Free Britannia's Fist: From Civil War to World War: An Alternate History by Peter G. Tsouras Page B

poison the minds of citizens and soldiers. They have raided military warehouses and depots for small arms and ammunition, and are even making huge purchases on the openmarket. They’ve even welcomed rebel officers among them to plan the military operation. We are convinced they plan to overthrow the government and take the Northwest into the Confederacy.” 14
    Now it was Sharpe’s turn to be impressed. “What is the source of your information?” he asked.
    Dana smiled. “We have a remarkable young agent in their midst. Felix Stidger, a clerk for the Tennessee Provost, volunteered for the mission and reports to Col. Henry Carrington. The governor of Indiana requested Carrington by name to get a grip on these damned traitors, and the colonel recruited Stidger. The young man ingratiated himself so well with the conspirators that he was appointed, of all things, their corresponding secretary! Hah! We get all the news faster than some of their own leaders. We’ve been able to raid many of their arms caches and arrest a number of their leaders, but I’m afraid we’re just scratching the surface. That’s why Stidger is so important. He is an admirable young man. His country owes well of him.”

3 .
George the Contraband and One-Eyed Garnet
     
THE WHITE HOUSE, 4:00 PM , AUGUST 6, 1863
    Dana and Sharpe had their heads together when Fox and Lamson passed through the anteroom. “Dana,” Fox said, “the President approved my plan.” He patted Lamson on the back and grinned. “This is the young man who is going to pull it off.”
    “Well, congratulations to you, Gus, and better yet, good luck to you, Lieutenant. You’re going to need it to pull off any of Fox’s schemes.” Dana said good-naturedly. Lamson and Fox left deep in conversation.
    Dana shook his head. “Sharpe, I want you to know that Gus Fox saved the Navy, and its successes stem from his drive and judgment, but there are times when Gus Fox’s grasp exceeds his reach.” He sighed. “Well, I have enough to do looking after Mr. Stanton’s office without worrying over the Navy.” Sharpe would have loved to inquire what Fox had meant about the plan that the President had just approved, but common sense told him to stay silent.
    A secretary then announced that the President would see them. They had just stood up when Lincoln himself walked into the room. “Hello, Charlie,” he said as he extended his long arm to shake Dana’s hand. Sharpe had never met the man, but he had seen him on his visits to the Army as commander in chief. “I have been sitting too long and wanted to stretch my legs, and since they’re longer than most, they need more stretching than most.”
    Lincoln turned to Sharpe, taking his hand as he said, “You must be the shadow man I keep hearing about from the Army of the Potomac. I make it a point to read every one of your reports that General Meadesends to the War Department. They make for lively reading, Colonel, lively reading. Especially one in particular.”
    Sharpe was studying the man intently. He had rarely been put at such ease so quickly by another man. He had heard sneers about President Lincoln’slack of sophistication and dignity. But there was a warmth and kindliness to his face and a humble self-assurance that was strangely comforting. Sharpe had spent his life in the most exclusive circles in New York and Europe, and their manners, pedigrees, and protocol had become second nature. Yet Sharpe found that Lincoln had not affronted those preconceptions. In his work as a lawyer and as a first-class interrogator, Sharpe had become able to detect the smallest hint of affectation or deception. There was none of that in this man. He was what he presented himself to be. Sharpe was even flattered that the President had heard of him. He realized that in these few short moments, he wanted to please this man more than just duty or personal ambition required.
    “Well, gentlemen, let’s go into my office and talk,” Lincoln