The Dominion's Dilemma: The United States of British America (94 page)
Read The Dominion's Dilemma: The United States of British America Online
Authors: James F. Devine
“Drive up and down the Mississippi from Cincinnati to New Orleans and squeeze the rebels as a large snake constricts and crushes its surrounded prey. At the same time we will use this weapon,” he waved his right arm in the general direction of the front lines, “to push south to Richmond.”
There was silence as the G-G’s party, which included Secretary Cass, General Thayer and, inevitably, Colonel Burr, digested the plan.
“I see now why you called it the ‘Anaconda Strategy’ when you opened the briefing, General.” Wellington sounded---for him---impressed. “I have read of this ferocious reptile, this so-called ‘Anaconda’ snake. South American, isn’t it…
“Mmm, yes. I believe this strategy could do the trick…”
Wellington turned to the G-G and spoke formally: “I concur with General Scott’s overall strategy, Mr. Governor-General. It is more than thorough. It is all-inclusive. Naturally, tactical mistakes and accidents will occur. Can’t be helped. Wars aren’t fought on map boards but out in conditions often primitive and subject, as we have seen, to the whims of Mother Nature.
“But it is my recommendation, Mr. Governor, that you order General Scott to proceed.”
After a quick glance at Colonel Burr, who was smiling and also nodding affirmatively, the G-G looked to Scott.
“So, General, your plan is accepted and approved. Now then, how can we help you?”
Scott drew himself up to his full six-foot-seven and adjusted the ceremonial sword at his waist. He glanced from the Duke to the G-G, seemingly looking through the Secretary of War as if Cass was invisible.
“The first thing you can do, Mr. Governor, is build me an inland navy…”
AFTERWORD
Alternate history is, by definition, a novel and therefore fiction. None of the real-life characters portrayed were involved in all of the activities, nor necessarily said, what I have them doing and saying. But many were in positions akin to those I have placed them in…and some reacted in ways similar to how I have portrayed them.
Davy Twiggs, for instance, never turned Fortress Monroe over to the real life Confederacy in return for a general’s commission. But he did surrender the Military District of Texas and, in return, was named a full CSA general. Winfield Scott was too old to put his Anaconda strategy into effect in 1861…but that strategy was the basis for U.S. Grant’s 1864 coordinated multi-theater strategy.
From the conception, it was my intention to make this story as realistic as possible. Alternate history does not need time travel; alien invasions; vampires; climatological cataclysms and angry gods and spirits to be interesting to the non-history buff. It is my conceit that placing historical figures in settings to which the average reader can relate, utilizing their limited knowledge of actual history, makes the yarn both more plausible and more entertaining.
And why wouldn’t Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, John C. Calhoun and the rest have risen to prominence in an America recognizable to the reader…but with that point of diversion of 1776?
Students of American and British history will of course understand the “inside baseball” references and connections: Andrew Jackson did publicly proclaim his intention to “shoot Henry Clay and horsewhip John C. Calhoun before I leave office.” Palmerston and the British cabinet did roundly curse “that fool of a Sultan.” And Robert E. Lee famously wrestled with his conscience before resigning his commission, an act Scott did tell him was the “biggest mistake of your life.” (Francis P. Blair, Sr. did not question Calhoun’s verbal excesses with the attributed quote. The later British prime minister, Benjamin Disraeli, is credited with the remark, possibly regarding Lord Randolph Churchill. However, it was sitting there and seemed so very apropos…so.)
The mists of time have also obscured some characters I have utilized here: there was indeed a Princess von Lieven, who shook up the European diplomatic world from roughly 1810 to 1850. The real Richard Lawrence (a house painter, not a bartender) did in fact attempt to assassinate Jackson in the Capitol Rotunda; Davy Crockett in real life knocked his weapons away in time. The list, as sharp-eyed history buffs will attest, goes on.
Of the fictional characters, some are pure creation…and some are tributes to other, greater authors. Alistair Tudsbury in Constantinople is a tip of the hat to
Herman Wouk’s
War & Remembrance
books. The amoral Russian secret agent, Count Nicholas, is offered as the father of a major villain in George MacDonald Fraser’s incredible
Flashman
series.
And yes, those minor character names that may have jumped out at sports fans are named after baseball, football, hockey and track stars.
A few of the major fictional characters are modeled on actual people of the period. Sally “Buck” Preston, a noted Southern belle who drove numerous Confederate officers, notably John Bell Hood, to distraction can be discerned in Lucille Latoure, as can the Confederate spy Rose O’Neal Greenhow. David Harper is loosely based on Lincoln’s bachelor second secretary, John Hay.
Other names may jump out at certain readers: the mistress of Twin Peaks; a Tuscaloosa, Ala. inn. And, of course, those of a certain age who grew up in northeastern Bergen County, NJ may recognize a few other establishments and people.
Finally: Aaron Burr. Burr was a mere afterthought when this book was first imagined. But the Colonel soon became too fabulous a character to hold down. If any literary license is to be requested for what is, after all, a work of fiction, it is the liberal employment of Burr. Yet, it is not hard to imagine the Colonel right in the thick of things, pulling strings and offering counsel as depicted.
James F. Devine III
Dumont, NJ
12/24/2012
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With the publication of his first novel, James F. Devine III closes the circle in a communications career begun as the sports editor of the
Mighty High Times
at Bergenfield, NJ High School. Mr. Devine has spent more than 35 years as a communication executive, primarily in the petroleum marketing industry, specializing in advertising and media and industry relations. A native of Brooklyn, NY, he served as a public information specialist in the USAF and has been a journalist, writing for both newspapers and trade publications, as well as a trade association executive. Mr. Devine, a graduate of Ramapo College of NJ, has resided for most of his life in and around the area of northeastern Bergen County, NJ once called Schraalenburgh.
ABOUT THE COVER
CathyAnn Fasano is a graphic designer /illustrator in Old Tappan, NJ. She can be reached at
[email protected]
.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONELexington, VirginiaOctober 20, 1870 This
CHAPTER TWOGeorgetown, D.C.December 17, 1832:
CHAPTER THREEGeorgetown, D.C.December 20, 1832:
CHAPTER FOURLondon, EnglandJanuary 4, 1833:
CHAPTER FIVEGeorgetown, D.C.December 23, 1832:
CHAPTER SIXSt. Petersburg, RussiaDecember 23, 1832:
CHAPTER SEVENLondon, EnglandJanuary 18, 1833:
CHAPTER NINE Somewhere in the MidAtlantic January 19, 1833:
CHAPTER TENGeorgetown, D.C.January 31, 1833:
CHAPTER ELEVENGeorgetown-Baltimore RoadFebruary 1, 1833:
CHAPTER TWELVEGeorgetown, D.C.February 2, 1833:
CHAPTER THIRTEENGeorgetown. D.C.February 4, 1833:
CHAPTER FOURTEENGeorgetown, D.C.February 4, 1833:
CHAPTER FIFTEENGeorgetown, D.C.February 8, 1833:
CHAPTER SIXTEENNew York CityFebruary 8, 1833:
CHAPTER SEVENTEENNew York CityFebruary 9, 1833:
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN On the Road to Georgetown February 10-12, 1833:
CHAPTER NINETEENGeorgetown, D.C.February 12, 1833:
CHAPTER TWENTYLondon, EnglandFebruary 13, 1833:
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONEGeorgetown, D.C.Early Evening,February 13, 1833:
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWOLondon, EnglandFebruary 14, 1833:
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREEWar DepartmentGeorgetown, D.C.February 16, 1833:
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURThe ResidencyGeorgetown, D.C.February 18, 1833:
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVEFrench ConsulateGeorgetown, D.C.February 26, 1833:
CHAPTER-TWENTY SIXThe ResidencyGeorgetown, D.C.February 28, 1833:
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN British Liaison Office Georgetown, D.C. March 1, 1833, 1 p.m.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHTAlexandria Highway
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINEGeneral Scott’s TownhouseGeorgetown, D.C.
CHAPTER THIRTYThe ResidencyGeorgetown, D.C.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONEThe ResidencyGeorgetown, D.C.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWOConstantinople, Ottoman Empire
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE Tuscaloosa, Alabama April 2, 1833, 3:30 p.m.:
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOURCranford PlantationAlexandria, VirginiaApril 7, 1833:
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVEUSBA Military AcademyWest Point, New YorkMay 1, 1833:
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIXLiaison OfficeGeorgetown, D.C.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVENCharleston, South Carolina, Harbor
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHTUSBA Capitol BuildingGeorgetown, D.C.June 5, 1833:
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINEGeorgetown, D.C.June 9, 1833:
CHAPTER FORTY Georgetown, D.C. June 12, 1833, 9:30 a.m.:
CHAPTER FORTY-ONECapitol Building RotundaCapitol Hill
CHAPTER FORTY-TWOThe ResidencyJuly 14, 1833
CHAPTER FORTY-THREEThe ResidencyGeorgetown, D.C.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOURLatoure TownhouseGeorgetown, D.C.September 13, 1833
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVEWar DepartmentGeorgetown, D.C.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIXCatoctin Mountain, Maryland
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVENThe ResidencyOctober 25, 1833,
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHTCentreville, Virginia
