SATURDAY OCTOBER22, 2022 - GOTTFRIED QUAAS STROY

 SATURDAY STORY - GOTTFRIED QUAAS

On Saturdays, I write fiction.  I keep saying I’m going to do it until it is right!!!  My series now is about Gottfried Quaas, a young man from Thuringia providence Germany.  Gottfried is the fourth son in the family and isn’t going to inherit the family farm so he joined the Thuringia army.  German is not unified but the process of unification is starting.

Last week, Gottfried was sent from Thuringia to Saxony to be a scout (or a spy) on the Saxony army.

By the way, My great-great-grandfather was Gottfried Quaas from Thuringia/Saxony - but he left Germany to avoid military conscription (he was opposed to Germans fighting Germans).  Gott - means “God”, and Friede means “Peace” so literally Gottfried’s name is “God’s Peace”.  

So, this isn’t about my ancestors, but that gave me a start!!!

*****

Waking up in Kusslitz, just a little southwest of Dresden, Gottfried ate a good breakfast of bacon and eggs (although not as good as back home in Heckendorf, his home village).  He talked to the innkeeper about finding a job in Dresden as a stable hand.  The innkeeper had a map of Dresden that he gave to Gottfried.  He had circled some of the stables and barns in the city 

He stopped at three places near the Dresden garrison looking for a stable job.  The first two didn’t need anybody.  The third place was an inn with stables for visitors.  The owner tried him out in the stable for an hour and made him an offer to be a stable hand for the Dresden Inn. 

Gottfried started that day, tucking his bag with his clothes into an empty stall.  Donner seemed to like the new location.  The owner allowed Gottfried to sleep and live there for free with a small salary.  That worked well for Gottfried.

It was about two blocks from the Saxony Army headquarters in Dresden.  Gottfried soon made the rounds of the area.  There was a tavern across from the barracks and he started to go there in the evenings and meet some of the army men.  He told them he was the new stable boy in the area.  (He didn’t tell them he was also an officer in the Thuringia army.)

During the days, Gottfried cleaned the stalls, fed, and took care of the horses  He also built rapport with the owner, Karl Fremling. Gottfried had such a soothing touch to the horses and Karl recognized this as a real talent.  Sleeping in the stables was okay.  He did make a little room where he could shut out the winter most days.  On really cold days, Karl allowed him into his inn where a fire blazed.  

Since the Dresden Inn was close to the Army headquarters and only a few blocks from the central government of Saxony, some of the visitors at the inn were from other German states.  Gottfried was very personable and took care of the horses and guests with love. 

Two weeks into his work, a visitor from Austria came and went to the Saxony palace.  Gottfried wondered if this was an envoy or some official promoting Austria for German unity.  Three weeks later in the middle of February, an important-looking man from Prussia came and also went to the Saxony palace.  

Meanwhile, Gottfried visited the tavern most evenings and got to know many of the army barracks group.  There were Ben, Lukas, Tobias, Leon, Paul, Johann, Sebastian, and Jonas.  Sometimes, if the inn wasn’t busy, Karl Fremling would join the group for a bier at the Tavern.

Since the tavern was also close to the Palace there might be a few of the various functionaries from there - the sentries, guards, and even two stable hands (Peter and Marc).  

Gottfried kept a low profile for a month or so, and then casually got involved in some of the table discussions about unification.  Paul seemed to be the most knowledgeable of the soldiers, and Marc from the palace.  

The general discussion was that Austria was closer in location to Saxony, but Prussia seemed to be a better choice for a unified Germany.  Hesson and Nassau provinces were talking about uniting. Mecklenburg and Schwerin were moving in that direction.  

Gottfried kept his opinions to himself as he heard Paul talk of Saxony joining up with Thuringia and Weimar.  (But he did add, “That seems to a reasonable idea”)

*****

After a month of getting to know the soldiers and their commanding officer, Edward Bauer, Gottfried showered, dressed up in his best army uniform, and went to the Saxony Barracks. At first Lukas at the door didn’t recognize him, but Gottfried explained what was happening.

Gottfried, Paul, Sebastian, Lukas, and Edward Bauer sat down in Edward’s office.

Gottfried started.  “I have to tell you the truth.  I am Gottfried Quaas - you knew that.  I am from Heckendorf, a small village in Thuringia province, and I am a lieutenant in the Thuringia army.  My King and General sent me on a mission to scout out your army, so yes, I am kind of a spy.  Please don’t hate me.”

Gottfried continued, “The King of Thuringia senses that one day soon, all of the German states will unite - and like I've heard you comment, it seems that it will either be under Austria or Prussia.  He also senses that Thuringia will not be very important in terms of what happens.  Bayern, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, and the other states will be the most important to a unified Germany.  It seems like Saxony with its industrial base could be an important part.  England is united, France is united, Spain is united, Russia is united, and of the European countries only Germany and Italy are still divided city-states.”

“In a sense, I’m an ambassador from Thuringia to Saxony.  My King's thoughts (and my own thoughts) are that if Thuringia and Saxony could unite it might show that all of Germany could unite.  We share a common language and a common culture.  So, please, I am asking you to think of how we as two states could work together and could work towards a unified Germany.”

Captain Bauer spoke first.  “Gottfried, we already have become friends.  We as a group have commented that we really do like you from our nights at Pig’s Snout tavern.  And, for myself, as an individual, I like and support your comments.  I look at the world and see Spain has colonies all over the new world, Britain has colonies in the new world (Canada), and many more like India and Australia.  In terms of world affairs, Germany has become a backwater on the international stage.”

Bauer continued, “What can we do to help you?”.

Gottfried paused for a second, then said, “This might be bold, but I’d like us (you and I, Captain Bauer) to come before your king to suggest this and open a dialog.  The world is changing, the feudal system is breaking down, railroads are crossing Europe, and it is time we entered the modern age.”

Captain Bauer and the others listened intently.  When Gottfried stopped, Captain Bauer spoke.  

“King Francis is a well-educated man and seems to want the best for his people.  I think we can get an audience with him to talk about this situation - at a low level.”

They all talked of how a unified Germany would be a positive thing.  Captain Bauer had some bier brought in for the men to enjoy as well as some wurst.  

After an afternoon of talking, Captain Bauer said, “Gottfried, I will get an appointment to meet with King Francis in the next few days.  Then you and I will present our ideas to him.”

Then he laughed, “I’m not sure how you are such a good stable boy.  I heard you talk to the horses and they listen and obey you.  But, do wear your dress uniform when we approach the King.”  Captain Bauer paused and added, “Hmmm - would you like a job as a stable boy here?  You do good work.”  All the men laughed.

Gottfried sent a note to the Thuringia General Lange and King Maxwell about his meeting.  Captain Bauer did set up a meeting with King Francis.

*****

Gottfried and Captain Bauer were well received by King Francis.  He was interested in the idea.  “It’s about time for Germany to be united.  Yes, I’ll lose my job as the King of Saxony, but it will be for the greater good.”

Gottfried and Captain Bauer met several times with King Francis.  They wrote a draft agreement that King Francis and King Maxwell would sign uniting Saxony and Thuringia.  Since Saxony was the larger state, the new state would be Saxony-Thuringia, and Francis would be the King of the new state.  They guessed it might be five to ten years before a unified Germany would come into being.  King Maxwell would be the auxiliary king over the western part of Saxony-Thuringia.  

***

Gottfried sent more letters and the draft agreement to King Maxwell.  His friend Hans Krause became the currier, bringing notes from King Maxwell to King Francis and taking notes back.  Gottfried still worked as a stable hand but was well received at court acting as an envoy from Thuringia (of course, not in his stable hand uniform).  Karl Fremling from the 

*****

One day, King Maxwell from Thuringia arrived with General Lange, and Captain Oster, and a group of soldiers.  Gottfried knew all the soldiers from their training exercises.  King Maxwell stayed at the palace with King Francis, but most of the soldiers stayed at the Dresden Haus Inn.  It was a joyous reunion for Gottfried and his friends from Thuringia

The Thuringia soldiers also went to the Pig’s Snout Tavern and soon the army men from Saxony and Thuringia were mixing and drinking bier.  They drank toasts to Gottfried and Captain Bauer, and to King Francis and King Mallory.  And, Gottfried sang and all the men joined in singing happy German songs.

The next day, King Francis and King Mallory signed the official accord uniting Saxony and Thuringia. General Lange, Captain Edward, and Lieutenant Gottfried Quaas were there to see their work formalized.

***

With the first step down and formally accepted, Gottfried and Edward Bauer became ambassadors to other German regions for unification.

*****

End of this week’s story.  Next week we’ll see how Gottfried earned the name “Gottfried the Great”.

*****

LOVE WINS!!

Karen White, October 22, 2022, ©