1861–1863: Confederate Independence[]
After losing Special Order 191, Robert E. Lee completely changes his battle strategy for the Maryland Campaign. In September 1862, Union General George B. McClellan is unprepared for a different Confederate strategy than that which he expected, as result the first day of the battle is tilted toward the South. The second day of the battle, General McClellan makes a last attempt to defeat the Confederate army with a two thousand man charge at the Confederate line. McClellan has already lost 1200 soldiers, his charge ultimately fails, and the remaining Union forces retreat.
Feeling that the end the war was near, President Jefferson Davis orders the Confederate Army to attempt to occupy Washington D.C. With the help of Britain and France, the Confederacy invades Washington on March 1st, 1863. At first, the Union was able to keep Confederate forces at the border within the first two months, but the next month French and British forces both arrive and Washington is laid siege to. Before the White House could be stormed, President Abraham Lincoln orders a meeting with Confederate President Jefferson Davis, to discuss the Union's terms of surrender.
After two weeks of heated discussion, the Union acknowledges the Confederacy's independence. The Confederacy is allowed control of Maryland and Washington D.C., and the Union later moves its capital to Philadelphia. Great Britain and France offer better trade relations with the Confederacy and decrease trade with the Union.
1864-1882: A Changing America[]
At the beginning of 1864, divisions over the Oklahoma territory nearly led to a second war between the Confederacy and the Union; but this was eventually settled in the "Sequoyah Accord," creating the Oklahoma State in the Union, and the State of Sequoyah in the Confederacy. In 1864, Union President Abraham Lincoln and his Vice President Hannibal Hamlin do not run again. The election is later won by Republican John C. Fremont. In 1867, Russia offers Alaska to the United States for seven million dollars, but the Union declines due to its already fracturing economy. In 1868, General Robert E. Lee is elected President of the Confederacy, and Union President Fremont is re-elected.
In 1871 the Confederacy purchased Cuba from Spain for eight million Confederate dollars, and the Union responded by purchasing Puerto Rico for six million dollars. Horatio Seymour is elected president of the United States in 1872. In 1874, Governor Daniel Henry Chamberlin of South Carolina becomes the first member of the newly formed Confederation party.