We Shall Prevail - The Confederacy in Kaiserreich

[Sectorknight21]

Monday, August 24 2010

The silver-grey sedan strolled up to the front driveway of Robert E. Lee High School. It was a Monday, Chase hated Mondays, but then again who didn't. He had just arrived in the city of Tampa, Florida on Saturday to a "cool" 92 degrees Fahrenheit. Coming from the North, this was like a hellhole. You see, unlike the other four hundred-some students at R.E Lee High, Chase was different, he was an "outsider", a Northerner, a Yankee.

Chase waved good-bye to his Dad as he peeled the driveway into the main road, off to his first day at work,

'Good luck Dad,' he thought, Chase may be entering a whole new school, in a whole different country, in which he knew no one. But as usual Chase feared nothing, well nothing "social" that is. He always made friends, no matter where he went, he had the slick cool conscious that allowed him to relate to anyone. His Dad however, was a different story. We'll leave it at the fact that his mom asked his dad out on a date, due to a dare.

Despite his socially-awkward father, Chase made up for this ten-fold, he looked at the predominately white crowd, mixed in with Hispanics and Blacks. All of them doing things indistinguishable to what was done back "home". Laughing, talking about their weekend's, as well as flirting and some couples kissing.

Chase looked up and smiled,

"Yeah, I'll fit in just well" he allowed to slip from his mouth.

--------

Chase walked into the Main Office, a place where he admitted he would spend a lot of time at when he saw the principal's office. He walked up to the office secretary, a seemingly tall, blond headed woman in her fifty's who didn't seem to take crap from anybody.

Overhead, he could hear the sound of the television turned to the news.

"Today, Russian Imperial Peacekeepers, RIP for short, have mobilized, moving into Iraq, and Kurdistan in order to preserve the peace after the out breaking of hostilities last month between both countries. Despite the official Russian statements in wanting to preserve the peace and "avoid another Syria", many nations have denounced the invasions stating that that it is simply a ruse to forcibly bring both nations under the sphere of influence of the MittelEuropan Alliance."

"In other unrelated news, the German Empire has voted to kick Greece from the Eastern Economic Commonwealth due to its inability to deal with its defaulting of debts just last month, European markets are expected to take a dive as the many fear Italy and Hungary is next.

"Excuse me, ma'am? I'm new here just got arrived this Saturday, I was wondering if I could get my schedule." Chase asked pushing his long brown hair from his eyes.

"Of course, take a seat and I'll be sure to print that out in a second." She quipped without looking up from her computer, so much for Southern hospitality.

He took a seat, not the most comfortable chair, or the prettiest but whatever, couldn't take that long.

He was wrong....

The bell rang ten minutes later, the souls outside scattered to their classes and Chase attempted to not fall asleep in his chair, he hadn't gotten much sleep last night, not due to nerves, rather due to the unfortunate placement of his new home next to a house full of college students partying. If he heard "Party in the CSA" by that Cyrus chick one more time, he was gonna...

He allowed sleep to overtake him, only to awaken several minutes later by the secretary,

"Excuse me young man, what are you doing?", she said with an annoying whine he hadn't noticed the first time he spoke with her, "This isn't a motel, or nap time. Do you have any business here, other than to take up space?" she continued quickly, not even giving him the decency to look up from her computer.

Chase yawned and not looking for a fight, simply repeating his question,

"All I'm looking for is my class schedule, that's all I want." he said with a sarcastic grin.

"Oh, that, give me a minute." she answered, obviously not caring for an apology.

Whatever, Chase thought, of course he did hear her whisper underneath her breath,

"Stupid Yankee, coming in here thinking like he owns the place...."

 

[Sectorknight21]

Chapter One - Secession

" Duty is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less."
-General Robert E. Lee​

Excerpt from Blood, Sweat, and Tears - A History of the Confederate States of America, Volume One; Secession (1974)

Chapter One, Fort Sumter

The history of what we know today as the Confederate States of America begins at precisely 3:20 a.m., April 12, 1861, as Confederate shells bombarded Fort Sumter in what was to be the first of many battles on the long road to peace. A single mortar round fired from Fort Johnson exploded over Fort Sumter, marking the start of the bombardment from 43 guns and mortars at Fort Moultrie, Fort Johnson, the Floating Battery of Charleston Harbor and Cummings Point. Edmund Ruffin, a well known secessionist, had traveled to Charleston in order to be present for the beginning of the war, and was present to fire the first shot at Sumter after the signal round.

Anderson withheld his fire until 7:00 a.m., when Capt. Abner Doubleday fired a shot at the Ironclad Battery at Cummings Point. But there was little Anderson could do with his 60 guns; he deliberately avoided using guns that were situated in the fort where casualties were likely. The fort's best cannons were mounted on the uppermost of its three tiers, where his troops were most exposed to enemy fire. The fort had been designed to hold out against a naval assault, and naval warships of the time did not mount guns capable of elevating to fire over the walls of the fort.

However, the land-based cannons manned by the South Carolina militia were very much capable of landing such indirect fire on Fort Sumter. Fort Sumter's garrison could only safely fire the guns on the lower levels, which themselves, by virtue of being in stone emplacements, were largely incapable of indirect fire that could seriously threaten Fort Moultrie. Moreover, although the Federals had moved as much of their supplies to Fort Sumter as they could manage, the fort was very low on ammunition, and was nearly out at the end of the 39-hour bombardment. The shelling of Fort Sumter from the batteries ringing the harbor awakened Charleston's residents who rushed out into the predawn darkness to watch the shells arc over the water and burst inside the fort. The bombardment lasted through the night until the next morning, when a shell hit the officers' quarters, starting a serious fire that threatened the main magazine.

The fort's central flagpole also fell. During the period the flag was down, before the garrison could improvise a replacement, several Confederate envoys arrived to inquire whether the flag had been lowered in surrender. Anderson agreed to a truce at 2:00 p.m., April 13, 1861.

The tattered remains of the Fort Sumter Flag
​

Terms for the garrison's withdrawal were settled by that evening and the Union garrison surrendered the fort to Confederate personnel at 2:30 p.m., April 14. No one from either side was killed during the bombardment. During the 100-gun salute to the U.S. flag—Anderson's one condition for withdrawal—a pile of cartridges blew up from a spark, killing one soldier instantly and seriously injuring the rest of the gun crew, one mortally; these were the first fatalities of the war. The salute was stopped at fifty shots. Galloway and another injured crewman were sent to the hospital in Charleston, where Galloway died. The other crewman successfully recovered and was sent North later without exchange. Union troops were placed aboard a Confederate steamer where they spent the night and were transported the next morning to the Union steamer Baltic, resting outside the harbor bar. The soldiers along with the women and children were safely transported back to Union territory by the U.S. Navy squadron whose anticipated arrival as a relief fleet had prompted the barrage. Anderson carried the Fort Sumter Flag with him North, where it became a widely known symbol of the battle, and rallying point for supporters of the Union everywhere.

Confederate Flag flying in Fort Sumter after the 1861 surrender​

 

[Sectorknight21]

Well, once again, welcome to my latest AAR, We Shall Prevail!

Imagine a world where the Confederacy won, in a glorious triumph against the North.

Now imagine a world where the German Empire wins in the Great War. Where does that leave the USA and the CSA? Well only one way to find out, this AAR will be a history/gameplay/narrative type.

 

[Lighthearter]

Dixie!

I see a few traces of A World Of Difference in the update style - carry on! That gives me a warm feeling close to my heart

You have one subscribed reader(at least).

Will this be vanilla KR or a KR-MDS mix?

- Lighthearter

 

[Sectorknight21]

@Lighthearter- Welcome aboard! It'll be Kaiserreich Vanilla with some mods that place the Confederacy in-game.

 

[unmerged(190594)]

If he heard "Party in the CSA" by that Cyrus chick one more time, he was gonna...

It goes to show that for all the world has changed, the CSA still has the problems that plague America in OTL

Looks interesting though, I'm gonna keep an eye on it.

 

[Sectorknight21]

"If the Confederacy falls, there should be written on its tombstone: Died of a theory."
-Jefferson Davis, First President of the Confederate States of America​

Excerpt from Blood, Sweat, and Tears - A History of the Confederate States of America, Volume One; Secession (1974)

Chapter 4, The Long Road and the Battle of Antietam

Because of the fierce resistance of a few initial Confederate forces at Manassas, Virginia, in July 1861, a march by Union troops under the command of Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell on the Confederate forces there was halted in the First Battle of Bull Run, or First Manassas, McDowell's troops were forced back to Washington, D.C., by the Confederates under the command of Generals Joseph E. Johnston and P. G. T. Beauregard. It was in this battle that Confederate General Thomas Jackson received the nickname of "Stonewall" because he stood like a stone wall against Union troops.

Alarmed at the loss, and in an attempt to prevent more slave states from leaving the Union, the U.S. Congress passed the Crittenden-Johnson
Resolution on July 25 of that year, which stated that the war was being fought to preserve the Union and not to end slavery.

Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan took command of the Union Army of the Potomac on July 26 (he was briefly general-in-chief of all the Union armies, but was subsequently relieved of that post in favor of Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck), and the war began in earnest in 1862. Upon the strong urging of President Lincoln to begin offensive operations, McClellan attacked Virginia in the spring of 1862 by way of the peninsula between the York River and James River, southeast of Richmond. Although McClellan's army reached the gates of Richmond in the Peninsula Campaign, Johnston halted his advance at the Battle of Seven Pines, then General Robert E. Lee and top subordinates James Longstreet and Stonewall Jackson defeated McClellan in the Seven Days Battles and forced his retreat. The Northern Virginia Campaign, which included the Second Battle of Bull Run, ended in yet another victory for the South. McClellan resisted General-in-Chief Halleck's orders to send reinforcements to John Pope's Union Army of Virginia, which made it easier for Lee's Confederates to defeat twice the number of combined enemy troops.

Emboldened by Second Bull Run, the Confederacy made its first invasion of the North. General Lee led 45,000 men of the Army of Northern Virginia across the Potomac River into Maryland on September 5. Lincoln then restored Pope's troops to McClellan. McClellan and Lee fought at the Battle of Antietam near Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 17, 1862, the bloodiest single day in United States military history.

The Battle of Antietam

The Battle of Antietam, by Thure de Thulstrup, depicting the charge of the Iron Brigade near the Dunker Church​

The Battle of Antietam was one the Confederacy's brightest moments in history catching the Union and McClellan off guard entirely. The result was McClellan and his Army of the Potomac to retreat north to Pennsylvania. The battle was over by 5:30 p.m. Losses for the day were heavy on both sides. The Union had 12,401 casualties with 1,978 dead. Confederate casualties were 2,318 with 1,446 dead. This represented 25% of the Federal force and 27% of the Confederate. More Americans died on September 17, 1862, than on any other day in the nation's military history. Several generals died as a result of the battle, including Maj. Gens. Joseph K. Mansfield and Israel B. Richardson and Brig. Gen. Isaac P. Rodman on the Union side (all mortally wounded), and Brig. Gens. Lawrence O. Branch and William E. Starke on the Confederate side (killed). Despite the generals dying on the battlefield, one lost much, on October 17 1862 George B McClellan resigned in disgrace. It was up to Ulysses S. Grant to lead the Union, to rally its troops, and to fight for victory. He would ultimately fail.

Confederate dead lay in the "Bloody Lane" after the Battle of Antietam, 1862.​

The Dunker Church after September 17, 1862. Here, both Union and Confederate dead lay together on the field.​

In an address by President Jefferson Davis, he said,

"Now is the time many see as a day of victory and celebration, despite this, we must look towards the sorrow of this day. Allow us to say a prayer today, for the brave young men of both the North and the South. Many of whom lie dead, or wounded physically and mentally. This will indeed be a day to remember, one of sorrow and celebration."

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

I see British and French recognition incoming!

 

[Ankios]

Nice history

what are your goals here ? to keep just the confederation safe ? or expand it through the US/South America/the World ?

 

[Asalto]

Splendid start, I like your concept. Off course I'll follow!

 

[Sectorknight21]

@Little- Yep! Only reason why the song was featured was the fact that as I was writing the radio station that was on had played it three times in the span of 25 minutes. Expect to see a lot of pop culture cameos later on.

@Kurt_Steiner- Not quite yet, just one more crucial battle.....

@Ankios- First independence from the Union later I'll divulge into how the Confederacy managed to open its way to the Pacific, although it should come as no surprise who my unlucky neighbor shall be......

@Asalto- Great to have you along!

@ Everyone- Expect an update by tomorrow!

 

[Lighthearter]

YAY!! Updatez!!

- Lighthearter

 

[Sectorknight21]

Sorry about the delay, I was sick over the weekend.
Expect an update tomorrow.

 

[Sectorknight21]

".....although we have no obligation to live or die, upon these broken backs we trudge upon, we shall survive, and, God willing, we shall prevail"
-General Robert E. Lee​

Excerpt from Blood, Sweat, and Tears - A History of the Confederate States of America, Volume One; Secession (1974)

Chapter 23, The Battle of Philadelphia

Battle of Philadelphia, by Currier and Ives​

After the crushing Union defeat at Antietam as well General McClellan resignation on October 17th, the North was running out of options. And with Confederate General Bragg making bold advances into Kentucky they were going them soon. On October 21st Union spies in Richmond reported of the Lee's planned advance into Pennsylvania, Major General Ambrose Burnside, now commander of the Army of the Potomac correctly guessed where the strike would be, Philadelphia. All signs pointed to Philadelphia, it would be a strategically placed target to control as well as a propaganda victory, something that both the Confederacy and Union knew would swing European involvement and bring a decisive end to the war.

After the defeat at Antietam, the Army of the Potomac boasted much less of a numerical advantage over Confederate troops, but still having one none the less. Union troops were, however, much less in the advantage of moral, as crushing defeats wherever they turned, seemed to follow. However, Lee was still being forced to attack a heavily defended area against a better trained army.

So, on November 4th General Robert E. Lee lead a daring assault upon a heavily garrisoned Philadelphia which had rightfully earned the nickname of “Fortress Philadelphia” by its remaining civilian occupants. Lee's men were ragged and tired, most hadn't been home for months. Many begged for more time of rest. He said a short speech before sending his men forward on November 3rd, the emboldened section is inscribed in the Secession War Memorial in Richmond,

“We stand today on the brink, the brink of what could be independence for our nation, as well as what could be its utter destruction. Boys, you know the risks, we all know them. I have heard much talk of how we have no chance to win, how we will fail. Know this, although we have no obligation to live or die, upon these broken backs we trudge upon, we shall survive, and, God willing, we shall prevail”.

The assault began at 6:00 A.M from south-west as the Army of Northern Virginia went headlong into battle, meeting Union troops just a few miles from the city, it was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, which finally ended at 7:25 P.M. Despite no where near the casualties suffered at the Battle of Antietam, the death toll was still very much high. The Union suffered 10,052 casualties with Confederate casualties ranging in at somewhere near 3,201. Many more casualties were recorded as the siege of Philadelphia occurred and Army of the Potomac disbanded, however. After their defeat Union troops scattered, demoralized and hopeless, and with a large part of their Army gone many commanders surrendered as well (most notably Joseph Hooker and George Meade).

The Battle of Philadelphia was a major strategic and tactical victory for the Confederacy, as the managed to create a semi-ring around D.C. But most importantly, it signaled to European powers, Britain and France that the Confederacy was a dignified state, not just a few rebel uprisings. It proved that the Confederacy was more than willing to fight tooth and nail against near-impossible odds. And on December 3rd both Britain and France ordered a cease-fire and immediate peace negotiations, else the Union face military action.

The cease-fire was signed at 12:43 on December 3rd 1862 and a peace was to be negotiated in Charleston, South Carolina on December 12th. At the signing of the cease fire, both General Robert E. Lee and Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant were present. A popular tale is that that when Gen. Lee offered Lt. Gen. Grant a handshake, Grant brushed it aside only stating,

“Do you really think its over? No, we will meet again.”

 

[trekaddict]

I can see at least one more war between the states. Hopefully the Brits stay out of it and the Americans dont annex Canada during WW1.

 

[Sectorknight21]

I can see at least one more war between the states. Hopefully the Brits stay out of it and the Americans dont annex Canada during WW1.

Yep, but don't expetct any Canadian annexations. But a second war between the states maybe....

But really that series is my inspiration as long as you leave out the Nazi/fascist CSA.

 

[trekaddict]

US annexation of Canada is the most overdone thing in the history of Alternate History, so I'd apprechiate it if it didn't happen for once. Also, does this mean Canadian Alaska?

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Grant looks a bit revengeful... take it easy, man!

 

[Sectorknight21]

US annexation of Canada is the most overdone thing in the history of Alternate History, so I'd apprechiate it if it didn't happen for once. Also, does this mean Canadian Alaska?

Nope, no Canadian annexation, after all we need someone to lead the Entente; Haven't thought of Alaska, its true that the Union wouldn't have the funds or the public opinion to acquire it like it did in OTL.

Grant looks a bit revengeful... take it easy, man!

They may or may not meet again......

 

[Sectorknight21]

Excerpt from Blood, Sweat, and Tears - A History of the Confederate States of America, Volume One; Secession (1974)

Chapter 25, The Treaty of Charleston and Aftermath

The Treaty of Charleston​

The Treaty of Charleston is often viewed by the Confederacy as its “official birth”, no other statement could officially describe it better. The Treaty of Charleston forced the United States of America to officially recognize the Confederate States of America as a sovereign state. As well as border changes that benefited the Confederacy, which included,

The border state of Kentucky to be transferred to the Confederacy, this included a popular vote by the people of Kentucky, which received a vote of over 86% for secession from the Union.

Next, the Indian Territory (now known as Sequoyah) was also given as a war-spoil to the Confederacy, it continued to be a “autonomous republic” within the CSA until 1912.

Unfortunately on the fourth day of negotiations, talks stalled due to a heavily contested debate on the status of West Virginia. Several insults were exchanged, as well as a rumored exchange between Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Union President Abraham Lincoln in which Davis called Lincoln a “pompous jackass”, that was quickly quieted in the press for fears of even more negotiation stalls or worse a breakdown all together.

Finally, in the 20th of December, after eight days of negotiations and stalls, it was agreed that West Virginia would remain a Union state, in exchange for the Union territory of New Mexico.

This would be the first and last border change within the America's until the British purchase of Alaska from Russia and the 1880s with the Confederate-Mexican War, but it was very clear who stood on whose side, with the Confederacy clearly in the pro-Anglo sphere, which allowed it to benefit from trade from Europe, which also benefited the United Kingdom in allowing to keep US power in check. And with the US politically land-locked sought only an anti-European alliance with Mexico after the fall of the Second Mexican Empire in 1867.

After the Signing-

After the signing of the Treaty of Charleston, the streets of every Confederate city, town and village rang with church bells and cannon fire. People celebrated in their homes and waved Confederate flags and the Confederate army did a three hour march in Richmond finalized by a speech from President Jefferson Davis.

Far were the preoccupations of war and rationing, in a little over a year of the fieriest fighting ever experienced in North America, the war had been won. Now all that was left was an era known as Reconstruction. In which a jump start in interest in industry saw citizens leaving the fields in order to find better wages in factories.

Despite the obvious supreme rule of King Cotton, the cotton industry was beginning to enter its twilight. Something most politicians would never admit to. Alongside the decline of King Cotton, slavery was beginning to see subtle rates of decline, especially with public protests from Britain and France to end slavery "or else", which were totally unambiguous threats of economic and trade sanctions which never were taken seriously by both sides, but they still made their point.

Indeed the rest of the 1860s seemed to cause an even greater change in the South than the Secession War itself.​