The Dominion's Dilemma: The United States of British America

by James Devine

  The broken I Corps was a different story: its self-respect would not, of course, be restored until it had successfully fought the enemy. The 1st was being reorganized ruthlessly from the company ranks up by the Commanding General himself.

  Discipline was now hard-fisted, even brutal. Former officers were broken to the ranks, if not cashiered. Newly arriving Regulars from the West were inserted at every level in every regiment…and were drilling these men heartlessly.

  Colonel Hitchcock had been promoted to Corps commander, while the hard-eyed half-pay, Colonel Hodges, had stepped up to head the 1st Division. Colonel Kearny was transferred to the II Corps to take Colonel Sumner’s place when ‘the Bull’ was given command of the newly organized Cavalry Corps. Colonel Felton was promoted to command of Kearny’s old 2nd Division, I Corps. These were all organizational promotions; everyone understood General Scott was in no mood to recommend increases in rank anytime soon.

  Scott had authored this massive reorganization days of arriving at Centreville and interviewing the surviving commanders. He had also personally overseen the retraining and had signed off on the reassignment of each I Corps regiment from the Alexandria camp. Despite the threat, however diminishing each day, of a Confederate advance, they were released to the front only when he was convinced they were ready.

  The lines had been gradually, gingerly, extended east and west, with the latest reorganized I Corps regiments sliding into the center. They were now to be joined by the first of seven new regiments coming down from Carlisle. These, too, would be slid into the line. But only after Scott was satisfied of their discipline and command structure. The cavalry, meanwhile, reorganized by Colonel Sumner into a separate arm, was patrolling each end of the line (which were refused to protect against the deadly CSA flank attack tactic), as well as in the no-man’s land leading back to the Rebel lines near the juncture where Wool had departed for Sudley Springs.

  Scott now nodded his approval as he studied an updated map at his headquarters in the old Rocky Run Episcopal Chapel, a map based on information from Sumner and Tom Wilder’s elite scouts. He’d have plenty to tell Wellington and the G-G when they arrived this afternoon. Including the long-term strategy he had thought out during his convalescence. A strategy he had nicknamed Anaconda.

  ___________

  Confederate White House

  November 16, 1833, 11 a.m.:

  “With Zach Taylor reporting the Dominions are going into winter camp, Mr. President, we can proceed with our plans for the West.”

  President Calhoun looked across his desk to Secretary of War Gratiot and General Gaines, the Confederate Army’s chief of staff. They were presenting the latest report by the commander of the CSA force, now increasingly called the Army of Northern Virginia, facing the Dominion Army north of Bull Run. The report included an estimate that the USBA army would not venture beyond its Centreville lines until spring.

  “General Taylor is apparently convinced Scott will not resume their invasion until late March or early April, despite the steady movement forward of new regiments,” said Gaines.

  “That estimate, of course, is predicated,” Calhoun looked down at the report on his desk, “on the willingness to believe the reports that Scott has indeed resumed command.”

  “I think that can be safely assumed, Mr. President.” General Gaines pulled a week-old Georgetown newspaper from his pouch. “The Yankees announced Scott’s resumption of command the same day they reported this rather…fanciful…account of the battle. To sugarcoat the bitter pill, so to speak…”

  The headlines in Blair’s Globe called the fight a “reconnaissance in force” leading to a “redeployment” of the Dominion Army to Centreville. The article stressed that, in heavy fighting, the USBAA had moved some 15 miles deeper into Virginia and therefore closer to Richmond.

  General Scott’s return to active command all but assured final victory, the Globe insisted.

  The following day’s Globe had announced Van Buren’s call for 30,000 more volunteers without commenting further on the situation at the front. Gaines now placed that issue on the President’s desk.

  Glancing at it briefly, his eyes narrowing, Calhoun returned to the subject of Scott and winter quarters. “This vaunted ‘Belle Express’ of yours, General. What has become of it? Has it, too, confirmed Scott’s return?”

  Organized by Mary Lee of Arlington House Plantation, wife of the CSA’s youngest brigade commander, and her friends the Latoure sisters, Lucille and Jaine, of nearby Cranford Plantation, the ‘Belle Express’ had been passing unrefined pieces of military-related information through to the Confederacy for several months. Their biggest nugget was the date and direction of the USBAA advance from its Alexandria encampment down the Warrenton Pike towards the eventual Bull Run battlefield.

  The War Secretary interrupted. “The ‘Belle Express’ has been slowed considerably, Mr. President, as would be expected with the entire Dominion Army between it and our lines. But the ‘Belles’ have confirmed that Scott is back in command. And that the lengthening of the USBA lines is a result of his reorganization of their defeated I Corps regiments, which he is gradually releasing to the front.” He paused.

  “The latest report from the ‘Belles’, which we received from Taylor yesterday, is that new regiments have also been arriving in Alexandria from their training base in Pennsylvania. I’m afraid that report was dated last Friday, however. We’ve received nothing since.”

  “And that is aside from Van Buren’s call for 30,000 more?”

  “Yes, Mr. President. These new regiments apparently were not ready when their main force marched south last month.”

  There was silence as the trio weighed the implications. It was Gaines who broke it:

  “We have no choice, Mr. President. We cannot afford to let Scott build his army up to 60,000 or more this winter. We must force him to divide his command. And the only way to do that is to throw Crockett’s army out of east Tennessee and then march on Louisville…”

  “Or Missouri.” Gratiot. “The target doesn’t matter as much as the fact we’re threatening to invade them…”

  Calhoun was now massaging his temples with the fingers of both hands. “Gentlemen, you’re urging an invasion of the Dominion, when we can’t even clear that moronic Crockett’s little posse out of our own territory! How, gentlemen?”

  The two soldiers (Gratiot had resigned as the USBAA’s chief engineer to enter the Confederate Cabinet) exchanged quick glances before Gratiot spoke.

  “Mr. President we have received reports of volunteers forming and drilling all over the South. We propose to order the majority of these troops to a staging base, probably in northern Alabama, where they can be forged into an army. The rest will be ordered here to reinforce Taylor.”

  “And who will command this ‘Army of the West’?”

  Gratiot was crisp. “Albert Sidney Johnston, Sir. With the rank of major general. The same rank we propose for Zach Taylor.”

  “Johnston.” The President mused. “A Kentucky man. Yes, and by all accounts shown to be a fierce fighter and inspirational leader.

  “Yes, I begin to see the possibilities…despite his youthfulness …”

  He smiled his dark smile tartly over the desk. “I assume you two have committed your plans to paper?”

  ___________

  USBAA Field Headquarters

  Centreville, Virginia

  November 16, 1833, 1 p.m.:

  General Scott paced in front of his headquarters at the Rocky Run Chapel watching the gubernatorial-general party, including Wellington, come down the Warrenton Turnpike with its no-longer-ceremonial Marine guard.

  And with another force of newly-uniformed troops marching parade ground-perfect some 30 yards behind. Led by an enormous man, in a plain blue uniform with lieutentant colonel insignia, riding a coal black charger. But it wasn't their marching precision nor the size of their commander which had onlookers gaping, some with mouths open and other muttering oaths of am
azement or disdain.

  The 1st District of Columbia Colored Troops, Lt. Col. Jurgurtha Numidia commanding, had reached the front.

  The bright blue sky, soft autumn sunshine and panorama of foliage all bespoke the gentle Indian summer which had descended on Northern Virginia once the powerful cold front that had put an end to the brutal and freakishly-extended tropical summer heat and humidity had passed a few days after the battle.

  My favorite time of year: warm, golden days and crisp, star-bright nights. Just look at these gorgeous trees, all red and gold and brown and yellow! How is it possible that less than 10 miles down that road, the ground is blood-soaked, the leaves crunched and trampled and the trees mostly broken stumps…

  Dear God, how did we ever reach this point? Where the Governor-General of the United States of British America and the former British Prime Minister can come no farther than Centreville? And then only with a bodyguard of field-equipped Marines! To inspect an army of 20,000 Americans who are recovering from a bloody brawl with 25,000 or more other Americans camped just five miles down the Pike! Having passed an encampment of 15,000 or so more Americans on the way! And with an authorized battalion of black men, armed, trained and now actually joining the Army's---my Army's---ranks!

  As fond as Scott was of the pomp and circumstance that had led to his famous ‘Old Fuss and Feathers’ moniker, the General had not pulled his troops off the line for a dress parade and inspection. Though he doubted Zach Taylor and that damn Davy Twiggs had any notion the G-G and the Duke were nearing the front, he had purposefully ordered that only a single regiment be drawn up in front of the Chapel.

  Just to let the politicos know there’s a war on. In case they’ve forgotten…

  He would have liked to have chosen the 1st Ohio for the honors. But that brave outfit was down to 40% strength. Normally, he would have been inclined to order it disbanded, its survivors assigned to the other Ohio regiments. Not this time, however.

  The 1st Ohio is more than a shot-up regiment. It’s a symbol. A symbol of how all Dominion volunteer regiments must fight… That’s why the 1st is back at the encampment now, getting refitted. And re-manned.

  When the 5th Ohio, one of the seven regiments left at Carlisle when the army originally marched south, had arrived at Alexandria, he had broken it up, the best companies reassigned to the 1st, the remainder split among the other Ohio regiments. The 1st, in fact, had already received its orders back to the front and would be marching down the Pike in four days.

  Scott had considered pulling out the 1st Regular Infantry for the ceremony, as much in honor of its fallen comrades from the decimated 2nd as for its own conspicuous gallantry at the Run.

  Not necessary. The 2nd is already a legend. What was it Colonel Felton said the other night? Oh, yes: “At Carlisle the regulars taught the volunteers how to be soldiers. At Bull Run, they taught them how to die.” Hum…pretty good. Doubt I could have put it better myself…

  He had heard good reports about the fighting qualities of two other regiments in particular, 2nd New York and 1st New Jersey. But their lack of military bearing during an inspection offended his sensibilities… In the end, he went for the symbolism: the 1st Kentucky had been bloodied as part of ‘Bull’ Sumner’s 2nd Division in II Corps.

  There’s a ton of slaves in Kentucky. And Rebs, starting with Sidney Johnston. It will impress ol’ Hook Nose to see boys from there who have fought for the Stars and Stripes…

  The G-G’s party was now nearing the Chapel.

  Good God, Matty Van looks ridiculous on that horse. Why didn’t they take a carriage? Hope he doesn’t get killed falling off or trying to get down!

  Who the hell’s next in the line of succession, anyway…?

  ___________

  4 p.m.:

  “So that’s the strategy, gentlemen. I intend to wrap our forces around the rebellious states with a blockade of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, utilizing the services,” Scott looked up from the large map spread out in what had been the sacristy of the old chapel, nodding at Wellington, “of the Royal Navy’s North American squadron.

  “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.