Allred, Lee. "For the Strength of the Hills"
Divergence: 1857 CE
What if: After a Mormon gunsmith invents the equivalent of the Gatling gun, the 1857 Utah Expedition to quell the Mormon "rebellion" triggers the Civil War.
Summary: With virtually the entire US Army embroiled in a guerrilla war in the Utah Territory, the South secedes.
Published: In L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future: Volume XIII (ed. Dave Wolverton), Bridge 1997 (1573180645BUY).
Published: Serialized in Irreantum Winter 2000-01 and Spring 2001.
Awards: Finalist: 1997 Sidewise Award for best short-form alternate history.