A History of the CSA Victory

The War of Succession
After the decisive Confederate victory, Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia move northward to occupy Philadelphia. As a direct result, the Confederate States of America earn diplomatic recognition from the UK and France. Both European nations then force mediation on the United States this action results in full independence for the Confederate States. In less than two years, the War of Secession had ended.

While considering the mediation offer, president John Bell mentioned to the British ambassador Richard Lyons that he had in his desk drawer a proclamation that would have freed slaves in the rebellious Confederacy. Bell than discussed the proclamation's viability with his cabinet, but after the U.S. defeat at Gettysburg, he decided against issuing it. He was warned by Lyons that if the proclamation were issued, he would have been perceived as acting in desperation, since the U.S. was about to officially concede defeat and that issuing such an order would amount to nothing more than an attempt to raise insurrection inside what was now another country, and doing so would be seen as a directly hostile act.