Outnumbered? I'll conquer America with an unlimited number of suicide soldiers.

Chapter 35 The Democratic Party's Counterattack

Evening, Sacramento.

Inside the state government building, kerosene lamps illuminated the governor's office.

Several urgent telegrams were placed on the desk, causing a great uproar.

"My God, are those American Party guys crazy?"

California Governor John Bigler couldn't help but ask that question.

The contents of the telegram were unbelievable:

The mayor of San Francisco led a mob to storm the county jail and arrested the county police chief.

The county police chief was illegally detained and sentenced to lynching; he will be hanged tomorrow.

The entire city and county police department engaged in a gunfight with the Vigilance Committee, but was ultimately defeated, with only two or three survivors besides the city police chief.

The Vigilance Committee led the arrest of Democratic lawmakers, nearly dismantling the party's organizational structure in San Francisco.

Any one of these events alone would be enough to shake up California politics, and now they've happened simultaneously.

The mayor of San Francisco led a group of people to storm the county jail and arrest the county police chief; he's going to be hanged tomorrow.

A civilian organization called the Vigilance Committee wiped out all the police officers in San Francisco County and arrested all the Democratic Party members.

Is this something that can happen in the United States?

Bigler was initially shocked, but then his seasoned politician instincts kicked in. He walked to the huge map of California on the wall and traced the dotted line from Sacramento to San Francisco with his finger.

"opportunity."

He muttered to himself, a forced smile creeping onto his lips.

If handled well, this incident might actually dampen the momentum of the American party and increase his chances of re-election.

Without hesitation, Bigler instructed his men to notify the California Democratic senators and representatives in Sacramento, inviting them to the state capitol building to discuss important matters.

Soon, twelve Democratic senators and twenty-seven representatives gathered in a meeting room in the state capitol building.

There was no refreshment on the long table, only stacks of blank memos and dip pens.

After learning the whole story, a senator dressed in hunting attire and riding boots said in a deep voice, "Bigler, what I was originally thinking was to talk to John Neely Jensen, the California leader of the American Party, and have him step in to resolve this matter."

"But since you want to use this, I have no objection. I propose that we declare San Francisco in a state of rebellion and define the nature of this matter first."

Bigler frowned and pondered for a moment, then said to the senator, "Milton, declaring a state of rebellion is easy, but we don't have any troops. The bill for a militia division directly under the state government has only just been passed, and it will take at least six months to form a standing division."

"If the state government were to conscript militia from the cities and counties of Northern California, and they were to shirk their duties, it would severely damage the prestige of the state government and myself, and I would become a laughing stock across the United States."

Senator Milton lit a cigar and said, "Let's do it both ways. On the one hand, we can go through the official procedures to conscript the militia, even if it's just for show, but at least it will boost morale."

On the other hand, we can borrow some manpower from civilians who support us. This is California; there's no shortage of capable people who will do things for money.

Bigler looked enlightened.

A congressman sitting in the middle of the long table said, "I propose that we convene an emergency special session of the state legislature tomorrow and put forward two motions."

The first measure is to cut off all financial support to San Francisco until a legitimate government is restored. The second measure is to push for amendments to the Anti-Illegal Armed Forces Act, explicitly defining the Vigilance Committee and similar organizations as insurgent entities, with participants prosecuted for treason.

Some objected: "We only have 27 votes in the House of Representatives. To pass a bill of this magnitude, we need at least a majority vote. We don't have enough!"

"Then contact the Whig Party members."

Senator Milton stated, "The American Party has completely trampled on the rules of the political game this time. I don't believe that Whig leader would stand idly by while militias arbitrarily detain officials. He is just as afraid of this precedent as we are."

One congressman, an editor by training, said, "I will have someone telegraph contact newspapers across the state that are close to us, reporting on the American Party's rebellion to stir up public opinion throughout the state and win the support of centrists and business people."

"Gentlemen, this is a rare opportunity."

Bigler's gaze swept across every face as he slowly said, "The Americans have made a foolish choice, so we must seize this opportunity."

This time, we're not just going to quell the riots, we're going to completely break the backbone of the American Party in California. We'll let those bastards understand who the true masters of this land are!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Time quickly came to the second day.

The Democrats' counterattack, which they had been preparing overnight, officially began.

A simultaneous, relentless attack was launched against the American party from four fronts: politics, law, public opinion, and military.

The tough stance left the American party completely bewildered.

No, are the two parties really about to start a bloody war?

John Neely Jensen, the leader of the American Party, had initially hoped to downplay the incident, but now, in order to maintain his authority within the party, he had no choice but to retaliate.

The whole of California was thrown into chaos.

At 10 a.m., in the state legislature, an emergency motion proposed by the Democrats to cut off all financial funding to San Francisco was rejected.

The American Party opposed the move without any votes, and the Whig Party was unwilling to set a precedent by freezing city finances, so the motion did not pass.

But on the same afternoon, the situation reversed.

The Democratic-led amendment to the Anti-Illegal Armed Forces Act has entered the voting process.

The Whig Party chose to support the bill, which passed with 42 votes in favor and 21 votes against.

At the same time, the California Attorney General's Office issued a formal announcement, filing felony charges against William Coleman, chairman of the San Francisco Vigilance Commission, including murder, kidnapping, insurrection, and subversion of government.

With the newspapers acting as a media machine, public opinion in California began to lean towards the Democratic Party, which in turn won over many centrists.

However, the situation is less optimistic in terms of military matters.

The mobilization of militia organizations in various cities and counties of Northern California is far from ideal, with each city offering its own excuses. For example, Sacramento Mayor Parker Fisher cited the fact that the Sutter Rifle Team was still hunting criminals as the reason for not being able to provide any more militia forces.

Although many businessmen with close ties to the Democratic Party provided manpower, the total number of people they sent was only a little over seventy.

If they were sent to San Francisco like this, they probably wouldn't even make a ripple, and would be swallowed whole by the Vigilance Committee.

Inside the governor's office, Bigler rubbed his temples, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness.

Just then, a subordinate whispered, "Governor, a gentleman named Hosea Matthews requests a meeting with you. He says he can resolve your current troubles."

Five minutes later, Bigler looked at the visitor in front of him.

He was a well-dressed man with a composed demeanor.

Bigler casually asked, "Mr. Matthews, you say you can solve the problem I'm currently facing?"

Hosea's voice was steady: "Of course. If two hundred people can't solve the problem you're facing, Governor, then we can only pray to God, can't we?"

"Mr. Matthews, how many people did you say?" Bigler asked incredulously.

"Two hundred people, Governor."

Hosea smiled slightly and held up two fingers. "They are all strong, energetic white lads, at the age when they are full of passion and eager for honor. You can completely trust their fighting ability."

Bigler raised an eyebrow: "Two hundred men? That's about the size of a standard infantry battalion."

Please forgive my bluntness, Mr. Matthews, but what kind of business activity would require maintaining such a large private army? I don't recall you being one of the major California businessmen I know of.

"Mining, Mr. Governor."

Hosea shrugged. "I'm planning to buy a few gold mines in the Sierra Nevada and Coast Mountains. You know, maintaining order in mining areas is never an easy task."

Indian attacks, fugitive escapes, unfair competition from rivals—these young men were originally the security force I had prepared for the mining area.

"It's normal that you don't remember me, after all, I've only been in California for a short time and haven't started any large-scale business activities yet."

Bigler remained somewhat skeptical, narrowing his eyes. "Can I see them?"

"Of course, I brought the young men with me."

Hosea gestured to Bigler, "Please come to the window and look down; you'll see them."

Bigler got up with some skepticism and stood in front of the window.

He looked down, his pupils slightly contracting.

On the street below the state capitol building, two hundred young people dressed in matching dark overalls and white shirts stood in neat rows. Twenty people per row, ten rows in total, they formed a perfect rectangle in the sunlight.

Although he wasn't carrying any weapons, his menacing aura still caused passersby to instinctively avoid him. Even those who were curious would only glance at him a few times before hurrying away.

"Impressive discipline."

Bigler withdrew his gaze with satisfaction and re-examined Hosea: "So, what reward do you require, Mr. Hosea?"

Hosea replied bluntly, “Governor, my mining company employs a large number of foreign workers, and under the Foreign Miners Tax Act of 1852, I am required to pay substantial taxes on them. Therefore, I would like to obtain a special exemption license, valid for five years.”

Bigler quickly started doing mental calculations.

The market price for hiring two hundred armed men is at least $8,000 per month, while the cost of tax exemption is almost zero.

What? You're saying the state government is short of tax revenue? Then just ask Congress for funding. It's not like he, the governor, is footing the bill.

Bigler waved his hand and said, "That's easy, I agree."

Hosea smiled and said, "That would be wonderful."

"By the way, Governor, the state government should provide my men with weapons and ammunition, right?"

"?"

Bigler looked at Hosea, his eyes wide.

So you're saying you're providing manpower, but you're only providing people and not weapons?

Hosea's expression remained unchanged. Of course, those two hundred men had weapons, specifically two hundred Type 1 Pacific Revolvers and improved versions.

But why not take advantage of the state government's profits? Two hundred muzzle-loading guns and lead bullets could fetch several thousand dollars if resold.

Bigler gritted his teeth and said, "I'll provide it, but I demand that your men be able to depart for San Francisco the moment they receive the equipment. Furthermore, your team must be led by a commander appointed by the state government."

"Perfectly reasonable, Mr. Governor."

Hosea bowed slightly. "My lads are all set. Once the equipment is in place, they will travel down the Sacramento River by steamship before dawn tomorrow and arrive at the San Francisco docks within eight hours."

"Then, prepare to hear the news of victory."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Another day has passed.

At six o'clock in the morning, a thin, grayish-white mist shrouded the Sacramento River docks.

On the port side gangway, the assassins, armed with weapons and equipment, began to board the steamship in an orderly fashion.

Their steps were perfectly synchronized; no one spoke, no one looked around. Once on the deck, they automatically formed a square formation, resembling an elite army.

On the other steamship, the scene was quite different, with over seventy volunteer soldiers, cobbled together by various merchants, scrambling chaotically onto the ship.

Some people were drinking, some were flirting with the girls on the dock, and some were even clumsily knocking over ammunition boxes. It was extremely noisy and completely disorderly.

Senator Milton stood on the wooden pier and asked, "Isn't it too hasty to send them out now? If we wait two more days, we can at least gather thirty to fifty men."

"Time is not on our side, Milton."

Bigler shook his head: "With each passing day, the San Francisco security committee becomes more secure. If we let them completely stabilize San Francisco and control the docks and granaries, sending another five hundred men there would be suicide."

"So we have to send a team over first to intimidate them. This team will be stationed outside San Francisco, raising the state government flag and conducting daily drills to put pressure on the American Party."

At the same time, it lets those rioters in the city know that legitimate forces are watching them from outside the city.

"Once the militia arrives, we will concentrate our forces to completely take over the Vigilance Committee."

Milton nodded, his gaze sweeping across the steamship before he frowned. "Where's the officer in charge? Where is he?"

"The officer in charge isn't here; he's waiting in San Francisco to take over the team."

Bigler said, "I was originally looking for a retired officer from Sacramento, but someone recommended someone who was 'completely neutral, professional and familiar with the terrain of San Francisco.'"

"William Tecumseh Sherman, a graduate of West Point in 1840, served in California during the Mexican-American War and later worked as a bank manager in Lucas, San Francisco."

"A neutral West Point graduate. That's definitely a smart choice. It avoids partisan disputes while still providing professional guidance."

Milton murmured, finally nodding slowly. "But Bigler, how can you be sure this Sherman will be loyal to the state government and not San Francisco?"

Bigler said, "That's because I asked Mr. Sherman by telegram, and he agreed."