A Baseball House Divided

[legendsport]

Telegram received May 12, 1863 at War Department, Washington DC:

General U.S. Grant, commanding Army of the Tennessee, was thrown from his horse this morning and died as a result of the injuries sustained. Am assuming command and will continue to press assault on Confederate strongholds along the Mississippi.

- John J. McClernand, Maj. Gen. US Army

Excerpt from telegram sent June 3, 1863 from War Department, Washington DC:

To Maj. General McClernand: you are hereby relieved of command. The Army of the Tennessee is hereby placed under the command of William T. Sherman, who is henceforth breveted to Major General.

- Edwin Stanton, Sec. of War

Excerpt from telegram received June 26, 1863 at War Department, Washington DC:

Assault on Vicksburg has failed. Am retiring with remainder of Army of the Tennessee. Preliminary estimate of casualties in excess of 12,000.

- W.T. Sherman, Maj. General, commanding Army of the Tennessee

[legendsport]

Message carried by dispatch rider, received at War Department, Washington, DC on July 4, 1863:

Army of Northern Virginia victorious at Gettysburg. Lee's forces in pursuit of Army of the Potomac. Rearguard is fighting delaying action as main force retires to Harrisburg. Request immediate reinforcement.

- Maj. General Meade, commanding Army of the Potomac

Message carried by dispatch rider, received at War Department, Richmond, VA on July 8, 1863:

Sir, I am proud to report that the Union Army of the Potomac has been destroyed in action near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Am sending cavalry under General Stuart to Washington, with main force following.

- R.E. Lee, General, commanding Army of Northern Virginia

[legendsport]

from New York Herald Tribune, August 23, 1863:

Gangs continue to roam the streets of this city, attacking and lynching anyone who verbally disagrees with their contention that the war is lost and it is now time to make peace with the Confederacy. Mob violence is also being reported in Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Chicago.

With President Lincoln and most of his cabinet imprisoned in Richmond and a Southern army occupying Washington, it appears the mob is correct in its assesment. Vice-President Hamlin, acting as Chief Executive, is said to be considering opening negotiations with Mr. Davis in Richmond.

from New York Herald Tribune, December 10, 1863:

The war is over. A formal treaty of peace was signed in Washington and went into effect at midnight, December 10. The salient points of the agreement:

• US cedes the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri to the Confederacy
• US capital to be temporarily located in Philadelphia, pending final decision on a new location
• US to pay an unspecified amount of damages to Confederacy for destruction of property in CSA territory (primarily along the Mississippi)
• West Virginia to be admitted as a US state
• Indian Territory to be annexed to the state of Texas
• Abraham Lincoln to be removed as President of the United States. he will be released from CS custody on January 1

BLUE - US States
RED - CS States
YELLOW - US Territories not yet admitted as states

[legendsport]

Letter to the Editor, Chicago World, July 4, 1876:

Dear Sir,

It has now been one century since our nation earned its independence from the British. It also has been eight years since the disastrous Battle of Gettysburg which saw half our country successfully withdraw from the Union. In the intervening time, we've seen the relocation of the capital (ed. note: the capital was moved to Columbus, OH and renamed Columbia, in early 1865) and the onset of economic depression forced by the burden of paying reparations to our erstwhile brothers in the South.

In a desire to commemorate the good, and let pass from memory the recent misfortunes of our grand republic, I believe the time has come for a legitimized and professional league of base ballers. As your sports department has written, there are many good amateur clubs promoting the game of base ball. A group of the best of these would be the ideal foundation upon which a professional circuit may be built. I would hope your readers feel the same as I.

Sincerely,
Albert G. Spalding

Letter to the Editor, Chicago World, July 6, 1876:

In response to the missive of Mr. Spalding of the 4th instant, I would like to point out that in the present economic atmosphere, it would not be feasible nor wise, to pursue the creation of a professional base ball organization. Our nation needs to get back on its feet and see its population resume normalcy of life, before such a thing may be considered.

from the Atlanta Journal, August 8, 1880:

This writer recently witnessed an unlikely sporting gathering outside the environs of our fair city. Upon a fair-sized meadow a group of men was pursuing what our Northern neighbors have termed "base ball" - a game originating in New York, which has since spread across the Northern Union, but has not yet made serious in-roads here in the Confederacy.

The playing of this game, which appeared to afford its participants much merriment, was not the most noteworthy aspect in this reporter's eyes. In light of the recent manumission movement, and the economic realities of these hard-scrabble times, should have preparted yours truly, but I confess that it did not do so.

The participation of recently freed slaves with their former overseers - that was the strangest sight these eyes have beheld and a sure sign that times are changing here in Dixie land.

[legendsport]

from the Boston Times, April 11, 1885:

Twenty-five years ago the abolition movement, which was fostered and fed here in New England, helped to push the Southern states into their successful revolution. Twenty-two years after those same states won for themselves the right to continue their slave-holding ways, the government of the Confederacy has seen the light and amended their constitution, manumitting the slaves and finally making North America free of the heinous crime of human bondage.

Church bells rang throughout this city when the announcement was made. It is hoped that the recently freed people of the South will be afforded citizenship and a chance to become contributing members of the Confederate nation.

from the personal letters of Confederate President James E.B. Stuart, April 30, 1885:

... It is my solemn belief that we will best served as a nation if we open the borders with the United States and allow our former slaves the right to emigration. Let them go North as so many of them have wished for the past generation. Our republic will be the stronger for it...

Official correspondence, U.S. President Grover Cleveland to Congress, Columbia, OH, May 27, 1885:

it must be the policy of these United States to allow emigration from the Confederacy of any person, regardless of color or creed, to the U.S. We are a nation of immigrants - our open policy to those of European descent wishing to pursue the American dream can not be altered to exclude those who share a common border. I hereby recommend the establishment of processing stations at the following points along the US-CS border: Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Kansas City, KS. Each station should be able to process at least 1,000 persons per day.

[legendsport]

from the New York Herald, May 14, 1887:

Albert Spalding, resident of Chicago and amateur base ball pitcher non pareil, has renewed his call for a professional base ball organization. Spalding has been pursuing his dream for more than a decade, but has seen his pleas fall on deaf ears at all turns.

Now, with the recent wave of emigration of thousands of former slaves from the Confederacy, and the formation of a even greater number of amateur clubs (apparently base ball has become a popular pastime with our new citizens), Spalding's clarion call may reach the ears of people with the capital to make a professional organization possible.

Spalding's recent sojourn to New York in search of investors saw him bring along some of the top base ball talent in these United States. Adrian Anson, known as Cap on the diamonds of the Midwest, is perhaps the greatest base baller in the nation. Also on hand was the top base baller from New York state, Dan Brouthers, who stars for the Buffalo club.

It remains to be seen whether Spalding and co. will garner the financial resources needed to make their professional dreams a reality.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

I'm looking forward to this. Great start!

[legendsport]

from personal letters of future Confederate Senator William H. Cobb, June 6, 1891:

My dearest Amanda,

Young Tyrus and I have just completed our journey to Richmond. I must admit that my eyes welled with tears as I stood in Victory Square and gazed upon the twin equestrian statues there - the first of George Washington and the other of Robert E. Lee.

The bustling capital is indeed a sight to behold: hundreds of people on the streets, hurrying back and forth on a myriad of who-knows-what type of errands. Why, in the square alone there were more people than can be seen in Royston in an entire month.

With Tyrus in hand, I made my way across the square in search of Senator Cullen's office. The Senator was not in, but his secretary did promise to remind Mr. Cullen of his promise to back my congressional campaign this fall. On the way to the hotel from the Senate building, I spied a crowd gathered on a public green. Since Tyrus expressed an interest (what five year old can resist the call of curiousity?), I agreed to venture over and find out what was attracting the crowd's attention.

The crowd was watching a touring group of Yankees play a game called "base ball." I remember my father mentioning this game after the war - he had seen some Union prisoners playing it under guard. I confess I did not find the proceedings interesting in any way. Young Tyrus, however, was mesmerized and as we made our way back to the hotel, expressed to me that his fondest wish was to become a base baller.

We should conclude our business here tomorrow and embark on the Thursday morning express to Atlanta.

Your loving husband,
William

[legendsport]

Originally Posted by Eckstein 4 Prez

I'm looking forward to this. Great start!

Thanks. I'm going to mix in some "world events" along with the baseball - and I promise a professional league will start...

[legendsport]

from the Richmond Courier, August 10, 1891:

Mr. Albert G. Spalding and his touring band of sportsmen have wrapped up their tour of the Confederacy, which both began (in June) and ended (yesterday) here in the capital city. Spalding is the world's largest proponent of the sport of base ball, a game played in a few corners of the Confederacy, but much more popular in the United States, especially in the urban centers of New York, Philadelphia and Chicago (the hometown of Mr. Spalding).

Spalding admits to a mercenary reasoning for his tour: "I make no bones about it - I am here in the Confederacy to spread the word about the great game of base ball, my chosen career. I plan to make my living as the progenitor and guiding force of a professional circuit of base ball clubs."

The tour met with mixed reviews. Here in the capital, with a more metropolitan mix of personalities, the exhibitions of Spalding's club received good reviews and a match was played with local sportsmen, which of course, was won by the Yankee nine. But in the balmier climes of the Deep South, where the main industry remains agricultural in nature, Spalding's nine received some negative notice - particularly for the prescence of one of his players, King Solomon White, the son of former slaves, who received a less than hospitable welcome in Montgomery, Jackson and Baton Rouge on a swing through the cotton states.

"It's a shame that Sol, who is a capital fellow, would be the object of scorn by some of the Confederate citizenry," said Spalding. "He accepts this as part and parcel with the job of growing the game, and lets the insults roll off his back as water does a round log."

The success of Spalding's tour can be best measured by the fact that last week the formation of the Richmond Base Ball Club was announced, and it is rumored that similar clubs are forming in Washington City, Raleigh, Charleston and in Louisville, Kentucky.

[metsgeek]

You know I love these, Joe. It looks awesome.

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, November 4, 1892:

Stevenson Wins Presidency - Preliminary reports of balloting from across the nation indicate that Illinois Senator Adlai E. Stevenson has succeeded his mentor, Grover Cleveland to become the 21st President of the United States.

The President-elect pledged to pressure the Confederacy on the issue of continuing raids by Indians from CS territory into Nebraska and Kansas as well as requesting a referendum by the citizens of Delaware on whether to remain a part of the Confederacy or return to the United States.

...Albert Spalding, a member of the Stevenson campaign, expressed delight with the results of the election: "We finally have a man of vision in the Executive Mansion. Good times will return to our fine nation."

...on speculation that Stevenson will use his power as President to forward Spalding's stated goal of a professional base ball league, the President-elect demurred, saying: "While I wholeheartedly support the concept of a professional league to provide our citizens with some much needed leisurely diversion, it is too early for me to speculate on what role the government will have, if any, in the formation of such an enterprise."


US President Adlai E. Stevenson

from the classified transcripts of Presidential meetings, administration of A.E. Stevenson:

September 1, 1893 - meeting between Mr. A.G. Spalding (AGS) of Chicago, Mr. Benjamin F. Shibe (BFS) of Philadelphia, and President Adlai Stevenson (AES):

President Stevenson: Gentlemen, let's have the report on your latest tour of the Confederacy, if you please.

Mr. Spalding: Mr. President, the tour was a success. Except for some racist incidents in Alabama...

AES: To be expected...

AGS: Yes - those happen every time we bring Grant, White or Stovey along - but they are too good to leave home. Except for those incidents, the tour was a resounding success. I believe the Confederates will embrace base ball and it will help bring our countries together.

AES: Excellent. Mr. Shibe, your take?

Mr. Shibe: Al's description is correct, sir. The Rebs seemed to enjoy the contests, even when Al and his boys were giving them a good old-fashioned thumping on the field.

AES: Good, good. Do you think a followup tour next year would be beneficial?

BFS: I think it couldn't hurt. I managed to sell three gross of my new cork-centered balls as well as uniforms, shoes and so on.

AGS: Ben is always looking at the bottom line. Their money may be funny looking, but they're on the gold standard, so it spends just fine.

AES: Indeed. The more we can knit the old wounds that seperate us, the better the chance of reconciliation and I think that sporting endeavors will be beneficial to healing those wounds.

AGS: With all due respect, sir, the Southrons are not ready to compete with us on the field. I have, as you know, put together a very competitive group of amateur clubs - any of them would devastate a team of Confederates.

AES: Of course, but the point of this is not to play and demoralize the Confederates, but rather to find another point of commonality. We already share common forebears, a common language and history, and, generally speaking, common values. Base ball must be used to create another bond.

BFS: Absolutely. And find some new customers for our Sporting Good stores - eh, Al?

AGS: Certainly, but growing the game is my number one priority.

AES: Of course it is. I suggest we stay the course. Plan another tour for the spring of 1894, and...

AGS: Sir, when will you throw your support behind my professional league?

AES: You have my word, Al. By the end of my presidency. I have to clean up our economy first.

AGS: Thank you, sir.

AES: Gentlemen, have a good day. I'll see you after the next tour.

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, January 13, 1894:

STEVENSON GUNNED DOWN - President killed by assasin's bullet after meeting with CSA President Northen.

Baltimore, MD - President Adlai Stevenson was shot twice at close range during a public appearance with Confederate President William Northen in this Maryland city, which is still a hotbed of conflicting loyalties, even thirty years after the end of the War for Southern Independence. Stevenson and Northen had just finished a meeting on the proposed dual referendums in Delaware and West Virginia while debates raged on the same topics in the Senate houses in Richmond and here in Columbia.

The President was waving from a raised platform at the railroad station, with President Northen beside him, when a Confederate anarchist rushed forward and fired four shots at the two men. Stevenson was hit twice in the chest and crumpled to the ground immediately. Northen was hit in the arm, but escaped further injury.

In Columbia, Vice-President Arthur Sewall was sworn in as the nation's 22nd President in a solemn ceremony inside the Senate chamber where he had been presiding over the debate on the referendum treaty. When the news of the presidential assassination reached the Senate, several members of this august body broke into angry shouts at what they termed "Confederate duplicity."

Sewall's first statement as president, in which he eulogized his friend and predecessor, ended by saying: "This terrible incident, perpetrated on Confederate soil, by a Confederate national, is a serious setback in the reconciliation process that President Stevenson has spent the past year pursuing. I can not imagine how long it will take to repair the damage done by this assassin."

from the Columbia Patriot, January 20, 1894:

REFERENDUM "DEAD" ACCORDING TO SEWALL - President says referendum on exchange of territory with Confederates is "as dead as our martyred leader, Adlai Stevenson." The President also asked Congress to request that the states raise 25,000 men for the armed forces.

from the Charleston (SC) Clarion, February 3, 1894:

SOUTHERN PATRIOTS RISE TO COLORS - From his hospital bed in Richmond, President Northen's call to muster has been answered by thousands of Confederate patriots across the land in response to the mobilization of 25,000 troops by the United States.

[legendsport]

Originally Posted by metsgeek

You know I love these, Joe. It looks awesome.

Thanks Pete. If I ever get bogged down, I can just read one of your dynasties to recharge the batteries.

[Sir Lurksalot]

You have another loyal reader. I love historical replays with a twist. Outstanding job!

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, February 15, 1894:

TROOPS LINE UP ALONG MASON-DIXON LINE AS CONFEDERATES REFUSE TO EXTRADITE BOOTH - The armies of both the United States and the Confederacy began digging in along the Pennsylvania/Maryland border after word came from Richmond that John Wilkes Booth Jr., the assasin of President Stevenson, would not be extradited to face trial in the U.S.

"Booth is a Confederate citizen and his dastardly crime was committed in the Confederacy, and therefore it is Confederate justice that he will face," said CS President William Northen, himself wounded in Booth's attack.

"The Confederate position is unacceptable," retorted President Arthur Sewall in a statement from the Executive Mansion here in Columbia. "Booth must be released to us so that justice may be meted out by the real victims of his crime - the citizens of the United States."

With both leaders seemingly not inclined to waver from their respective positions, and their armies preparing for battle, our thirty years of peace - uncomfortable peace, but peace nonetheless - may be coming to an abrupt end.


Confederate President William Northen

[legendsport]

from the Pittsburgh Courier, March 2, 1894:

HUNDREDS SWARM TO THE AID OF THE NATION - This reporter stopped by the local army recruiting office yesterday to speak with some of the young men signing on with Uncle Sam. They come from all over western Pennsylvania, the sons of immigrants, the sons of coal miners (and some coal miners themselves) - even some sons of slaves. Among the recruits was a thick youngster from coal country by the name of Johannes Peter Wagner.
"Call me Hans - or Honus," he said by way of introduction and stuck out a thick and callused paw for me to shake. As my writing hand recovered from his powerful handshake, I asked young Mr. Wagner a few questions.
His age: 20 (his birthday was last week). His profession: coal hauler. His hobbies: base ball.
So what brought this young man to the recruiting station? "I love my country and want to do my part," he said, with a serious look on his face. "I'd rather be playing base ball, but you can't always have it your own way, and maybe I can see something of the country."
Wagner enlisted, and will be a part of the 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry, which will likely head south by the end of March for a possible date with the Confederates in Maryland.

from the Richmond Courier, March 4, 1894:

The cause of the current tensions between our country and our northern neighbor - Mr. John Wilkes Booth, Jr., is scheduled for execution by firing squad on March 10. The sentence of death was handed down after a short trial in which Booth was found guilty of the murder of U.S. President Adlai Stevenson and the attempted murder of Confederate President Northen. Booth claimed that Northen was "simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, though his lily-livered dealings with the Yankees certainly would make his removal no great loss for the Southern nation."
Georgia Congressman William Cobb, who will be donning butternut as a Colonel in the militia of his home state, will preside over the firing squad which will execute Booth.

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, March 8, 1894:

The Fifth U.S. Corps, stationed along the Mason-Dixon Line in Pennsylvania has a grand view of Maryland. Under the command of Major General William Shafter, the Fifth is considered the most likely spearhead of any U.S. attack into the Confederacy. This reporter was given a tour by Shafter's aide-de-camp, a tall, sprightly fellow from Ohio with the rank of first lieutenant and the unlikely name of Denton True Young.
Lieutenant Young threads his way through the maze of tents that form the Fifth's massive encampment, greeting the men with kind words and a smile. The men, for their part, return Young's pleasantries with unfeigned comraderie. I ask Young why he is such a popular fellow.
"Well, a lot of the fellows enjoy a good game of base ball, and I'm a fair chucker, so they like to have me on their side," he says with a wink. He throws a wave at a bear-like sergeant who bellows "Cyclone!" at the top of his lungs as we pass by.
Cyclone, you see, is Lt. Young's nickname. Apparently the Ohioan is more than a fair chucker - as a pitcher, none of the soldiers have seen his equal. With the soldiers waiting for some development in the political quagmire between Richmond and Columbia, several base ball teams have sprung up within the Fifth's encampment and Young is in much demand.
"The General is very understanding of the men's need for some good, clean fun, and encourages baseball as a pastime," Young explains.
Spirits are high in camp, and Young explains his tour is also a scouting mission. "It seems there's a fellow in the 22nd Pennsylvania, who is reckoned a fair player, and I'd like to talk to him." Young says, then adds, "His name's Hans Wagner - I sure hope his English is good."
Wishing the Lieutenant good luck on his scout, I head back for Shafter's headquarters...

[metsgeek]

Joe, what are you using as your sources for historical info? I'm mainly using Wikipedia for my PLAGUE!!! Dynasty, but I'm always looking for more resources.

[legendsport]

Originally Posted by metsgeek

Joe, what are you using as your sources for historical info? I'm mainly using Wikipedia for my PLAGUE!!! Dynasty, but I'm always looking for more resources.

It's a mixture - a lot of it is from Wikipedia, some of the folks I Google. For the Presidents, for example, I looked in Wikipedia at US presidential elections of that time period to dig up Stevenson (who was Cleveland VP in his second term).

Northen was a Georgia governor. I just randomly picked Georgia from the southern states and googled governors of Georgia, found him and elevated him to CS President.

Plus I'm a history buff and have read a ton of stuff - the Fifth Corps/General Shafter is from the Spanish-American War.