In the aftermath of the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil, Bart Taylor, a young Union sharpshooter is turned by the English Vampire, Lord Willard Montague, revealing a family secret: an unregistered silver mine exists on Taylor land.The American Government, reeling from the Great Civil War
Between the States, enacts new laws concerning the mining and transportation of precious metals and gemstones.
One of these laws ensures that silver must be registered with the newly formed Government Assay Office and transported under armed guard by a Treasury Assay Agent.
During this process the metal is tainted by spells that render it useless against vampires. Willard takes control of the city
of New Orleans, buying or killing his way to controlling the sea trade from that port and sends the nascent vampire to kill everyone in Cold Water to secure the silver mine.
Now, Willard is ready to see this mine for himself. The Vampire Lord expects to hear soon but is not ready to hear the deadly words of The Talking Gun.