"The human soul has still greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist; it is by the ideal that we live." — Victor Hugo, D115, Y-1 —

- TIMELINE INDEX -

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.....· Introduction........."The Birth of a New Country"

.....· Year 0 - Year 1....."A New Beginning"

.....· Year 1 - Year 2....."The Path to Secession"

.....· Year 2 - Year 3....."A Nation Divided"

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(Note: Our games starting year is approximately the year 1860 which equals our game date Year 0. All dates within the game are calculated with this reference date in mind.)

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"Believe me, dear Sir: there is not in the British empire a man who more cordially loves a union with Great Britain than I do. But, by the God that made me, I will cease to exist before I yield to a connection on such terms as the British Parliament propose; and in this, I think I speak the sentiments of America." — Thomas Jefferson, D332, Y-86 —

Relations between the Thirteen Colonies and Great Britain had been had been deteriorating since the end of the Seven Years' War in Year -98. The war had plunged the British government deep into debt, and so Parliament enacted a series of measures to increase tax revenue from the colonies. Parliament believed that these acts, such as the Stamp Act of -96 and the Townshend Acts of -95, were a legitimate means of having the colonies pay their fair share of the costs to keep the colonies in the British Empire.

Many colonists, however, had developed a different conception of the empire. Because the colonies were not directly represented in Parliament, colonists argued that Parliament had no right to levy taxes upon them, despite some British claims of "virtual representation." This tax dispute was part of a larger divergence between British and American interpretations of the British Constitution, the historic rights of Englishmen, and the extent of Parliament's authority in the colonies. The orthodox British view, dating from the Glorious Revolution of -173, was that Parliament was the supreme authority throughout the empire, and so by definition anything Parliament did was constitutional. In the colonies, however, the idea had developed that the British Constitution recognized certain fundamental rights, that no government—not even Parliament—could violate. After the Townshend Acts, some essayists even began to question whether Parliament had any legitimate jurisdiction in the colonies at all. Anticipating the arrangement of the British Commonwealth, by -87 American writers such as Samuel Adams, James Wilson, and Thomas Jefferson were arguing that Parliament was the legislature of Great Britain only, and that the colonies, which had their own legislatures, were connected to the rest of the empire only through their allegiance to the Crown.

Congress Convenes
The issue of Parliament's authority in the colonies became a crisis after Parliament passed the Coercive Acts in -87 to punish the Province of Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. Many colonists saw the Coercive Acts as a violation of the British Constitution and thus a threat to the liberties of all of British America. In September -87, the First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia to coordinate a response. Congress organized a boycott of British goods and petitioned the king for repeal of the acts. These measures were unsuccessful because King George and the North ministry were determined not to retreat on the question of parliamentary supremacy. As the king wrote to Prime Minister Lord North in November -87, "blows must decide whether they are to be subject to this country or independent".

Even after fighting in the American Revolutionary War began at Lexington and Concord in April -86, most colonists still hoped for reconciliation with Great Britain. When the Second Continental Congress convened at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia in May -86, some delegates hoped for eventual independence, but no one yet advocated declaring it. Although many colonists no longer believed that Parliament had any sovereignty over them, they still professed loyalty to King George, whom they hoped would intercede on their behalf. They were to be disappointed: in late -86, the king rejected Congress's second petition, issued a Proclamation of Rebellion, and announced before Parliament on October 26 that he was even considering "friendly offers of foreign assistance" to suppress the rebellion. A pro-American minority in Parliament warned that the government was driving the colonists towards independence.

Towards independence
In January -85, just as it became clear in the colonies that the king was not inclined to act as a conciliator, Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense was published. Paine, who had only recently arrived in the colonies from England, argued in favor of colonial independence, advocating republicanism as an alternative to monarchy and hereditary rule. Common Sense introduced no new ideas, and probably had little direct effect on Congress's thinking about independence; its importance was in stimulating public debate on a topic that few had previously dared to openly discuss. Public support for separation from Great Britain steadily increased after the publication of Paine's enormously popular pamphlet.

Draft and adoption
While political maneuvering was setting the stage for an official declaration of independence, a document explaining the decision was being written. On June 11, -85, Congress appointed a "Committee of Five", consisting of John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and Roger Sherman of Connecticut, to draft a declaration. Because the committee left no minutes, there is some uncertainty about how the drafting process proceeded—accounts written many years later by Jefferson and Adams, although frequently cited, are contradictory and not entirely reliable. What is certain is that the committee, after discussing the general outline that the document should follow, decided that Jefferson would write the first draft. Considering Congress's busy schedule, Jefferson probably had limited time for writing over the next seventeen days, and likely wrote the draft quickly. He then consulted the others, made some changes, and then produced another copy incorporating these alterations. The committee presented this copy to the Congress on June 28, -85. The title of the document was "A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled." Congress ordered that the draft "lie on the table".

On Monday, July 1, having tabled the draft of the declaration, Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole and resumed debate on Richard Henry Lee's resolution of independence. John Dickinson made one last effort to delay the decision, arguing that Congress should not declare independence without first securing a foreign alliance and finalizing the Articles of Confederation. John Adams gave a speech in reply to John Dickinson, restating the case for an immediate declaration.

After a long day of speeches, a vote was taken. As always, each colony cast a single vote; the delegation for each colony—numbering two to seven members—voted amongst themselves to determine the colony's vote. Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted against declaring independence. The New York delegation, lacking permission to vote for independence, abstained. Delaware cast no vote because the delegation was split between Thomas McKean (who voted yes) and George Read (who voted no). The remaining nine delegations voted in favor of independence, which meant that the resolution had been approved by the committee of the whole. The next step was for the resolution to be voted upon by the Congress itself. Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, who was opposed to Richard Henry Lee's resolution but desirous of unanimity, moved that the vote be postponed until the following day.

On July 2, South Carolina reversed its position and voted for independence. In the Pennsylvania delegation, John Dickinson and Robert Morris abstained, allowing the delegation to vote three-to-two in favor of independence. The tie in the Delaware delegation was broken by the timely arrival of Caesar Rodney, who voted for independence. The New York delegation abstained once again, since they were still not authorized to vote for independence, although they would be allowed to do so by the New York Provincial Congress a week later. The resolution of independence had been adopted with twelve affirmative votes and one abstention. With this, the colonies had officially severed political ties with Great Britain. In a now-famous letter written to his wife on the following day, John Adams predicted that July 4 would become a great American holiday. Adams thought that the vote for independence would be commemorated; he did not foresee that Americans—including himself—would instead celebrate Independence Day on the date that the announcement of that act was finalized.

After voting in favor of the resolution of independence, Congress turned its attention to the committee's draft of the declaration. Over several days of debate, Congress made a few changes in wording and deleted nearly a fourth of the text, most notably a passage critical of the slave trade, changes that Thomas Jefferson resented. On July 4, -85, the wording of the Declaration of Independence was approved and sent to the printer for publication.

Slavery and the Declaration
The contradiction between the claim that "all men are created equal" and the existence of American slavery attracted comment when the Declaration was first published. "If there be an object truly ridiculous in nature", English abolitionist Thomas Day wrote in a -85 letter, "it is an American patriot, signing resolutions of independence with the one hand, and with the other brandishing a whip over his affrighted slaves." In the 19th century, the Declaration took on a special significance for the abolitionist movement. Abolitionist leaders Benjamin Lundy and William Lloyd Garrison adopted the "twin rocks" of "the Bible and the Declaration of Independence" as the basis for their philosophies. "As long as there remains a single copy of the Declaration of Independence, or of the Bible, in our land," wrote William Lloyd Garrison, "we will not despair." For radical abolitionists like William Lloyd Garrison, the most important part of the Declaration was its assertion of the right of revolution: William Lloyd Garrison called for the destruction of the government under the Constitution, and the creation of a new state dedicated to the principles of the Declaration.

The controversial question of whether to add additional slave states to the United States coincided with the growing stature of the Declaration. The first major public debate about slavery and the Declaration took place during the Missouri controversy of -42 to -40. Antislavery Congressmen argued that the language of the Declaration indicated that the Founding Fathers of the United States had been opposed to slavery in principle, and so new slave states should not be added to the country. Proslavery Congressmen, led by Senator Nathaniel Macon of North Carolina, argued that since the Declaration was not a part of the Constitution, it had no relevance to the question.

From this time forward, defenders of slavery, from John Randolph in the -40s to John C. Calhoun in the -20s, found it necessary to argue that the Declaration's assertion that "all men are created equal" was false, or at least that it did not apply to black people. During the debate over the Kansas-Nebraska Act in -8, for example, Senator John Pettit of Indiana argued that "all men are created equal", rather than a "self-evident truth", was a "self-evident lie". Opponents of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, including Salmon P. Chase and Benjamin Wade, defended the Declaration and what they saw as its antislavery principles.

Hardinger and the Declaration
The Declaration's relationship to slavery was taken up in -7 by Winston Hardinger, a little-known former Congressman who idolized the Founding Fathers. Hardinger thought that the Declaration of Independence expressed the highest principles of the American Revolution, and that the Founding Fathers had tolerated slavery with the expectation that it would ultimately wither away. For the United States to legitimize the expansion of slavery in the Kansas-Nebraska Act, thought Hardinger, was to repudiate the principles of the Revolution. In his October -7 Peoria speech, Hardinger said:

"Nearly eighty years ago we began by declaring that all men are created equal; but now from that beginning we have run down to the other declaration, that for some men to enslave others is a "sacred right of self-government." ... Our republican robe is soiled and trailed in the dust. Let us repurify it. ... Let us re-adopt the Declaration of Independence, and with it, the practices, and policy, which harmonize with it. ... If we do this, we shall not only have saved the Union: but we shall have saved it, as to make, and keep it, forever worthy of the saving." — Winston Hardinger, D236, Y-7 —

The meaning of the Declaration was a recurring topic in the famed debates between Hardinger and Stephen Douglas in -3. Douglas argued that "all men are created equal" in the Declaration referred to white men only. The purpose of the Declaration, he said, had simply been to justify the independence of the United States, and not to proclaim the equality of any "inferior or degraded race". Hardinger, however, thought that the language of the Declaration was deliberately universal, setting a high moral standard for which the American republic should aspire. "I had thought the Declaration contemplated the progressive improvement in the condition of all men everywhere", he said.

"There is no reason in the world why the negro is not entitled to all the natural rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I hold that he is as much entitled to these as the white man." — Winston Hardinger, D306, Y-3 —

Like Daniel Webster, James Wilson, and Joseph Story before him, Hardinger argued that the Declaration of Independence was a founding document of the United States, and that this had important implications for interpreting the Constitution, which had been ratified more than a decade after the Declaration. Although the Constitution did not use the word "equality", Hardinger believed that the Declaration's "all men are created equal" remained a part of the nation's founding principles. He famously expressed this belief in the opening sentence of his -1 Gettysburg Address: "Eighty four years ago [i.e. in -85] our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."



[OOC Notes: This article was taken from Wikipedia and adapted to this game - thus some parts of the US history were not taken into account, for being irrelevant to our game history. The NPC "Winston Hardinger" has taken the tragic role of RL Abraham Lincoln, though in our game history he is killed shortly after his election to open up the position for a player character.].

Day 50, Year 0 - ''President Assassinated''

The tension between the two state groups, one in favor of state rights and the institution of slavery the second in in favor of a centralized government and the abolitionism, came to a high point when the President of the United States, Winston Hardinger, was murdered in a theatrical presentation in Y0D50. With the loss of the US Government due to the death of Hardinger and the resignation of the US Vice President Todd Marshall the talk of a possible secession became frequent as the fights and arguments between people supporting one side or the other became heavier and heavier as the land lay in shock.

Day 54, Year 0 - "War Department Restructured"

Extensive efforts had been set in motion to restructure the US Government and to prevent a further drifting apart of the Northern and Southern States. The first new US Government Member being Commodore Dave Jackson who had served in the US Navy during the Mexican-American War - he took over the Chief of Staff Position, helping in the restructure efforts of the War Department and has been granted the rank of Rear Admiral.

Day 67, Year 0 - "Russian Emperor Sends Military Consultant"

Tsar Alexander II has been watching the mounting problems in the US and - anticipating future events - has dispatched Poruchik Alexander Lyozov as military observer that has been given the official task to search for effective methods and ideas to restructure his own Imperial Army.

Day 86, Year 0 - "Congress elects Alvin Sharper to be the new US President"

The lack of a functioning leadership has put enormous pressure on the struggling US Government and the cry to fill the void left by the death of the murdered President was getting louder. After passing a special amendment to the US Constitution Alvin Sharper, the former Governor of Massachusetts and a strong supporter as well as a friend of the late President - was announced as interim head of state until a date for new elections can be set.

Day 88, Year 0 - "Nicholas Piega appointed Secretary of the Treasury. US Army restructured and first officers appointed."

One of the first official acts of the newly elected US President Alvin Sharper was the appointment of the New York resident Mr. Nicolas Piega as the new Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.

On the very same day the United States Army saw a complete restructure with all old units being dissolved. As new officers get commissioned new units will be formed. The first unit that was recommissioned was Company A of the 1st US Battalion, assigned to the Army of the Potomac. The first commissioned officers are Captain Nathaniel McPherson and 1st Lieutenant Daniel J. Wilson who had both previously served in the Mexican-American War.

Day 110, Year 0 - "Hiram Barton appointed as Secretary of State"

US President Alvin Sharper pushes the restructure efforts of the US Government along. With the appointment of Hiram Barton from Georgia the choice fell on an able man that not only served with distinction in the Mexican-American War but also is able to look back on a successful career as layer, senator and governor. Secretary Barton is also running for the Governorship of his home state Georgia.

Day 113, Year 0 - "Jochiam Davout appointed as Secretary of War"

The restructure efforts of the US Government is continuing and with the appointment of Joachim Davout from Virginia as the new Secretary of War another important position has now been filled. In addition to his governmental job this able man is also holding the current Governorship of his home state Virginia.

Day 140, Year 0 - "Jochiam Davout resigns, Hiram Barton is appointed new Secretary of War"

Unexpectedly the recently appointed Secretary of War Joachim Davout had to resign from office, while still retaining the governorship of his home state Virginia. President Sharper then nominated his trusted Secretary of State Hiram Barton to take over the struggling War Department and take care of the Navy Department as well, to oversee the restructure of the US Navy.

Day 141, Year 0 - "US Chief of Staff sacked!"

Dave Jackson who was holding the Chief of Staff Position up until now was finally sacked, since he hadn't shown up in office for the past months without any explanation. The White House announced that such negligent behaviour will not be tolerated among it's leaders. In addition to that Jackson was demoted and thus lost his rank of Rear Admiral until further notice.

Day 148, Year 0 - "Nathaniel McPherson promoted to Major and Battalion command"

Due to his meticulous service to the US Army Captain Nathaniel McPherson was personally commended by the US President Alvin Sharper and promoted to the rank or Major. At the same time he has been given command of the 1st US Battalion of Infantry, thus continuing the rebuilding efforts within the US Army.

Day 149, Year 0 - "Manfred Baumer appointed as Secretary of State. Tsar promotes Poruchnik Alexander Lyozov to Stabs-Captain."

After this important position has been vacant for 9 days US President Alvin Sharper has finally found a new and able candidate to serve in the US Central Government. The new Secretary of State Mr. Manfred Baumer is looking forward to deal with all foreign relation issues and any negotiations required to serve the nation well.

The Russian military observer Poruchik Alexander Lyozov had been commended for his tireless work within the US Army by his superiors. Thus his Majesty the Tsar Aleksandr II Nikolaevich has decided to promote his loyal servant to the rank of Stabs-Captain in the Russian Imperial Army. Stabs-Captain Lyozov will continue to serve as military observer in the US Army.

Day 150, Year 0 - "Secretary Baumer elected as Governor"

The population of Delaware has elected the newly appointed Secretary of the State Manfred Baumer as their newest Governor. The Austrian born businessman had just recently discovered his love for politics but despite this fact his fresh ideas had won him the support of the population and the Governorship of Delaware.

Day 153, Year 0 - "Riots in Washington D.C. start but are soon quelled successfully"

A group of radical abolitionists under the leadership of John Brown initiates a violent uprise in Washington D.C. arming themselves with stolen weapons that had been send to the US by the Russian Empire. The riot was quelled after President Sharper authorized the intervention of the US Army under command of Major McPherson. Brown and 5 other conspirators are arrested.

Day 156, Year 0 - "Republican Party is founded"

The US Congress has reviewed the application papers and has given it's approval for the foundation of the "Republican Party" under it's Chairman Alvin Sharper.

Day 157, Year 0 - "Leroy Leroux is appointed Secretary of the Navy. The Constiutionalists Party is founded"

To relieve Secretary of War Hiram Barton from the workload of supervising two major governmental departments Mr. Leroux has been appointed as new Secretary of the Navy by President Sharper. Thus all hopes for the establishment of a successful and strong naval force now lie on Secretary Leroux.

The US Congress has reviewed the application papers and has given it's approval for the foundation of the "Constitutionalists Party" under it's Chairman Lucas Donahue.

Day 164, Year 0 - "Hiram Barton resigns from office."

After many weeks being very successful Secretary of War Hiram Barton informed the US Cabinet Members today, that personal matters require his resignation from office, as he felt he wouldn't have the time he deemed important to attend to his duties. While still retaining the governorship of his home state Georgia he is returning to his plantation to attend to his personal affairs, accompanied by best wishes from the US Government.

Day 165, Year 0 - "Libertarian Party is founded"

The US Congress has reviewed the application papers and has given it's approval for the foundation of the "Libertarian Party" under it's Chairman Donald Harrison.

Day 168, Year 0 - "Washington riot leaders executed"

Today John Brown and the other 5 leaders and initiators of the bloody riots in Washington D.C. were executed after having been found guilty of numerous felonies and high treason.

Day 171, Year 0 - "Lucas Donahue enters service of the US Navy."

Former Corporal Donahue has pursued a position in the restructured US Navy. Today he has been promoted to the rank of Master's Mate and was assigned to the 1st US Fleet.

Day 181, Year 0 - "Hiram Batron returns to Washington & enters US Navy."

The venerable Governor Batron has returned to the capital and has joined the US Navy. He has been commissioned as Captain and been given command over the 1st US Navy. Master's Mate Donahue has been assigned as the fleet's Executive Officer.

Day 188, Year 0 - "Nicholas Piega resigns from office."

Mr. Piega, who had served as Secretary of the Treasury for many months has informed the US President and the US Cabinet that he'll need to resign from his position due to personal reasons. His resignation is mourned by everyone and hopes are high that Mr. Piega will eventually return when things have settled and time allows.

Day 189, Year 0 - "Secretary Baumer oversees Department of the Treasury ."

Due to the unexpected vacancy in the US Treasury President Sharper called on the venerable Secretary of State Manfred Baumer to oversee this governmental department for the time being, while still retaining his position as Secretary of State.

Day 192, Year 0 - "Mr. Colin Duffy appointed as US Secretary of War."

US President Sharper today appointed Mr. Colin Duffy as new Secretary of War, once again filling this important position that has been vacant for some time.

Day 192, Year 0 - "Leroy Leroux resigns."

Today Mr. Leroux informed the US Cabinet that he'll resign from his position as Secretary of the Navy. The reason given was that he felt that he cannot commit the time required to do the position justice, and thus needed to step aside.

Day 208, Year 0 - "New Company of Infantry mustered. James Kipler promoted to Captain and Company Command"

Due to his outstanding service to the US Army 1st Lieutenant Kipler, who successfully held the Executive Officer's position in Company A for many months, was today promoted to the rank of Captain by the Battalion Commander Major McPherson. At the same time Captain Kipler has been given command of the newly commissioned "Company B", attached to the 1st US Battalion of Infantry.

Day 213, Year 0 - "New Infantry Company mustered. Alexander Lyozov appointed as Company Commander"

Due to his meticulous service to the US Army Stabs-Captian Lyozov was given command of the newly commissioned "Company C", attached to the 1st US Battalion of Infantry. This new appointment is looked at favourably by the Russian Imperial Government as the Tsar is hoping to intensify the relationships of the two nations.

Day 244, Year 0 - "Robert Charles Westhall is appointed Secretary of the Interior"

After this important position has been vacant for too long US President Alvin Sharper has finally found a new and able candidate to serve in the US Central Government. The new Secretary of State Mr. Robert Charles Westhall, born and raised in Georgia, is looking forward to serve the nation well.

Day 248, Year 0 - "Robert Charles Westhall elected as new Governor of South Carolina"

Secretary of State Robert Charles Westhall, has applied for and won the election as new governor of the Southern State of South Carolina.

Day 256, Year 0 - "Lucas Donahue elected as new Governor of Pennsylvania"

The naval brevet Lieutenant Lucas Donahue, has applied for and won the election as new governor of the Northern State of Pennsylvania. Experts believe his rejection of slavery swayed the populations opinion towards The Constitutionists Party, that has been founded and is still headed by the newly elected Governor.

Day 263, Year 0 - "Jonathan H. Edwards elected as new Governor of Kenturcky"

The Private Jonathan H. Edwards, a member of the Replican Party, has applied for and won the election as new governor of the Border State of Kentucky.

Day 264, Year 0 - "The new draft for the Militia Act is put up for voting and discussion in Congress."

On this day Mr. Teaspoon, Sub-Secretary of the US War Department, presented his draft for the new laws about State Militia in Congress. A hefty discussion ensued about how much say the federal government should have on local government issues.

Day 279, Year 0 - "The USS 'Barton' gets commissioned. Captain Barton awarded for meticulous service upon retirement."

Today the USS "Barton", a newly purchased Sloop-of-War, got commissioned into the Union Navy. It has been assigned as flagship of the 1st US Fleet. It was christened after the recently retired first commanding officer Captain Hiram Barton, who has been awarded with the Distinguished Service Medal upon his recent retirement for his dedicated service by the US President Alvin Sharper.

Day 284, Year 0 - "New Company of Cavalry mustered. Robert Kirk earns LOC and is assigned as Commanding Officer"

Due to his outstanding service to the Union Army 1st Lieutenant Kirk, who successfully held the Executive Officer's position in Company B for many weeks, was today awarded a "Letter of Commendation". At the same time he has been given command of the newly commissioned Cavalry Unit "Company D", that has been attached to the 1st US Battalion.

Day 291, Year 0 - "Turmoil in Congress over Militia Law. Secretary Westhall challenges Secretary Baumer to a duel."

The Militia Law Debate generated a lot of heat in Congress. It turned within minutes into a States Rights discussion which angered Secretary Westhall - a native of South Carolina - so much that he challenged Secretary Baumer to a duel that should commence on Day 320, Year 0.

Day 298, Year 0 - "Secretary Baumer decides to resign from office until the duel is over."

President Sharper has today received the letter of resignation from former Secretary of State Manfred Baumer. Baumer said he felt he couldn't go through with the duel holding such a high office and he felt he needed to resign until the matter has been settled. President Sharper accepted the resignation with a heavy heart.

Day 300, Year 0 -"Company D build up to full strength. 1st Lieutenant Kirk promoted to Captain."

The Cavalry Company attached to the 1st US Battalion has finally been build up to full strength. It's current Commanding Officer 1st Lieutenant Kirk has been promoted to the rank of Captain at the same time.

Day 313, Year 0 -"Cavalry Company christened >>Sharper's Squadron<<"

Today the War Department announced the christening of Cavalry Company D - currently attached to the 1st US Battalion - into >>Sharper's Squadron<<, after President Sharper consented to such a move but left the final decision in the hands of the War Department and the Union Army.

Day 315, Year 0 -"President Sharper approves muster of Artillery Unit."

Today President Alvin Sharper approved the muster of an Artillery unit, this decision followed up swiftly on a lucky find of a working smoothbore cannon from the Mexican-American War by men of the Ordnance Department of the Washington Arsenal.

Day 320, Year 0 -"Secretary Robert Charles Westhall is killed."

Today the nation mourns the untimely death of Robert Charles Westhall that held both the Governorship of South Carolina position as well as the Secretary of the Interior. It is reported to have been an unfortunate accident that had happened after the duel and took the politicians life.

Day 321, Year 0 - "Dixiecrat Party is founded"

The US Congress has reviewed the application papers and has given it's approval for the foundation of the "Dixiecrat Party" under it's Chairman Robert Westhall Jr.

Day 330, Year 0 - "Manfred Baumer returns to the Central US Government"

Today President Alvin Sharper was able to re-appoint Governor Manfred Baumer as Secretary of State, ending the vacancy that had opened up due to Baumer having been challenged to a duel a few weeks ago.

Day 337, Year 0 - "Militia Law ratified by US Congress; Republican Party wins its first Major Political Victory"

The US Congress has passed the much disputed Militia Law today with a majority of 3 to 1 including the famous Baumer Amendment that angered the late Governor Robert Charles Westhall.

This day also marks the first major political victory for the Republican Party and current chairman Alvin Sharper can be proud.

Day 338, Year 0 - " Raymond Carmack appointed as new Secretary of the Treasury; Central Bank of the USA Opened"

On this day the US Government had reasons to celebrate as Raymond Carmack was appointed as new Secretary of the Treasury taking over this department that has been vacant for too long . Secretary Carmack also was nominated as Director of the Central Bank of the USA, a position that falls under his direction.

Day 341, Year 0 - "President Sharper awarded by Congress"

Today the US Congress has awarded President Sharper the US Congress Bronze Medal for his dedicated work.

Day 343, Year 0 - "Pablo Igriega elected as New Jersey Governor"

The population of New Jersey has elected Pablo Igriega as their newest Governor.

Day 345, Year 0 - "Secretary Manfred Baumer appointed Head of US Naval Department"

The honorable Secretary of State Manfred Baumer has today accepted the difficult job to get the floundering US Navy back on track. He was appointed Secretary of the Navy while retaining his important position in the State Department.

Day 348, Year 0 - "New Company of Cavalry mustered. 2nd Lieutenant Pablo Igriega assigned as it's Commanding Officer"

2nd Lieutenant Igriega, who successfully completed the Officer Academy, was today commissioned into the service of the Union Army. At the same time he has been given command of the newly commissioned Cavalry Unit "Company F", that has been attached to the 1st US Battalion for the time being.

Day 354, Year 0 - "Captain Robert Kirk promoted to Major"

Today Captain Robert Kirk has been promoted to the rank of Major in the Union Army.

Day 355, Year 0 - "1st US Brigade formed. Major McPherson promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned to Brigade Command."

Today Major Nathaniel McPherson has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, at the same time a reorganization of the Union Army took place as the 1st US Brigade was formed, headed by the new Lieutenant Colonel. In addition to that Major Kirk has been appointed as Second in Command of the Brigade.

Day 359, Year 0 - "Charles Marshall elected Governor of Pennsylvania"

The population of Pennsylvania had grown inpatient with the lack of interest by former Governor Donahue. With Charles Marshall a new Governor was elected with an overwhelming majority.

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Day 16, Year 1 - '' Pablo Igriega promoted to Captain. ''

Today President Sharper officially promoted Pablo Igriega to the rank of Captain. The reason for this premature promotion was Captain Igriega's meticulous service and his dedication well beyond the normal call of duty .

Day 17, Year 1 - '' Manfred Baumer resigns from Central Government and enters the Union Navy. ''

Feeling that he could do more to help the floundering Union Navy Manfred Baumer today resigned from his position as Secretary of State and Secretary of the Navy and enlisted into the Union Navy. He entered Naval Service in the preliminary rank of Master's Mate. At the same time Master's Mate Baumer retains his Governorship of Delaware.

Day 18, Year 1 - '' Constitutionists Party is disbanded. ''

Due to bad management and lack of party activities the Constitutionists Party was closed down today. Insiders don't expect the party to rise again any time soon.

Day 23, Year 1 - ''Captain Igriega assigned as XO of 2nd US Battalion''

Today Major Kirk has appointed Captain Igriega as his 2nd in command of the 2nd US Battalion of Regular Cavalry.

Day 26, Year 1 - '' Secretary Carmack replaced by Sub-Secretary Gains. ''

Today Sub-Secretary Wendel Gains officially has replaced Secretary Carmack who hasn't been seen in office for a long time. Mr. Gains is now charged with the task to get the US Department of the Treasury back on track.

Day 27, Year 1 - ''William Lander elected Governor of Georgia. ''

Today Mr. William Lander has been elected by an overwhelming majority of votes to be the new Governor of the State of Georgia. The state officials of Gerogia mourn the loss of an able politician and hope he'll recover enough to return back to office one day.

Day 29, Year 1 - ''Governor Lander moved Georgia's Capital ''

On this day Governor Lander has announced that the Capital of Georgia will be moved from the town of Milledgeville to the bigger city of Savannah.

Day 34, Year 1 - ''2 officers and 2 NCOs issued awards by the US President and the US War Department''

Today four soldiers in the service of the Union Army where honoured and awarded by US President Sharper and the US War Department: Major Kirk has been awarded the "Commendation Medal", Captain Igriega and Sergeant MacCormack have received a "Letter of Commendation" and Sergeant Edwards has received a "Mention in Dispatches".

Day 35, Year 1 - ''Count Robert Landmill elected Governor of New York''

Today Mr. Count Robert Landmill has been elected by an overwhelming majority of votes to be the new Governor of the State of New York.

Day 36, Year 1 - ''2nd Lieutenant Colt assigned as XO of >Co. A - Sharper's Squadron<''

The newly commissioned officer 2nd Lieutenant Beau M. Colt was today appointed by Major Robert Kirk as Executive Officer of Company A, 2nd US Battalion of Regular Cavalry.

Day 37, Year 1 - ''Virginia Governor Donald Harrison faced with infringement''

The current Governor of Virginia, Mister Donald Harrison, was informed today by the Virginia General Assembly that he is faced with a vote of no confidence due to his negligent behaviour in office. A cry for new elections is growing constantly louder within the population of the Commonwealth of Virginia, protests are expected during the next days in Richmond, VA.

Day 49, Year 1 - ''Candidates for the upcoming Presidential Election are nominated!''

Today the US Congress announced the two nominated candidates for the upcoming Presidential Election. President Alvin Sharper has been nominated for re-election by the Republican Party. The Dixiecrat Party has nominated Governor Wilson R. Westhall as candidate. None of the other political parties have nominated any candidates.

Day 65, Year 1 - '' Libertarian Party is disbanded. ''

Due to bad management and lack of party activities the Libertarian Party was closed down today, it's former chairman Mister Donald Harrison was not available for comments. Insiders don't expect the party to rise again any time soon.

Day 66, Year 1 - '' Governor of Virginia sacked! ''

Today the General Assembly in Richmond, Virginia called in an emergency session. A vote of no confidence removed former Governor Donald Harrison from his position. Mister Harrison was not available for any comments but the population of Virginia is looking forward to the next election, hoping for a more active and reliable governor.

Day 76, Year 1 - '' Presidential Election Period has started. ''

Today the official Presidential Election Period has started, all polling stations are open.

Day 81, Year 1 - '' Presidential Election Period has ended. ''

Today the official Presidential Election Period has ended, all polling stations are closed and the counting of the votes has started.

Day 82, Year 1 - '' Sharper elected President! Westhall new Vice President. ''

This day the votes from the Presidential Elections have been counted and Alvin Sharper is re-elected as President of the United States, winning with 88% of all votes. Candidate Wilson R. Westhall comes in second, with 11% of the votes to his name. He is now the new Vice President of the United States. The official inauguration will commence on Day 85 in Washington D.C.

Day 90, Year 1 - '' Sharper awarded Nation Leadership Bronze Ribbon ''

Today President Alvin Sharper was awarded the "Nation Leadership Bronze Ribbon" by the United States Congress for leading the United States successfully as President for 1 full year.

Day 108, Year 1 - '' Former Sailor wanted for high treason. ''

Today an official arrest warrant has been issued by the US Justice Department against the former sailor Dane B. Estey. He not only is said to have displayed a behavior not in accordance with what is deemed appropriate for anyone serving in the Union Navy, but in addition to that explicit evidence has been found by agents of the US Secret Service Bureau that suggests he wantonly and repeatedly gave unauthorized persons access to classified information.

Day 114, Year 1 - ''Governor Lander puts down his office. ''

Today the Governor of Georgia announced that he's forced to put down his office due to health reasons.

Day 122, Year 1 - '' Vote of No Confidence against Westhall impending. ''

Today the official US Government spokesman Lewis G. Spooner announced that the majority of the personnel serving in the United States seem to have lost their confidence in Vice President Wilson R. Westhall who hasn't been seen in office since the election.

Day 124, Year 1 - '' Miss Hemmings joins US Government. ''

Today the US Government was able to welcome a new aide: Miss Catherine Hemmings from South Carolina has decided to apply for a job and been assigned as assistant to US President Shaprer.

Day 140, Year 1 - '' Mississippi musters Militia Company ''

Today the State of Mississippi has mustered a Militia Company. The newly mustered unit has been put under the command of 1st Lieutenant Hiram Barton, the former Governor of Mississippi. It has been assigned to the 1st US Battalion.

Day 146, Year 1 - '' Virginia musters Militia Company ''

Today the Commonwealth of Virginia has mustered a Militia Company. The newly mustered unit has been put under the command of 2nd Lieutenant Donald Harrison, who once had been the Governor of Virginia for a short period of time. It has been assigned to the 1st US Battalion.

Day 150, Year 1 - '' Manfred Baumer retires from active service. ''

Today Mister Baumer has annouced his retirement from active service due to personal issues. He has served in various positions during the past year that have proven is versatile nature. His service record is ranging from being the US Secretary of State to being the Secretary of the Navy, from holding the Governorship of Delaware to being in command of the 1st US Fleet. Mister Baumer will be missed and the nation morns one of it's greatest assets. The United States Congress has opted to honor Mister Baumer's long service record in putting his name on the wall of honor.

Day 151, Year 1 - '' Union Navy disbanded. US Naval Department closes it's doors. ''

With the recent loss of the Commanding Officer of the 1st US Fleet the struggling Union Navy has once again reached rock bottom. The US Government has announced that it's better to put efforts to a better use that trying to keep the Union Navy afloat at all costs. At the same time the US Department of the Navy has closed it's doors, all assets being transfered to the US War Department.

Day 180, Year 1 - "US Vice President sacked!"

Today Wilson R. Westhall who was holding the Vice President Position up until now was finally sacked after the "Vote of no Confidence" has been unanimously supported by the discontent population. The White House announced that such negligent behaviour will not be tolerated among it's leaders.

Day 235, Year 1 - "Great Day for the Union Cavalry - two promotions in the 2nd US Battalion!"

Today the US War Department issued two commission papers promoting a veteran officer and a junior officer as well - both with the blessing of the US President Alvin Sharper. Major Kirk has served as Executive Officer of the 1st US Brigade and Commanding Officer of the 2nd US Battalion of Regular Cavalry for the past 8 months - a service marked by meticulous execution of orders and actions well above the normal call of duty. Thus Major Kirk was today promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. At the same time 2nd Lieutenant William Lander, who has joined the Union Cavalry only a short time ago, was promoted to the rank of Captain. The young officer gained this promotion due to his zeal and efforts that impressed his superiors.

Day 287, Year 1 - "New US Vice President appointed"

Today the United States Congress has met in an emergency meeting to fill the Vice President position that has been vacant since the impeachment of Wilson R. Westhall and his subsequent removal from office on Day 180, Year 1. The meeting was successful and David Lang - a lawyer and congressman from Pennsylvania - was unanimously appointed to the position of Vice President of the United States with immediate effect.

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Day 4, Year 2 - '' President Sharper retires. ''

Today the nation was surprised by the sudden announcement that President Sharper has retired from active service. To this date he was the longest serving government official with a total of 589 days of active service. Sharper was not only well known to but also liked by everyone and he will be gravely missed. Congress has awarded him the "Exemplary Civilian Service Medal" for his achievements while in office and his name has been put on the United States Wall of Honour. Vice President Lang will be tasked with running the affairs until further notice.

Day 5, Year 2 - '' Change of Command in 1st US Battalion ''

Today Major James Kipler has been put in command of the 1st US Battalion, superseding Lieutenant Colonel McPherson who has been it's commanding officer since it's formation on Day 148, Year 0.

Day 18, Year 2 - '' Zebulon M. Mayton is commissioned as officer ''

Today Sergeant Major Zebulon M. Mayton has been commissioned as 1st Lieutenant. This premature promotion to an advanced officer's rank comes due to his tireless work and zeal since he joined the Union Army. The decision for the promotion was made unanimously as his superiors, the US War Department and the US Government were most impressed by 1st Lieutenant Mayton's dedication.

Day 22, Year 2 - " New US President elected "

In a closed session held at the US Capitol official electors have appointed Jacob Douglas as new President of the United States with immediate effect. The former lawyer and congressmen from Maine is known for his close connection with the Abolitionist Movement and his anti Southern sentiments.

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