Grey Revolution Redux

[cheffisti]

Chapter 34: Kentucky
Almost immediately once Virginia seceded secessionists within the state started to call for secession, but as a state that didn’t wholly depend on slave labor the state was torn. The Governor, Beriah Magoffin, was supportive of the secessionists and had the a strong faction of support within the state’s legislature. The Unionists or Republican faction of the state was led by Cassius M. Clay. Clay and his supporters rallied around the vital city of Louisville, Kentucky.

Governor Beriah Magoffin

Cassius M. Clay


Kentucky’ Senior Senator John J. Crittenden fearful of what was about to happen tried to propose, in the mold of his mentor Henry Clay, a compromise that would avert a civil war. During the winter months Crittenden communicated with his state’s leaders as well as national leaders and proposed a set of compromises. The Crittenden Compromise tried to bring both sides together, but once President Chase took the oath of office and the First Battle of Baltimore happened Kentuckians soon moved toward secession.
Once the peaceful state of Delaware was attacked Governor Magoffin called up the state’s militia, and called for a Special Secession of the Legislature for secession. On May 2, 1861 Kentucky voted to join the Confederacy unanimously as Unionist members had already fled across the Ohio River. Outside of Louisville in Southern Indiana now Colonel Cassius Clay, in command of the soon to be infamous Orphan Brigade, ignited the first shots as cannon from across the river shelled Louisville. Kentucky militia soon responded. Overnight elements of General Helmut von Moltke’s Army of Kentucky arrived in Louisville, and began the process of converting Kentucky’s militia into the Confederate Army.

Union troops crossing the Ohio River

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 35: Missouri
On April 10, 1861 Missouri voted in favor of secession this was made possible as the state’s Unionist leader Francis Blair, along with the rest of his family after the Baltimore Riots, threw their lot with the Confederacy. Union commander Maj. Gen. William Harney tried to work with Missouri officials to keep the peace, and hopefully convince elements of the state to remain faithful to the Union. One of Harney’s subordinate officers Captain Nathaniel Lyons sent messages to Washington claiming Harney was working for the Confederacy, and planned to surrender Union forces and facilities to the Missouri State Guard. President Chase immediately sacked Harney, a native of Tennessee, and had charges brought against him of treason. Receiving notice from friends in the war department Harney resigned, and traveled to Richmond and offered his services to the Confederacy.
Soon after Missouri was admitted into the Confederacy troops under Brigadier General Ben McCulloch arrived and began the process of converting the Missouri State Guard into the Confederate Army. The Missouri State Guard (MSG) didn’t have a unified command structure as the different divisions all reported to Governor Sterling Price.
Once Missouri was admitted into the CSA the Army of Missouri entered the state under the command of Major General Persifor F. Smith. Smith who had served on the western frontier had connections in Missouri. Smith began the process of converting the MSG into Confederate service, and began to lay the ground work for defending the state which was exposed to lengthy border of open union territory. By early May Union forces from Iowa and Illinois invaded the northeast and northwest parts of Missouri. Smith fearful that these incursions were a feint dispatched the bulk of his forces to defend the vital city of St. Louis.
To help defend the city Smith commissioned William B. Eads, a successful businessman, to build three ironclad gunboats to help defend the city. Fearful of his home in St. Louis Eads employed laborers around the clock and was able to convert a steamboat into the ironclad St. Louis, and by the 1st of June had the ironclads Paducah, Jefferson City, & Memphis ready you meet the Union forces gathering to take the city so there after. To command the flotilla a local German immigrant was tasked with command Karl Rudolph Brommy was made a Captain in the CSN and took command of the Mississippi River Defense Force.
Brommy had fled Germany with many other 48ers, and had served in the Chilean, Brazilian, Greek, and Prussian navies. Following his immigration he took up residence in St. Louis alongside other fellow Germans, and began a shipping business on the Mississippi River. Eads recommended him for command of his ships. With Union forces gathering Brommy decided on a bold gamble. Taking his ironclads and a few converted gunboats Brommy departed St. Louis under cover of night and launched a daring day light raid upon the Union flotilla gathering at Cairo, Illinois. On June 7, 1861 Brommy attacked Cairo and caught his counterpart Captain Andrew Foote napping. The Confederate ships were able to sink a dozen transports and damaged a few gunboats along with vital war materials that were caught along the waterfront. Brommy’s Raid as it was later called bought the City of St. Louis some much needed time as the Union’s commander Brigadier Nathaniel Lyons was tasked with capturing St. Louis was delayed.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 36: Sam Houston
Following Texas secession Senator Sam Houston tried to join with other Union leaning southerners within Congress to try and work out a compromise, but once President Chase arrived in the capital he dismissed feelers from Houston and Tennessee Senator Andrew Johnson saying “the time of bowing to the south was over.” Houston departed and headed southward toward Richmond in hope of catching a train to Texas.
While in Richmond Houston was asked by recently promoted General Albert S. Johnston to meet with President Quitman and Secretary of State Bismarck.
During the meeting Quitman and Bismarck wanted to offer the position of Ambassador to the Five Civilized Tribes in the Indian Territory. The Confederacy mission as Bismarck stated was to offer a treaty of alliance to any native tribe in exchange for representation in the House of Representatives. Also Houston was offered the rank of Major General to help organize an all native division to help defend and assist the Confederate war effort in the Trans-Mississippi. See a chance to help his adopted Cherokee plus countless other tribes Houston accepted both positions.

Sam Houston
Houston now raced to get back to Texas accompanied by his former friend and colleague Johnston who was given command of all Confederate armies from the Trans-Mississippi to the Pacific Coast. Once in Texas many who had booed their former Senator when he tried to avert war now cheered him as he put on a third nations uniform this time a grey one. After gathering a small force Houston entered the Indian Territory, and meet with his adopted people the Cherokee.
At the age of 68yrs old Houston traveled throughout the Indian Territory meeting not just with the Cherokee, but the Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole, Osage, Quapaw, Delaware, Kickapoo, Comanche, Shawnee, and the Seneca-Cayuga. Houston was able to win over even Union leaning Chiefs like Opothleyahola of the Creek once Houston told tales of President Chase thirst for war. They were even surprised and wary of promises to be apart of this new government.
By early June Houston began to form his new regiments once arms and supplies arrived into the territory. Houston’s Native Division was divided into three brigades with Brigadier Albert Pike, who represented the Creek and Seminoles at the US Supreme Court in their fights with the US government, Colonel Daniel H. Cooper who help lead Choctaw and Chickasaw militia against Comanche raids, and Colonel Stand Watie, a full blood Cherokee war chief who supported the CSA and counted on their support in his dealings with the Principle Chief of the Cherokee John Ross.

Albert Pike

Daniel H. Cooper

Stand Watie

 

[Gentleman Johnny]

Wow, a Confederacy with all the slave states, plus with leaders like Houston joining them is going to make them much stronger than they were IOTL. I'm not sure if things would have gone this well for the CSA if Chase had been president, but I can definitely see some of this. Lincoln definitely made things a lot easier for the Union with his natural political ability. Chase would likely have not faired as well.​

I'm curious to see where this TL goes. Keep up the good work!​

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 37: Battle for Delaware
By June of 1861 General Beauregard had done miracles of fortifying strong points to help defend the small state of Delaware. Beauregard focused his time in Delaware while his second in command Major General Robert Anderson handled the Maryland front. Seeing his hopelessness of defending his area Secretary of War von Roon ordered the du Pont Gunpowder Foundry disassembled and transported to Virginia anything that couldn’t be transported would be destroyed. Under the watchful eyes of Colonel Lamont du Pont his family’s business which was now closely tied to the CSA was transported by strong Confederate warships to outside of Norfolk, Virginia.
At the same time Union Major General John E. Wool was tasked with subjugating the CS forces in Delaware. Wool who had been staunchly for the Union became vocal against the prosecution of southern officers so President Chase had him removed from the capital, and given the difficult task of taking Wilmington. Wool who had his subordinates had picked by the President contained Brigadiers Jim Lane, Benjamin Butler, and David Hunter. There orders were simple make Delaware an example to the rebellious south. Houses were ransacked, anyone who refused to take a loyalty oath was hanged, fire and the sword were brought to bear on the small population. Thousand upon thousands of refugees sought shelter from the Union onslaught. During the fighting around Wilmington Beauregard pleaded with Richmond for reinforcements, but the order was to abandon the city and slowly retreat towards Maryland. By July the 4th Dover the state capital was occupied, and newly promoted Major General David Hunter was made military Governor. As for Wool’s part in the campaign, he would retired from the Army fours months after the Battles around Wilmington. Members of Congress blamed him for not bagging Beauregard and the rest of the army in Delaware.
As for the Confederates they fell back to pre-determined defensive lines, and with the help of the CSN began evacuating the civilian population by sea to Virginia. As the fighting in Delaware came to a close the fighting in Maryland was about to heat up.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 38: Irish Riots
As the Union war machine began to push into the Border States The Confederate Secret Service landed its first great success. In New York City Mayor Fernando Wood secretly met with CSS agents to try and force the city to secede and form a Free City State, Wood being the crafty politician that he was hinted at secession, and was afraid of President Chase’s reprisals. Wood would make speeches, and refused calls to form regiments to suppress the rebellion. Soon many wealthy and influential people of the city soon found themselves talking to the same CSS agents: brothers John Wilkes Booth & Edwin Booth.
One person who was very outspoken of the actions against the south was Irish activist Thomas F. Meagher. It was after the First Battle of Baltimore that Meagher began to mobilize the Irish of New York City.

Thomas Meagher
On June 30th the plotters agreed to that Mayor Wood would formally asked the city council to pass for secession. At the same time Meagher would mobilize his Irish legions and take the vital areas of the city. The Brooklyn Naval Yard would be a vital component, and if captured it was hoped that the city could fend off Union attempts with the ships taken.
On the allotted date Wood and the city council formally passed secession. Irish under Meagher occupied many of the necessary areas, but a bitter fight ensued at the Brooklyn Yard. Here sailors, marines, and nativists Republican volunteers fought off Wood’s power grab.
Newly appointed Governor-General Fernando Wood tried to negotiate with Union officials saying New York City didn’t want any part of “Mr. Chase’s War.” Free Trade and the hope of working peacefully with both sides was the goal, but Chase couldn’t let the most influential city as well as the nations financial institutions of the nation be ripped out. On July 8th some 10,000 mostly newly trained soldiers under Major General Benjamin Butler attacked the city. With The Brooklyn Naval Yard never truly in the Rebel hands they never stood a chance. The fighting had already taken a toll on the yard with vital naval stores destroyed or damaged putting the USN at a disadvantage against their Southern counterparts.

Fighting street to street

Fernando Wood & members of the city council were hunted down, and arrested on counts of treason. Meagher, and his followers went underground where hiding in plain sight Irishmen helped them get smuggled into the Confederacy thousands would join the AEM forming all Irish regiments. In the coming months a pogrom against the wealthy families of the city would soon force them out and into foreign countries or the Confederacy as well. When word finally got out of the conditions in New York City many people would begin to call Benjamin Butler the nickname “Beast” for how he treated the Irish, and the people of New York City. After that Butler would become a favorite tool of President Chase.

Major General Benjamin “Beast” Butler

 

[Gentleman Johnny]

Chapter 38: Irish Riots
As the Union war machine began to push into the Border States The Confederate Secret Service landed its first great success. In New York City Mayor Fernando Wood secretly met with CSS agents to try and force the city to secede and form a Free City State, Wood being the crafty politician that he was hinted at secession, and was afraid of President Chase’s reprisals. Wood would make speeches, and refused calls to form regiments to suppress the rebellion. Soon many wealthy and influential people of the city soon found themselves talking to the same CSS agents: brothers John Wilkes Booth & Edwin Booth.
One person who was very outspoken of the actions against the south was Irish activist Thomas F. Meagher. It was after the First Battle of Baltimore that Meagher began to mobilize the Irish of New York City.

Thomas Meagher
On June 30th the plotters agreed to that Mayor Wood would formally asked the city council to pass for secession. At the same time Meagher would mobilize his Irish legions and take the vital areas of the city. The Brooklyn Naval Yard would be a vital component, and if captured it was hoped that the city could fend off Union attempts with the ships taken.
On the allotted date Wood and the city council formally passed secession. Irish under Meagher occupied many of the necessary areas, but a bitter fight ensued at the Brooklyn Yard. Here sailors, marines, and nativists Republican volunteers fought off Wood’s power grab.
Newly appointed Governor-General Fernando Wood tried to negotiate with Union officials saying New York City didn’t want any part of “Mr. Chase’s War.” Free Trade and the hope of working peacefully with both sides was the goal, but Chase couldn’t let the most influential city as well as the nations financial institutions of the nation be ripped out. On July 8th some 10,000 mostly newly trained soldiers under Major General Benjamin Butler attacked the city. With The Brooklyn Naval Yard never truly in the Rebel hands they never stood a chance. The fighting had already taken a toll on the yard with vital naval stores destroyed or damaged putting the USN at a disadvantage against their Southern counterparts.

Fighting street to street

Fernando Wood & members of the city council were hunted down, and arrested on counts of treason. Meagher, and his followers went underground where hiding in plain sight Irishmen helped them get smuggled into the Confederacy thousands would join the AEM forming all Irish regiments. In the coming months a pogrom against the wealthy families of the city would soon force them out and into foreign countries or the Confederacy as well. When word finally got out of the conditions in New York City many people would begin to call Benjamin Butler the nickname “Beast” for how he treated the Irish, and the people of New York City. After that Butler would become a favorite tool of President Chase.

Major General Benjamin “Beast” Butler

Would Butler be able to march on New York? Wouldn't he be busy in Delaware as the military governor of that state?​

 

[cheffisti]

Would Butler be able to march on New York? Wouldn't he be busy in Delaware as the military governor of that state?​

Excellent point I’ve made a change of David Hunter to Military Governor of Delaware. Thanks for the miss on my part.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 39: Second Battle of Baltimore
The Union’s Army of the Potomac under Major General Irving McDowell numbered around 32,000 when it began it’s drive on Baltimore on July 16, 1861. While General Beauregard was stabilizing his eastern front Major General Robert Anderson was tasked with defending the vital city of Baltimore. If Baltimore fell then unlimited war supplies and troops could be sent into Washington, and any hope of holding onto Eastern Maryland is gone. Anderson’s forces numbered around 28,000 under three divisions: Major General George Steuart Sr commander of the Maryland Line, Brigadier General John B. Magruder, & Brigadier General Frederick Charles Hohenzollern.
These forces struggled with McDowell’s Army of the Potomac, and fought a series of engagements holding onto the city of Baltimore. Even though McDowell won tactical victories Anderson and his troops keep the port of Baltimore open. By the end of August the Eastern Shore was under Union control except for the ports of Annapolis & Baltimore. McDowell by this time was wary of attacking fortifications as well as the CSN that harass his lines of communication with daring raids pleading with the USN to neutralize the Confederate flotilla.
The CSN controlled the Chesapeake Bay with their new ironclads Maryland & Delaware plus a dozen gunboats that made up the Chesapeake Defense Force under Commodore Franklin Buchanan. These ships were busy as refugees from Maryland & Delaware need transportation out of the war zone. The Union’s scorched earth campaign had the population terrified and looking to leave their homes. The CS Congress passed laws setting up resettlement’s along the eastern seaboard of Virginia. Their goal was to give refugees farmland to work to support the war effort. As the war moved on more lands were soon depopulated, and the cycle continued.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 40: Battle of Manasas
While McDowell was advancing in Eastern Maryland President Chase took the opportunity to personally direct military matters in Northern Virginia. To help keep Confederate forces from assisting in Maryland President Chase ordered Major General Robert Patterson to occupy Harpers Ferry, and at the same time directed Brigadier General Charles P. Stone to occupy Alexandria. Both operations were bloodless successes as Confederate forces withdrew before the Union armies. Confederate commander General Joseph E. Johnston overall plan was to draw the Union army into Virginia on ground of his choosing, and that ground was the field of Manassas.
By this time Confederate forces in Western Virginia & the Shenandoah Valley under General Robert E. Lee had won the battle at Phillipi stopping an invasion from Ohio. Johnston called upon Lee to join forces with him. Little did both Lee & Johnston knew was that Patterson’s Army of Susquehanna was moving to support Stone’s army as well.
Using Confederate railroads under military jurisdiction Lee’s troops were transferred to Manassas overnight. On July 9th lead elements of Stone’ s forces clashed with elements of Major General James Longstreet’s division along Bull Run. Reports from scouts brought news of Johnston’s left flank in the air, Stone prepared for an assault.
Johnston was well informed of Lee’s movements and expected Stone to attack the small brigade posted under Colonel Nathan “Shank” Evans. On the day of the assault Evans as ordered withdrew slowly as the elements of Colonel Thomas Jonathan Jackson’s Virginia Brigade from Lee’s Army laid concealed upon Henry House Hill. Feeding the brigades of Brigadier Bernard E. Bee & Colonel Francis Bartow to convince the Union army that his flank was threatened on command the three Confederate brigade withdrew as if fleeing from the hill.
At around 1pm on July 10,1861 Jackson’s Virginian made history as wave upon wave tried to turn the Virginians. It was Brigadier Bee who made the quote of “look men as Jackson is holding off the Yankees like a stonewall. Rally with the Virginians”. With that battle cry the troops of Bee, Bartow, and Evans joined their Virginian brothers upon Henry House Hill. By 2pm fresh troops under Brigadier George Thomas arrived upon the field and together with the troops on Henry House Hill countered attacked. Lee who was on the field rushed regiments into the counterattack. The whole Union army which hours earlier seemed confident of victory now turned and fled the field.
When news reached Patterson who had reached Stone’s headquarters of the defeat he now turned to defend the capital as word spread of a Major Union defeat.
Just as the defeated was demoralized so to was the victorious. Both Generals Johnson and Lee knew that their armies had won a major victory, but with calls of a March of Washington by their subordinates President Quitman preached another option. An olive branch as a delegation was sent to President Chase asking for a truce to talk about ending the war.

The effects of the battle of Manassas or Battle of Bull Run as it was called in the north was instantly felt at the White House. President Chase refused to even hear of an armistice, and instead met with his war council and planned strategy. More blood would have to be shed on the fields of America.

 

[Gentleman Johnny]

Do you mean Thomas Jackson? As in, "Stonewall" Jackson? His first name was Thomas, not Jonathan. If you're referring to someone else entirely, then that's my bad.​

On the day of the assault Evans as ordered withdrew slowly as the elements of Colonel Jonathan Jackson’s Virginia Brigade from Lee’s Army laid concealed upon Henry House Hill.

​

 

[cheffisti]

Do you mean Thomas Jackson? As in, "Stonewall" Jackson? His first name was Thomas, not Jonathan. If you're referring to someone else entirely, then that's my bad.


​

Your right. Thanks for catching my mistakes.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 41: Battle of Louisville
Once Kentucky had seceded the cities along the Ohio River began to prepare for the worst, especially Louisville. The city of Louisville had for years become a city of trading between the agricultural south, and the bustling industrial Midwest. With the bonds broken two men now challenged each other for control of the city. General Helmuth von Moltke arrived with fresh conscripts from the lower south to help defend the city. Across the River in Ohio & Indiana newly promoted Major General George B. McClellan took command of the Department of the Ohio, and the war in Kentucky.
When news of the defeat at Manassas arrived in Cincinnati urgent pleas from Washington pressured McClellan to move against Louisville. Citing reports that he faced a superior Confederate army, forced to cross a major river, and shortage of men and material McClellan dragged his feat into the fall. By early October two separate landings on opposite ends of the city of Louisville by McClellan’s troops under Brigadier William Rosecrans gained the necessary foothold onto Kentucky soil. Moltke predicted this move made the Union pay dearly for the crossing.
Once the Union forces had secured their crossings Moltke began the process of an already planned withdrawal. By October 16th Louisville was secured, and the Stars & Stripes flew over the city again. After Louisville’s fall Union forces captured the vital city of Covington adding another victory under McClellan’s belt. By the end of October the CSA suffered the capture of the city of St. Louis, and the death of General Persifor Smith. By November the Confederacy was looking at a defeat on many fronts. The Army of Central Kentucky was dug in and prepared to fight for the vital cities of Lexington & Frankfort. In Eastern Kentucky Confederate forces were pushed all the way to the Cumberland Gap where Major General George B. Crittenden fortified the mountain passes. In the Western part of the state General Jefferson Davis commanding the Army of Mississippi defended the vital river ports of Paducah & Columbus, Kentucky.
McClellan for his part set urgent telegrams to the governors of Ohio, Indiana, & Illinois asking for more troops stating again he faced insurmountable odds, and that only he could bring victory for the Union.

McClellan during the battle of Louisville

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 42: Confederate Adventure In the Far West
With South California secession federal outposts were occupied by the Committee of Public Defense of Southern California under Colonel John Coffee Hays. He was instructed by Governor David S. Terry to prepare the state from Abolitionist invasion. Many down on their luck gold miners quickly took up the opportunity to reverse their fortunes on the battlefield.

Colonel John Coffee Hays

Governor David Terry of South California
While Hays raised troops for the defense of the Confederacy’s only Pacific outpost events in West Texas soon took a a different turn. Texas state officials dispatched Colonel John R. Baylor to occupy the federal outposts in and around El Paso, Texas. From there he crossed in New Mexico Territory and defeated the larger Union force under Major Isaac Lynde. The Battle of Mesilla was a major victory that soon led Baylor to declare the Territory of Arizona to be New Mexico lands south of the 34th parallel, and himself Governor.

Colonel and Governor John Baylor of Arizona
While all this was going on a commander was dispatched from Richmond to oversee the forces in the Far West that man was Brigadier General William Loring. He was tasked with raising a brigade of mounted volunteers and stake Confederate land along the Pacific, Southwest, and silver fields of the Rockies. Loring was chosen by his commanding officer General Albert S. Johnston in command of Confederate operations of west of the Mississippi River. Loring had served under Johnston in Nicaragua, and both were tested by the guerrilla fighting there.

General Albert S. Johnston commander of all Confederate troops from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

Brigadier General William Loring commander of Loring’s Brigade
From San Antonio, Texas Loringwas able to raise three regiments Texas amounted Infantry and one regiment of Rio Grande Mounted Infantry. After a rigorous training schedule Loring had his troops in motion toward El Paso by October. Once there He quickly encircled the Union held Fort Thorn. Cutting off supplies led the unlucky Major Lynde to offer battle. At the Battle of Valverde Confederate Lancers routed a demoralized Union forces cutting off the escape of over 150 soldiers among them Major Lynde. During the surrender negotiations Loring demanded the surrender of the fort which Lynde had in his care. The surrender of Fort Thorn opened the way for the Confederate advance and captured Albuquerque on March 2nd & Santa Fe four days later.

Battle of Valverde February 19th-20th

From Santa Fe Loring began to send feelers to the Navajo and Apache to see their willingness to join the Confederacy along the lines of the Five Civilized Tribes in the Indian Territory. Loring also sent instructions to Colonel Hays in South California to begin preparations for join operations.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 43: Winter 61-62
With the military thinking of the time both sides stopped military operations during the winter months. Morale of the southern nation was down with news of the loss of Valiant State of Delaware, the encirclement of Baltimore & Annapolis, loss of Louisville, and with the defeat at St. Louis and the loss of northern Missouri. The victory at Manassas did brighten some southern hearts. It was these string of defeats that lead Confederate Vice-President Robert Toombs to decline the second spot on President Quitman’s ticket. The Provisional office was coming to an end, and now the southern citizens would have a voice in who would lead them.
Instead of continuing as Vice-President Toombs asked for a military command stating that West Point Generals were taking the southern nation into defeat, and wanted a field command. Toombs was also planning for the future. With military service he would be a strong candidate in 1867, but first the Union had to be stopped.
Against the counsel of his cabinet President Quitman decided to grant Toombs his wish and put forth his name as a Brigadier General. The CSA Senate easily confirmed, and Toombs went to his native Georgia to raise troops.
This solved one of the President’s dilemma. By having a Toombs out of his Cabinet Quitman now could pick someone more to his liking. That one person was his Secretary of State Otto von Bismarck.
Bismarck’s choice helped galvanize the German community, and brought the Prussian Junker closer into the seat of power in Richmond. To take the helm of State Bismarck suggested Virginian James Mason a close ally of Bismarck.
The ticket of Quitman & Bismarck easily won as no other candidate ran as there was no political parties in the CSA at the time. Following their victory Quitman, Bismarck, Secretary Mallory, and Secretary von Roon began plotting strategy for 1862.
First order of business was the Army of Eastern Maryland had to be rescued, reinforced, or evacuated. After tense debate it was agreed that the navy would use all its resources to extract Beauregard’s army and the remains civilian population during the dangerous winter months.

Confederate flotilla heading to rescue Beauregard and his army.

It was vital that the eastern armies under Lee & Johnston put pressure on Washington to buy as much time is needed for the extraction. A double effort to equipment the major armies: Northern Virginia & Central Kentucky with Dreyse Needle Gun went into effect. Estimates that both armies would be equipped with the rifle and enough ammunition for two large scale battles. Extra Armories were being established, but needed time to produce the needed supplies for rest of the military.
In the West von Moltke planned yo probe McClellan’s outpost, and try to bring about a decisive victory. General Jefferson Davis was tasked with working with the CSN to keep Mississippi open and free of Union forces.
On February 9th the last Confederate forces snuck out in the middle of the night out of Baltimore. It wasn’t until Two days later that a delegation of citizens of Baltimore surrendered the city. Major General Irving McDowell was furious with his intelligence officers who stated that the city was being reinforced. In the end McDowell was thanked by President Chase and Congress by eradicating the southern menace in Maryland. Union imposed Governor of Maryland Henry Winter Davis took up residence in Annapolis, and began the work of prosecuting Suspected Confederate Sympathizers. Another southern state had been subjugated and abolitionist propaganda spewed forth the demise of the slavers.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 44: Battle of Springfield
On January 17,1863 an escort along with five officers arrived in Springfield, Missouri to begin the task of reforming the Army of Missouri. General Albert Sidney Johnston had arrived and planned to bring stability to the Trans-Mississippi. Governor Sterling Price who now fashioned himself as a Major General and Commander-in-Chief of Missouri’s militia was irritated with Richmond for sending another West Point officer. Johnston who had dealings with politicians before worked with Price, and even made him a member of his staff. Before long Price was won over by Johnston, and Missouri’s war efforts were doubled.
Johnston brought with him a small group of subordinates that would help lead the Army of Missouri. Brigadier Earl Van Dorn was given the task of combining the many regiments of cavalry and mounted infantry into the eyes and ears of the army. Brigadier Carter Stevenson would command one of the divisions of infantry. Colonel James Deshler was made the head the Artillery. All these men had served under Johnston in Nicaragua, and knew what was expected of them. Constant drill became the new norm. Within a couple of months the once disheartened Army of Missouri now had a new sense of pride, and spoiling for a fight.
By early March the Union commander in Missouri, the abolitionist politician and former Republican candidate for president, Major General John C. Fremont planned on finishing the Confederate Army of Missouri. Three separate columns now converged upon Springfield. Johnston well informed by Van Dorn scouts, and civilians fleeing the advance of Union armies now called upon for reinforcements.
Houston’s Indian division fresh from thwarting a Union advance from Kansas Territory was now called eastward. As well as Brigadier General Ben McCulloch’s division of Texas and Arkansas troops were marching to Johnston’s relief from Fort Smith, Arkansas.
To buy time Johnston planned on a limited withdrawal from Springfield. Pulling back about 10 miles from the city Johnston hopes to give the allusion of defeat. Making sure to leave discarded equipment that was not needed along the way. Union commander Brigadier Nathaniel Lyons, victor of St. Louis, commanded Frémont’s forces as the General remained in St. Louis soon took the bait pushing his column, and leaving the other columns under Brigadier Samuel Curtis & Colonel Samuel Sturgis behind.
On March 20th with Lyons troops camped for the night Johnston turned his columns, and struck the Union forces. With a two to one advantage Johnston made a pre-dawn assault over running the Union encampment. Occupying the high ground at the crest of a ridge that would later be called “Bloody Hill”.
Lyons now rallied his forces and personally led the counter attack.

Nathaniel Lyons rallying his troops

While leading his troops a sharpshooter attached to McCulloch’s division is credited with killing the General. With Lyons death the Union forces break and ran toward the safety of Springfield. Following the defeated Union troops is Van Dorn and his brigade of Missouri horsemen capturing hundreds of stragglers. Once the defeated soldiers arrived in Springfield they found a new enemy bands of screaming Indians...Sam Houston had arrived, and now put fear into the Union soldiers.

The killing of Lyons

Command of Lyons column now turned over to Colonel Ulysses S. Grant. With Van Dorn closing from the rear, and Houston with his Indians killing and scalping as they went Grant soon sent a messenger to Van Dorn for terms of surrender. Van Dorn made it simple, Unconditional. Grant, who would later be charged with drunkness and charges of Southern sympathies, agreed if the “savages” could be kept under control.
On March 21, 1862 Johnston officially accepted Grant’s surrender. Over 4,000 Union prisoners were taken. The Army of Missouri had finally redeemed itself.

 

[PGSBHurricane]

Wow, a Confederacy with all the slave states, plus with leaders like Houston joining them is going to make them much stronger than they were IOTL. I'm not sure if things would have gone this well for the CSA if Chase had been president, but I can definitely see some of this. Lincoln definitely made things a lot easier for the Union with his natural political ability. Chase would likely have not faired as well.

I'm curious to see where this TL goes. Keep up the good work!​

I'm in general agreement. I think all of this would require a lot of luck to pull off but plenty of this could still happen anyway, even if not the majority. But this is still an interesting take on the concept nevertheless.

 

[Gentleman Johnny]

I'm in general agreement. I think all of this would require a lot of luck to pull off but plenty of this could still happen anyway, even if not the majority. But this is still an interesting take on the concept nevertheless.

I personally enjoy a CSA wank from time to time. They're relatively rare on this site these days.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 45: Battle of Mayfield
Union commander George McClellan buoyed by his capture of Louisville devised a new plan to trap the Army of Central Kentucky. McClellan’s plan was to launch drives against the two ends of Kentucky. By launching attacks in the east and west McClellan hoped to weaken the center. On February 10, 1862 a flotilla of transports departed Cairo, Illinois under the command of Brigadier General Charles F. Smith. The flotilla was protected by the gunboats under Commodore Andrew Foote. While Smith landed his forces on the Kentucky side opposite of Cairo little resistance was met, but word was sent to General Jefferson Davis commander of the area.

General Jefferson Davis commander of the Army of Western Kentucky

When word arrived of Smith’s arrival on Kentucky soil Davis began collecting his separated forces at the both Paducah & Columbus, Kentucky. Davis and Smith would meet at the Battle of Mayfield on February 16, 1862. With only part of his command Davis launched a series of limited attacks led by Major General Benjamin F. Cheatham, and a slave trader turned cavalry commander Lt. Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest. Davis was waiting for Major General Gideon Pillow to move toward Mayfield from Columbus but dallied causing the ire of Davis. Without reinforcements Cheatham was forced to abandon the field leaving Forrest to cover the withdrawal stalling any kind of Union pursuit.
After the battle Davis was forced to abandon Paducah to Smith’s forces opening up Western Kentucky and Western Tennessee to Union invasion.

View attachment 858861
Brigadier General Charles F. Smith

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 46: Battle of Frankfort
The second part of McClellan’s plan began on February 21st when elements of Brigadier General Joseph J. Reynolds division of the Army of the Ohio marched out of Covington, KY and marched upon the state capital. Protecting the state capital was a newly formed brigade of Kentucky cavalry under Brigadier Abraham Buford.

Brigadier Abraham Buford
When word reached General von Moltke of a Union advance upon his flank the old Prussian went to work. Buford was ordered to hold at all cost while Major General Simon B. Buckner’s division was dispatched. Moltke had a secret advantage up his sleeve, and that was that his army was finally out fitted with Dreyse Needle Nose Rifle. These bolt action rifles would be the deciding factor even if half of Buckner’s troops arrived on the field.
The first brigade to arrive in the capital was former US Vice-President Brigadier John C. Breckinridge, his all Kentuckian brigade were veterans of the fighting for Louisville months earlier, and spoiling for redemption. Tasked with delaying actions Buford kept Reynolds from reaching Frankfort by using hit a run tactics buying much needed time before the next Confederate brigade arrive under Brigadier Patrick Cleburne.
Breckinridge deployed his brigade and threw up breastworks in the hope of fighting a defensive battle. When Reynolds arrived he tried to push his way into the city which cost him dearly as the rapid fire from Breckinridge brigade made quick work of the first Union brigade.
Reynolds by this time brought the rest of his division along with his artillery and began to work his way around Breckinridge’s right flank. Luckily for Breckinridge Cleburne finally arrive around midday and was able to add his mix brigade of Arkansas and Tennessee troops next to the Kentuckians. By now their division commander Major General Simon B. Buckner arrived on the scene. Under Breckinridge direction local slaves were requested and began building fortifications to help bolster their strength in the coming battle. The enduring battle was a slaughter as Reynolds now believed he faced twice as many rebels as he really did. Of his original 6,000 troops over 1200 were killed, wounded, or missing. The Battle of Frankfort was a resounding Confederate victory, but Reynolds following orders now sent messages to McClellan stating he faced significant Confederate resistance, and consolidate his position. In Louisville, McClellan read the news with glee putting the rest of the Army of the Ohio in motion to attack the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky.