Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me. Not this site. That wont happen until December. Not me, personally, either. That was back in April.
The Cake and Presents are for my main blog The WENC Night Beat. It's been three years since my first post. And while I wish everybody success in their chosen endeavors, I get a slight bit of pleasure when a competitor drops out. One less obstacle in the path of total world domination. Waa ha ha.
I invite everyone to stop by and check things out. I will be rolling out something old and something new in the weeks ahead.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
A Writers Thoughts on Writing
They Say "Write What You Know". For me that means writing about Music and history, especially American History. For the music part I hope all of you will take a gander at my other blog, The WENC Night Beat. Platinum Vinyl Award season has just concluded and the awards have been handed out. The results page has been updated. Look for the year 2012 for each category.
I had thought of calling this post "Books I Can't Write", but then I thought better of it. That's just not it. "Won't write isn't it either". Maybe it should be Genre's I can't get my head around.
I've loved history since forever. If I scored under 92 in American History in High School I was shocked and then it was time to start studying hard. So when I first kicked around some thoughts for a story, American History was the subject, specifically America Post Civil War. Welcome to the Republic was conceived, sort of.
I also think I can do action adventure of a sort, as Falcon is a sort of hero in the vein of the Bionic Woman (I might be the only one who thought the reboot was cool).
I had thought of calling this post "Books I Can't Write", but then I thought better of it. That's just not it. "Won't write isn't it either". Maybe it should be Genre's I can't get my head around.
I've loved history since forever. If I scored under 92 in American History in High School I was shocked and then it was time to start studying hard. So when I first kicked around some thoughts for a story, American History was the subject, specifically America Post Civil War. Welcome to the Republic was conceived, sort of.
I also think I can do action adventure of a sort, as Falcon is a sort of hero in the vein of the Bionic Woman (I might be the only one who thought the reboot was cool).
Screenwriting speaking, I can't do Soap Operas. I just can't write that poorly. I am convinced that the genre is the last refuge of bad writers. And bad actors too. Now I'm no Shakespeare, but I spend time on things like plot, possibility, grammar. I know, how could you think of a career in Hollywood concerned with that?
That being said, there are a few fiction genres I cant get my pen around.
- Romantic Comedy/Chick Lit: We'll go back to that write what you know on this one. And the soap opera's too. But mostly the former. No, I don't think there's much of a market for the Moderately handsome "damaged goods" guy who has given up on love and lives as a hermit in a cabin in the woods. Kind of Like Stringfellow Hawk from Airwolf. Then maybe we could have a long lost love return and turn him into the Prince Charming that he forgot he was. Yeah, I thought so, gag city. If you want Chick Lit, might I suggest my friend +Erica Lucke Dean and her book To Katie With Love
- Science Fiction: I wish my Polish heritage could help here, but I am obviously no J.Michael Straczynski. I wouldn't have the first idea how to describe the ships, station, and aliens of Babylon 5
. I love to watch it, though. Would probably have to read it more to see if I could write it. I'll throw fantasy writing into the mix here and say to check out the works of my friend +Shannon Mayer and her character Rylee Adamson
- Erotica: I was trying to think of something witty here, but decided not to push it. Safe to say you could use the same arguments for Chick Lit here. Even if I admitted to a healthy sense of fantasy that doesn't mean I could put it to paper. Hey, I have trouble coming up with a profanity even if the character used it in real life. Through my contacts in +Triberr I have picked up friends even here. D.C. McMillen
No, I think I shall stick with what I know. A little action adventure, music writing, and my Alternative History/Speculative Fiction/Historical Fiction. I found out about a new genre lately, Realistic Fiction. Best I can decipher it is Current Event Historical Fiction. Isn't all fiction supposed to be realistic? After all, if it "Reads Fake", nobody is going to enjoy it.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Decoration Day
I think it's appropriate that I call this Holiday by its original name. It's time we remember what this nation went through to get where it is Today.
The Day had its origins on May 1, 1865, right after the end of the American Civil War. It was originally celebrated by freedmen, as the freed slaves were called. Appropriately enough for the holiday's Civil War roots, the day was founded in Charleston, South Carolina.
Decoration Day began three years later, at the order of Union General John A. Logan. The date for the celebration way May 30, 1868. A date that lasted for a hundred years, until Congress, in its usual boneheadedness, created the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, also known as the three day weekend law. This law didn't take effect until 1971. By the time I was in High School the damage had been done. Memorial Day was seen as nothing more than the beginning of the Summer Season. As I went to High School on Cape Cod, that was still a big deal, but nothing like what it really meant. A lot of people died so that we could open the beaches. (It really sounds crass when you put it that way, doesn't it).
Supposedly Memorial Day is supposed to honor "The Fallen" and Veterans Day "The Living", yet still, it missed the mark.
More that 3 million men fought in the war, over 620,000 died. If the nation had stayed divided, Slavery would have become an institution in the South to this day. Without a war, I still believe technology would have made slavery obsolete within 10-15 years (1870-75). But with the war, if the South had "won" (i.e. put up enough of a resistance to force the European Powers to intervene, created an arbitrated peace), the result would have been seen as a vindication of the Peculiar Institution, and it would have survived.
Enjoy the cookout, enjoy the Summer, but never forget the cost. The Civil War ensured that our nation would be around today, with freedom and liberty for all. Because of the slavery part of the story, the Civil War is the true "Forgotten War". Nobody wants to talk about it. In fact, there are people out there trying to rewrite the results at best, and purge the very memory of the war from our existence at worst. That is wrong. You don't learn from history if you try to pretend it didn't happen. God Bless You all, and God Bless America.
The Day had its origins on May 1, 1865, right after the end of the American Civil War. It was originally celebrated by freedmen, as the freed slaves were called. Appropriately enough for the holiday's Civil War roots, the day was founded in Charleston, South Carolina.
Decoration Day began three years later, at the order of Union General John A. Logan. The date for the celebration way May 30, 1868. A date that lasted for a hundred years, until Congress, in its usual boneheadedness, created the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, also known as the three day weekend law. This law didn't take effect until 1971. By the time I was in High School the damage had been done. Memorial Day was seen as nothing more than the beginning of the Summer Season. As I went to High School on Cape Cod, that was still a big deal, but nothing like what it really meant. A lot of people died so that we could open the beaches. (It really sounds crass when you put it that way, doesn't it).
Supposedly Memorial Day is supposed to honor "The Fallen" and Veterans Day "The Living", yet still, it missed the mark.
More that 3 million men fought in the war, over 620,000 died. If the nation had stayed divided, Slavery would have become an institution in the South to this day. Without a war, I still believe technology would have made slavery obsolete within 10-15 years (1870-75). But with the war, if the South had "won" (i.e. put up enough of a resistance to force the European Powers to intervene, created an arbitrated peace), the result would have been seen as a vindication of the Peculiar Institution, and it would have survived.
Enjoy the cookout, enjoy the Summer, but never forget the cost. The Civil War ensured that our nation would be around today, with freedom and liberty for all. Because of the slavery part of the story, the Civil War is the true "Forgotten War". Nobody wants to talk about it. In fact, there are people out there trying to rewrite the results at best, and purge the very memory of the war from our existence at worst. That is wrong. You don't learn from history if you try to pretend it didn't happen. God Bless You all, and God Bless America.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The Grand Tour: Colorado
Can Loyalty be bought for a price? If so, what price would be enough? Surely it would have to be enough to soothe the conscience, especially when the "loyalty" meant betraying the cause of the West.
While the above question may seem absurd, it is exactly the question faced by Colorado. A territory at the time that war broke out, within the space of a year it was offered Statehood. Now a territory becoming a state in the late 19th Century is not exactly news. What makes it strange is offering that territory Statehood while it is in a state of rebellion. Governor Routt declared as much when he declared the Territory an Independent Republic on June 6, 1875.
The seat of rebellion for Colorado was Cheyenne Garrison, just outside of Denver. Under the command of Colonel Robert McMillan, the metropolitan fortress maintains a constant stream of communication with the Capitol. The purpose of the garrison, at least the purpose they admit to Washington, is twofold: To protect the citizens from Cheyenne encroachment, and to protect the Union Pacific Railroad. In reality both goals were accomplished at the signing of the Cheyenne Treaty of 1862 at the founding of the garrison. Since then there has nothing to do except to consolidate control of the territory into General Anderson's hands.
The War of Western Independence will not have many signature battles the likes of Manassas, Vicksburg, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg and Chickamauga. The Battles of The Mines will rank right up with the Siege of Fort Leavenworth and the Battle of San Diego Bay when all is written. The campaign consisted of five battles between the Federal forces of Fort Lyon and the Republican Forces of Cheyenne Garrison. They were fought during the Winter of 1876 in the snow at altitudes above 7,000 feet. Adding to the rout was the fact that the Republican troops fought on skis with White Winter Uniforms, making them virtually invisible, while the same could not be said of the Blue Uniformed federal troops. The campaign destroyed the Federal army in Colorado, and secured not only Colorado, but Wyoming and Nebraska for the duration of the war.
It was with that humiliating defeat fresh in their mind that Washington offered Statehood to Colorado. Coming as it was from a position of weakness, the offer was rightly refused. Colorado had proved it can whip the Federals on their own turf as a territory. They were better off on their own.
The tide of war has turned. There will be no lost cause of the West.
While the above question may seem absurd, it is exactly the question faced by Colorado. A territory at the time that war broke out, within the space of a year it was offered Statehood. Now a territory becoming a state in the late 19th Century is not exactly news. What makes it strange is offering that territory Statehood while it is in a state of rebellion. Governor Routt declared as much when he declared the Territory an Independent Republic on June 6, 1875.
The seat of rebellion for Colorado was Cheyenne Garrison, just outside of Denver. Under the command of Colonel Robert McMillan, the metropolitan fortress maintains a constant stream of communication with the Capitol. The purpose of the garrison, at least the purpose they admit to Washington, is twofold: To protect the citizens from Cheyenne encroachment, and to protect the Union Pacific Railroad. In reality both goals were accomplished at the signing of the Cheyenne Treaty of 1862 at the founding of the garrison. Since then there has nothing to do except to consolidate control of the territory into General Anderson's hands.
The War of Western Independence will not have many signature battles the likes of Manassas, Vicksburg, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg and Chickamauga. The Battles of The Mines will rank right up with the Siege of Fort Leavenworth and the Battle of San Diego Bay when all is written. The campaign consisted of five battles between the Federal forces of Fort Lyon and the Republican Forces of Cheyenne Garrison. They were fought during the Winter of 1876 in the snow at altitudes above 7,000 feet. Adding to the rout was the fact that the Republican troops fought on skis with White Winter Uniforms, making them virtually invisible, while the same could not be said of the Blue Uniformed federal troops. The campaign destroyed the Federal army in Colorado, and secured not only Colorado, but Wyoming and Nebraska for the duration of the war.
It was with that humiliating defeat fresh in their mind that Washington offered Statehood to Colorado. Coming as it was from a position of weakness, the offer was rightly refused. Colorado had proved it can whip the Federals on their own turf as a territory. They were better off on their own.
The tide of war has turned. There will be no lost cause of the West.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
The Grand Tour: Minnesota
The first state to secede in the second wave was its most reluctant member. Minnesota was its own Territory in 1855 at the time of the Anderson expedition, and was not included in the generals original mandate. Minnesota has ties to the Fort Pierre expedition, however, as one of its members, Major Thomas Garfield, twice commanded Fort Ridgely in the state.
The Land of Ten Thousand Lakes has always been of great strategic value to General Anderson. Minnesota provides the Republic with access to the Great Lakes. Though technically prohibited by treaty from building up a navy on the lakes due to a treaty signed between the United States and Great Britain (The Rush-Bagot Treaty of 1817) to limit naval forces on the lake, the Republic was not going to let a piece of paper stop it from defending itself. The official position of the Republican Foreign Office is that since the Republic of Ansdale is a sovereign power at war with the United States and has no treaty with Great Britain, she is not beholden to agreements signed by the former possessors of the land. As long as Great Britain remains neutral in the struggle, ironclads will move only toward United States owned shores, not toward Canada.
If the diplomatic double talk is accepted by Great Britain, General Anderson will have shortened his theatre of war considerably. Even with trains an invasion of the east is problematic, but access to the Great Lakes opens up effortless bombarding of Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Since Texas opens up the east coast to attack, the Great Lakes will help the Republic keep the United States surrounded. Now, if they can only build ships fast enough.
The Land of Ten Thousand Lakes has always been of great strategic value to General Anderson. Minnesota provides the Republic with access to the Great Lakes. Though technically prohibited by treaty from building up a navy on the lakes due to a treaty signed between the United States and Great Britain (The Rush-Bagot Treaty of 1817) to limit naval forces on the lake, the Republic was not going to let a piece of paper stop it from defending itself. The official position of the Republican Foreign Office is that since the Republic of Ansdale is a sovereign power at war with the United States and has no treaty with Great Britain, she is not beholden to agreements signed by the former possessors of the land. As long as Great Britain remains neutral in the struggle, ironclads will move only toward United States owned shores, not toward Canada.
If the diplomatic double talk is accepted by Great Britain, General Anderson will have shortened his theatre of war considerably. Even with trains an invasion of the east is problematic, but access to the Great Lakes opens up effortless bombarding of Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Since Texas opens up the east coast to attack, the Great Lakes will help the Republic keep the United States surrounded. Now, if they can only build ships fast enough.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Character Interview: Eye of The Lioness
Things change over time. Events happen. So maybe it is a good time to talk to a Character from time to time and see what is going on in their life. It's been over a year since I talked with Susan Bradford of Thames Electronics aka Lioness, aka Falcon. I thought I would see how things fare, so I set up an appointment for an interview.
So I was off to London. Susan had a need for speed, so we had sort of a working date, though I don't think her father can count on any wedding bells. She took her motorcycle an she let me drive the Jag XKR Red, by the way. Going over 100 mph on the wrong side of the road is quite a thrill.
We went back to her Penthouse Apartment for the interview. (Must be a security thing. I guess former cat burglars like to take the high ground). I was a little distracted, I admit. I was kind of hoping to have her change into something more casual but she chose to remain in her curve hugging leather catsuit/racing suit.
So I was off to London. Susan had a need for speed, so we had sort of a working date, though I don't think her father can count on any wedding bells. She took her motorcycle an she let me drive the Jag XKR Red, by the way. Going over 100 mph on the wrong side of the road is quite a thrill.
We went back to her Penthouse Apartment for the interview. (Must be a security thing. I guess former cat burglars like to take the high ground). I was a little distracted, I admit. I was kind of hoping to have her change into something more casual but she chose to remain in her curve hugging leather catsuit/racing suit.
CG: Are you sure you wouldn't prefer to change into some more professional attire before our interview?
SB: I guess it all depends on your profession. Modesty shouldn't be an issue. I am covered from head to toe.
CG: And yet I can study every curve as easily as if I were looking at you naked. I'm sorry, did I say that out loud?
SB: You do know you're looking at an android?
CG: Yes, though I haven't noticed anything robotic about what I'm looking at. I think we should change the subject before your father asks me about my intentions toward you.
SB: Why should he? I am dressed from head to toe. I do get the same reaction from the Jihadis. Called me a common whore. Imagine, me, common.
CG: No comment. Are you comparing me with the Jihadis?
SB: Only slightly. The Jihadis say that a woman should not have any flesh exposed, and when I attempt to accommodate them by dressing from head to toe, albeit, as you say, in a curve hugging latex cat suit with high heel boots, they call me a common whore. Honestly, there is no pleasing some people.
CG: I think they would say while you are holding to the letter of the law, you are violating its spirit.
SB: What's the good of a law if there's no loophole?
CG: In the year since we talked, you seem to have opened up a bit more. How are things going with the Falcon Force?
SB: We are looking to fill a vacancy.
CG: Who died?
SB: Mongoose, or at least he will any day now. One of us will kill him.
CG: Sure, kill off the American.
SB: It's not just a European thing, though Red Bear constantly offers to "whack him" pro bono. Even White Fox hates him. Do you know how hard it is to p*** off a Canadian? If Mongoose were to suddenly meet his maker, I think Julie Morgan should join the team.
CG: The Generals assistant? Forgive me for sounding chauvinistic, but that would tip the balance of power on the team to the ladies.
SB: You've got a problem with that?
CG: Not in any eye candy fashion, but a three three tie does make for good symmetry. Besides the mongoose problem, how are things with the team.
SB: We get along pretty well. We have three Chameleons in Chameleon, White Fox and Red Bear. They can get us into about any situation. And Mongoose and Viper get us out. Once we are in is when I take over. I mean, Cat burglar and all. Plus my computer experience is pretty extensive.
CG: Plus you get all the toys.
SB: I love my toys. You know what they say about this job. It's like they say "Except for the people out trying to kill you, it's not just a job, it's an adventure."
CG: I don't remember the navy using that first line, but I get your point.
SB: Unfortunately the adventure doesn't include nightlife. Cairo, Tripoli, Benghazi. Not exactly night club central. Neither is Split. Oh, I'm in Hell. Falcon is going bloody crazy.
Sorry. That's one reason I come back to London, despite my father's matchmaking attempts.
CG: Maybe this isn't a great segue, but how is your relationship with the General?
SB: He has been more of a father to me than a boss. I shouldn't be surprised. I kind of owe my life to him. At least he hasn't tried to set me up on a blind date yet. No, despite the fact that he sends me out on missions where people are trying to kill me all is good. Why couldn't I get sent on a mission to Cannes once in a while?
CG: On that note, Miss Bradford, I shall end this interview. Thank you for the time, and the date.
CG: Maybe this isn't a great segue, but how is your relationship with the General?
SB: He has been more of a father to me than a boss. I shouldn't be surprised. I kind of owe my life to him. At least he hasn't tried to set me up on a blind date yet. No, despite the fact that he sends me out on missions where people are trying to kill me all is good. Why couldn't I get sent on a mission to Cannes once in a while?
CG: On that note, Miss Bradford, I shall end this interview. Thank you for the time, and the date.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
The Grand Tour: Dakota
The Council of Territorial Governors began the second wave of secession activity in The West. Sixteen days passed between the end of the first wave, marked by the secession of Texas, and the beginning of the second, which occurred when Wyoming proclaimed itself an Independent Republic.
Most people at the time would have expected Dakota Territory to have led the way, after all, it was where it all started. If General Anderson had not been ordered to 'The Northern Parts of Nebraska", there would have been no Great Western Empire. Alaska got the privilege of getting things started, and that was its payment for years of neglect and abuse. The second wave went to Wyoming, and considering that the territory is home base for Quantrill's Raiders, deservedly so.
Dakota should not be taken lightly, however. Originally known as the northern parts of the Nebraska territory, it was, as previously stated, the area that Brigadier General John Lee Anderson was assigned to back in 1855. Fort Pierre was the site of the first settlement, and it was a good thing that they encountered the peaceful Ansdale's and not the war hungry Dakota, because Fort Pierre was totally unsuitable for defense. Fort Ansdale replaced the crumbling Fort Pierre three years later. The garrison remains the largest in the territory despite the establishment of Fort Abraham Lincoln further north in 1872.
Actually, it was the establishment of that fort that provided the initial spark for independence, especially with the War Department's choice of commander. George Armstrong Custer, 34, was everything General Anderson despised. The goat of the West Point Class of 1861, brash, reckless, and with an ego the size of the west itself, he rose to prominence in the Civil War and is convinced of his own immortality. Anderson, however, at the top of his class, a veteran of the Mexican War, the picture perfect officer and gentleman, has been rewarded with the actual control of the west, if only because Washington has turned its head. The two seem destined to clash.
At the time War breaks out, Dakota is governed by John Pennington. He is the first governor of the territory to actually live in it, and it has affected the territory for the better. That is not to say that he can't have moments of unpopularity. Politically speaking he is Conservative. Though the territory has been suffering from a Grasshopper infestation for several years, Governor Pennington refuses to ask for Federal relief, believing it will create a territory of beggars.
General Anderson never officially got his showdown with Custer. The Golden Boy met his demise at Little Big Horn. Ironically, like his Confederate counterpart JEB Stuart, the field where he died was also the field where he was first wounded in battle. The Custer Luck ran out.
Custer originally came to the Black Hills of Dakota in search of Gold. The territory is still awash in it, but it is black gold. Between natural gas and oil, the territory is an energy powerhouse. Things are a fracking success. Of course of all its customers, selling to the energy starved United States is the best revenge of all. Washington better hope the spigot stays on.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Jade Kerrion Book Tour
Jade Kerrion's two newest novels, Earth-Sim and When the
Silence Ends, are pulling in fantastic reviews. Please take a moment to check
them out and take advantage of the book launch sale. Keep reading to find the
coupon code!
Was the super-continent of Pangaea split because of a management dispute? Is
the biblical flood the earliest evidence of why "technology and water don't mix"?
If you always suspected that mass extinctions, such as the Black Death, had an
otherworldly reason, you just might be right. Is there a real message hidden in the
mysterious manuscripts that human sages and savants have created through the
generations? Is there life out there, beyond our planet, and why has none of it shown
up on Earth yet?
Earth-Sim is a unique spin on the history of Earth and the history of
mankind. What if Earth and the entire universe were actually part of a simulation
program? What if the most iconic and memorable events in Earth's history were
decisions (or more frequently accidents) triggered by two college students, Jem
Moran and Kir Davos, who are still sorting out the finer points of working together
and more importantly, still arguing over the finer points of planetary management?
Bring your sense of humor. Earth-Sim is frequently whimsical and often
irreverent. Either way, you finally have someone to blame for the state the world is
in.
E-books available at Amazon</
a>, Amazon UK, Apple</
a>, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords
Paperbacks available at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository
BOOK LAUNCH SALE (50% DISCOUNT):</
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When you choose your friends, you also choose your enemies.
EARTH-SIM
Amazon Rating: 4.8 Stars (13 reviews)</
strong>
"Earth-Sim starts off awesome and just keeps getting even better...Ms. Kerrion
has done an amazing job with her world-building...This is one book that I will find
myself rereading over and over - and one that I will encourage all of my friends to
read."—Cara Drake, Amazon reviewer
When the Silence Ends
Amazon Ratings: 4.6 Stars (9 reviews)</
strong>
“Wow! When the Silence Ends is captivating! I laughed, I cried, I could not
put it down. Forget Harry Potter and Twilight…every young adult should read this
book!”—KatRomeo, Amazon reviewer
When you choose your friends, you also choose your enemies.
Seventeen-year old Dee wants nothing more than to help
her twin brother, Dum, break free from the trauma in their childhood and speak
again, but the only person who can help Dum is the alpha empath, Danyael Sabre,
whom the U.S. government considers a terrorist and traitor.
The search for Danyael will lead Dee and Dum from the sheltered protection of
the Mutant Affairs Council and into the violent, gang-controlled heart of Anacostia.
Ensnared by Danyael’s complicated network of friends and enemies, Dee makes
her stand in a political and social war that she is ill equipped to fight. What can one
human, armed only with her wits and pepper spray, do against the super-powered
mutants who dominate the Genetic Revolution?
America, nevertheless, is ripe for transformation. Exhausted by decades of
belligerence between humans and their genetic derivatives--the clones, in vitros,
and mutants--society is on the verge of falling apart or growing up. Dee, with her
sassy attitude and smart mouth, is the unwitting pebble that starts the avalanche of
change. In her quest to help her brother become normal, Dee will finally learn what
it means to be extraordinary.
When the Silence Ends is a Young Adult novel in the award-winning
Double Helix series.
E-books available at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords
Paperbacks available at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository
BOOK LAUNCH SALE (50% DISCOUNT):</
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Find Jade Kerrion at Website / Facebook</ a> / Twitter
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The Grand Tour: Wyoming
Once Texas seceded the action in The West paused, at least temporarily, for the laws of mature required a reaction from the East. It was long overdue.
When Alaska proclaimed herself a Republic, Washington did nothing. When Nevada seceded, Washington did... Nothing. When Iowa seceded and seized the federal arsenal on Rock Island Washington did, once again, nothing. Yes, I will admit, they did call a peace conference after Nevada left, but with the Civil War as precedent, we all know how those turn out. Nothing would come of it but delay, which the Republic would use and the U.S. would squander.
By the time that Texas, for the third time in its history, proclaimed itself to be the Republic of Texas, Washington seriously began to think about maybe, quite possibly, doing something. In the typical glacial pace of Washington politics, four weeks would pass before President Grant decided to order a blockade of the Texas Coast. If Grant had not been so caught up in his campaign slogan of "Let us Have Peace", and had been more of the General who saved the Union, he may have ended the dreams of Western Independence before they had taken root. Grant's delay saw to it that three states would become six, and the territories would unite.
The uniting occurred at the Convention of Territorial Governors, which was hastily called to assemble in Cheyenne, the Capitol of Wyoming Territory. The City grew up along the Union Pacific Railway and was also the start of the Cheyenne-Deadwood Trail. The Territory was the also the Fifth Military District of General John Lee Anderson's command. It was established at the commencement of the Civil War by Kenneth Mark Bassett, a native of Portland, Maine, and has its headquarters at Lander, a town near the Wind River. Fort Shoshone is the Chief Garrison of the district, and it commands four other forts, including Bridger and Laramie.
Washington has its forts in the territory as well, but their loyalty is questionable. Of the Six forts established by the U.S. Army since the end of the Civil War, none of them have rushed to Washington's aid. Actually, the official standard is neutrality. For Washakie, 15 miles from Shoshone, is the only one of the six to declare loyalty to the West.
The strategic placement of Wyoming has led it to become the unofficial War Department at the early stages of the War. We shall see if Washington realizes it in time.
The uniting occurred at the Convention of Territorial Governors, which was hastily called to assemble in Cheyenne, the Capitol of Wyoming Territory. The City grew up along the Union Pacific Railway and was also the start of the Cheyenne-Deadwood Trail. The Territory was the also the Fifth Military District of General John Lee Anderson's command. It was established at the commencement of the Civil War by Kenneth Mark Bassett, a native of Portland, Maine, and has its headquarters at Lander, a town near the Wind River. Fort Shoshone is the Chief Garrison of the district, and it commands four other forts, including Bridger and Laramie.
Washington has its forts in the territory as well, but their loyalty is questionable. Of the Six forts established by the U.S. Army since the end of the Civil War, none of them have rushed to Washington's aid. Actually, the official standard is neutrality. For Washakie, 15 miles from Shoshone, is the only one of the six to declare loyalty to the West.
The strategic placement of Wyoming has led it to become the unofficial War Department at the early stages of the War. We shall see if Washington realizes it in time.
Monday, March 18, 2013
On The Road With Triberr
With all apologies to Jack Kerouac I am merely doing a review of +Triberr's new mobile site. I thought this was the best place to do it, since this is my writing blog.
I have been using the site now for around two years, and I am overall pleased with the results, though I do admit from time to time screaming "If it ain't broke, don't tinker with it!", but by no means would that ever be limited to Triberr.
Now occasionally I want to get away from the computer, but up to now, that has been where Triberr fell short. Now a more cynical man than I would surmise that +Dino Dogan bought a new iPhone 5 and figured out that trying to approve posts on it was like trying to slog through quick drying cement.
I said Was. While enjoying a coffee at my local +Dunkin' Donuts (sorry +Starbucks Coffee , but you're too far away right now), enjoying the WiFi, I decided to go on Triberr so things wouldn't be backed up today.
The new login had me hooked, and then, it took you to a site that was perfectly made for mobile, so there was no trying to read posts. Before the iPhone was trying to zoom in order to read. Now everything is perfectly sized. Then there is the approval process. Hover, touch, done. Even manual approval for Google Plus was quick. On my Emerald Rating system on my other blog I would give it 25 Emeralds (I know, I only go up to 5, but this is good).
I did have one bad experience, but Triberr had nothing to do with it. That Dunkin didn't have the heat turned up and my fingers got numb from the cold. Now if I only had a pair of those touch gloves.
Now, if +Blogger would incorporate speech to text in their app, I may consider blogging from the road more often.
I have been using the site now for around two years, and I am overall pleased with the results, though I do admit from time to time screaming "If it ain't broke, don't tinker with it!", but by no means would that ever be limited to Triberr.
Now occasionally I want to get away from the computer, but up to now, that has been where Triberr fell short. Now a more cynical man than I would surmise that +Dino Dogan bought a new iPhone 5 and figured out that trying to approve posts on it was like trying to slog through quick drying cement.
I said Was. While enjoying a coffee at my local +Dunkin' Donuts (sorry +Starbucks Coffee , but you're too far away right now), enjoying the WiFi, I decided to go on Triberr so things wouldn't be backed up today.
The new login had me hooked, and then, it took you to a site that was perfectly made for mobile, so there was no trying to read posts. Before the iPhone was trying to zoom in order to read. Now everything is perfectly sized. Then there is the approval process. Hover, touch, done. Even manual approval for Google Plus was quick. On my Emerald Rating system on my other blog I would give it 25 Emeralds (I know, I only go up to 5, but this is good).
I did have one bad experience, but Triberr had nothing to do with it. That Dunkin didn't have the heat turned up and my fingers got numb from the cold. Now if I only had a pair of those touch gloves.
Now, if +Blogger would incorporate speech to text in their app, I may consider blogging from the road more often.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
The Grand Tour: Texas
We come to the last member of the N.I.T. The third State to secede from the Union in 1875 was the first to do it twice. Texas was the first State in the Republic that was also part of the Confederate States of America. As a result Texas was able to provide the voice of experience as to how the United States would respond. Texas, along with Louisiana and Arkansas, would provide that experience from their alliance with the South to their more natural allies, The West. Of course Kansas and Missouri also had tales to tell, but they were "border states", not officially on either side. Of course that didn't mean they didn't suffer. Some of the most intense fighting occurred in the border states.
In a simplistic view of the conflict, the Mississippi River was the common boundary for the two nations. The United States was the Atlantic Power, and the Republic of Ansdale the Pacific Power. Texas shifts that balance of power, with its Gulf Coast giving the Republic access to the Atlantic coast of the United States. That access is a two edged sword, for it also opens Texas to the possibility of blockade by the United States.
Then there is the Rio Grande. The river marks the southern border of the state and marks the boundary with Mexico, which formerly considered the land theirs. In that respect, the experience the State gives to the Republic is priceless, for Texas is a State forged in War, all the way back to the Alamo in 1836.
When Texas proclaimed itself a Republic for the third time in its history, it came with a gift, and the Republic was hardly ignorant of it. Fort Bliss was its name. The fort was the guardian of the Southwest, established at El Paso at the end of the Mexican War. The Flag of the Republic of Texas flew over the garrison on the morning of May 14, 1875, two days after the State seceded.
As war would come to Texas once again, Washington would attempt to reconquer Texas by sea. The blockade gave way to bombardment and siege of Houston. If the sea defenses hold, Texas is safe. For now, Washington will not risk a land battle.
One of those sea defenses is at sea. The RNS Sam Houston, formerly the steamship Santa Ana, became the Republic's first blockade runner, slipping through the federal lines at Galveston on July 20, 1875, sinking two ships in the process. After a sneak attack on the Pensacola Naval Yard she has hid under a false flag at Nassau, Bahamas, posing as the HMS Victoria, using the time to resupply and rearm. While there they learn of a new innovation in naval warfare, the self-propelled torpedo. The Victoria departs for Trieste, Italy to make a purchase. If they are successful, no blockade will be effective again. It is wise not to mess with Texas.
In a simplistic view of the conflict, the Mississippi River was the common boundary for the two nations. The United States was the Atlantic Power, and the Republic of Ansdale the Pacific Power. Texas shifts that balance of power, with its Gulf Coast giving the Republic access to the Atlantic coast of the United States. That access is a two edged sword, for it also opens Texas to the possibility of blockade by the United States.
Then there is the Rio Grande. The river marks the southern border of the state and marks the boundary with Mexico, which formerly considered the land theirs. In that respect, the experience the State gives to the Republic is priceless, for Texas is a State forged in War, all the way back to the Alamo in 1836.
When Texas proclaimed itself a Republic for the third time in its history, it came with a gift, and the Republic was hardly ignorant of it. Fort Bliss was its name. The fort was the guardian of the Southwest, established at El Paso at the end of the Mexican War. The Flag of the Republic of Texas flew over the garrison on the morning of May 14, 1875, two days after the State seceded.
As war would come to Texas once again, Washington would attempt to reconquer Texas by sea. The blockade gave way to bombardment and siege of Houston. If the sea defenses hold, Texas is safe. For now, Washington will not risk a land battle.
One of those sea defenses is at sea. The RNS Sam Houston, formerly the steamship Santa Ana, became the Republic's first blockade runner, slipping through the federal lines at Galveston on July 20, 1875, sinking two ships in the process. After a sneak attack on the Pensacola Naval Yard she has hid under a false flag at Nassau, Bahamas, posing as the HMS Victoria, using the time to resupply and rearm. While there they learn of a new innovation in naval warfare, the self-propelled torpedo. The Victoria departs for Trieste, Italy to make a purchase. If they are successful, no blockade will be effective again. It is wise not to mess with Texas.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
The Grand Tour: Iowa
Our next stop in our Grand Tour of The Republic of Ansdale is, according to traditional United States History, only appears once every four years. Other than that it is invisible, part of a region filled with farms and bumpkins known as "flyover country".
We are talking about Iowa, the second state to secede from the Union and the lynch pin of the N.I.T. triad (that's Nevada, Iowa, Texas to y'all). Framed on the East and West by the Mississippi River and Missouri River respectively and North and South by the States of Minnesota and Missouri.
In the thinking of the military brass of the Republic, Iowa is a strategic coup. It gives The Republic access to two of the major river systems of the West. It provides the Republic with access to all the major railroads and opens the door to an invasion of the East instead of being forced into a defensive war, as was the south.
Iowa also contains one military prize, the Federal Arsenal on Rock Island. Though the arsenal lies on an island in the middle of the Mississippi River, a city by the same name lies in Illinois, and once the papers print Rock Island Attacked by Rebel Troops, who cares about facts. Fortunately Grant, being a military man, wouldn't go to war over an arsenal.
Since Iowa was a state before the Anderson Expedition, it didn't fall under his authority and was not included in any of the military districts created before the war. Washington failed to see its importance as well. It would be left to our next stop on our Grand Tour to arouse their concern, and by then, the momentum could not be stopped.
We are talking about Iowa, the second state to secede from the Union and the lynch pin of the N.I.T. triad (that's Nevada, Iowa, Texas to y'all). Framed on the East and West by the Mississippi River and Missouri River respectively and North and South by the States of Minnesota and Missouri.
In the thinking of the military brass of the Republic, Iowa is a strategic coup. It gives The Republic access to two of the major river systems of the West. It provides the Republic with access to all the major railroads and opens the door to an invasion of the East instead of being forced into a defensive war, as was the south.
Iowa also contains one military prize, the Federal Arsenal on Rock Island. Though the arsenal lies on an island in the middle of the Mississippi River, a city by the same name lies in Illinois, and once the papers print Rock Island Attacked by Rebel Troops, who cares about facts. Fortunately Grant, being a military man, wouldn't go to war over an arsenal.
Since Iowa was a state before the Anderson Expedition, it didn't fall under his authority and was not included in any of the military districts created before the war. Washington failed to see its importance as well. It would be left to our next stop on our Grand Tour to arouse their concern, and by then, the momentum could not be stopped.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Character Interview: James Davis on Family
We conclude our interview with Republic of Ansdale Prime Minister James Davis. The tough questions are done, and we finish with family.
CG: Tell me about Katherine. First of all, is it spelled with a K or a C.
JD: With a C. To blend with American tradition she has been known to use both spellings. Catherine Anne Bradford was the teenage daughter of one of the British Embassy staff when we met at one of the numerous Washington balls in 1849. Tall, golden blond hair, blue eyes, feisty attitude, and that captivating British accent. When we married the following year I was twenty-four ans she was eighteen. I don't know how she's done it, but she still has the accent, though it has faded a little over the years.
CG: How has Catherine adjusted to life on the frontier?
JD: She loves it. When John showed up at my Georgetown townhouse she was the one who volunteered me for what she called "a Grand Adventure." That adventure has taken her from London to Washington, DC, and to Fort's Pierre and Ansdale. After seven years in the Dakota Territory I thought that was all, but the adventure has continued with Montana, Alaska and now Nevada.
CG: How about your taste for adventure.
JD: I like it now. Reno isn't Washington, but it is civilization compared to the frontier of Alaska. And, as Prime Minister, I direct the entire war effort, so I direct the action.
CG: How have your children fared?
JD: We have three children. James Andrew Davis III, my eldest. Yes, I was a "junior". James is 28 and has followed his fathers path, this time in the Republican War Department, though as a civilian clerk. Paul, the middle child, is 23, born in Dakota. I thought we were done, and after a while so did Catherine, but God had other plans. My baby girl, Ellen, was born in 1866. Catherine was 34 at the time and we were in Montana. Since there was now an infant in the family there was no way I was going to ask Catherine to move to Alaska.
CG: So Ellen is with you at Reno?
JD: No, Catherine is convinced that at least one member of the Davis clan must have a British accent, so she has been sent away to a private school in London. She is now 15 and has been in London for the past three years.
CG: Have there been any additions to the Davis clan yet?
JD: Not Yet. James became quite smitten with Captain Semmes when she was in Reno last.
CG: How does Catherine feel about it? I know your sister isn't too happy about Robert courting Captain Quantrill, though she was happy with Katherine marrying Major Morgan. The vote seems to be split as to her approval of Confederate relations.
JD: Catherine likes Rachel, so that helps. She did hope James would have found someone younger than him, to maximize the potential for grandchildren. Still, Rachel is a beautiful girl, and you can't take living in Hawaii out of the equation.
CG: Probably not. Still it makes for a difficult courtship when one party is in Nevada and the other party is in Hawaii.
JD: James has that problem solved. He has asked me to transfer him out of the War Department and into the Department of The Navy.
CG: Will you approve the transfer?
JD: It's not up to me alone. Captain Semmes is Minister of the Navy. I think it's safe to say she will approve of the transfer. I'm Prime Minister, and he's my son. My brother in law is Minister of War for a few more months at least. But there is Catherine to consider.
CG: I thought you said Catherine approved of Rachel?
JD: She does, but approving of a marriage and allowing her baby to move to Hawaii appear to be two different matters entirely. She would much prefer Captain Semmes to relocate to Reno.
CG: That doesn't make much sense, considering the major naval theater of war is the pacific.
JD: California would be an ideal choice, but it has only been two years since its secession, and the State is still being shelled by the United States Navy.
CG: I was hoping to keep this part of the interview on family, and yet how quickly we get back to military matters.
JD: Things get intertwined quickly in a time of war. Alaska was remote and secure, but disconnected from the main body of Republican troops. Reno is connected to all but Alaska and Hawaii by telegraph and railroad. However it is landlocked and California would provide better access to the Pacific. Since the United States Navy is constantly bombarding the California coast it is unsuitable as a Capitol. I will not make the Confederacy's mistake of moving the Capitol closer to Washington, DC. We will stay at Reno, and Captain Semmes will have an autonomous command at Pearl Harbor. We will make a Hawaii wedding work.
CG: Prime Minister Davis, I thank you for your time.
CG: Tell me about Katherine. First of all, is it spelled with a K or a C.
JD: With a C. To blend with American tradition she has been known to use both spellings. Catherine Anne Bradford was the teenage daughter of one of the British Embassy staff when we met at one of the numerous Washington balls in 1849. Tall, golden blond hair, blue eyes, feisty attitude, and that captivating British accent. When we married the following year I was twenty-four ans she was eighteen. I don't know how she's done it, but she still has the accent, though it has faded a little over the years.
CG: How has Catherine adjusted to life on the frontier?
JD: She loves it. When John showed up at my Georgetown townhouse she was the one who volunteered me for what she called "a Grand Adventure." That adventure has taken her from London to Washington, DC, and to Fort's Pierre and Ansdale. After seven years in the Dakota Territory I thought that was all, but the adventure has continued with Montana, Alaska and now Nevada.
CG: How about your taste for adventure.
JD: I like it now. Reno isn't Washington, but it is civilization compared to the frontier of Alaska. And, as Prime Minister, I direct the entire war effort, so I direct the action.
CG: How have your children fared?
JD: We have three children. James Andrew Davis III, my eldest. Yes, I was a "junior". James is 28 and has followed his fathers path, this time in the Republican War Department, though as a civilian clerk. Paul, the middle child, is 23, born in Dakota. I thought we were done, and after a while so did Catherine, but God had other plans. My baby girl, Ellen, was born in 1866. Catherine was 34 at the time and we were in Montana. Since there was now an infant in the family there was no way I was going to ask Catherine to move to Alaska.
CG: So Ellen is with you at Reno?
JD: No, Catherine is convinced that at least one member of the Davis clan must have a British accent, so she has been sent away to a private school in London. She is now 15 and has been in London for the past three years.
CG: Have there been any additions to the Davis clan yet?
JD: Not Yet. James became quite smitten with Captain Semmes when she was in Reno last.
CG: How does Catherine feel about it? I know your sister isn't too happy about Robert courting Captain Quantrill, though she was happy with Katherine marrying Major Morgan. The vote seems to be split as to her approval of Confederate relations.
JD: Catherine likes Rachel, so that helps. She did hope James would have found someone younger than him, to maximize the potential for grandchildren. Still, Rachel is a beautiful girl, and you can't take living in Hawaii out of the equation.
CG: Probably not. Still it makes for a difficult courtship when one party is in Nevada and the other party is in Hawaii.
JD: James has that problem solved. He has asked me to transfer him out of the War Department and into the Department of The Navy.
CG: Will you approve the transfer?
JD: It's not up to me alone. Captain Semmes is Minister of the Navy. I think it's safe to say she will approve of the transfer. I'm Prime Minister, and he's my son. My brother in law is Minister of War for a few more months at least. But there is Catherine to consider.
CG: I thought you said Catherine approved of Rachel?
JD: She does, but approving of a marriage and allowing her baby to move to Hawaii appear to be two different matters entirely. She would much prefer Captain Semmes to relocate to Reno.
CG: That doesn't make much sense, considering the major naval theater of war is the pacific.
JD: California would be an ideal choice, but it has only been two years since its secession, and the State is still being shelled by the United States Navy.
CG: I was hoping to keep this part of the interview on family, and yet how quickly we get back to military matters.
JD: Things get intertwined quickly in a time of war. Alaska was remote and secure, but disconnected from the main body of Republican troops. Reno is connected to all but Alaska and Hawaii by telegraph and railroad. However it is landlocked and California would provide better access to the Pacific. Since the United States Navy is constantly bombarding the California coast it is unsuitable as a Capitol. I will not make the Confederacy's mistake of moving the Capitol closer to Washington, DC. We will stay at Reno, and Captain Semmes will have an autonomous command at Pearl Harbor. We will make a Hawaii wedding work.
CG: Prime Minister Davis, I thank you for your time.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Character Interview: James Davis, Part Three
This has seemed to be a very involved interview. Of course things can get that way when you are interviewing the leader of the Free World. (What, you thought that was the President of the United States. Could have been, if the U.S. had remained united. The War of Western Independence dashed those hopes). When we last left off, the Anderson Expedition has finally reached Fort Pierre.
CG: Tell me about the Fort Pierre years?
JD: They were horrible. The fort was literally falling apart around us, and there was nothing that Captain White could do about, short of performing some sort of miracle. Even the Ansdale joked that General Anderson was cursed. Our military escort was quickly depleted. 50 of our Cavalry were sent to Pembina on the Canadian border and ten horses were given to the Ansdale to sign a treaty. Captain White started designing a new fort immediately.
CG: Tell me about the Ansdale?
JD: We thought they were Sioux when we encountered a hunting party soon after our arrival. We learned they were Ansdale, a separate nation. Red Thunder, their chief, was very generous, allowing us to live among them. Graywolf, Red Thunder's fourteen year old son, took an immediate interest in us and was constantly about the fort, watching us. General Anderson made him our first official scout.
CG: But you were still a First Lieutenant with a desk job.
JD: Yes, but, then the Civil War broke out, and strange enough for a post far away from the action, the war was very good for my career.
CG: How so?
JD: When the war broke out my brother in law launched a power grab which netted him control of virtually all the territory of the West. Since the War Department was busy pulling western troops and sending them south, they failed to notice that General Anderson was replacing them with caretaker forts loyal only to him. I got sent to Pembina for my first command. It lasted a year, and Catherine stayed at what was called Ansdale City. I also got my long awaited promotion. I skipped Captain and moved directly to Major.
CG: What happened after a year?
JD: General Anderson established the Third Military District on the Milk River in Montana Territory. As soon as the garrison, named Fort Atsina after the native tribe we treated with, was established, I sent for Catherine and the children. We were there five years and then I was sent to Alaska.
CG: Fort Sitka?
JD: Correct. Catherine went back to Ansdale City for about two years while Fort Sitka got up to speed. We were originally supposed to operate covertly, and that meant no families. That changed after the incident.
CG: That was the matter between Jefferson Columbus Davis and Colchecka.
JD: And it quickly escalated from an insult to a war between the United States and three Inuit nations. It almost became a massacre on both sides. I am still amazed that it was averted. And it could have been easily averted.
CG: How so?
JD: The Ansdale are an Inuit Nation, and they, and the others, have a custom that an injured party receive a gift in payment for an insult or loss.
CG: Blackmail?
JD: Perhaps, but any payment would have been easily met by the United States. Trinkets or War. General Davis chose the latter. I have asked my sister repeatedly and she assures me that nobody as stupid as him is related to our part of the Davis clan. Soon after the incident Fort Sitka became the headquarters of the Ninth Military District. I still officially command it, though Major Graywolf is acting commander, and I lead the Republic from Reno. Catherine and I maintain a home in both locations.
(I will end it here. This part may be shorter, but I want to keep the Family side separate. Our concluding post is next time.)
CG: Tell me about the Fort Pierre years?
JD: They were horrible. The fort was literally falling apart around us, and there was nothing that Captain White could do about, short of performing some sort of miracle. Even the Ansdale joked that General Anderson was cursed. Our military escort was quickly depleted. 50 of our Cavalry were sent to Pembina on the Canadian border and ten horses were given to the Ansdale to sign a treaty. Captain White started designing a new fort immediately.
CG: Tell me about the Ansdale?
JD: We thought they were Sioux when we encountered a hunting party soon after our arrival. We learned they were Ansdale, a separate nation. Red Thunder, their chief, was very generous, allowing us to live among them. Graywolf, Red Thunder's fourteen year old son, took an immediate interest in us and was constantly about the fort, watching us. General Anderson made him our first official scout.
CG: But you were still a First Lieutenant with a desk job.
JD: Yes, but, then the Civil War broke out, and strange enough for a post far away from the action, the war was very good for my career.
CG: How so?
JD: When the war broke out my brother in law launched a power grab which netted him control of virtually all the territory of the West. Since the War Department was busy pulling western troops and sending them south, they failed to notice that General Anderson was replacing them with caretaker forts loyal only to him. I got sent to Pembina for my first command. It lasted a year, and Catherine stayed at what was called Ansdale City. I also got my long awaited promotion. I skipped Captain and moved directly to Major.
CG: What happened after a year?
JD: General Anderson established the Third Military District on the Milk River in Montana Territory. As soon as the garrison, named Fort Atsina after the native tribe we treated with, was established, I sent for Catherine and the children. We were there five years and then I was sent to Alaska.
CG: Fort Sitka?
JD: Correct. Catherine went back to Ansdale City for about two years while Fort Sitka got up to speed. We were originally supposed to operate covertly, and that meant no families. That changed after the incident.
CG: That was the matter between Jefferson Columbus Davis and Colchecka.
JD: And it quickly escalated from an insult to a war between the United States and three Inuit nations. It almost became a massacre on both sides. I am still amazed that it was averted. And it could have been easily averted.
CG: How so?
JD: The Ansdale are an Inuit Nation, and they, and the others, have a custom that an injured party receive a gift in payment for an insult or loss.
CG: Blackmail?
JD: Perhaps, but any payment would have been easily met by the United States. Trinkets or War. General Davis chose the latter. I have asked my sister repeatedly and she assures me that nobody as stupid as him is related to our part of the Davis clan. Soon after the incident Fort Sitka became the headquarters of the Ninth Military District. I still officially command it, though Major Graywolf is acting commander, and I lead the Republic from Reno. Catherine and I maintain a home in both locations.
(I will end it here. This part may be shorter, but I want to keep the Family side separate. Our concluding post is next time.)
Friday, February 22, 2013
Character Interview: James Davis, The Soldiers Life
CG: Since you brought up General Anderson, I think this would be a good time to talk about your life. Tell my readers how you got to where you are.
JD: I was born to a slaveholding family from Mobile, Alabama on August 2, 1826. That makes me fifty-four year old.
CG: And that would make your sister fifty-one.
JD: Just don't tell anyone that I said it. Hell hath no fury like that of a woman whose age has been revealed.
CG: Were you born at Sauf Asir.
JD: No. My parents were visiting Washington, DC when I was born. If I were superstitious I would say that is why I'm a politician now.
CG: Did you always want to be a soldier?
JD: No. I just didn't want to be a planter. My father got me an appointment to West Point. I graduated in 1846 and was immediately sent to Mexico as a young 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry. I was under the command of Zachary Taylor. It was while in Mexico that I met a Cavalier First Lieutenant of Artillery from Kentucky by the name of John Lee Anderson.
CG: So Mexico was your chance to "See The Elephant".
JD: Mexico was a fun war
CG: Because you won?
JD: That is always fun. No, it was how we won. In most of our engagements we were heavily outnumbered and had to capture the high ground. Yet we still won overwhelming victories.
CG: Better aim?
JD: Maybe. If I were more devout I would say that we had God on our side. Either way, all the land we acquired in that war is now in The Republic. When the war ended, I invited John to spend some time at Sauf Asir. It was there that he met my sister for the first time. She was eighteen.
CG: Susan says that she was married at eighteen. It must have been a whirlwind courtship.
JD: She would turn nineteen about six weeks after her wedding. The courtship was helped by the fact that Brevet Colonel Anderson was stationed at Fort Morgan.
CG: That's convenient.
JD: Almost as convenient as my first assignment being in the War Department. I am convinced that my cousin Jefferson Davis had something to do with both our assignments. My parents didn't have that much influence.
CG: How was life in Washington?
JD: It was a whirlwind of social activity. Dinners, parties and dignitaries. I was bored out of my mind
CG: How so?
JD: It's not the kind of excitement that a young soldier seeks. Mexico had whetted my appetite for combat.
CG: So you hated life in Washington?
JD: At first. I spent nearly seven years at the War Department behind a desk. Maybe it's a relief for a soldier posted at some isolated fort that was fated never to get any action.
CG: Like Sumter and Leavenworth.
JD: Point taken. The Confederate attack on Sumter and the Republic's attack on Leavenworth both had this in common, they were the first major battle at the garrison. My time in Washington had one benefit, though.
CG: What is that?
JD: It's where I met Katherine Ann Bradford, who after a short courtship became my wife.
CG: We will come to Katherine and your family shortly. What ended your life at the War Department?
JD: Family, in a way. My Sister, while courting John, made it clear that she didn't want to be travelling all over the nation. She wanted security. So she convinced John to resign his commission and they began life as civilians in a place neither had any ties to. Trenton, New Jersey. I didn't get to see my sister and her family much. And then family life intruded on my life in the War Department.
CG: How So?
JD: My cousin, Jefferson Davis, became Secretary of War. We were able to meet quite frequently and I told him about life in our part of the Davis clan. One day during the Winter of 1855 my brother in law shows up at my house. He's back in military uniform but this time it's as Brigadier-General, not the Captain brevet Colonel I knew. President Pierce has ordered him to take a civilian homesteading expedition to the upper parts of the Nebraska Territory. Since I was in the War Department, he wanted my advice as to who to pick.
CG: Who did you pick?
JD: First, let me say, never let the War Department lead a civilian expedition. To the soldier, civilian means wife and children. I don't think we had one true civilian family in the group.
JD: I was born to a slaveholding family from Mobile, Alabama on August 2, 1826. That makes me fifty-four year old.
CG: And that would make your sister fifty-one.
JD: Just don't tell anyone that I said it. Hell hath no fury like that of a woman whose age has been revealed.
CG: Were you born at Sauf Asir.
JD: No. My parents were visiting Washington, DC when I was born. If I were superstitious I would say that is why I'm a politician now.
CG: Did you always want to be a soldier?
JD: No. I just didn't want to be a planter. My father got me an appointment to West Point. I graduated in 1846 and was immediately sent to Mexico as a young 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry. I was under the command of Zachary Taylor. It was while in Mexico that I met a Cavalier First Lieutenant of Artillery from Kentucky by the name of John Lee Anderson.
CG: So Mexico was your chance to "See The Elephant".
JD: Mexico was a fun war
CG: Because you won?
JD: That is always fun. No, it was how we won. In most of our engagements we were heavily outnumbered and had to capture the high ground. Yet we still won overwhelming victories.
CG: Better aim?
JD: Maybe. If I were more devout I would say that we had God on our side. Either way, all the land we acquired in that war is now in The Republic. When the war ended, I invited John to spend some time at Sauf Asir. It was there that he met my sister for the first time. She was eighteen.
CG: Susan says that she was married at eighteen. It must have been a whirlwind courtship.
JD: She would turn nineteen about six weeks after her wedding. The courtship was helped by the fact that Brevet Colonel Anderson was stationed at Fort Morgan.
CG: That's convenient.
JD: Almost as convenient as my first assignment being in the War Department. I am convinced that my cousin Jefferson Davis had something to do with both our assignments. My parents didn't have that much influence.
CG: How was life in Washington?
JD: It was a whirlwind of social activity. Dinners, parties and dignitaries. I was bored out of my mind
CG: How so?
JD: It's not the kind of excitement that a young soldier seeks. Mexico had whetted my appetite for combat.
CG: So you hated life in Washington?
JD: At first. I spent nearly seven years at the War Department behind a desk. Maybe it's a relief for a soldier posted at some isolated fort that was fated never to get any action.
CG: Like Sumter and Leavenworth.
JD: Point taken. The Confederate attack on Sumter and the Republic's attack on Leavenworth both had this in common, they were the first major battle at the garrison. My time in Washington had one benefit, though.
CG: What is that?
JD: It's where I met Katherine Ann Bradford, who after a short courtship became my wife.
CG: We will come to Katherine and your family shortly. What ended your life at the War Department?
JD: Family, in a way. My Sister, while courting John, made it clear that she didn't want to be travelling all over the nation. She wanted security. So she convinced John to resign his commission and they began life as civilians in a place neither had any ties to. Trenton, New Jersey. I didn't get to see my sister and her family much. And then family life intruded on my life in the War Department.
CG: How So?
JD: My cousin, Jefferson Davis, became Secretary of War. We were able to meet quite frequently and I told him about life in our part of the Davis clan. One day during the Winter of 1855 my brother in law shows up at my house. He's back in military uniform but this time it's as Brigadier-General, not the Captain brevet Colonel I knew. President Pierce has ordered him to take a civilian homesteading expedition to the upper parts of the Nebraska Territory. Since I was in the War Department, he wanted my advice as to who to pick.
CG: Who did you pick?
JD: First, let me say, never let the War Department lead a civilian expedition. To the soldier, civilian means wife and children. I don't think we had one true civilian family in the group.
- John, Susan, Thomas Walter and Robert Lee Anderson
- Colonel Kenneth Mark Bassett of Maine, Single, Captain at the time, courting Kimberly Ann Chase of Boston at the time.
- Kenneth Lee Dawes of Virginia, stationed in Texas at the time with his wife Maureen, a Texan, and their young son Robert. Promoted to Captain on his arrival.
- First Lieutenant Gary White of Boston, Corps of Engineers, stationed at Fort Warren. Single, though courting Laurie Ann Jacobson of Sandwich.
- Major Thomas Garfield of Illinois, commander of Fort Ridgely in Minnesota. Wife Michelle and four children.
- Colonel Willard McDowell, born in Scotland, lately of Florida. Commander of Fort Jefferson in the Caribbean. A Career soldier, single.
- Pierre Renault, Colonel, Canadian army, wife Patricia, formerly of Montreal.
- Catherine, myself, and the first of our three children.
- We were also given one hundred cavalry.
We arrived at Fort Pierre and realized that what we really needed was engineers, and First Lieutenant White was it. We were forced to improvise winter barracks. I remained John's aide-de-camp for seven years, which Susan loved, because she had her brother on hand to help raise a family of four children.
(I have been deciding whether to make this 3 or 4 parts, I'm leaning to 4. We'll continue with the arrival at Fort Pierre next time.
(I have been deciding whether to make this 3 or 4 parts, I'm leaning to 4. We'll continue with the arrival at Fort Pierre next time.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Character Interview: James Davis
Today's interview will also be the first of at least three parts. I still don't know how long things will take. This interview is with James Davis, the Prime Minister of The Republic of Ansdale, and you just can't snag a juicier interview. Like an interview with the President of The United States, you want to cover as much ground as you can. I still haven't decided if this is another military or a government interview. Things sort of overlap in the Republic of Ansdale. Far from a military dictatorship, the overlap allows each group to serve as a check and balance to the other, allowing the Constitution the Supreme Role.
CG: I never knew Americans were into all that King and Country stuff. Prime Minister.
JD: We came up with the idea as soon as we rebelled. It just sounded more important than President. I am no more powerful, though.
CG: Alaska is cut off from the rest of the Republic. How has that affected the war effort.
JD: It hasn't. As soon as the war began we established a War Capital at Reno, also called Republican Capital South. Reno is linked with the mainland republic via Telegraph and Railway. Second Minister Graywolf commands the Alaska front.
CG: Tell me about the Pacific Alliance.
JD: The Pacific Alliance is the baby of Captain Rachel Semmes, so to speak. She's on station at Kamehameha Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. You should talk to her about it.
(Oh the hardships we journalists must go through to get a story. Hawaii. I don't know if I'm up to the task. Hey, Quiet down in the peanut gallery - Who knew there would be so many volunteers?)
CG: I will attempt to schedule an interview with Captain Semmes. Meanwhile, mister Prime Minister, what can you add on the Pacific Alliance.
JD: To hear Captain Semmes tell it, The Pacific Alliance was born when King Kalakuau wanted assurances that the Republic was not simply a band of Pirates before signing a treaty with us. She left Hawaii with the purpose of creating a loose alliance of nations in the Pacific which would give the United States Navy pause before attacking us. The First to sign up was New Zealand and then Tahiti. Not really naval powerhouses, but it was enough to convince Kink Kalakuau to sign a treaty. The United States of Colombia was next, and it was their addition that got the United States interest because of their interest in the isthmus of Darien (That's Panama, folks) for use as a Shipping Canal. Canada joined last year. That surprised me, considering we took British Columbia and the Yukon from them as part of the war.
CG: What is the Republic's issue with Canada?
JD: Nothing. Negotiations with Canada allowing free travel of Republican troops through those two provinces to Alaska had broken down. We needed the access, so we invaded.
CG: I would've thought that would have brought Great Britain into the war on the U.S. Side.
JD: It didn't. Perhaps Canada realized we were right. Joining the Pacific Alliance makes it seem so.
CG: The war is now entering its sixth year, and it seems no closer to resolution then when it commenced. How do you judge its success.
JD: For a war which has gone on longer than the War for Southern Independence, it may seem strange for me to say that it is going better than we had ever dreamed. Considering the population imbalance, Washington could have ended the war quickly by coming in force, but they feared being drawn in and ambushed, and so have not risked a full engagement. I do not anticipate any Gettysburg's in this war.
CG: The United States may not be willing to risk a full engagement with Republican Troops, but there have been plenty of engagements.
JD: The Federals have made their strategy to conduct a proxy war against the native tribes. It is a war of extermination. There is no reason for it except they know of the mutual defense pacts signed by General Anderson.
(I'm making this part one, folks. We will take a turn in the interview in our next part. Until then Happy Presidents Day.)
JD: Nothing. Negotiations with Canada allowing free travel of Republican troops through those two provinces to Alaska had broken down. We needed the access, so we invaded.
CG: I would've thought that would have brought Great Britain into the war on the U.S. Side.
JD: It didn't. Perhaps Canada realized we were right. Joining the Pacific Alliance makes it seem so.
CG: The war is now entering its sixth year, and it seems no closer to resolution then when it commenced. How do you judge its success.
JD: For a war which has gone on longer than the War for Southern Independence, it may seem strange for me to say that it is going better than we had ever dreamed. Considering the population imbalance, Washington could have ended the war quickly by coming in force, but they feared being drawn in and ambushed, and so have not risked a full engagement. I do not anticipate any Gettysburg's in this war.
CG: The United States may not be willing to risk a full engagement with Republican Troops, but there have been plenty of engagements.
JD: The Federals have made their strategy to conduct a proxy war against the native tribes. It is a war of extermination. There is no reason for it except they know of the mutual defense pacts signed by General Anderson.
(I'm making this part one, folks. We will take a turn in the interview in our next part. Until then Happy Presidents Day.)
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Character Interview: Susan Anderson, Part Two
Welcome Back to our interview with Susan Anderson, the matriarch of the Republic of Ansdale. If you missed part one, click on the link. When we left off our interview, Susan was beginning to tell about her daughter Katherine joining the war effort as a soldier.
CG: You bring up Lieutenant Commander Semmes. Can I infer that you think women should be warriors like your husband?
SA: Women don't belong in the Army. Or the Navy. I know John and James have decided to let women serve because we've got a bigger population deficit than the south did, but I still don't like it. Women should rule the home. That's why one of the first things I did after the last war was to send Katherine off to Mobile Bay School For Girls. To learn to be a lady.
CG: It didn't work?
SA: I should have known better. I did know. I knew it when she first picked up a pistol when she was five. She wanted to be just like her brothers, even though the blast knocked her down. She didn't cry. She wanted to try again, and again, until she mastered it. So while I was disappointed when she told my husband that she wanted to be a soldier, I wasn't surprised. John got her stationed to Fort Shoshone in Wyoming as part of the Territorial Police, which is sort of like a police officer. Then the war erupted and the Territorial Police became Cavalry and she also became a sniper. She was also one of the founding members of the Emerald Guard, which is also tasked with protecting our government officials, including Prime Minister Davis.
CG: Your brother.
SA: Yes. Katherine seems to seek out the most dangerous assignments. A mother wants to protect all her children, so I saw to it that she got her first command with the founding of Fort Republic in Southwest Alaska. One of the reasons J.D. is going to Fort Bannock is because "he doesn't want to be bossed around by his sister."
CG: But you did get half of what you wanted. She did recently get married.
SA: Yes, to Major Morgan of Fort Shoshone. So she is an army wife as well. Though the couple is hardly together. Major Morgan is soon to replace my husband at Reno as Minister of War. It was a grand wedding which would be the envy of every Southern Belle. The distance is not conducive to grandchildren. That may change. Katherine is asking to go back to the Emerald Guard. Perhaps I can get her assigned to Reno.
CG: A related question. What is the status of Sauf Asir?
SA: Sauf Asir is an active plantation. All workers are hired. At twice the freedman's bureau rate, I should add. I inherited the plantation. James wanted nothing to do with it. I think Katherine wants to inherit it from me. That gives me joy. Uncle Ezra manages the estate, and has defended it proudly against United States troops since war broke out. He actually almost shot Katherine during one of her missions east. Another reason I wish she wasn't a soldier. Perhaps Major Morgan will settle her down.
CG: Perhaps. I hear there may be another wedding in the Anderson family. I hear rumors that your son Robert and Captain Quantrill are courting.
SA: They are. Young lovers never realize how obvious their actions are to others. I want Robert to be happy, but he could have done much better.
CG: I take it you don't approve?
SA: Her father was a cold blooded murderer and her mother a saloon girl. They weren't even married at the time of her birth.
CG: There was nothing she could do about any of that
SA: She is a gambler, frequents saloons, and dresses like one of General Hooker's camp followers. Like most gamblers she is probably a cheat.
CG: I have interviewed Captain Quantrill previously. She appears to be a good Christian girl who reads the Bible every day.
SA: Even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. She taught Robert to play poker. Even if she is an honest girl, it is tradition that the bride's family pays for the wedding.
CG: And since Captain Quantrill is an orphan, there's no family.
SA: Captain Quantrill will gain much more from the marriage than Robert.
CG: Pardon me for saying this, Mrs. Anderson, but while your family may have been Southern Royalty, there doesn't seem to be any High Society here in the West.
SA: He could have done much better.
CG: Mrs. Anderson, thank you for this interview. I will not ask you another question, but I hope you will permit me a final comment. You have raised four children who have risen to the highest ranks of prominence in a new nation. That takes character. I believe despite surface appearances Captain Quantrill is a woman of excellent character because of the fact that Robert is in love with her. He learned to judge character from you.
And that concludes my interview with Susan Anderson. Not much left to cover here. Thank you, Mrs. Anderson, for being a talker. Not sure who will be next, but stay tuned.
CG: You bring up Lieutenant Commander Semmes. Can I infer that you think women should be warriors like your husband?
SA: Women don't belong in the Army. Or the Navy. I know John and James have decided to let women serve because we've got a bigger population deficit than the south did, but I still don't like it. Women should rule the home. That's why one of the first things I did after the last war was to send Katherine off to Mobile Bay School For Girls. To learn to be a lady.
CG: It didn't work?
SA: I should have known better. I did know. I knew it when she first picked up a pistol when she was five. She wanted to be just like her brothers, even though the blast knocked her down. She didn't cry. She wanted to try again, and again, until she mastered it. So while I was disappointed when she told my husband that she wanted to be a soldier, I wasn't surprised. John got her stationed to Fort Shoshone in Wyoming as part of the Territorial Police, which is sort of like a police officer. Then the war erupted and the Territorial Police became Cavalry and she also became a sniper. She was also one of the founding members of the Emerald Guard, which is also tasked with protecting our government officials, including Prime Minister Davis.
CG: Your brother.
SA: Yes. Katherine seems to seek out the most dangerous assignments. A mother wants to protect all her children, so I saw to it that she got her first command with the founding of Fort Republic in Southwest Alaska. One of the reasons J.D. is going to Fort Bannock is because "he doesn't want to be bossed around by his sister."
CG: But you did get half of what you wanted. She did recently get married.
SA: Yes, to Major Morgan of Fort Shoshone. So she is an army wife as well. Though the couple is hardly together. Major Morgan is soon to replace my husband at Reno as Minister of War. It was a grand wedding which would be the envy of every Southern Belle. The distance is not conducive to grandchildren. That may change. Katherine is asking to go back to the Emerald Guard. Perhaps I can get her assigned to Reno.
CG: A related question. What is the status of Sauf Asir?
SA: Sauf Asir is an active plantation. All workers are hired. At twice the freedman's bureau rate, I should add. I inherited the plantation. James wanted nothing to do with it. I think Katherine wants to inherit it from me. That gives me joy. Uncle Ezra manages the estate, and has defended it proudly against United States troops since war broke out. He actually almost shot Katherine during one of her missions east. Another reason I wish she wasn't a soldier. Perhaps Major Morgan will settle her down.
CG: Perhaps. I hear there may be another wedding in the Anderson family. I hear rumors that your son Robert and Captain Quantrill are courting.
SA: They are. Young lovers never realize how obvious their actions are to others. I want Robert to be happy, but he could have done much better.
CG: I take it you don't approve?
SA: Her father was a cold blooded murderer and her mother a saloon girl. They weren't even married at the time of her birth.
CG: There was nothing she could do about any of that
SA: She is a gambler, frequents saloons, and dresses like one of General Hooker's camp followers. Like most gamblers she is probably a cheat.
CG: I have interviewed Captain Quantrill previously. She appears to be a good Christian girl who reads the Bible every day.
SA: Even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. She taught Robert to play poker. Even if she is an honest girl, it is tradition that the bride's family pays for the wedding.
CG: And since Captain Quantrill is an orphan, there's no family.
SA: Captain Quantrill will gain much more from the marriage than Robert.
CG: Pardon me for saying this, Mrs. Anderson, but while your family may have been Southern Royalty, there doesn't seem to be any High Society here in the West.
SA: He could have done much better.
CG: Mrs. Anderson, thank you for this interview. I will not ask you another question, but I hope you will permit me a final comment. You have raised four children who have risen to the highest ranks of prominence in a new nation. That takes character. I believe despite surface appearances Captain Quantrill is a woman of excellent character because of the fact that Robert is in love with her. He learned to judge character from you.
And that concludes my interview with Susan Anderson. Not much left to cover here. Thank you, Mrs. Anderson, for being a talker. Not sure who will be next, but stay tuned.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Character Interview: Susan Anderson
(While doing this interview, I was unprepared for the information volunteered by Mrs. Anderson. The military interviews have been pretty sparse with volunteered information. Because of that, I have decided to split this interview into two. We will start with the Army Wife side and her family history, and we shall continue in the next post with her children.)
I've finally tracked down a civilian to interview. With a major Sort of. I guess an army wife still qualifies as a civilian. The Civilian in question is Susan Anderson, wife of General John Lee Anderson. She looks to be about 50, originally a brunette, but now mostly gray.
CG: Tell us about your life before you became an Army Wife.
SA: Army wife, it makes it sound so official. I like it. I was born in the deep south. Mobile, Alabama to be precise. I was born Susan Ruth Davis at Sauf Asir, the Davis family plantation.
CG: All you left out is your age.
SA: It's impolite to ask a lady about her age. I will say that I am four years younger than my brother James and ten years younger than my husband.
CG: From what you've told me already I can infer that you are old enough to have been raised among slaves.
SA: Both my husband and I are from slave owning families. I'm the youngest of four siblings and the only girl. At our families greatest we had six slaves. By the time I married John when I was eighteen there was only Uncle Ezra. John was fresh out of the Mexican War, a Major, and stationed at Fort Morgan at the time. Soon after our wedding he resigned from the army and we moved to Trenton, New Jersey. I was a young mother of two boys when my cousin Jefferson, who was Secretary of War, informed my husband that he was being sent to the northern parts of the Nebraska Territory. He was re-commissioned into the army with a rank of Brigadier-General.
CG: At least the bump in pay was appreciated.
SA: Not that I could appreciate it. Fort Pierre, which the army renamed Fort Bennett, but which we settlers still called Fort Pierre, was sold by John Jacob Astor of the American Fur Company. If A trading post couldn't survive, money was useless. I probably shouldn't say this, but I think I know how Astor made his money. By selling useless forts to the Army. It was a wreck from the day we moved in until we burned it to the ground and moved into Fort Ansdale. I thought we had arrived in Hades itself when we arrived. And then we met the savages.
CG: The Ansdales?
SA: Yes
CG: I take it from your answers that you are a Democrat?
SA: Women can't vote in the United States, but yes, my family was Democrat. It is the natural home of the slave owner. And yes, I know we can vote in the Republic, but I haven't so far. My husband is a founder of the New Republic Party, so I guess I am too if I chose to vote.
CG: Back to the Ansdales.
SA: I did see them as savages when I met them. Savages that lived in houses, but still savages. Now Red Thunder and his tribe are our closest allies. Red Thunder is also godfather to the twins J.D. and Katherine.
CG: J.D., that's....
SA: Jefferson Davis Anderson. One of his brothers is Robert Lee Anderson, affectionately called Bobby Lee. I guess I'm the rebel, even though they call John one.
CG: That's four children, and all of them are in the military.
SA: Along with her age, never ask a lady about her failures.
CG: You didn't want your children to be soldiers?
SA: I had no objection to my sons joining the military. I did insist on them being officers. You have no idea how difficult it can be for someone from the territories to get into west point. Thomas and Robert both graduated from there, but J.D. resigned a year before he would have graduated because war broke out. I have managed to keep my boys out of harms way, however. J.D. is finishing an assignment as Warden of Fort Baranov Military Prison in Southwest Alaska and is about to begin an assignment as Commander of Fort Bannock, because Colonel Renault wants to have a field command before the war ends. Thomas has been at Fort Sitka from before the war, and Robert has been at Fort Bannock as a Ranger. War is a mans job. John is a warrior, it is only natural that our sons should be.
CG: As a Southerner by birth, did you influence your husbands decision to Keep Fort Ansdale out of the previous war?
SA: Not at all. John felt, as did I, that the war was unnecessary, and that he owed it to the people of the territories to maintain an army presence. Washington was busy emptying western garrisons of their troops to send them South. While the orders to do so never reached Fort Ansdale, I think they would have been the only orders my husband ever would have disobeyed.
CG: So then your sympathies were with the South.
SA: No, though we have tapped former Confederates and their families for service in the Republic. Sauf Asir also served as a waystation for escaped Union Prisoners, as well as Confederates wishing to escape capture. We played both sides.
CG: You say you have Confederates in your army.
SA: The best known is Lieutenant Commander Hunter, commanding officer at Fort Bering Naval Yard. He was a blockade runner, escaped prisoner of war, and passed into the territories through Sauf Asir. And then there is Rachel Semmes, niece of Raphael Semmes of the CSS Alabama. She commanded one of our first Naval Vessels in the war and is currently Minister of the Navy, commanding From Hawaii. She is also creator of the Pacific Alliance and temporary ambassador to the court of King Kalakaua.
I think this is as good a place to end it, and I think it gives me a jumping off place to discuss the concept of Women in the Military. Should be fun.
I've finally tracked down a civilian to interview. With a major Sort of. I guess an army wife still qualifies as a civilian. The Civilian in question is Susan Anderson, wife of General John Lee Anderson. She looks to be about 50, originally a brunette, but now mostly gray.
CG: Tell us about your life before you became an Army Wife.
SA: Army wife, it makes it sound so official. I like it. I was born in the deep south. Mobile, Alabama to be precise. I was born Susan Ruth Davis at Sauf Asir, the Davis family plantation.
CG: All you left out is your age.
SA: It's impolite to ask a lady about her age. I will say that I am four years younger than my brother James and ten years younger than my husband.
CG: From what you've told me already I can infer that you are old enough to have been raised among slaves.
SA: Both my husband and I are from slave owning families. I'm the youngest of four siblings and the only girl. At our families greatest we had six slaves. By the time I married John when I was eighteen there was only Uncle Ezra. John was fresh out of the Mexican War, a Major, and stationed at Fort Morgan at the time. Soon after our wedding he resigned from the army and we moved to Trenton, New Jersey. I was a young mother of two boys when my cousin Jefferson, who was Secretary of War, informed my husband that he was being sent to the northern parts of the Nebraska Territory. He was re-commissioned into the army with a rank of Brigadier-General.
CG: At least the bump in pay was appreciated.
SA: Not that I could appreciate it. Fort Pierre, which the army renamed Fort Bennett, but which we settlers still called Fort Pierre, was sold by John Jacob Astor of the American Fur Company. If A trading post couldn't survive, money was useless. I probably shouldn't say this, but I think I know how Astor made his money. By selling useless forts to the Army. It was a wreck from the day we moved in until we burned it to the ground and moved into Fort Ansdale. I thought we had arrived in Hades itself when we arrived. And then we met the savages.
CG: The Ansdales?
SA: Yes
CG: I take it from your answers that you are a Democrat?
SA: Women can't vote in the United States, but yes, my family was Democrat. It is the natural home of the slave owner. And yes, I know we can vote in the Republic, but I haven't so far. My husband is a founder of the New Republic Party, so I guess I am too if I chose to vote.
CG: Back to the Ansdales.
SA: I did see them as savages when I met them. Savages that lived in houses, but still savages. Now Red Thunder and his tribe are our closest allies. Red Thunder is also godfather to the twins J.D. and Katherine.
CG: J.D., that's....
SA: Jefferson Davis Anderson. One of his brothers is Robert Lee Anderson, affectionately called Bobby Lee. I guess I'm the rebel, even though they call John one.
CG: That's four children, and all of them are in the military.
SA: Along with her age, never ask a lady about her failures.
CG: You didn't want your children to be soldiers?
SA: I had no objection to my sons joining the military. I did insist on them being officers. You have no idea how difficult it can be for someone from the territories to get into west point. Thomas and Robert both graduated from there, but J.D. resigned a year before he would have graduated because war broke out. I have managed to keep my boys out of harms way, however. J.D. is finishing an assignment as Warden of Fort Baranov Military Prison in Southwest Alaska and is about to begin an assignment as Commander of Fort Bannock, because Colonel Renault wants to have a field command before the war ends. Thomas has been at Fort Sitka from before the war, and Robert has been at Fort Bannock as a Ranger. War is a mans job. John is a warrior, it is only natural that our sons should be.
CG: As a Southerner by birth, did you influence your husbands decision to Keep Fort Ansdale out of the previous war?
SA: Not at all. John felt, as did I, that the war was unnecessary, and that he owed it to the people of the territories to maintain an army presence. Washington was busy emptying western garrisons of their troops to send them South. While the orders to do so never reached Fort Ansdale, I think they would have been the only orders my husband ever would have disobeyed.
CG: So then your sympathies were with the South.
SA: No, though we have tapped former Confederates and their families for service in the Republic. Sauf Asir also served as a waystation for escaped Union Prisoners, as well as Confederates wishing to escape capture. We played both sides.
CG: You say you have Confederates in your army.
SA: The best known is Lieutenant Commander Hunter, commanding officer at Fort Bering Naval Yard. He was a blockade runner, escaped prisoner of war, and passed into the territories through Sauf Asir. And then there is Rachel Semmes, niece of Raphael Semmes of the CSS Alabama. She commanded one of our first Naval Vessels in the war and is currently Minister of the Navy, commanding From Hawaii. She is also creator of the Pacific Alliance and temporary ambassador to the court of King Kalakaua.
I think this is as good a place to end it, and I think it gives me a jumping off place to discuss the concept of Women in the Military. Should be fun.
Friday, February 1, 2013
How Not To Make A Movie
I recently purchased a Blu Ray player and have been making use of it by renting a lot of movies, though in a move endorsed by +Andrejia Brunett-Libecap, one of my Triberr buddies, I am using the library. Good thing this time around, as this one would have been a complete waste of money as well as time. This way it was only the latter. Not as much time as it could have been, as it is the first movie I watched on Fast Forward.
I guess it should have been a tip off when the movie was marketed as a comedy. I mean, yes, so was the Batman series with Adam West, but at least it was played semi-straight.
As a child I had a LP of the Green Hornet radio drama, and to me, Black Beauty could whip the Batmobile anyday. Plus except for the mask, Green Hornet fought crime in a suit and hat and never broke a wrinkle. Cool and Suave.
And then Hollywood came along and wrecked things. Actually they're pretty good at that these days (The A-Team Movie and Battleship come to mind pretty quick). Seth Rogan and Jay Chou are no Van Williams and Bruce Lee, that's for sure. Britt Reid/Green Hornet came off as an incompetent J***A** among other things, and though you couldn't get more cookie cutter or stupid a villain than bloodnofsky or whatever he wanted to be called, it made you think that the Batman Villains of the 60's (yes even King Tut) were Masterpiece Theatre quality. To put it simply, this is the first action superhero movie I was hoping they would off the hero. I guess the first thing you need to remember is never nake a hero movie where you hate the hero.
Then there is the "love interest" being Cameron Diaz. Sorry Hollywood, she's not A-list material anymore. Well, I guess that made her perfect for this movie then. It's not so much that I'm opposed to love interests, it's just if you're going to put it in the film, at least make it an issue. Here, except for a few jokes, it was a wasted role.
In closing, I'll give you a chance to make your own decision. Her's the Bruce Lee version
And Here's the Jay Chou version.
An anti-hero movie. Root for the villain. If you like it rent It. But get it free from the library.
I guess it should have been a tip off when the movie was marketed as a comedy. I mean, yes, so was the Batman series with Adam West, but at least it was played semi-straight.
As a child I had a LP of the Green Hornet radio drama, and to me, Black Beauty could whip the Batmobile anyday. Plus except for the mask, Green Hornet fought crime in a suit and hat and never broke a wrinkle. Cool and Suave.
And then Hollywood came along and wrecked things. Actually they're pretty good at that these days (The A-Team Movie and Battleship come to mind pretty quick). Seth Rogan and Jay Chou are no Van Williams and Bruce Lee, that's for sure. Britt Reid/Green Hornet came off as an incompetent J***A** among other things, and though you couldn't get more cookie cutter or stupid a villain than bloodnofsky or whatever he wanted to be called, it made you think that the Batman Villains of the 60's (yes even King Tut) were Masterpiece Theatre quality. To put it simply, this is the first action superhero movie I was hoping they would off the hero. I guess the first thing you need to remember is never nake a hero movie where you hate the hero.
Then there is the "love interest" being Cameron Diaz. Sorry Hollywood, she's not A-list material anymore. Well, I guess that made her perfect for this movie then. It's not so much that I'm opposed to love interests, it's just if you're going to put it in the film, at least make it an issue. Here, except for a few jokes, it was a wasted role.
In closing, I'll give you a chance to make your own decision. Her's the Bruce Lee version
And Here's the Jay Chou version.
An anti-hero movie. Root for the villain. If you like it rent It. But get it free from the library.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Character Interview: Gray Wolf
This is the biggest scoop yet. I mean really big. An interview with an Ansdale. The Ansdale are an Alaskan Coastal tribe that many years in the past got expelled by stronger tribes. They eventually found their way into the Dakota Territory, and when discovered by Brigadier General John Lee Anderson and his expedition in 1855, the Department of the Interior misclassified them as Ansdale Sioux. It is just Ansdale.
The most powerful Ansdale in the Republic of Ansdale would be the current Second Minister of The Republic, and we'll let him take over from here:
CG: How should I call you?
GW: I was born Gray Wolf, son of Red Thunder, Principal Chief of The Ansdale Nation. When my father decided I should be a Scout for General Anderson's "Blue Tribe", I was also given the Christian name Daniel, so I also go by the name Daniel Graywolf..
CG: So you will be Chief someday?
GW: No. That will fall to my older bother Swift as a deer. I am content to be a soldier.
CG: And second in command to Prime Minister Davis.
GW: And third most powerful in this nation. Even Prime Minister Davis acknowledges that he is less powerful than General Anderson, though he is officially the leader.
CG: Tell me about the Ansdale.
GW: The Ansdale are a nation originally from the coastal parts of Alaska. We were the weakest of the nations in the area and so were forced to leave out native land. We migrated from the area commonly called Anchorage southward and eastward until we arrived in our current homeland in what you call Dakota Territory.
CG: So you are not a branch of the Sioux as the United States Department of the Interior maintains to this day. You are listed as Ansdale Sioux.
GW: We are not Sioux, or any other nation. We are Ansdale.
CG: If your tribe was weak, how is it that you avoided assimilation by another, stronger nation.
GW: For Six generations of Ansdale Chiefs, including my Father, we have created alliances with other nations, through trade. Both the Cheyenne and Dakota, enemies though they are, are both allies to the Ansdale. That has kept us strong.
CG: For our audiences reference, where is the Ansdale Reservation located.
GW: There is none. General Anderson and his blue tribe, as they were originally called, dwelt among us, and even though their presence has grown, they have never forced us off our land. Perhaps it is because, as a former Alaskan nation, we were accustomed to living in houses as they, instead of teepee's. Of course you can always recognize an Ansdale home, it having a totem at its entrance.
CG: In closing I was informed by my staff that you wished to clear up a misconception regarding the death of George Armstrong Custer at Little Big Horn.
GW: Crazy Horse did have a role, but not as much as is given him. What is not known is that the Ansdale Native Cavalry, working with the Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho, lured the United States Cavalry into an ambush. Custer thought he was going to face some of Anderson's troops and crush the western uprising in one battle. What happened was that the ANC lured the American Troops into a much larger force than they had planned to face. The result was inevitable.
CG: One final question. Your opinion on General Anderson's practice of naming his garrison's after the nation he has allied with. Fort Ansdale or Fort Shoshone for example.
GW: I can not speak for all of the nations, but the Ansdale are honored. Is not the family of the Blue Tribe Warrior honored when a garrison is named for them.
CG: I would think so. Second Minister Greywolf, thank you for your time.
Three interviews, all with a military bent. Next time I'm going to try to scare up a civilian of sorts. If you think of any questions for Greywolf if I should get another interview, please leave a question in the comments below.
The most powerful Ansdale in the Republic of Ansdale would be the current Second Minister of The Republic, and we'll let him take over from here:
CG: How should I call you?
GW: I was born Gray Wolf, son of Red Thunder, Principal Chief of The Ansdale Nation. When my father decided I should be a Scout for General Anderson's "Blue Tribe", I was also given the Christian name Daniel, so I also go by the name Daniel Graywolf..
CG: So you will be Chief someday?
GW: No. That will fall to my older bother Swift as a deer. I am content to be a soldier.
CG: And second in command to Prime Minister Davis.
GW: And third most powerful in this nation. Even Prime Minister Davis acknowledges that he is less powerful than General Anderson, though he is officially the leader.
CG: Tell me about the Ansdale.
GW: The Ansdale are a nation originally from the coastal parts of Alaska. We were the weakest of the nations in the area and so were forced to leave out native land. We migrated from the area commonly called Anchorage southward and eastward until we arrived in our current homeland in what you call Dakota Territory.
CG: So you are not a branch of the Sioux as the United States Department of the Interior maintains to this day. You are listed as Ansdale Sioux.
GW: We are not Sioux, or any other nation. We are Ansdale.
CG: If your tribe was weak, how is it that you avoided assimilation by another, stronger nation.
GW: For Six generations of Ansdale Chiefs, including my Father, we have created alliances with other nations, through trade. Both the Cheyenne and Dakota, enemies though they are, are both allies to the Ansdale. That has kept us strong.
CG: For our audiences reference, where is the Ansdale Reservation located.
GW: There is none. General Anderson and his blue tribe, as they were originally called, dwelt among us, and even though their presence has grown, they have never forced us off our land. Perhaps it is because, as a former Alaskan nation, we were accustomed to living in houses as they, instead of teepee's. Of course you can always recognize an Ansdale home, it having a totem at its entrance.
CG: In closing I was informed by my staff that you wished to clear up a misconception regarding the death of George Armstrong Custer at Little Big Horn.
GW: Crazy Horse did have a role, but not as much as is given him. What is not known is that the Ansdale Native Cavalry, working with the Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho, lured the United States Cavalry into an ambush. Custer thought he was going to face some of Anderson's troops and crush the western uprising in one battle. What happened was that the ANC lured the American Troops into a much larger force than they had planned to face. The result was inevitable.
CG: One final question. Your opinion on General Anderson's practice of naming his garrison's after the nation he has allied with. Fort Ansdale or Fort Shoshone for example.
GW: I can not speak for all of the nations, but the Ansdale are honored. Is not the family of the Blue Tribe Warrior honored when a garrison is named for them.
CG: I would think so. Second Minister Greywolf, thank you for your time.
Three interviews, all with a military bent. Next time I'm going to try to scare up a civilian of sorts. If you think of any questions for Greywolf if I should get another interview, please leave a question in the comments below.
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