Fields of Gray

From Alternate History
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Point of Divergence[edit | edit source]

In OTL, General Polk of the Confederacy invaded Columbus, Kentucky, shortly before Grant invaded Paducah. In this timeline, the order from Polk to Brigadier General Gideon Johnson Pillow is lost, delaying the invasion of Kentucky by several days. On September 6, Brigadier General Hiram Grant invades Paducah, Kentucky. The pro-Confederate governor, Beriah Magoffin, called Grant's invasion a violation of Kentucky's proclaimed neutrality. Four days later, Polk's army would enter Kentucky via Columbus. Kentucky would eventually side with the Confederacy during the winter of 1861, while a Unionist government remained in [city].

Kentucky joining the Confederacy alters the War of Secession in the following year. The border with the Ohio River provides the Confederacy with a strategic geographic border against the north. General Grant's invasion of Tennessee, in this timeline, takes much longer and is ultimately a failure. The war takes longer, lasting up to 1867 with the signing of the Treaty of London. Prior to this, Great Britain and France would recognize the Confederacy as it became apparent that the southern states were strong enough to become their own nation.

Other changes[edit | edit source]

Napoleon III's Mexican Empire succeeds due to the Union being unable to send supplies to the Mexican Republicans. Because of this, the Franco-Prussian War is delayed as the Emperor does not feel the urge to prove France's might. Prussia eventually declares war on France in 1873 due to a crisis (TBD), ending in a stalemate between the Germans (NGC federalizes during the war) against France and Austria-Hungary, however the latter are viewed as the tacit victors. The balance of power in Europe is not centered around Germany in this timeline and differing alliances form across the continent. France would form its Entente with Austria-Hungary, Bavaria, the southern German states, and the Ottoman Empire, while a Triple Alliance forms between the United Kingdom, Germany, and Russia.