Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and Gods and Generals.
Hello, Everyone. I know that this is becoming a habit. But I have a legit excuse. I was during summer school and now in the Fall semester in college as well as a part-time work-study job at the college. So, at times, I would stay up late studying and would put my own education above my own health. However, on 4th of July, I literally fell through my ceiling and hurt my back by landing on my ass. I am recovering and have (luckily) no injuries that require surgery. Although, I learned a crucial lesson and that is "stay on boards; never stand on the sheetrock!"
However, while I was busy, I have been thinking on the plot of the story in ending the war. I have been studying the terrain of the city called Falmouth. Yes, it is a real place. It is about 60 miles southeast of Cincinnati. It is surrounded by the South Fork Licking River and Licking River. It has high grounds that would make it the perfect battlefield. More will be explained in the chapter, I think. However, before I continue the story, there is something that I state and reply to. After I had posted the chapter before this one, a guest reviewer commented in a coarse and unprofessional manner. This is summarized version, "Do you hate your F**king country?" I will answer this by saying that I do not hate my country. In fact if I had the opportunity, I would be proud to die for it in times of war (I am not in the armed forces but support it) and am to live in it. The reason why I made this story was original to recreate the events that were happening during the war. However, as time went by, I was curious on how the South could have won the war. That being said, no, I am not one of those people that believe that the South was not fighting for slavery. I know better, Slavery was the main reason why the war happened. I read part of the Texas (my home state) and South Carolina (the state that left the union first) Ordnances of Secession; to which proves that the war was mostly about slavery. Now, Enough about this, on to the chapter.
July 1, 1862, at 9:30 A.M. Falmouth, Kentucky, C.S.A.
James watched as the troops got up and formed at the trenches. It has been a week and now Hancock's 2nd Ohio has finally arrived to fight. As each day passed, men from all over the state of Kentucky took James's offer and rode the military train's in Lexington and Frankfort to the grounds. So far over 10,000 men came with their own muskets or from the Frankfort Armory. Then the City Guard came with about 12,000 men. James smiled; currently his Army has about 122,000 men; while Hancock has 91,000 men. As President Lincoln ordered Hancock to send 3 corps over to support McClellan's Army of the Potomac and Heintzelman's Army of the Northeast. As his father's Army was discovered at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and the British Army in Maine was making a march towards Boston.
He will admit, he did not expect the British to make any kind of attack this soon, but perhaps it was because they may have learned something from the First War of Independence and War of 1812. James could tell that Lincoln was on a last breath of hope. For if he suffers anymore defeats in either front and then the war is lost. There will be no way that the Union will be to build a formidable force to hold back either front. Congress will demand an armistice and end to the war. However, James knew that he must ensure that will be a bond of friendship between the Union and the Confederacy. If nothing were done to attain that then in the future, there would be hate and rivalry between the Union and the Confederacy. Then the Union will try to gain allies that will help her conquer the south and do away with Confederacy. He knew that it must be his job to ensure that. "God provides the brains and the ability to achieve a person's desire, so then I must use them!" he thought to himself.
Then he thought about after the war, he believed that to achieve the goal, he will have to either be an ambassador or congressman. To him, it was obvious that Congress will be more efficient. Nevertheless, he will have to start in the House of Representatives; as everyone believed that he was 24. On his next birthday, he will be eligible to qualify to be a Representative of the House for the midterm 1864 Elections for both the House and Senate. He believed to help his goal even better was to form his own political party; especially to help make the confederacy a better place to live in. He already had an idea of the policies that his Party would follow, like Industrialization, Fiscal, and even Progressivism. Like this, the nation needs to be ready to progress into the coming new century. James feared that the growth of Imperialism in Europe will lead to a force of evil that history will forever know in the 20th century; a force that he believed will challenge the Confederacy's Independence. However, James knew that the future will not come if this battle was not won.
He looked over at where Hancock's tired army was formed up at across the other side of the South Fork Licking River. It was no doubt that this would not be a position that Hancock would wish to attack him at. If he were him, he would move over to his left and completely force him to follow him to Frankfort. As the river would be a challenge to crossover, especially for artillery. There are few bridges to use for only a Brigade at a time. Especially, since Hancock has even less Artillery and horses for Calvary than he had before leaving Cincinnati; thanks to Corporal Jessie James, who had been effective in stealing Cannon and Horses from Hancock's Army.
How he did that, he will never know. However, all that James cared about was that the mission was done and Hancock's Army is weak as well as tired. Since the Torpedoes took the Union by surprise and the number of hit & run attacks lowered their numbers. It was oblivious to James that Hancock is probably begging to President Lincoln to allow him to withdraw to the small town of Butler up north or force James to follow him to Frankfort. So, James decided to listen to the messages that were being exchanged, after having his other cavalry units connect him to the lines that Hancock was sending and receiving messages through. His officers had once asked him why not do what he did to Burnside at Versailles. To which he replied, "It was effective once, but twice is like knowing a Play by heart; you know that lines that are going to be spoken."
So he knew that it was best to know what is going to happen, instead of making it happen. James went into the tent used for telegraphs and decoding; as after Versailles the union begun using a code to protect their messages. However, all it took was a few well-paid Spies that were once for the union (but now for peace to be made) and then the code was cracked. So it was very easy to gain a victory when all people wanted is peace. As soon as he stepped inside the tent, a clerk handed him a letter that was just decoded. James thanked him as he read the message. General Hancock, You are ordered by the President to attack the Rebels as soon as possible. Secretary of War: Stevenson James smiled as he knew that exact place that Hancock is going to attack first.
Union Camp of the 2nd Ohio
Winfield Hancock looked at the map that was drawn by scouts that went ahead of the Army. He stared at the way that the enemy was developed across. James Lee was completely entrenched and the advantages of the river. The river would slow would slow his Army down, especially with the fact that Jamie Lee stole about a quarter of his cannon and horses. How this happened, he still has no idea. However, this meant that this battle will be more costly on his side. Lee…well, he would barely have a scratch with those trenches and other weapons of defense that he built. Hell, he just learned that Lee built a road that would transport the food and supplies from the side of the front to another; it is even made to have the movement of reserve in troops that Lee needs to hold the line.
"This is not the place to fight a battle against Lee. He has too many advantages on his side. We should have Lee follow us to Frankfort. However, the President will not approve such a move, especially with the papers demanding a quick victory or an armistice." He thought.
Then came in the message to attack Lee from Secretary of War: John Stevenson. Hancock signed, this first day will be costly. With his Army already tired from the continuous skirmishes by Jessie James and the torpedoes that the Army hit at a junction not far from Falmouth. He could tell that the morale was low and there were already desertions everywhere in his Army. He knew that he had to attack James Lee at a place that will force him to move out of the trenches and possibly withdraw from the battlefield.
The heights that are looking over the town that Beauregard's 1st Corps were occupying that would be the place to push James far enough to reform his lines out of the trenches. However, the problem was how many reserves did Lee have in support? With 3 corps less than he received, he would be at risk of being overwhelmed by Lee's Army unless he received reinforcements. But the President will not make such a move as the Union was in danger of being dissolved. Without any other option, he gave General Banks Corps the order to attack Lee at the town heights. He, then, decided to have McDowell and Reynolds Corp's to attack Lee's center to cause a distraction.
12:30 P.M.
James watched from behind the front lines of General George Pickett's division as they continued to hold back against the stubborn Yankee's. They kept coming and coming up the Hill that overlooked Falmouth, like as if they were determined to win this war with the impossible odds that are against them. James could not help, but admire these blue boys as they are willing to die in the belief of preserving the Union. He watched as troops that came from General Nathaniel Banks Corps, making multiple attacks in hopes of tiring out the Virginian boys of Pickett's Division and the Corps of General Beauregard. In the field ahead, he could see the piles of blue bodies that fell to the strong defenses of the Southern Army.
He then heard General Pickett yell to his men, "Stand fast, boys! General Lee is watching, let us shows that we are proud to fight with our fellow Virginian General."
The men cheered as they continued firing at the valley of charging Yankee's.
General Pickett rode over to James on a brown horse and having a smile that reminded James of a Child on Christmas. He saluted James, as he was right beside him.
James greeted back as he asked "General Pickett, what is the status of your men?"
"General Lee, my men are still strong and willing to fight. We still have plenty of ammunition to kill everyone of them Yankee's sooner or later, they will give up." General Pickett replied.
"excellent. Just keep the Yankee's at bay. It is imperative that we have control of this hill."
"Don't worry, sir, we will not let you down."
James nodded as he decided to ride with Traveler over to his command tent. He repeatedly sent messages to his father on what should and needs to be done all the way at Gettysburg. It was not easy to control two fronts at the same time, but James was very efficient at it and it was part of his duties as General-In-Chief of the Confederate Army. So far, he learned that McClellan is engaging his father, but has failed to gain any ground and loses a high number of troops. His father estimated that it that the number of dead Yankee's is about 10,000. It would definitely not be a good number for the Yankee Newspapers to learn.
Then as the day went on, James got reports that Reynolds and McDowell's Corps were advancing to engaged Johnston and Bragg's Corps. James smirked as he knew that there are torpedoes placed on the land that divided between the river and the Confederate trenches. So there will already be causalities before they even fire a shot. This will do without a doubt cause some rout inside of the ranks as they advanced. Although, in case if they are putting more pressure than expected, then he will have his Brother Robert Jr.'s Corps behind the other corps for emergencies.
He gave the orders to the courier, who saluted James as he rode off. James turned his attention to the positions of Johnston's and Bragg's Corps; as they were being engaged by the 2 Yankee Corps. He could see McDowell's smaller corps was in a double column by Divisions were in the midst of routing as they suffered the most causalities. James could see the piles of blue coats that was laying on the ground dead, most were killed by the torpedoes that were planted. James looked to where Reynolds Corps were advancing. He could see that the whole corps, too, is in double column; using the second row as a reserve as the first row began marching and firing. It was very effective as each brigade took a few steps and fired, as the second row moved ahead and got a few more steps ahead of the first rows position to fire off a volley.
However, there was one flaw to the tactic. It made it very easy for the Confederate cannons to fire massive amounts of cannons balls and explosive shells at the Yankee's. Even with the ones that Jessie James managed to steal for him. Slowly it was becoming a slaughter house as the cannons were tearing up Reynolds lines. It was then James noticed that the second line began to retreat after an hour of intensive artillery firing upon them. He watched as they ran towards the river and the strangest thing happened. He saw a man in an ornate blue Uniform riding up to the lines to reform his men. James could tell that this man was a General from his binoculars. However, he was not sure which type. He was pretty sure that it was not Hancock because this General had a much larger beard than what he saw in the Yankee newspapers of Hancock. Then suddenly, a cannonball exploded right behind the poor General and his horse. It was obvious that he was wounded by the explosion as he fell right on the earth in front of his horse and then came another explosive round hit the horse. The horse severely wounded and dying fell on top of his rider. His men already shocked by the amount of cannon firing at them ran like flies and began to move even faster to the safety of the river and bridge. Only a handful stayed to help the dying General out of the dead horse on top of him and carried him to nearby Hospital.
James felt sorry for the man as he knew that shrapnel inside the cannon balls would no doubt deal a mortal wound to a man. He knew that the chances of him surviving were slim. He felt even sorrier for the family of that General, losing a member of the family is something that he never wishes to experience. It was one of those things that gave him the desire to end this war as soon as possible; his brothers all volunteered in the Confederate Army at the start of the war. When he got the position of General-In-Chief, he wanted to give them all desk jobs; but he knew that if he did that they would never forgive him. So he allowed them to have an active duty.
He tried to stop thinking about it as he watched the first line of Yankee's were all running as they heard the news that the General was severely wounded. The entire engagement at the center lasted for only a couple of hours, James knew that Hancock was most likely done in this section for today. However, James was not as it was only the opening act and he was going to wait where Hancock is vulnerable; then he is going to show him the finishing act. An act that would have the entire Yankee Army on run to Butler. It was something he orders to be made during the construction of the trenches. He had this idea in his pocket since Versailles, in case it was needed for only one time.
He did not want to waste a trick like this. Although, he wondered what will history will say about him when he does this action. Will he be known as a monster like Genghis Khan or a hero like George Washington? He knew it depends on the side that asks that question. It is one thing to be remembered as a man that fought a nation that he was once loyal to, in the honor of his home state of Virginia. Virginia was his blood. If she dies then so does he. Her heart controls his determination to fight in her honor and glory. Should her heart stop beating then he will have nothing to live for.
Then he received a message from his father at Gettysburg, saying:
My Son,
We have managed to hold on to the heights and suffered little causalities. Although, I cannot say the same for the Federals as the field is covered with their dead and wounded. Tomorrow, shall we continue the battle with Meat or Fruit Rations?
Your Loving Farther,
Robert E. Lee
C.S.A. General of the Army of Northern Virginia
James smiled as he knew what that last sentence meant. His father was asking whether he should continue letting McClellan to attack (in the code of Fruit Rations) or attack McClellan at first light when he least expects it (in the code of Meat Rations). He did this to confuse McClellan, in case he was listening to his messages and was going to take advantage of it. Plus, it was entertaining the thought of what Lincoln and McClellan are thinking that each one of the two means.
"Tell him to continue with the Fruit Rations," James ordered the telegraph, officer.
"Yes, sir." The soldier saluted with much confusions and hesitation.
James laughed as he listenings everything went quiet. The sound of silence was intense as there was not a sound that could be heard in the camps. James then realized that the fight over at the town heights must be over and that Pickett, as well as Bueragrad, held on as they pushed the Yankee's back. He looked at the time on his pocket watch and saw that it was forty minutes past three. He decided to see what the current condition of Pickett's division was. Slowly, he rode over to the heights and thought of the coming peace that he knew that he would enjoy.
July 2, 1862
9:00 A.M.
It was at Breakfast when James begin to seriously consider the plan he laid out. He really was not sure about it. The hole the project would create will be an obstacle and a massacre to climb over, so he knew that they must go around it. Several Divisions of Forrest's Cavalry Corps would be needed to direct both Granger's and McMahon's Corps around it. This would be the best route as if the Infantry just charged ahead into the crater then they will be trapped in the crater and surrounded by Yankee's, who would without a doubt make it into a turkey shoot. This would be a tremendous morale boost for the retaliation and press, who will indeed create a war cry that will lead the Yankee's united under Lincoln. This was something James needs to avoid or else the war will turn.
However, he cannot attack the Yankee's like they did to him yesterday; that will get him nowhere. Even if they do not have as much cannon as he does, the river will slow his men down to where the Yankee's will aim at them like as if they were hunting for fish. He knew that this move will be the only way to have Hancock running and for him to play chase with him all the way to Ohio. He called for the Chief Engineer of his useful Engineer Division, these were the men he could count on to complete an engineering task that required hard work and determination; they were willing to build anything that James needed. They were even ready to make him his own plantation in Virginia after the war.
Before Hancock had arrived, James had them construct a massive tunnel that had several chambers at places that he assumed where Hancock would put his army. The chambers that the Yankee army were above them would be filled with a large amount of gun powered and explosives after the order was given. Then after that task was completed, a long line of fuses would be set up from the barrels to the entrance of the tunnels. James was still not sure about this plan, he felt that it was dirty. Like as if it was a sin against God to fight at this level of extreme. He remembered what he told Colonel Freemantle about Warfare changing, but this is a radical change. He always did not like a radical shift for he believed it was something that should not be down at a quick pace. Some things need more something for a change.
When the Chief Engineer came to see him, he knew that it was now or never. He could feel his lips dry out as he gave the orders for chambers 1 and 2 to be filled with explosives. The Chief Engineer nodded as he saluted happily at James, as he went to start the orders he had been given by the famous General Harry James Lee also known as the Napoleon of the Confederacy.
James closed his eyes as he wept tears hoping that the heavenly father will forgive him for the sins that he will commit on this day. He went to his journal to write in his memoirs of how he felt about this move and the possible aftereffects that would come. He kept this journal with him since the start of the war, as a book that will explain to future generations of how the Confederate War of Independence was fought and won. He read Napoleon's Memoirs and was inspired to be someone great; someone, that was not afraid to die for his country or state. It was only fair that people will hear his thoughts of his strength to fight; just like he read Napoleon's.
In the next hour, he decided to ride over to where the entrance to the tunnel was. He watched as he saw his men loading barrels of gunpowder in the entrance. They rolled it careful to the chambers that were to be filled. James watched as the men were joking about what a 'Good Rebel Morning' it will be for the Yankee's. James always looked as he decided to check on both General Granger's 6th British Corps and McMahon's French Corps. As he did not want to be there to see the mighty explosion that was going to surprise the enemy.
2nd Ohio Camps
10:32 A.M.
Winfield Hancock was nervous and scared. He was sweating from every pore in his body, as his uniform became soaked with his own sweat. The reason being was that his adversary in the Army of Northern Kentucky was quite in communications with Richmond, Virginia. Lee was always sending telegraph messages to someone at least every hour. Like yesterday, during the disastrous attack, he kept sending to both Richmond and Bobby Lee in Gettysburg on the current situation over here in Falmouth. If Jamie Lee is quite then, something was going to happen and it was not going to be good for him. That something is what scares him, what exactly could James be up to? Is he going to attack him? Is he going to pass around and play follow the leader to Ohio? Or is he going to raid his forces of their weapons and supplies again?
He is in the unknown and is pretty sure that Jamie Lee knows that; so he is going to do something that he will not forget. He sent another message to the President asking him to give permission to move to Ohio and fortify quickly. But he was denied and instructed to continue the engagement as well as that reinforcements will arrive by the end of the week. Hancock knew Lee, the probably knows that is going to do something to delay those reinforcements. Winfield even believed that by the time they arrive, his Army will already be eliminated. So he had two options: disobey a presidential order and retreat back to Ohio or continue the fight and pray that the reinforcements arrive to support him.
He looked at his pocket watch and noticed that it was 10:50 A.M. He knew that it take at least 5 hours till the Army is ready to withdraw. So it was better to start now and escape from whatever idea Lee had. He was just about to give the order to have his army prepare to withdraw from the city until suddenly. BOOM! And the ground around him shock; knocking him down to the ground. Hancock knew what cannons sounded like but that this was no cannon. It felt like it was coming from underground. He was in fear, was this what Lee planned and where was it from? He could not comprehend that it could have happened to his own lines. Then came a second explosion. This one was just as powerful as it too knocked Hancock to the ground.
He quickly got up and ran outside of his tent to see right in front of him were two large black smoke clouds in the shape of mushrooms, located where the Corps of both General's Hooker, Sickles, and Reynolds or what remains of it.
"This was his plan the whole time. He had another reason to have me here. He is attacking me by having my Army divided by two crater's. Lee is fighting in depths that no man has seen before. With the two crater's, He is going to have his men charge and then rip my men to scatters. And he has nothing to stop him now.", Hancock thought.
However, He was going to try to plug in the gaps. Everything that can be done will be done, even if it was in vein. Quickly he gave the order for Sykes Corps, who was supporting Banks tired Corps near the town, to move to the craters and assist in defending against the incoming rebels. However, one thing that he did not think, that too was what James anticipated him to do and would make a move that Hancock did not expect.
James looked ahead from the small town of Morgan to see the huge mushroom cloud on the Yankee lines. He wept as he knew that the sin was done and now he had to pray to God for forgiveness. Slowly, he looked away and looked at the lines of British and French troops; who were in awe and shock at the size of the explosion as well as its aftermath. James did not want to see what his sin had done but knew that everything in it was inhumane.
Then he thought, "War is inhumane!"
However, he knew that it is too late to change the past, he must go through with this as he remembered that he is fighting for his home state of Virginia. That is what important, his home. His home is why he is fighting against the nation that he had once been a proud citizen of. He knew that this war has been already bloody and painful to all sides as well as that with this move he could bring this war even closer to an end. He quickly gave the order for Granger and McMahon's Corps to advance around the crater's.
He watched as the British and French advanced, as the French Musicians played a loud song that he was sure Lincoln could hear at Washington. James remembered hearing those musicians play the song at the welcoming Military Parade back in Frankfort. If there were one word that James could describe the song, then it would be exquisite. He remembered talking with a young French Colonel Jean Delacour explaining to him that it is called La Victoire est a Nous; which is means "Victory is ours" in French. It was the song that played for the Old Guards attack on Wellington's center at Waterloo. James could see how Napoleonic these French troops were, even though they were most they are a part of the Foreign Legion. They had uniforms that were identical to the Napoleonic Wars. He thought the French as people that were firm and fair at Europe.
However, He knew that Napoleon the Third was going to make a move in North America while the Union was busy in trying to keep itself together and united. If he were him, he would challenge the Monroe doctrine and expand his influence of a Monarchy upon Mexico; so that he can gain a valuable ally in America. The reason Mexico would be the choice is because of its past as an unstable country. As it went through more governments than he can count. It was obvious to him that Napoleon would demand in return for helping in the war, that the Confederacy assists him in this plan.
James was not sure if he should be worried over this until he heard someone call his name. He turned and saw that it was a courier from his brother's, Robert Lee Jr, Reserve Corps.
"Sir, forgive me, your brother has instructed me to ask you if he can commence his flanking attack on Banks unsupported Corps?"
James began to think for at minute as he looked back to where he could see that Granger and MacMahon have successful managed to go around the crater's. They were now in the process of pushing the Yankee's back and dealing a heavy blow to them. He could see that the Yankee's were tired and fighting hard to make some kind of difference. It was then he knew now is the perfect moment.
"Now! Now! Now is the moment to end this battle and bring this war to a quicker end. Then I can go and beg for forgiveness to the Lord." He thought to himself.
He nodded as he said, " Yes! Yes, he may. He can tell that he can begin his attack to push the enemy off the field and if he desires reinforcements to let me know."
The courier nodded as he gave a quick salute and rode off to belay the orders for his General.
James looked back at the ensuing battle at the top of the craters. As he waited to see the end of it as he knew if he wins this war is fully won and the Yankee's will never be able to mount a counteroffensive ever again in this front of the war. This battle was already bloody, but he knew that it was just about to get even bloodier as the day ended. He could hear the screams of men from both sides, as well as the piles and piles of bodies in different colors, fall into the crater after being slain. He watched as this battle would last for another 5 hours as the Yankee's were being pushed into so many directions after their right flank was routed and running towards Ohio. They could only take so much, especially as his brother was attacking from their left flank. Then came in Beauregard's corps from Falmouth, where the pressure was too much and the whole Yankee Army began retreating to Ohio. Leaving their dead, wounded, and medical equipment behind without a second thought.
He gave orders for the enemies wounded to be treated and given the utmost care. There was even a large number of Yankee Prisoners of War. He had his men count both the dead, wounded, and captured Yankee's to see how much exactly did Hancock lose. It turns out that Hancock lost more than a third of his Army; 37,000 men and out of that 21,000 were dead. James smiled a little, with losses like that the only thing Hancock can do is be on the defensive and hope for a miracle. Then James began thinking that he should follow Hancock and catch him at a point to force him to surrender. However, his men were still tired from the 2 days of fighting. But they were still willing to follow him in any impossible task. He could feel their loyalty to him.
He decided that while his father was still fighting over at Gettysburg and forcing McClellan to attack till he makes a mistake. This way even if Lincoln is still stubborn after hearing of Hancock's and soon McClellan's defeat, the news of Hancock's future surrender will give him no choice but to negotiate peace or face a possible Impeachment from Congress. James felt a thrill of excitement as he knew that soon the war will be over and the blood spilling will end. Then his lovely state of Virginia will be safe at last and independent from the Yankee's.
"Hancock's Army is most likely still an unorganized mob. It will be like Manassas all over again, only this time the Confederacy takes the advantage." He thought to himself, trying to forget about his feelings about the sins that he committed.
He gave the orders to Tonks, Bragg, Johnston, and Rob to have their corps ready to peruse for Hancock's Army. It turned out that his gamble paid off a few days later.
August 5th, 1862
Washington, D.C.
Executive Mansion, Oval Office
"Are you sure there is not a way that the Southern States will rejoin the union? Seeing as they have proven their determination to preserve the institution of slavery, "asked a desperate Lincoln to James.
James could not help but admire the stubbornness in wanting to keep the Union as one. It has been weeks since he managed to defeat Hancock's Army at Falmouth and then surround him about 20 miles northwest of Falmouth. It was very easy as Hancock was just trying to get his Army back to Ohio as soon as possible. However, as soon as James managed to surround the General, he surrendered immediately to save lives. He made an Unconditional surrender that he signed in front of James as a photograph was taken of the event.
Then he heard the news of McClellan's defeat at Gettysburg on the 4th of July. It turned out that the Yankee General tired his Army enough to where as soon as General Jackson attacked it was a very quick rout of the whole Yankee. Then began the march to When the news came to the Yankee newspapers, the Yankee began demanded an Armistice or else Lincoln will face an Impeachment. Lincoln complied and on July 15th, he negotiate with the Coalition forces of the Confederates, French, and British. James was happy to hear the news as it was now clear that the War is won and that the South is now free of the Yankees. However, he knew he had one more thing to do to ensure it was over for good. He sent a private correspondence to President Davis in asking to be a part of the Peace Commission that would be negotiating with Yankee's in ending this war in a permanent manner.
President Davis was happy to put James in the Commission; in fact he made him in charge of the Commission. He headed the Commission with Vice-President Alexander Stephens and Secretary of State Robert Toombs. James was determined to make peace in any way possible to end a strong friendship between the two nations sure. However, he was not going to demand a lot; only the areas that were run by the Confederacy. He could tell that Stephens had a different idea and wanted a lot from the Union. It obvious that James will have to control him and decided to speak before Stephens causes problems.
"Mr. Lincoln, you must understand that the Confederacy has already voted to leave the Union and that we are not fighting for slavery anymore. We fought for our independence from the Union. The child has already left the house and has become independent enough to not live off his parents.", James explained to the disgraced President.
Abraham Lincoln smiled at the last part as he nodded while Stephen glared daggers at James. Stephens was a little bit over 50 years old with signs of aging over his face, eyes that are light brown, and wore a professional business suit.
He then asked, "and what exactly is it that the Southern States demand with their independence?"
Stephens was about to answer the question, but James quickly beat him to it.
"Both me and President Davis have agreed that we want the Union to recognize the Independence of the Confederate States along with that the organized territory in Confederate control below the 37th Parallel, and for state of Maryland to hold a referendum in determining whether or not to join the Confederacy. That's all and no reparations."
"WHAT?", Stephens yelled at James.
"Is that so? but you are asking for a lot of land in return of the promise of peace. Especially where the Southern States will have half of California in their sphere.", Lincoln said, who was a little shocked for he expects to hear some kind of significant demand that was bigger than that.
"Me and the President also agreed that in return the Confederacy will hand over half of the state of Missouri above the river and Ohio County in Virginia; also, should Maryland stay in the Union then Virginia will also give up the counties of Accomack and Northampton to the Union," James explained.
The 16th President of the United States did not know what to think, he really did not want to accept the deal. However, he knew that the people were losing hope in the stability in keeping the Union together. His only hope now was to make peace and start a reconstruction process for the Union. If the Rebels were demanded reparations, then it will be easy to repair the Union.
"If it goes through Congress, then I will sign it." he replied.
James nodded as he said "Very well, we are done for the day. You have a beautiful day, Mr. Lincoln."
Slowly, he walked out of the office with Stephens behind him. Just as he walked out and got to the end of the hallway, Stephens pushed him against the wall.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? Have you got no honor for the South? Of course, Slavery is what we fought for. And what about the reparations, how do you suppose the South should be repaired after fighting this war without them?", Alexander Stephens growled.
"The South can increase its exports to help in the reconstruction process. And sir, Slavery may have been what we fought for in the beginning; however, that has changed, we fought for States Rights and the Independence of the Confederacy. I understand that you have a different opinion on the spoils of war, but the President has left me in charge of negotiations. So if you have a problem with me, you can telegraph the President." James replied calmly.
"You know what you do whatever you want because the President will most likely ignore me on the issue. I will not take part in a scheme to destroy the values of the South; and you better watch it, Lee, because not everyone has the same opinion that you have over those God damn Negros and will want to stomp you like the little Niger lover you are." Stephens exclaimed as he let go of James and walked away.
James shook his head as he thought Stephens was thinking politically of what he said and his reputation was already strong enough that his views will not damage it. If only he knew that Stephens also meant physically in the next few years.
Finally, I am done with this chapter and soon I put James on his own timeline. Again, I am sorry for taking so long. I have been busy and soon I plan to do the BA-MA fast-track program for History at College; however, I will try to work on the chapters whenever I have the time. Now, I would like to remind people of the challenge that I have posted in this story. This is what is required:
Harry must be either raised by a famous person or reincarnated of a famous person.
If Harry is raised by a famous, he must return to his timeline during or before any of the school years
Harry must somehow change the Muggle World, Magical World, or both. If he is raised by a famous person, he can change the past, present, or both.
Relationships: Harry and anyone female or Harry/Harem. Absolutely no slash.
Now on things that are allowed and are your choice:
Harry can go to war against the Ministry of Magic.
Harry can have any Royal titles of any kind.
Manipulative Dumbledore
Blashing from the Weasley's
Super Harry/ Godlike Harry
If Harry is sorted at Hogwarts, he can go to any house (even new ones).
Harry can go to any magical school.
Although I would like to see a story where Harry is raised by Napoleon Bonaparte or FDR; but that is just me. You can choose whoever you like, except Adolf Hitler. If you have any questions or concerns, just send me a private message.
