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.

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 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.