed themselves of the vices that lead their Southern Brethren to treason and ruin. Virginia I see as the prime example. Having come from the war having repelled rebel invaders, this saving DC, and come through the war fairly intact economically and with the glory of their native son Lee becoming a great hero.
By contrast the Former Confederacy is devastated economically and politically. As this update showed the South's economy and infrastructure has been set back decades. And that's before the gutting of the slave economy. Also a generation of politicians young and old tainted and quite possibly banned from office. Probably a good bit of brain drain to come as well with young men going North or west.
Less sympathy from the Border States to the Former Confederacy as well, the CSA being far more aggressive and either seeking conquest or seeking to break off chunks of states.
So I think the cultures will be more distinct than OTL between the Unionist South and Former CSA.
I am guessing we will next time in America cover the fates of Davis, General Cooper, and other prominent rebels.
Also it looks like Toombs has given up, and is just trying to fade into obscurity.
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A good and fun update, and continue to stay safe down in Texas Chris.
It is a but funny looking at that from OTL. To be fair to Texas though I wouldn't want these immigrants either.
Oh is he in for a fun time a decade-ish from no in this world. I bet any of you he'll be cursing himself for not fleeing further to Britain, or one of her colonies.
To be fair the Texas Republican party has had issue with Southern immigrants since the days Lamar recruited Seguin into the fold.
Heh, that reminds me; these two are both Republican Presidents. Though the Texas version has seniority and three Presidents to its name to Lincoln as one for the USA version.
Interesting that a Texas Ranger will find him. Has it been specified that the war will be America vs Spain? I wonder what kind of life Toombs will make for himself in that decade.
I do hope Cuba becomes independent ITTL, like Quebec, rather than being annexed.
By the way, any chance we can get the story of Davey Crockett thwarting his own assassination?
Really interesting developments. Though I am curious to know what is going on in the Oregon region, is it following the history of British Columbia or the american states?
Anyone think France could be bought out of its Caribbean Islands by Texas? And would Texas want them?