“How can we have an army without Governor Shannon going crazy!”
“It seems like they’re determined to reduce Lawrence to ashes, and I can’t just sit by and let that happen!”
“But we should try to talk first. Is there any need to fight a fight we have no chance of winning?”
“If they were the kind of people who could communicate, would they have barged in like that?”
Inside the barracks, Charles and Lane, who were deep in thought and had a lot on their minds, rarely spoke.
Then suddenly, as if they had made a promise, their gazes turned to Max.
‘If you look at the expression, it looks like there’s something there.’
As Lane was about to open his mouth, Max, whose eyes met mine, spoke to John Brown next to him.
And after a while.
John Brown rose from his seat and looked around the room, opening his mouth.
“I was going to tell you when I got more certain, but I guess I should do it now.”
People’s eyes are focused on John Brown’s mouth.
“I met with Commander Edson Sumner of Fort Leavenworth a while ago.”
For a moment, the room became quiet.
“I came here to ask for help in advance in preparation for the current situation.”
“Oh!”
“I can’t reveal the specifics, but I heard a positive response from Colonel Sumner at the time. Therefore, the soldiers approaching from the north now are most likely friendly forces, not enemies. We must never treat them as enemies.”
The atmosphere in the conference room changed abruptly, and faces changed from despair to joy.
“As expected, it’s John Brown! How could you have anticipated and prepared for this!”
In the midst of the excitement, Lane focused more on Max than on John Brown.
‘Did you give John Brown a present this time?’
The reason why you fall behind and give priority to others.
– Please be my strong supporter.
Now it looks like John Brown is in the picture.
A man with a clear mind that can judge situations at a young age and the fighting power to execute strategies. But he is Asian.
It was a fatal flaw in this country and this land.
‘I think I know what the role of the back is.’
As Lane laughed, Commander-in-Chief Charles asked John Brown a question.
“If you heard a positive answer from the commander, why aren’t you sure that he is our ally?”
“Can’t the situation change at any time? For example, if we shoot first, the victim could be a Border Ruffian.”
“Oh, my···.”
“If the standoff continues, the commander will intervene and reach a conclusion, and if war breaks out, the one who started it will be held responsible.”
That means we can’t be sure that they’re allies until then.
“So you’re saying that we have to wait until the enemy fires before it’s over?”
“Then who dies?”
John Brown glares at them.
“Didn’t you all come prepared to die? Why are you worrying about that now?”
“……”
“You just have to fight back against the attackers. At least you don’t have to worry about the North, so that’s an advantage.”
It’s a different approach from John Brown’s.
Even as I was talking, I felt a bit uneasy.
‘Honestly, if it were me, I would have chosen preemptive strike.’
Anyway, John Brown followed Max’s words and watched. He was curious about the results.
It was fun to watch this.
After the meeting, Lane asked Max.
“How do you think the military will move?”
“Only the commander knows.”
“Actually, I’m a bit pessimistic. The military is just watching and not making any arbitrary judgments outside of its role as mediator.”
As a former soldier, Lane knows their physiology well.
Max nodded and said.
“We’ll have to wait and see. Whether they move or not.”
When war breaks out, the decision falls to Commander Sumner.
It remained to be seen whether he would just watch or use the platform Max had laid out for him.
After noticing the advance of the Border Ruffians.
Fortifications were established throughout the town of Lawrence.
An earthen embankment was built 2 meters wide and 1 meter high.
Every house was filled with volunteers and the Free State Hotel was used as a barracks.
Including the volunteers who gathered during this period, there were approximately 800 men defending Lawrence.
Border Ruffian faction.
Acheson and his top brass met in the barracks erected at the camp.
They too were bewildered by the troops approaching from the North.
But Acheson was unmoved.
“Regardless of their intentions, the military will only be a mediator and will not intervene directly.”
“Then I guess you don’t have to worry about it.”
“No. The whole nonsense about mediation and all that is bothersome.”
From Acheson’s perspective, Fort Leavenworth is a distraction from resolving the standoff.
What would happen if I returned to Missouri without getting anything?
– Peace, my ass. If this is what’s going to happen, why did you come?
Those who gathered through agitation will feel this sense of emptiness, and from then on, Acheson’s words will never be accepted again.
“Jones, what would you do?”
“We will attack before the military intervenes.”
“Hmm. Then we need to have a plausible excuse.”
With Jacob Branson no longer in Lawrence, the old excuse has expired.
“We need something new. And that means we’ll have to ask them for something too much.”
“That is an absolutely unacceptable demand.”
At Jones’s words, Acheson nods with one corner of his mouth raised.
The narrow Wakarusa River, only 20 meters wide.
A meeting between the two camps took place. It started with the takeover of Jacob Branson, but soon a fierce war of nerves unfolded.
Max, who was far behind the representatives, didn’t just watch.
He was engaged in a fierce staring contest with Samuel Jones across the river.
‘What the hell is that son of a bitch doing…’
As Samuel Jones curses under his breath, Max opens his mouth.
‘What is that kid talking about?’
Jones gritted his teeth and looked at Max’s mouth.
‘뻑큐, 썬오브비···. 저 개새끼를 그냥.’
When Jones, who was furious, tried to respond with the same mouth shape, this time Max grabbed his right arm and made a pained expression.
It was a mockery of a broken arm.
Max’s provocative actions continued after that.
Jones’ face turned red and his eyes sparkled with anger, but he soon calmed down and let out a laugh.
‘Let’s see if that can be done even after the talks are over.’
Just thinking about it brings a smile to Jones’ face.
Max, seeing this, smacked his lips.
‘Hey kid. Looks like you’ve woken up. You’re so annoying.’
Jones, who had made up his mind, found teasing no fun. Max turned his gaze to the Borderropians gathered like a cloud.
Old people, women, children, even Indians.
‘There is the equality that John Brown speaks of.’
Max clicked his tongue and thought.
A vicious and evil strategy used by African rebels, using civilians as a front.
The only thing wrong with Acheson was that he left the civilians behind.
Even if the operation was successful, it was difficult to attempt it considering the strong aftershocks.
Acheson knew it was a double-edged sword.
Or maybe it wasn’t that corrupt.
While Max was thinking about this and that, the meeting became more intense and Acheson’s voice pounded on Max’s eardrums.
“Without further ado, here’s what we have agreed to! First, hand over to us those who raided the Wyandotte village and abducted Jacob Branson!”
Max’s eyes narrow and turn to Acheson.
“Second, the Jayhawks gathered in Lawrence will be disbanded. Third, the Sheriff of Lawrence will be relieved of his office and the current Sheriff of Douglas County will be recognized. Fourth.”
“stop!”
Charles’ face turned red and he burst into rage.
“Stop talking nonsense! I absolutely cannot accept such stubbornness!”
“Then the negotiations have broken down.”
“I have no intention of negotiating like that either!”
According to the original history, the Wakarusa War ends with one casualty.
An incident where a person who rushed to help Lawrence was killed by a Border Ruffian.
This led to negotiations and a bland end to the Wakarusa War.
‘Will it really flow like that?’
When Max thinks.
“The talks have broken down, so brace yourself!”
Acheson turned his back after threatening.
Jones spat at Max and walked away.
That’s when the talks broke down.
Taaaaang!
Taaaaang!
Two gunshots were heard in the distance.
The direction is southwest, and the distance is about 2km.
There is a commotion on both sides, and soon two people are riding across the river.
There were many people chasing after him.
“Robert, Pearson!”
Someone recognized the riders and shouted.
And among them, Robert said that the body was tied up.
‘The only casualty of the Wakarusa War.’
We don’t know where or by whom they died, but the flow of history continues.
Max quickly looked at Acheson and Jones for their reactions. They were discussing something.
There are probably two directions.
Will we renegotiate, or will we use this as an opportunity to start a war?
But at this point, the Jones and Stringfellow brothers leave the meeting and approach the Border Ruffians.
If you were thinking about renegotiating, you should have understood the situation first. You should have talked to the murderers.
But Jones and Stringfellow called in Border Ruffians to command their respective forces.
‘It’s finally going beyond my expectations.’
Max quickly approached Charles and Lane.
They are looking at Robert and Pearson trying to cross the river.
“It looks like they’re determined to go to war. We need to pull our troops back immediately.”
The surprised eyes of Charles, Lane, and John Brown turn to Acheson.
“What matters now is Samuel Jones. There’s no need to look at the situation. Get the troops out now!”
Max left these words behind and led Holiday away. Then he shouted to the young Jayhawks he was commanding.
“Defend the fort now!”
“Old story!”
Don’t ask questions.
Just answer and act.
They all turn their horses and run towards Mount Ored.
And behind them came the voice of their commander, James Lane.
“All forces, come to a defensive posture!”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Lawrence’s forces north of the Wakarusa River quickly begin to fall back.
Benjamin Stringfellow frowned at this sight and shouted:
“We must not give the enemy time to prepare! The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Cavalry Corps must advance to the village immediately!”
“The artillerymen are moving the cannons across the river!”
At the direction of his brother Robert Stringfellow, artillerymen immediately came pushing cannons mounted on carts.
Old Sacramento Cannon (or Old Kickapoo Cannon), taken from the military arsenal at Liberty Arsenal, Missouri.
It was a cannon that used a 6-pound (2.7 kg) gun that was also used in the Mexican War.
In preparation for the possible war, Lawrence assigned each man a role and position. Max defended the newly built fort and guarded the Border Ruffians approaching Lawrence’s village.
“Colonel Holiday, check on the shelters for the townspeople and the medical supplies for the wounded.”
“Oh, I got it. Sheriff Max!”
Holiday fell back to the back of the village, and Max brought the Sharps rifle on his back forward.
The fortress is three stories high and 30 meters wide.
Even without shouting loudly, the agents can clearly hear Max’s voice.
“Don’t rush, just shoot when you’re within range. What if you get within 30 meters?”
“Drop the rifle and pick up the revolver!”
“Each one has six bullets. There’s no need to shoot the one you’ve already hit. Then how many people can we kill?”
“A lot!”
“…… At least 500 people. My eyes are special, so I can see where all of your bullets are going. Do you understand?”
“Old story!”
While they are talking, a loud noise is heard.
The cavalry was advancing toward the fort.
Max slowly raised his rifle and took a stance.
Dudley stands by with six loaded rifles.
Max raised his voice and shouted because of the loud noise.
“The fortress was not built for nothing. If there is anyone who can defeat us, he is a god! It means that even if we die, we will guide you to heaven, so do not be afraid.”
“Old story!”
Max took aim at the one in front with a faint smile. I always think about it, but after this, I’ll have to put on a scope.
‘If the first step doesn’t work, it’s a total embarrassment.’
Everyone will be watching with bated breath.
When the target comes into range, take a deep breath, exhale slightly, pause, and pull the trigger that has just touched the target.
Taaaaang!
“Ooh! It fell down!”
“Wow, how far is it over there?”
“So the number of stakes is···.”
‘It’s 400m, you little ones.’
When Max hands the rifle to Dudley, he gets a new rifle.
It’s time to aim for a new goal.
Taaaaang!
“Has the captain already shot you?”
“I shot it?”
Everyone kept their mouths shut at Peach’s words and took aim at the target. If Peach had shot, it meant that he would soon be within their firing range.
Immediately afterwards, bullets poured from the fortress and were directed at the Border Rufians.
Taaang! Taaang!
There are countless Border Rufians who have been caught tumbling down with their horses.
But Max frowned as he watched the approaching enemies. If they pushed in with the cannons, the damage would be even greater.
‘I never knew Colonel Sumner could be so indecisive.’
Did I design the insurance plan wrong?
Max took aim at Samuel Jones, who was visible in the distance. He was very excited and was running towards the fort, muttering something.
“Wait a minute, you Asian coolie!”
