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.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The Grand Tour: Nevada
What if you declared war and no one cared? That was the problem facing Alaska. The land of The North Star may have birthed a new revolution, but no one outside of it heard. For a revolution to succeed, it would have to have the aid of a State.
The Confederate Cause had South Carolina, the Republic had Nevada. "Battle Born" is the motto of the State, not because of its rich military heritage, but because it was admitted to the Union during the First American Civil War (October 31, 1864 to be precise). No battles were fought on its soil.
Militarily speaking, Nevada is referred to as Military District #7, and is commanded from Fort Goshute in Ely. It was founded at the start of the First American Civil War. Since its founding it has been commanded by Major Kenneth Lee Dawes. As the Second Civil War begins Major Dawes is busy creating the Camp at Lake Tahoe (aka Fort Carson). Critics call it the Nevada Naval Base, because Major Dawes intends to use the location to launch an invasion of California, which has pledged its loyalty to The East.
Nevada is fairly unimportant as things go, but so was South Carolina. The big issue is that it is a STATE, not a Territory like Wyoming or a "Whatever" like Alaska. You notice when a State leaves the Union. Technically they are the only one who can.
Nevada also marks the first break in the link known as the Trans-Continental Railroad. You can't get from Omaha to Sacramento without going through Nevada. Now that Nevada is in rebellion, California is in jeopardy. The Silver and Gold booms that pop up now and then may ensure that the Republic will not suffer the financial collapses of the former Confederacy. Time will tell.
Nevada is the first State willing to "gamble" on an Empire of The West. Only if other States decide to ante-up, however, will there be any chance of a payoff. On May 7, 1875 Nevada cast its lot with the West. It is now up to President Ulysses S. Grant to see if Nevada is serious, or to take action to call her bluff.
The Confederate Cause had South Carolina, the Republic had Nevada. "Battle Born" is the motto of the State, not because of its rich military heritage, but because it was admitted to the Union during the First American Civil War (October 31, 1864 to be precise). No battles were fought on its soil.
Militarily speaking, Nevada is referred to as Military District #7, and is commanded from Fort Goshute in Ely. It was founded at the start of the First American Civil War. Since its founding it has been commanded by Major Kenneth Lee Dawes. As the Second Civil War begins Major Dawes is busy creating the Camp at Lake Tahoe (aka Fort Carson). Critics call it the Nevada Naval Base, because Major Dawes intends to use the location to launch an invasion of California, which has pledged its loyalty to The East.
Nevada is fairly unimportant as things go, but so was South Carolina. The big issue is that it is a STATE, not a Territory like Wyoming or a "Whatever" like Alaska. You notice when a State leaves the Union. Technically they are the only one who can.
Nevada also marks the first break in the link known as the Trans-Continental Railroad. You can't get from Omaha to Sacramento without going through Nevada. Now that Nevada is in rebellion, California is in jeopardy. The Silver and Gold booms that pop up now and then may ensure that the Republic will not suffer the financial collapses of the former Confederacy. Time will tell.
Nevada is the first State willing to "gamble" on an Empire of The West. Only if other States decide to ante-up, however, will there be any chance of a payoff. On May 7, 1875 Nevada cast its lot with the West. It is now up to President Ulysses S. Grant to see if Nevada is serious, or to take action to call her bluff.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Character Interview: Leah Quantrill
Today I'm pleased to announce that I've snagged another big interview. Big in reputation at least. I do have a few problems with this interview, however. She's just a kid, Yes I said She, looks to be about or so. I really feel ambivalent with grilling a teenager with tough questions. My other problem is that she really is a Smart alek and rarely gives a straight answer. I say kid, but that's just me showing my age. She appears to be about twenty or so, five six, average build and looks quite fetching in her gold cavalry uniform offset by her flame red hair. Enough of that.
CG: Let's start with the beginning. How about your name?
LQ: Pick one. Poker, Faro, Twenty-One. I am pretty good with them all.
CG: I am sure you are. But I said name, not game.
LQ: The games are much more interesting.
CG: Maybe, but I want your name, please.
LQ: I guess I should say pickem as well. Leah Clark, Leah Hart, Rachel King, or maybe Leah O'Brien
CG: How about your real name.
LQ: (mumbles) Leah Marie Quantrill
CG: I didn't quite get that
LQ: Leah Marie Quantrill. Yes, Quantrill, as in Daughter of Satan, Demon Spawn, destined for hell and all that. Happy.
CG: Not really. but thank you. Tell me about yourself. Your family life.
LQ: Family, that's funny. I was born, so they tell me, on March 24, 1859 in a mining camp near Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. My father went by the name of Charlie Hart at the time and my mother was an Irish immigrant by the name of Kate O'Brien. They weren't married at the time. I have been told that my father really loved her, and that he was grieved when she died of some outbreak a few months later. I was sent north to be raised by his family and was called Leah Clarke for as long as I remember. I just found out my real name on my twelfth birthday.
CG: Nice present.
LQ: A few years later I left home. I've made a life for myself as a gambler ever since, except for joining the army.
CG: Tell me how that happened. I didn't think the army admitted women.
LQ: They don't. Well, not unless that woman is the daughter of the most powerful soldier in the West.
CG: That would be Katherine Sue Anderson, daughter of General Anderson.
LQ: Yes. Kathy took me under her wing from the start. She's been like a big sister to me. Kept me from getting courts martialed when I ran. I'm still not thrilled with being a Quantrill, but I think I can come out better than my dad. Kathy's the only friend I have, except for midnight. Midnight's my horse.
CG: I think you have at least one additional friend. Robert... You're turning the color of your hair, young lady. Have I hit a nerve?
LQ: It was completely accidental. I was making a report to General Anderson and in he walked. There's got to be some army regulation prohibiting it. Still, I can't stop thinking about him. I've managed to schedule some patrols while here at Fort Bannock so they overlap. We're both in the Idaho Rangers but in different squads. I don't think Colonel Renault suspects anything.
CG: Would you marry him?
LQ: I don't know. I would probably have to resign my commission, and right now I like being a Cavalry Officer a lot. That's probably a frightening thing to hear from a Quantrill.
CG: Not at all. Thank you for your time.
Two interviews with leaders of the rebellion. This trip back to 1881 is proving extremely successful. If I can snag another interview with Leah, is there any question you the reader would like me to ask? All I ask is you keep it clean and somewhat relevant to conditions in 1881. Nothing about American Idol or Obama, but questions about the Grant, Hayes and Garfield administration are up for grabs, as well as questions on Womens Suffrage, Women in the Military, Native American relations and others are quite germane. Right now I would ask that you post questions in the comments, I think that would be best.
CG: Let's start with the beginning. How about your name?
LQ: Pick one. Poker, Faro, Twenty-One. I am pretty good with them all.
CG: I am sure you are. But I said name, not game.
LQ: The games are much more interesting.
CG: Maybe, but I want your name, please.
LQ: I guess I should say pickem as well. Leah Clark, Leah Hart, Rachel King, or maybe Leah O'Brien
CG: How about your real name.
LQ: (mumbles) Leah Marie Quantrill
CG: I didn't quite get that
LQ: Leah Marie Quantrill. Yes, Quantrill, as in Daughter of Satan, Demon Spawn, destined for hell and all that. Happy.
CG: Not really. but thank you. Tell me about yourself. Your family life.
LQ: Family, that's funny. I was born, so they tell me, on March 24, 1859 in a mining camp near Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. My father went by the name of Charlie Hart at the time and my mother was an Irish immigrant by the name of Kate O'Brien. They weren't married at the time. I have been told that my father really loved her, and that he was grieved when she died of some outbreak a few months later. I was sent north to be raised by his family and was called Leah Clarke for as long as I remember. I just found out my real name on my twelfth birthday.
CG: Nice present.
LQ: A few years later I left home. I've made a life for myself as a gambler ever since, except for joining the army.
CG: Tell me how that happened. I didn't think the army admitted women.
LQ: They don't. Well, not unless that woman is the daughter of the most powerful soldier in the West.
CG: That would be Katherine Sue Anderson, daughter of General Anderson.
LQ: Yes. Kathy took me under her wing from the start. She's been like a big sister to me. Kept me from getting courts martialed when I ran. I'm still not thrilled with being a Quantrill, but I think I can come out better than my dad. Kathy's the only friend I have, except for midnight. Midnight's my horse.
CG: I think you have at least one additional friend. Robert... You're turning the color of your hair, young lady. Have I hit a nerve?
LQ: It was completely accidental. I was making a report to General Anderson and in he walked. There's got to be some army regulation prohibiting it. Still, I can't stop thinking about him. I've managed to schedule some patrols while here at Fort Bannock so they overlap. We're both in the Idaho Rangers but in different squads. I don't think Colonel Renault suspects anything.
CG: Would you marry him?
LQ: I don't know. I would probably have to resign my commission, and right now I like being a Cavalry Officer a lot. That's probably a frightening thing to hear from a Quantrill.
CG: Not at all. Thank you for your time.
Two interviews with leaders of the rebellion. This trip back to 1881 is proving extremely successful. If I can snag another interview with Leah, is there any question you the reader would like me to ask? All I ask is you keep it clean and somewhat relevant to conditions in 1881. Nothing about American Idol or Obama, but questions about the Grant, Hayes and Garfield administration are up for grabs, as well as questions on Womens Suffrage, Women in the Military, Native American relations and others are quite germane. Right now I would ask that you post questions in the comments, I think that would be best.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The Grand Tour: Alaska
Today we will be beginning a new feature, a Grand Tour of The Republic of Ansdale. Every week at this time we will introduce you to one of the "States" of the R.O.A. We will progress in the order of their original secession.
It is fitting that both in the order of secession and importance we begin with Alaska. The birthplace of The Republic of Ansdale is no stranger to dreams of empire, it having its former life as part of Tsarist Russia. Russia only was interested in Beaver Pelts, and the supply was rapidly diminishing. Possibly even faster than the Russian Treasury. Since Tsar Alexander II wanted to finance a war into the Amur River to get more access to the fur trade, he willingly sold Russian America to the United States for the paltry sum of $7,200,000 (that's 111 Million dollars, give or take, in today's money). Still, If Alexander could have known about the Gold Rush (1896-1899), or the Discovery of Oil (1968). That knocking sound is the Ghost of Alexander II banging his head against the wall.
Once the territory was safely in American hands it was promptly ignored. Though the title "Seward's Folly" didn't originate right away, those on the continent didn't see its value. Congress made sure they collected tax revenue from it, but didn't provide for even the minimum of Civil Laws, like birth marriage and death. The only law was martial law. In a moment of Supreme Irony, the United States choice of military commander, Jefferson Davis. The people of Alaska weren't laughing.
After eight long years, neither was the United States, for the Republic of Ansdale was born in the remote city of Sitka. In retrospect, the choice was fairly obvious, for though they currently reside in the Dakotas, the Ansdale were originally an Inuit nation from Alaska, driven out by much stronger tribes long before. They see the "Blue Tribe", as Anderson's Federals are originally called, as their solution to reclaiming their ancestral land.
Alaska is divided for organizational purposes into four Military Districts. Originally its Headquarters resides at Fort Sitka, a reconverted Russian American Company post in the Territorial Capital, but it is soon decided that the site is unsuitable and a permanent headquarters is constructed by the Name of Fort Republic at Anchorage. It quickly becomes the Northern Command (NORCOM) of the Republic. Ironically, the fact that Alaska is virtually cut off from the rest of the world has allowed the Western Independence Movement to become extremely organized without attracting any attention in Washington, if they even cared.
Two Republics, the Republic of Alaska and the Republic of Ansdale born on the Same Day, May 1, 1875. The North Star Rises.
It is fitting that both in the order of secession and importance we begin with Alaska. The birthplace of The Republic of Ansdale is no stranger to dreams of empire, it having its former life as part of Tsarist Russia. Russia only was interested in Beaver Pelts, and the supply was rapidly diminishing. Possibly even faster than the Russian Treasury. Since Tsar Alexander II wanted to finance a war into the Amur River to get more access to the fur trade, he willingly sold Russian America to the United States for the paltry sum of $7,200,000 (that's 111 Million dollars, give or take, in today's money). Still, If Alexander could have known about the Gold Rush (1896-1899), or the Discovery of Oil (1968). That knocking sound is the Ghost of Alexander II banging his head against the wall.
Once the territory was safely in American hands it was promptly ignored. Though the title "Seward's Folly" didn't originate right away, those on the continent didn't see its value. Congress made sure they collected tax revenue from it, but didn't provide for even the minimum of Civil Laws, like birth marriage and death. The only law was martial law. In a moment of Supreme Irony, the United States choice of military commander, Jefferson Davis. The people of Alaska weren't laughing.
After eight long years, neither was the United States, for the Republic of Ansdale was born in the remote city of Sitka. In retrospect, the choice was fairly obvious, for though they currently reside in the Dakotas, the Ansdale were originally an Inuit nation from Alaska, driven out by much stronger tribes long before. They see the "Blue Tribe", as Anderson's Federals are originally called, as their solution to reclaiming their ancestral land.
Alaska is divided for organizational purposes into four Military Districts. Originally its Headquarters resides at Fort Sitka, a reconverted Russian American Company post in the Territorial Capital, but it is soon decided that the site is unsuitable and a permanent headquarters is constructed by the Name of Fort Republic at Anchorage. It quickly becomes the Northern Command (NORCOM) of the Republic. Ironically, the fact that Alaska is virtually cut off from the rest of the world has allowed the Western Independence Movement to become extremely organized without attracting any attention in Washington, if they even cared.
Two Republics, the Republic of Alaska and the Republic of Ansdale born on the Same Day, May 1, 1875. The North Star Rises.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Six Sentence Sunday: Omens
The Republic of Ansdale has, at its heart, the land of the North Star, Alaska. Really, without Alaska there would be no Republic. The spark which led to Western Secession was the refusal by Washington to grant their new acquisition any semblance of a Civil Law.
Maybe the Russians should have seen it coming. The signs were about even on the day of the Official Transfer, October 18, 1867. It was an unusually windy day, and the Russian Flag just refused to come down. Trying to save the ceremony from failure, a Russian sailor climbs the flagpole at Baranov's Castle and remove the flag himself.
What will become of Princess Maksutova, or of American Russian relations. Only time will tell.
Maybe the Russians should have seen it coming. The signs were about even on the day of the Official Transfer, October 18, 1867. It was an unusually windy day, and the Russian Flag just refused to come down. Trying to save the ceremony from failure, a Russian sailor climbs the flagpole at Baranov's Castle and remove the flag himself.
Once at the top he pulls out his knife and cuts the flag from the halyard. Once freed from the halyard, the Russian Imperial Flag flutters down on the breeze and lands on the fixed bayonets of the American Army. The symbolism, though unintentional, is too much for the already emotionally high-strung Princess Maksutova. As soon as she sees the flag come to rest on the bayonets of the Americans, she faints.
"The Princess has collapsed" Peshurov shouts out, alarmed. "Someone help the Princess."
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Character Interview: John Lee Anderson
Don't let this get around, but writers have access to some of the most cutting edge technology out there. I mean, there would be a mad rush if everybody knew, but we have a Way-Back Machine. For this interview, we are going back to the "City" of Reno. I put that in quotes because there's only six thousand or so in the Whole of Washoe County. Now this is a kind of scoop for bloggers everywhere. Getting a one on one interview with the Minister of War of the Republic of Ansdale during their War of Independence against The United States. Minister of War John Lee Anderson.
CG: General Anderson, thank you for having me here today.
JLA: If an interview with an Eastern Newspaper will help put pressure on Washington to let us go our own way, then it is worth it (NOTE: I told him I worked for a newspaper. It's easier than explaining a blog to someone in the 19th Century.)
CG: How shall I describe you to my readers? Western Pioneer?, Mexican War Veteran?, Father of His Country?
JLA: I think that 'A Loyal Servant of His Country' would suffice.
CG: Some would think that strange coming from someone currently at war against his former country.
JLA: That would depend on your definition of country. Since 1855 I have considered my country to be Dakota, and by extension, the West.
CG: 1855, that would be President Pierce.
JLA: Correct.
CG: A review of your military career reveals only one gap, that of the civil war. Some would accuse you of disloyalty by sitting out the war when you were needed.
JLA: If President Lincoln had ordered Fort Ansdale to joint the fight, then I would have complied. Dakota was far outside the theatre of war, and I was not going to risk the lives of my men in a regional squabble that we had no cause to involve ourselves in. The Decision did make me many enemies, though.
CG: One of those enemies, George Armstrong Custer, recently met his untimely, though some would say not entirely unexpected end at Little Big Horn. Now history records the actions of Crazy Horse being responsible to the victory, but you have a different view.
JLA: Crazy Horse was involved, but I think it is unconscionable that the role of the Ansdale Native Cavalry was not recognized. Without their and various other Republican Troops, Custer and his troops would have triumphed, which would have been very bad for our cause. I know it is uncouth to feel no sorrow over the passing of a former soldier in arms. Perhaps if he was less of an ass I would.
CG: Back to the former Civil War. Since you are a native Kentuckian and having married a Southern Belle who was cousin to Jeff Davis himself, one might infer that your sympathies were with the South.
JLA: And they would be wrong. I am also brother to Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter fame. As to Susan, she was the loyal Army Wife and followed my choice. Sauf Asir was even used as a stop on the Underground Railroad, with the full approval of Mistress Davis (NOTE: Sauf Asir is the Davis Family Plantation near Mobile, Alabama)
CG: That may not clear you of suspicion, General. I know for a fact that you were not exactly a fan of Secretary of State Seward, at least as far as your brother is concerned.
JLA: Seward used Sumter as a pawn to placate the South, and he failed. There was a way to save both Sumter and Pickens, and he failed. Seward is dead, however, and I am not. I will speak no more of this.
CG: Certainly Seward couldn't be all that bad. He was responsible for the Alaska purchase.
JLA: In some sense he is the Father of The Republic. Alaska has been quite profitable to our cause in that respect.
CG: I feel its profitability is yet to be tapped, General. Getting back to the Southern rebellion, what is your personal view as to Slavery?
JLA: I am glad it is gone, but I am still convinced that the price was too high. If we could have been just a bit more patient, I am convinced that agricultural machines such as the McCormick Reaper would have caused slavery to wither and die in a couple of years.
CG: So your view on the Freedman's Bureau call for "40 Acres and a Mule"?
JLA: It is misguided. I am glad it has not been official policy for Lincoln, Johnson or Grant. You can not rectify a wrong by creating another wrong. We have already proved that with the so-called Reconstruction. The Rise of The Klan can be directly linked to the misguided attempts of the Radical Republicans to make the "South Pay" for the war.
CG: I know that your wife's family was a slave holding family, and I believe yours was as well. Wouldn't it be reasonable to say that you should have favored the Confederacy?
JLA: Not at all. Fewer than ten percent of Southerners owned slaves, and most of those were like Susan's family, which owned less than five slaves. While the war eventually revolved around the abolition of Slavery, it was initially about States Rights. Secession occurred to protest Federal Control of State affairs.
CG: Some feel that the last war settled the issue of secession forever?
JLA: I disagree. All it settled was slavery. And the fact that the side with the most guns will most likely win. We only have a few States out west, mostly we have territories. Until war broke out, we had a desire to be admitted to the Union as a State. If we were not in the Union, how can we be faulted for leaving it?
CG: For the sake of my readers, what are your reasons for separation?
JLA: There are many, but I will mention the most egregious. While the people of Alaska should have been admitted to all the rights and privileges afforded Citizens of The United States ten years ago, they had not even been afforded the most basic of civil laws. We had to act. Now we have war.
CG: The war is now entering its sixth year, already two years longer than The Confederacy held out. They say there is no end in sight. What is the secret to your success?
JLA: Success only comes with victory. The secret to our resistance lies in the fact that the Federals have been unable to control the field of battle. We are able to attack quickly and then withdraw into the frontier. It has been extremely disheartening to the Federals
CG: Is that all?
JLA: No. We have also gambled on new weapons. Our artillery has been assigned the Gatling Gun, and our navy has purchased a new invention which is called the torpedo. We are extremely pleased with the tests on this weapon and are eager to see how it performs in an engagement.
CG: It is interesting that you have used the word gamble, because I see that your middle son Robert is courting Leah Quantrill, who is quite the card shark.
JLA: And quite the Cavalry Officer. Yes, Yes, and the Daughter of Satan. Susan is still not quite sure how to act around her, but Robert is smitten with her, and she with him. On one of her trips through she gave me some plans for a series of gambling and music halls that she thinks would liven things up here. I admire her initiative, but I doubt that sort of business would amount to anything.
CG: I would not reject the proposal entirely, General. You could hide them from the general population, so as not to stir up much opposition. Perhaps the Nevada desert. At least if the idea is unsuccessful it will be lost in the desert sand.
JLA: An excellent idea.
CG: In closing, I heard your daughter Katherine recently got married. Congratulations.
JLA: Susan and I are extremely proud. I think we'll have to wait a while for any grandchildren, because Katherine is happy at Fort Republic in Alaska and Major Morgan is commanding the First Cavalry at Wyoming. Susan did an extremely fine job transforming Fort Republic into Mobile, except for the weather.
CG: General Anderson, thank you for your time
CG: General Anderson, thank you for having me here today.
JLA: If an interview with an Eastern Newspaper will help put pressure on Washington to let us go our own way, then it is worth it (NOTE: I told him I worked for a newspaper. It's easier than explaining a blog to someone in the 19th Century.)
CG: How shall I describe you to my readers? Western Pioneer?, Mexican War Veteran?, Father of His Country?
JLA: I think that 'A Loyal Servant of His Country' would suffice.
CG: Some would think that strange coming from someone currently at war against his former country.
JLA: That would depend on your definition of country. Since 1855 I have considered my country to be Dakota, and by extension, the West.
CG: 1855, that would be President Pierce.
JLA: Correct.
CG: A review of your military career reveals only one gap, that of the civil war. Some would accuse you of disloyalty by sitting out the war when you were needed.
JLA: If President Lincoln had ordered Fort Ansdale to joint the fight, then I would have complied. Dakota was far outside the theatre of war, and I was not going to risk the lives of my men in a regional squabble that we had no cause to involve ourselves in. The Decision did make me many enemies, though.
CG: One of those enemies, George Armstrong Custer, recently met his untimely, though some would say not entirely unexpected end at Little Big Horn. Now history records the actions of Crazy Horse being responsible to the victory, but you have a different view.
JLA: Crazy Horse was involved, but I think it is unconscionable that the role of the Ansdale Native Cavalry was not recognized. Without their and various other Republican Troops, Custer and his troops would have triumphed, which would have been very bad for our cause. I know it is uncouth to feel no sorrow over the passing of a former soldier in arms. Perhaps if he was less of an ass I would.
CG: Back to the former Civil War. Since you are a native Kentuckian and having married a Southern Belle who was cousin to Jeff Davis himself, one might infer that your sympathies were with the South.
JLA: And they would be wrong. I am also brother to Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter fame. As to Susan, she was the loyal Army Wife and followed my choice. Sauf Asir was even used as a stop on the Underground Railroad, with the full approval of Mistress Davis (NOTE: Sauf Asir is the Davis Family Plantation near Mobile, Alabama)
CG: That may not clear you of suspicion, General. I know for a fact that you were not exactly a fan of Secretary of State Seward, at least as far as your brother is concerned.
JLA: Seward used Sumter as a pawn to placate the South, and he failed. There was a way to save both Sumter and Pickens, and he failed. Seward is dead, however, and I am not. I will speak no more of this.
CG: Certainly Seward couldn't be all that bad. He was responsible for the Alaska purchase.
JLA: In some sense he is the Father of The Republic. Alaska has been quite profitable to our cause in that respect.
CG: I feel its profitability is yet to be tapped, General. Getting back to the Southern rebellion, what is your personal view as to Slavery?
JLA: I am glad it is gone, but I am still convinced that the price was too high. If we could have been just a bit more patient, I am convinced that agricultural machines such as the McCormick Reaper would have caused slavery to wither and die in a couple of years.
CG: So your view on the Freedman's Bureau call for "40 Acres and a Mule"?
JLA: It is misguided. I am glad it has not been official policy for Lincoln, Johnson or Grant. You can not rectify a wrong by creating another wrong. We have already proved that with the so-called Reconstruction. The Rise of The Klan can be directly linked to the misguided attempts of the Radical Republicans to make the "South Pay" for the war.
CG: I know that your wife's family was a slave holding family, and I believe yours was as well. Wouldn't it be reasonable to say that you should have favored the Confederacy?
JLA: Not at all. Fewer than ten percent of Southerners owned slaves, and most of those were like Susan's family, which owned less than five slaves. While the war eventually revolved around the abolition of Slavery, it was initially about States Rights. Secession occurred to protest Federal Control of State affairs.
CG: Some feel that the last war settled the issue of secession forever?
JLA: I disagree. All it settled was slavery. And the fact that the side with the most guns will most likely win. We only have a few States out west, mostly we have territories. Until war broke out, we had a desire to be admitted to the Union as a State. If we were not in the Union, how can we be faulted for leaving it?
CG: For the sake of my readers, what are your reasons for separation?
JLA: There are many, but I will mention the most egregious. While the people of Alaska should have been admitted to all the rights and privileges afforded Citizens of The United States ten years ago, they had not even been afforded the most basic of civil laws. We had to act. Now we have war.
CG: The war is now entering its sixth year, already two years longer than The Confederacy held out. They say there is no end in sight. What is the secret to your success?
JLA: Success only comes with victory. The secret to our resistance lies in the fact that the Federals have been unable to control the field of battle. We are able to attack quickly and then withdraw into the frontier. It has been extremely disheartening to the Federals
CG: Is that all?
JLA: No. We have also gambled on new weapons. Our artillery has been assigned the Gatling Gun, and our navy has purchased a new invention which is called the torpedo. We are extremely pleased with the tests on this weapon and are eager to see how it performs in an engagement.
CG: It is interesting that you have used the word gamble, because I see that your middle son Robert is courting Leah Quantrill, who is quite the card shark.
JLA: And quite the Cavalry Officer. Yes, Yes, and the Daughter of Satan. Susan is still not quite sure how to act around her, but Robert is smitten with her, and she with him. On one of her trips through she gave me some plans for a series of gambling and music halls that she thinks would liven things up here. I admire her initiative, but I doubt that sort of business would amount to anything.
CG: I would not reject the proposal entirely, General. You could hide them from the general population, so as not to stir up much opposition. Perhaps the Nevada desert. At least if the idea is unsuccessful it will be lost in the desert sand.
JLA: An excellent idea.
CG: In closing, I heard your daughter Katherine recently got married. Congratulations.
JLA: Susan and I are extremely proud. I think we'll have to wait a while for any grandchildren, because Katherine is happy at Fort Republic in Alaska and Major Morgan is commanding the First Cavalry at Wyoming. Susan did an extremely fine job transforming Fort Republic into Mobile, except for the weather.
CG: General Anderson, thank you for your time
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