Grey Revolution Redux

[cheffisti]

Chapter 2: Mexican American War
Following the occupation of Mexico City by American forces under Winfield Scott a New Mexican government was finally brought to the negotiating table. At first Mexican negotiators would only accept the annexation of Texas but not the Rio Grande as the border between Mexico and the United States. After months of foot dragging President Polk decided to sack the lead US negotiator Nicholas Trist. In his place Mississippian politician turned soldier John Quitman was now made lead negotiator.
Quitman a firm believer in Manifest Destiny dreamed of annexing the whole country of Mexico into the United States. He made sure his Mexican counterparts knew of his ideals, and forced the diplomats into seclusion into a hacienda on the outskirts of the capital city. With threats of taking the whole country to placing Santa Anna back in control of the government Quitman was able to finalize a deal by New Years Eve 1847. The United States received the following:
Alto California
Baja California
Nuevo Mexico
Sonora
Chihuahua
Nuevo Leon
Coahuila
Tamaulipas

Mexico Received:
$25 million
$3 million in debt that Mexico owed to United States would be assumed by the United States

The treaty was ratified in the Senate 36 to 16 on March 28, 1848. With the fight on the battlefield over the United States turned to another struggle. The political debate to decide the fate of the hard won territories would be fought in the halls of Congress between the Democratic and Whig parties, and the new battlefield would be the Presidential Election of 1848.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 3: Election of 1848
With the end of hostilities between Mexico and the United States, and news filtering in from Europe of the revolutions sweeping the continent American voters were tasked with deciding who would lead the nation for four more years. President Polk promised to only serve one term, and was determined to keep that promised even though party leaders tried to convince him otherwise.
The man that both parties wanted (Democrats & Whigs) was Zachary Taylor. Taylor for his part had allies in both camps. Sarah Knox Davis (otl died of yellow fever in 1835 but survives in this TL) is married to Mississippi Senator, and Mexican war hero Jefferson Davis. Davis uses his contacts within Washington DC to begin building support for Taylor’s bid for the Democratic nomination. Taylor’s youngest daughter Mary became engaged to Lt. Col Henry Clay Jr (otl dies at battle of Buena Vista) survived a wound and recovers in the Taylor household by the Generals order, and later proposes to Mary.
While serving in the Army Taylor never expressed his political beliefs nor acted on them. Leading up to the Whig nomination Taylor remained quiet about seeking the nomination. Former presidential candidate Henry Clay let it be known that he was retiring from politics, and would support whoever the nominee was. Taylor eventually let it be know in a news article that he was neither a Whig or a Democrat and was above party affiliation in the same mold as George Washington. Whig party bosses took that as a sign and nominated Thomas Corwin of Ohio for PRES and John Crittenden of Kentucky for Vice President.
The Democrats for their part had no front runner. Going into the convention the Democratic front runners were Senator Lewis Cass of Michigan, former politician turned Major General John Quitman, and Secretary of State James Buchanan. Cass held a lead after the first ballot but failed to secure the necessary majority. It was during the second balloting that Freshman Senator Jefferson Davis put forth Zachary Taylor’s name for president. Immediately Taylor’s name was being called. By the fourth ballot Taylor had secured the necessary two-third votes for nomination. To help balance the ticket Daniel Dickinson of New York was nominated for Vice President.
The Whigs called Taylor crude, vulgar, uneducated, and greedy doing whatever needed to be done to gain power. The labeled him a puppet of the slave-aristocracy. Taylor and the Democrats repeated, as they always had for many years their opposition to a national bank and high tariffs. Democrats prosecuted the war to victory and deserved another term to decide the fate of the newly gained territories. On November 7, 1848 the citizens of the United States went to the polls and elected Zachary Taylor in a landslide. Taylor and the Democrats believed they had a mandate from the people.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 4: California Compromise

When gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in late January 1848 this set off an explosion of migration toward the Pacific Coast. Overnight some 300,000 pioneers set out by wagon train or by boat toward the west coast. Few would find riches, but many would just eventually decide to settle in the new land.
President Taylor’s first piece of legislation would be to tackle the question of California statehood. With the help from Speaker of the House Howell Cobb and a Democratic controlled Senate the President proposed that Texas ceded a portion of its territory claims in exchange for the federal government assuming that nations former debt. The Missouri Compromise would be extended to the Pacific coast with lands above the 36’ 30’ degree parallel becoming the Free State of North California, and with the lands below joining with Baja California to form the state of South California. To deal with the rest of the lands from Mexico a separate commission would be formed to help decide the territorial boundaries. Once new territories were established then money would be granted to help Americanize the local populace teaching them English, and bringing law and order. Finally Congress pushed through the Oregon Homestead Act to help pave the way for settlement of the Oregon Territory. President Zachary Taylor preached that only equal admittance was the only way to handle the slavery issue.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 5: Yucatán
The Yucatán peninsula had for the last ten years been racked by civil war with the European Creole population pitted against the Mayan native population. The harsh hand of Santa Anna had briefly joined both forces together to stop the Generalissimo from wiping out the entire population. During the Mexican-American War the Republic of Yucatán exercised their independence sending feelers to several capitals (Washington, London, Madrid, and Mexico City) seeking help and promising annexation in return for military protection.
In his final months President Polk sent military advisors, and excess military aid to Yucatán, and kept soon to be elected Taylor advised of the situation. Taylor for his part focused on his California Compromise while all the way using his Secretary of State Lewis Cass draft along with Junior Senator from Illinois Stephen Douglas bills to push for annexation of the Yucatán. Douglas used his connections to the Railroad and Steamboat interests along with George Law to convince Whig Senators help propose Yucatán annexation. After the battle for California both sides needed a victory and establishing more bases along the Gulf of Mexico would help stop British incursion from their new colony along the Mosquito Coast.
By late July 1849 the Yucatán Annexation bill was quietly pushed through both houses of Congress. This now allowed for President Taylor to set his sights on his next ambition.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 6: Cuba Libre
Calls for Cuban annexation by the United States we’re being spoken as early as January of 1847. New York journalists John O’Sullivan and Moses Beach meets with Creole plantation owners and industrialists they form the Cabal de la Habana. These members agree to pool their wealth in hopes to buy their freedom from Spain. Over $100 million is agreed upon to present to President Polk and the United States to purchase from Spain. It is also agreed upon that former Spanish general Narcio Lopez would begin gathering local militia in anticipation of a rebellion if the US doesn’t agree to help the rebels.
During the Summer of 1848 Lopez had gathered a sizable following, and Spanish officials in Cuba became alarmed. When news of revolts in Europe began filtering in the the members of the Cabal Habana decided to act. On March 6, 1849 the Cuban flag for independence was raised in Cardenas and Narcio Lopez called forth Cubans of all classes to join in overthrowing the Spanish government.

Narcio Lopez commander of the Cuban Revolutionary Army

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 7: Taylor’s Presidency
By February of 1850 the must see Bill to divide the newly acquired territories was proposed by Mississippi Senator Jefferson Davis to divide into the following:
Utah Territory: The followers of Brigham Young we’re allowed to follow their religious beliefs within the confines of this territory. This was in thanks to their support during the Mexican-American War.
New Mexico Territory: The land dispute with Texas was settled following the California Compromise. With the extension of the Missouri Compromise to the Pacific allowing slavery onto the land new southern immigrants would be allowed with their slaves. Also with the expanded region came with an addition of Native American inhabitants would be a call for additional regiments of US soldiers.
Sonoma Territory: The former Mexican state would retain its original borders, and with its small population a small military presence would be required.
Chihuahua Territory: This territory would retain its original Mexican borders, but with its hostile Native American population would be a constant issue for the US military.
Coahuila Territory: The territory would retain its borders, and with its ties to anti- Mexican politicians these inhabitants would assimilate into American culture faster than others.
Yucatán: The inhabitants of the territory was divided into two categories Creole & Mayan with the Creole exploiting the native Mayan population. American planners hoped to introduce slavery into the culture and turn the Mayans around and stop the exploitation.
Rio Grande: Formed from the ashes of the failed nation state the former Mexican states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo León we’re joined together. With leaders of the former nation the American authorities turned to them to help administration duties.

On domestic issues Taylor granted subsidies to railroad companies to push railroad development. Southern Democrats pushed through a Fugitive Slave Law through both houses of Congress that required that all escape slaves, that upon recapture be returned to their masters, and that citizens and government officials of free states were required to cooperate with agents of the slavers. Northern Whigs and Abolitionist became enraged and openly contempt for the law.

On foreign issues American and British negotiators engaged in talks about the deteriorating situation on mainland Europe. By far Taylor’s greatest achievement was the acquisition of Cuba by the United States. By 1850 with American citizens actively fighting as filibusters under the banner of Narcio Lopez, and fears of revolutions wrecking havoc across Central and Western Europe Spain decided to sell the island instead of investing more blood and treasure into the island. Taylor and his Secretary of State Lewis Cass jumped at the opportunity before Great Britain could get involved. After all negotiations were completed the island sold for $25 million. Plus an agreement to establish a military mission to help train the Spanish Army.
After serving four years President Taylor decided to forgo another term. In his eyes sectional discord had been averted, but in the eyes of many northerners they saw Taylor as just another extension of slavery’s hold upon the National Government.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 8: Whigs Gather
The Whigs were the first to gather for their national convention, and this would be the first convention where Henry Clay wouldn’t be in contention. Ailing and near the end of his life Clay refused to support any candidate, but many of his core supporters tried to get his son Henry Clay Jr a Mexican War hero to throw his hat in the ring. The younger Clay was seen by many as too close to Taylor and believed to be in lockstep with the Democrats.
This left the battle over the nomination up to three candidates. Former General of the Army Winfield Scott who resigned over a dispute with President Taylor over the annexation of Cuba. Following his resignation Scott moved to New Jersey and quickly joined forces with New York Senator William Seward and his political boss Thurlow Weed. Facing off against Scott was Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster and Maryland Senator James Pearce. Party Bosses wanted a military hero, and since Scott had no political baggage and after a dozen ballots secured the nomination. For the Vice President the party picked former Missouri Representative Edward Bates.

William Seward & Thurlow Weed main backers of Scott campaign.

Former General of the Army & 1852 Whig Presidential Nominee Winfield Scott

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 9: Democratic Convention
With his announcement of only serving one term there was a scramble by prospects to gather support for a Presidential run. That increased even more so once Vice President Dickinson announced his desire to return to his lucrative law practice and forgo a presidential campaign. By the time of the convention there were six major candidates plus just as many minor candidates vying for the nomination. Former Secretary of State James Buchanan of Pennsylvania, Secretary of State Lewis Cass of Michigan, Secretary of War William Marcy of New York, Senator Sam Houston of Texas, Senator of Illinois Stephen Douglas, and Mississippi Governor John A. Quitman.
For the first ten ballots Cass had the lead with Buchanan, and Marcy coming in second and third. This trend continued until the twentieth ballot when Stephen Douglas threw his support to Marcy after receiving promises of support to Douglas backers, railroad and steamboat interests. With southern support divided over three candidates (Buchanan, Houston, and Quitman) Marcy and Cass tried to appeal to southern concerns. Cass with his claims to helping annex Cuba was about to clinch the southern block until Marcy used his new found railroad connection to promise railroad growth to the south. Both Houston & Quitman saw the writing on the wall and on the thirty second ballot switch their support to Marcy. By the thirty-fifth Buchanan made it unanimously that William Marcy would be the Democratic nominee for president. To balance the ticket Alabama Senator William King was nominated for Vice President.

From left to right: Lewis Cass, James Buchanan, William Marcy

From left to right: Stephen Douglas, Sam Houston, John Quitman

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 10: Election of 1852
The election of 1852 was the lowest voter turnout since 1836. Both major parties campaign of the same issue. Scott tried to use his military background, but was rebuttal by President Taylor publicly campaigning for Marcy. Southern Whigs stopped Northern Whigs from making any issue about slavery causing some Northern Whigs to join the Free Soul Party that was led by Former President Martin Van Buren.
Late in the campaign Scott came out against slavery hoping to keep his party together. Marcy turned the tables against him by coming out in support of President Taylor’s balanced support of admittance slave and free states into the Union. The approach worked as the duo of Marcy & King won the popular vote and secured 28 out of 32 states in the electoral college. Scott would only claim the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Vermont, and Massachusetts. After this colossal defeat the Whig party began to unravel from within.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 11: Filibusters
Seeing the success of López rebellion and the migration of hundreds of volunteers to Cuba many Southerners look to use the filibuster technique again. With Cuba secured one man in particular began to play around with the idea of forming a secret organization to help spread southern control over Central and South America. In late December 1852 after failure to secure the Democratic nomination. Mississippi Governor John Quitman was elected “General” of the Knights of the Golden Circle. Quitman knew that President Taylor had turned a blind eye to Lopez’s actions, even turning it into a great success for the nation, but incoming President Marcy was lukewarm to the principle of filibustering. Marcy’ position was that the United States contained enough land to keep the country busy for the next 50yrs. There was no need to acquire more.
After assuming office on March 4, 1853 President Marcy instructed his Secretary of War Jefferson Davis to inform his fellow Mississippian to stay out of other nations affairs. Marcy had instructed his a Secretary of State James Buchanan to work out a deal with England in regards to tension in Central America.
In June President Marcy was on his way out of Washington when his train was derailed and dozens died in the crash including the President. William King was sworn in as the 14th President of the United States. The new President took a different view of the filibusters. King knew that England faced unrest with German revolutionary agents trotting the globe creating mischief. When President Fruto Perez of the Conservative Party of Nicaragua asked the United States for assistance, Secretary of State James Buchanan who did not want to get involved in internal issues of another government suggested to President King the idea of Quitman organization.

While Quitman was planning to gather a group of some 500 “colonists” to go to Nicaragua President King died of complications of tuberculosis on August 17th, 1853. According to the rules of Presidential Succession of 1792 the Pro Temp of the Senate was next in line. On August 18, 1853 David R. Atchison of Missouri was sworn in the 15th President of the United States.
The nation mourned the loss of another president. Northern politicians feared a Atchison Presidency as he was an avowed Fire-Eater and believed in the quest of Manifest Destiny, and the desire to conquer all of Central and South America to expand slavery.
Quitman was given the green light, and departed from ports of New Orleans, and Mobile. Quitman’s Brigade as it was called brought veterans from the Mexican-American War, Lopez’s Cuban Adventure, and immigrants from Germany, Ireland, and Scandinavia.
The civil war that Quitman was entertaining was a fight against Liberal and Conservative forces. Quitman with the backing of President Pérez campaign against the Liberal forces under Patricio Rivas. Quitman Soon went to work routing Liberal forces at the First Battle of Rivas, and then “liberating” the city of León effectively ending the war for awhile.
Using President Pérez as a puppet Quitman, with the backing of New York businessmen like Cornelius Vanderbilt essentially took over the government. By 1854 Quitman was made Vice-President and with the President’s backing sent a request for Nicaragua to be annex by the United States.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 12: Year of Stability
By 1854 Europe became stable again thanks to the alliance of the Two Emperors: Francis Joseph of Austria & Czar Nicholas of Russia. Their combined armies crushed Polish & Hungarian Revolutions, and propped up the Catholic Kingdoms of Southern Germany. After six years of fighting the German Revolutionary Government of Karl Schapper agrees to a peace treaty, much to the annoyance of fellow revolutionary leaders Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels who wanted to spread their form of revolution throughout Europe.
Even though the fighting in Central Europe had subsided the fighting in Western Europe continued. In France the Paris mob desiring more freedoms overthrew King Louis Philippe and in it’s placed declared the Second Republic. Following a shaky interim government where French soldiers were recalled from Algiers Louis Napoléon Bonaparte was elected President. With dreams of bringing former glory to France Bonaparte declares himself emperor in 1854. To help bring stability French troops assist Austrian troops in protecting the Papal States and the Pope himself. The fighting continues for another two years on Italian soil fighting against Italian Nationalists.
In Spain the Army loyal to the Spanish crown was assisted by members of the American Expedition of Advisors. This team of advisors led by Colonel Joseph E. Johnston contained many future participants of the conflict between North & South including: James Longstreet, D.H. Hill, Ulysses Grant, George Meade, Philip Kearny, & Richard Ewell helped defeat the Republican Forces arrayed against the Monarchy. These officers were hailed in high regard by their Spanish counterparts, and by the Spanish people.
With word of yet another piece of territory occupied by southern extremists northern abolitionist began to mobilize and galvanize their elected officials.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 13: John Brown

With the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act many Abolitionist began to raise volunteer groups to combat federal agents looking to reclaim runaway slaves. One such person is John Brown of Springfield, Massachusetts. By the early 1840’s Brown had already declared his vow to battle slavery unto his death.
On March 17, 1855 Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner began a two day oratory on the “Rape of Nicaragua “. Days before Senators Stephen Douglas of Illinois and Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina authored the Nicaraguan Annexation Bill. Summer now attacked them publicly. “The senator from South Carolina has read many books of chivalry, and believes himself a chivalrous knight with sentiments of honor and courage. Of course he has chosen a mistress to whom he has made his vows, and who, though ugly to others, is always lovely to him; though polluted in the sight of the world, is chaste in his sight—I mean the harlot, slavery. For her his tongue is always profuse in words. Let her be impeached in character, or any proposition made to shut her out from the extension of her wantonness, and no extravagance of manner or hardihood of assertion is then too great for this senator.”
Summer also mocked Butler in his speaking ability, which had been impeded by a recent stroke. This caused South Carolina Representative Preston Brooks of South Carolina, Butler’s cousin, to retaliate.
Brooks attacked Sumner on the Senate floor after Sumner refused to apologize. Beating his almost to death with a walking cane.

This incident along with the southern entanglement in Nicaragua with a Southern Fire-Eater in the White House that the people didn’t vote for brought Brown into a militant circle of the abolitionist movement. With financial backers Brown gathered volunteers and went to Central America to fight the Slave Power

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 14: Accidental Presidency of David Rice Atchison
The swearing in of David R. Atchison as the 15th President of the United States coincided with the realignment of political parties. Disenfranchised Southern Whigs left the now dead Whig party for the Democratic Party. Northern Whigs and Free-Soil party members began to join two new political parties the American Party & the Republican Party. Both would make gains in the 1854 Mid-term elections. Causing concern for Democratic Party leaders. President Atchison’s support for the Nicaragua Annexation Bill and the resulting attack on Senator Sumner galvanized northern support against the Democratic Party.

15th President of the United State David Rice Atchison.

With the help from Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas Atchison proposed the establishment of the Kansas & Nebraska Territories. Following the rules of the Missouri Compromise both would be considered free territories. Atchison desire was for the benefit of his home state of Missouri and the railroad companies as debate was being waged in the US Senate for government funding of a Trans-Continental Railroad. President Atchison lobbied for a Chicago-St. Louis - San Francisco route across the continent while others mainly southerns lobbied for a Houston-El Paso- San Diego. In the end the backers of the Chicago terminus would win out and President Atchison would sign the bill on the last couple of days in office.
On the foreign front Commodore Matthew Perry returned from the Far East after being dispatched by President Taylor. Perry’s report showed that gunboat diplomacy had forced Japan ports opened to American goods. Perry also reported on potential American islands for occupation like Formosa and the Ryuku Islands. Perry’s tales of further western ambition soon caught the attention of influential members of Congress.
South California Senator William Gwinn pushed for a naval base to be opened at the port of Tijuana. The senior Senator from South California Gwinn soon began to openly talk of the enslavement of recently arriving Chinese immigrants. In the halls of Congress many on both sides of the Slavery debate addresses the “Yellow Peril” threat on the West Coast.
With his term ending and wanting a term in his own right Atchison tried to gather support for the 1856 Democratic National Convention.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 15: Forty-Eighters
The term forty-eighter refers to a person of German decent that fled Germany after the Revolution of 1848. The nobility wasn’t the only people that were effected once the Socialist Republic of Germany came to power, wealthy business men to small business owners pulled up stakes and left their homeland.
German exiles began to sprout up in The Chesapeake Area of Eastern Maryland, Delaware, and Eastern Seaboard of Virginia. The Royal House of Hohenzollern took up residence in Texas helping to settle the wild frontier and the sprawling port of Galveston where German arms manufacturer Johann Nicholas von Dreyse, inventor of the Dreyse needle gun, moved his bolt action rifle manufacturing.

Johann Nicholas von Dreyse

Alfred Krupp transplanted his entire operations to the outside of the German-Community in New Orleans. The future city of Krupp, Louisiana still holds the headquarters of the Krupp Arms Manufacturing.

Alfred Krupp

Prussian Junkers like Otto von Bismarck moved to New Orleans and after buying a sugar plantation, and slaves to work it, moved into local politics as a Democrat eventually winning a seat in the US House of Representatives. Bismarck will associate with the Fire-Eaters during the Secession Crisis.

Otto von Bismarck

Many German Americans also joined filibuster operations to Nicaragua. Helmuth von Moltke & Albrecht von Roon raised former Prussian soldiers to volunteer, and served distinctly in Central America. Gaining a powerful backer in the John Quitman.

Albrecht von Roon
Helmuth von Moltke

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 16: Know Nothings Gather
With the utter destruction of the Whig party two new political parties moved i to try and fill the void. The American Nativist Party or Know-Nothings was a party based solely one one major issue: immigration. With the south seeing an influx of immigration that would eventually help their cause of settling more land as slave owners. The nativist party elders decided to ignore the issue of slavery all together.The forty-eighters were in no way a threat for low paying jobs, but instead investors, landowners, and businessmen pushing the southern economy forward.
The Know-Nothings saw their largest support in New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions of the US. By the time of their first convention there were a few Congressmen and even elected a governor in Massachusetts, Henry Gardiner.
When the Know-Nothing Party convened on February 22, 1856 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania they hoped to build off their stunning 1854 midterm elections. Going into the convention three men were seen as front runners: Massachusetts Governor Henry Gardiner, former Commodore and Mexican-American War hero Robert Stockton, and former Senator John M. Clayton of Delaware. After three days of tumultuous bartering, haggling, and arguing the Party settled upon Commodore Robert Stockton as their candidate with Chicago Mayor Levi Boone for Vice President.

Know Nothing Ticker former Commodore Robert Stockton and Chicago Mayor Levi Boone

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 17: Republicans in Philadelphia
The Republican Party met on June 17th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Republican Party was bringing together elements of The Free-Soil Party members, former Whigs, Abolitionist, & Anti-Slavery Know-Knothings. The main contenders for the nomination were Senator from North California John C. Frémont, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court John McLean of Ohio, Senator from New York William H. Steward, & former Congressman from Pennsylvania David Wilmot. The Republican platform called for admission of free states immediately (not waiting for slave state admissions) in contradiction of the Taylor Doctrine, stopping the spread of slavery, defeating Nicaraguan annexation, and end of polygamy in Mormon settlements in Utah Territory.

John C. Frémont, John McLean, William Steward, David Wilmot.

Seward was the first to concede even before the nomination took place throwing his support behind Frémont, McLean’s own campaign manager tried to concede his support for his candidate but Congressman Thaddeus Stevens forced it back into contention losing more support with the fiasco. By the fourth ballot Frémont was nominated with David Wilmot as his running mate.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 18: Democrats Nominate their Giant
The Democratic Party still stunned by its drubbing in the 1854 midterms went into the nominations determined to jettison Atchison from the top spot on the ticket. Three main candidates emerged: Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois had the support of the powerful railroads and many northern democrats that wanted to check the power of the southern expansionists. Former Secretary of State and recently elected Senator from Pennsylvania James Buchanan had a solid backing from his home state and southern members of the party. President David R. Atchison desired his own term, and worked with anyone who could get him the nomination.
The balloting began with Buchanan holding a solid lead, but not the two-thirds needed to secure the nomination. Atchison gained momentum as a favorite son candidates. Douglas for his part worked to gather southern support showing his part in Cuban annexation. After a dozen ballots Atchison agreed to release his delegates to Douglas if he continued his support for railroad and westward expansion. Buchanan for his part decided that after a long illustrious career getting the presidency was again out of his grasp. After twenty ballots Stephen Douglas the “Little Giant” was the Democratic nominee for president. To bring balance to the ticket Kentucky Congressman John C. Breckinridge was nominated for Vice-President.
The Democratic platform called for the continuation of the Taylor Doctrine, Nicaraguan Annexation, and the building of a Nicaragua Canal to help spur westward expansion.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 19: Election of 1856
The Republicans campaigned on the slogan “Free Soil, Free Men, Free Press, Free Speech, and Frémont”. The Know-Nothings ranted about immigration, and a secret papal canal to overtake the United States. The Democrats campaigned on a solid Union, peace, and expansion.
The results told a fantastic story: the Know-Nothing party captured the state of Massachusetts and Delaware. The republican party took the rest of New England plus New York, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The Democrats took the solid south, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, both of the California’s, and the battle ground states of Indiana & Illinois. With the popular vote and the elector college secured Stephen Douglas became the 16th President of the United States.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 20: John Brown Part 2
The New England Aid Society was a secret abolitionist military society that planned to fight slavery’s extension into Central America. The first group of volunteers arrived in Costa Rica in late October 1855 among them was a John Brown and four of his sons. In command of a group of 110 men Brown now called “Captain” Brown joined another group of abolitionist under Jim Lane of Indiana.
By this time the countries of Costa Rico, Guatemalan, El Salvador, and Honduras declared war upon Nicaragua in hopes of throwing out the American Filibusters. The abolitionist volunteers were accepted warily. Fearful of a “Yankee” double cross. Together with the Central American Armies they invaded Nicaragua.
It was at the Second Battle of Rivas where the Filibuster/Nicaraguan Army under the command of Helmuth von Moltke with the help of being armed with the Dreyse Needle Rifle that made Moltke’s small force double its rate of fire, and routed the invading Costa Rican army. It was the rearguard action of John Brown and his men that bought vital time for the Costa Rican Army under a Jose Porras.
After the defeat Brown and his men turned away from conventional fighting and turned to guerrilla style of fighting. This intensified once Nicaraguan forces invaded Costa Rica.
Journalist John L. Sullivan wrote stories for Harper’s Weekly that depicted the gruesome beheading of Nicaraguan soldiers by Brown and his men. The telling of John Brown’s brutal killing of three captured soldiers told from eyewitness accounts stunned the Southern Populace, and worried many northern democrats even President elect Stephen Douglas
Southern politicians now doubled down on the need to annex Nicaragua and bring peace and stability to the land. With a Democratic majority in the incoming Senate and a divided House Democratic leaders proposed to use the lame duck session to push through Nicaraguan annexation.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 23: Robert E. Lee
Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee was the son of Revolutionary War hero “Light Horse” Harry Lee. After the death of his father the family was destitute due to his father’ s failed financial investments Lee, with the help of one of his uncles was admitted to West Point Military Academy. He would graduate to n 1829 second in his class of 45 graduates. Following his graduation As customary with his placement Lee went into the Engineers. Lee later married Mary Custis great grand daughter to Martha Washington.
Lee would serve with distinction during the Mexican-American War serving under Winfield Scott. After the war Lee served as the Superintendent of West Point. There his eldest daughter Agnes fell in love with another instructor of the facilities Captain George H. Thomas of Virginia, and they married in the Spring of 1853.
On the night of Brown’s seizure of Harpers Ferry Lee and Thomas were at the family mansion of Arlington outside of Washington D.C. President Douglas tasked Lee with putting down the rebellion. Lee gathered his small force of barely 150 soldiers, marines, and sailors and header toward Harper’s Ferry and Brown army.
Brown was well informed as he had scouts and spies to relay him information. With US forces gathering faster than he anticipated Brown decided to abandon his position. It was decided that Brown would leave a message when the captives were hanged and signs placed around their necks saying “For the Crime of Slavery”. Dividing his force in half “ General” Tubman, as Brown addressed her gave her the mission of delaying the army as the rest of his force moved westward. Tubman with 25 freedmen & runaway slaves held up in the armory as Virginia militia surrounded the building. When Lee arrived with his regulars an offer of surrender was sent to the blockhouse, but Tubman refused. Keeping a constant fire on the defenders a dozen of marines led by Captain Thomas rushed the blockhouse. Using a battering ram the doors were forced open where fierce hand to hand combat ensued. After about 10 minutes Tubman, who was wounded, and six of her “freedom” fighters were subdued.
Tubman and her lot were given over to the Virginia militia while Lee went after Brown. Crossing into the mountains of Western Virginia Lee came across burnt out houses, and hanged corpses. Brown’s renegades killed without remorse or distinction, and the men following them were very quickly filled with hatred toward their foes.
It was at the Ohio border where things escalated when Ohio militia allowed Brown and his men to escape, but hindered the US and Virginia militia from stepping onto Ohio soil on orders from Governor Salmon P. Chase. Lee became enraged with “those people”, and messaged General Twiggs for orders. After two days Lee was allowed to pursue, Brown’s forces had escaped. Rumors swirled that he had escaped into Canada, but even $500,000 reward wasn’t enough to bring Brown or his followers to justice.