The Grand Tour: Nebraska

"To the northern portions of the Nebraska Territory." So begins the adventure that birthed the Republic of Ansdale, for Dakota was originally Nebraska, at least until Dakota Territory was created in 1861. Nebraska could be called the father of territories, for not only Dakota, but Montana, Idaho and Wyoming were created from it.

With those ties existing between General Anderson and Nebraska, it is not surprising that Nebraska became the right hand of the Republic. From the beginning the territory became one of Anderson's most reliable supporters. At the start of the War of Southern Independence in 1861, General Anderson made his first move in consolidating his power in the west when he established Fort Pawnee on the Platte River. Though it was assisted by Fort Shoshone, Fort Pawnee was the site from which Fort Leavenworth was successfully bombarded.

Actually, the choice of Pawnee to launch western independence should not be surprising to anyone familiar with the history of the Republic. From its founding, and for the first sixteen years of its existence, it was commanded by Major Gary White, a member of the original Dakota Expedition, a member of the Corps of Engineers, and the architect of Fort Ansdale.

Major White would get his chance to command his crown jewel, but not before Fort Pawnee would host the Trial of The Century. The trial of Jefferson Columbus Davis on charges of Crimes against The Republic,  and for permitting a reign of terror in Alaska. Even by Republican admission the trial was nothing more than a show, for General Davis was merely a pawn. The real criminal was the United States Congress, which had failed to create even the most basic of civil laws for Alaska. But you can't put Congress on Trial. No, for the United States Congress to be "found guilty" the Republic of Ansdale must win the war, and there was far more than reasonable doubt as to that verdict.

The trial proceeded, newspapers on both sides of the river covered the events, the United States was embarrassed, and General Davis was found guilty. His sentence was to be exiled from the Republic, back to The United States "on pain of death" should he return. Like everything else, it was an empty threat. General Davis died on November 30, 1879, never setting foot on Republican Soil again.

As to Nebraska, it's loyalty was never in doubt. Fort Pawnee was the only fort of major importance in the whole state. When it became obvious that the West would pursue its independence then Governor Silas Garber immediately supported the move. In a sort of closing of the loop Governor John Milton Thayer was elected as Governor of The State in order to usher in final independence. At the beginning of the conflict in 1875 he was the Governor of Wyoming Territory. The War began at Fort Shoshone in Wyoming in 1875 and a symbolic peace treaty was signed at Fort Pawnee twelve years later. The war, and history, had come full circle.

And so have I...Welcome back to The Republic, folks. This blog, though just a baby, has required an extended nap time as I worked on the WENC Night Beat, which is much more demanding. Don't worry, your visas have been extended. Enjoy the stay.

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.)