Fenians, Brits, Mexicans, Canucks and Frenchies....OH, MY! An alternate American Civil War

[Alt History Buff]

December, 1861

Puebla

The British, French and Spanish fleet arrived of the coast of Puebla, the primary Mexican port through which nearly all Mexican exports and imports flowed. Unopposed by any Mexican ships or troops, the Europeans calmly disembarked without incident and assumed control over the city. If there were any Mexican soldiers present, they absented themselves quickly enough. The local mayor and dignitaries eventually approached the nominal leader of the allies, a Spaniard, and it was explained that the Europeans would not molest any persons or property provided they were not interfered with.

For the most part, the Europeans followed through. Most of the allied Marines marched inland to several smaller cities and assumed control. A week after arrival, not a single drop of blood had been shed.

President Juarez dispatched a messenger to Puebla asking for a parlay, an invitation promptly accepted.

Europe

Over the past decade, Europe had politically convulsed but had avoided most major wars on the Continent.

The Crimean War was less than a generation in the past. Here Russian ambitions to gain easy access to the sea resulted in Britain, France, Austria, the Ottoman and Piedmont going to war to restrict another colonial contender from the high seas. Russia was defeated, humiliatingly so and simmered for revenge.

Britain was still psychologically recovering from the Sepoy Rebellion and the Irish Famine.

Italy had largely been united into a unified ethno-centric country for the first time since the Roman Empire only the previous year, minus Savoy and Marseille (which went to France), Venetia (still part of the Habsburg Empire) and the remnant of the Papal State. The Italians had managed to drive out the assorted local Kings and united them under one throne despite Austrian opposition only with the help of France (Marseille being the cost of this "aid").

Austria opted against pressing the matter given her problems maintaining any semblance of hegemony in Germany. Prussia was already dominating the Northern Confederation and Austria's southern allies proving less than dynamic compared to the Hohenzollerns. Most of Germany already had joined the Prussian camp. After nearly 75 years of decline following the death of Frederick II (the great) largely due to the a succession of weak rulers. Now, with men like Moltke and Bismarck leading the nation, the old Prussian military machine appeared as deadly as her diplomacy.

Oddly, the Papal State only remained in existence due to the presence of French troops. While France had sought to form a stronger Italy against the threats of Austria and Prussia, Napoleon III could not disinherit the Papacy entirely, not with France's Catholic population in opposition. Indeed, Napoleon III tried again and again to get the Pope to concentrate on his spiritual powers and cede corporeal relations to the Italian King....to no avail. Now the French presence in Rome was driving a wedge between Paris and what was viewed as her natural ally.

Humiliated at her defeat in Italy, Austria was unwilling to ally with Italy and France against Prussia's ambitions despite that plainly serving Austrian interests. It had been some time since Austria was a match for much of anyone diplomatically.

Poland had been absorbed into Russia as a mere province despite almost universal opposition. There would be no "Polish War" though as Europe had little stomach for another costly Russian campaign. Russia was also seeking a closer alliance with Greece against the Ottoman plainly in hopes of dominating the Balkans and Black Sea.

Now, two historic rivals, Britain and France, were acting in unison against Mexico (along with Spain, which had long since ceased to be a great power).

Among the most odd twists of fate in 1861 was the fact that Denmark was proving to be an unlikely source of friction on the continent. Frederick VII of Denmark (and the German Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein) was childless and the various succession laws of his three states made for a....complex....situation.

The Danes preferred Christian of Glucksberg while the Germans demanded a member of the House of Augustenburg....or just direct annexation to Prussia. Austria could hardly support the Danes for fear of losing what little German sentiment they possessed. Ironically, the current arrangement of separate governing bodies (regardless of who would inherit) between the autocratic German states and the democratic Danish government. It had been a political necessity to keep the peace after the last war. Now Britain was being put into the position of using force to ensure an autocratic succession against the will of the people, all for the benefit of an aggressive Prussian power.

When King Frederick VII, only in his early 40's, he felt he was going to have plenty of time to work out the succession. When the Parliament of Denmark updated the Constitution which would absorb Schleswig and Holstein into the nation, he felt honor bound to agree.

 

[BELFAST]

So much potential for conflict.
This could turn into a world war.

 

[TimTurner]

So much potential for conflict.
This could turn into a world war.

Don't be worried. As long as John A. MacDonald is alive, a world war is completely impossible.

 

[Unknown]

As of Chapter 7, @TimTurner, he's dead...

 

[TimTurner]

As of Chapter 7, @TimTurner, he's dead...

exactly

 

[Alt History Buff]

February, 1862

Northern Tennessee

Since the start of the war, mountainous Eastern Tennessee had remained largely under Federal control but the Central and western regions remained under rebel domination. This would change in February when Grant, now in overall command of the Western Theater (much to his regional rivals' Buell and Pope great dismay), would assault the vital rivers of Tennessee.

While the Cumberland River was not the "Northern Border" of Tennessee, for all intents and purposes it acted as such. Central Tennessee was boxed into the Cumberland to the North and the sweeping Tennessee river which swung south through eastern Tennessee, then flowed west a bit in northern Alabama before turning north again. The capital of Nashville was in the northern portion of this "box" and dominating the Rivers guaranteed effectively control over the state.

Two fortifications would resist Grant. One, Fort Henry, on the Cumberland was in poor repair and dismally situated. Working in tandem with the Union river squadron, Grant would make to assault Fort Henry only for the defender to evacuate to the much better positioned Fort Donelson. With Fort Henry's fall, the Tennessee River's outlet to the Mississippi River had fallen.

Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland, was a much tougher nut to crack. A week long series of attacks from the landward side in addition to significant Naval support effectively placed the sprawling Fort under siege. Eventually, the Confederate's lost control over several key battlements and Union artillery allowed to pummel the remainder of the Fort.

The Confederate commander, John Floyd, had been secretary of war in the Buchanan administration and had been accused of using the last few months of Buchanan's Presidency to place southern men in key positions and arrange for supplies to be transferred to the south. This was not secessionism but base treason. Fearing hanging if captured, the Confederate Generals Floyd and Pillow attempted to flee past the Naval force in the black of night, abandoning their command. They didn't make it. Pillow was killed by Union naval fire and Floyd captured.

General Buckner, the remaining Confederate officer, would seek terms but received Grant's "Unconditional Surrender" ultimatum. 12,000 men surrendered along with a large portion of the Confederacy's supplies, guns, ammunition, etc.

It would be a devastating blow as the defeat effectively ensured Union control over the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers....and therefore all of Central Tennesse.

The only escapees were 700 Confederate Cavalry under Nathan Bedford Forrest who, disgusted at the cowardice of Floyd and Pillow, would managed to flee through the chilly LIck Creek. It's unguarded nature lent evidence that much of the rest of the Confederate Army might have escaped had anyone thought of it.

Within two months, the Confederates would abandon the vital industrial (by southern standards) city of Nashville and most of Central Tennessee.


London

Jingoistic calls to war had been echoing for months in London all resolutely pushed by the Confederate "Envoy" James Murray Mason. In truth, the British government had yet to even officially acknowledge the Confederacy representative but quiet negotiations were occurring.

With British ships being seized for running blockades (not entirely accurate), British investors supporting Confederate privateering (and crewing ships), British shipbuilders less-than-discreetly producing ships for the Confederacy, British supplying powder and cannon to the Confederacy and now a series of violent events in Ireland and Canada led to occasionally ridiculous accusations back and forth.

In truth, First Lord of the Treasury Palmerston and Foreign Secretary John Russell were amused by the American conflict at first. The former colony was industrializing rapidly and, despite little apparent interest in doing so, may have formed a military threat in the future. This Confederate rebellion was thought to be a good thing resulting in a schism making America more easy to control. However, the war now lead to shocking high quantities of men under arms, far more than any British strategist thought remotely possible and the American Navy was reportedly expanding exponentially.

Worse, the cotton exports had dried up, putting tens of thousands out of work in the midlands, with the potential of hundreds of thousands soon. However, since the Corn Law repeal years before, the northern states of America now produced a large portion of British grain. The other major sources were Canada, Ireland and Russia, all of which could prove problematic on their own in coming months.

By 1862, the British government now desired stricter neutrality...until these "outrages" commenced.

Palmerston and Russell had "bigger fish to fry". The joint occupation of Veracruz was rapidly becoming a fiasco as it now was obvious that the French had no intention of leaving. The partnership was immediately dissolved as both Britain and Spain withdrew from Mexico upon promises the Mexican interest payments would resume in two years....after the occupation ended. Realizing they'd been used by Napoleon III so publicly was an embarrassment among the political classes.

Worse, the King of Denmark had signed a new Constitution which united his Danish, Schleswig and Holstein possession under a modern Liberal Constitution. Many welcomed this development....except that meant the German majority of Schleswig and Holstein were effectively no longer autonomous. This was utterly unacceptable to the Northern German Confederate (dominated by Prussia). Only arguments between Prussia and Austria how to deal with the issue forestalled an invasion. This incident was an embarrassment to Britain as Britain had "guaranteed" the previous status quo. That Britain's political position was so disregarded was a humiliation.

But all of these problems were nothing compared to Alexander II utilizing the confusion in Europe to effectively roll back the agreements he'd made after the Crimean War, the most notable was that he would not base a fleet in the Black Sea. Dozens of warships already had sailed to the inland sea, no doubt to effect power over the fading Ottoman Empire and influence the Balkans. A treaty between Greece and Russia over the winter did not help.

Years before, the great powers of Europe had joined together to halt Russian expansion. Now, the Czar reversed all of this within months, all in open defiance to his agreements. This time, there would be no coalition. Europe was apparently intent on tearing itself apart and didn't need any Russian help.

Now, tension between France and Italy, France and Austria, Italy and Austria, Austria and Prussia and the Northern German Confederation and Denmark led to the potential for a European-wide war, the first in nearly half a century.

The worst part of it was that no one gave a damn about Britain's feelings about the matter. The foremost power of the age was just being......ignored.

Washington D.C.

Lord Lyons was a long time diplomat and one who had no desire to see war between the United States and Britain, much like his counterpart Charles Adams in London. He had written extensively voicing his disapproval of the administration's.....lax.....observation of neutrality in allowing so many weapons and war material to be sold to the south. Now, rumors of modern commerce raiders being specially built by British shipyards for the Confederacy was bringing American ire to a boil.

Lyons was attempting to convince both Seward and Lincoln (he was certain America did not want a war, they'd be stupid to do so) and his own superiors of the folly of British involvement.

Lyons was walking towards the Presidential Mansion for yet another meeting with Lincoln when he was bludgeoned from behind by a pair of drunken Irishmen. With the Irish Republican Brotherhood striking blows across Ireland and Canada, the pair happened to recognize the British Ambassador wandering through the streets and, on a whim, struck him down with their clubs.

While not killed, Lyons was knocked cold and lay in the mud for several minutes as the Irishmen escaped.

 

[Alt History Buff]

April, 1862

Helena, Arkansas

Having defeated the Confederates at Pea Ridge in northern Arkansas in March, the Union Army of the Southwest under Brigadier General Curtis, the Federals managed to cross half of Arkansas and seize the Mississippi River-side town of Helena. Arkansas was not highly populated and half the state was now under Union control. What was more, Helena greatly aided Union control over the waterway.

Memphis, Western Tennessee

In April, the last major naval engagement ("Major" being a relative term) occurred off of Memphis, Tennessee. Ending with a Union victory, the city was forced to surrender hours later lest it be burned to the ground. Soldiers under Command of General Buell would soon make their way down to the city and occupy the last major block to Vicksburg Mississippi.

Indian Territory

Over the past year, the assorted "Civilized" Tribes which had been forcibly moved from their historical homes years before by President Jackson, had been warring among themselves as Union and Confederate factions (along with some general brigands) would make life miserable for the tens of thousands of natives.

Augmented by several thousand Unionist Cherokee who had taken refuge in Kansas, General John Pope of the Army of Kansas (largely responsible for Kansas and Missouri to this point) marched through the area and reestablished order. Leaving 3000 Federals in Indian Territory along with the Loyal Indians (which formed three Regiments), Pope led 12,000 troops into Texas. As Kansas, Indian Territory and even Texas possessed poorly developed road system, Pope was forced to rely heavily upon cavalry and "living off the land".

His army was escorted by several hundred Indians and Unionist Texans (including many German settlers which were heavily Unionist). Given that the supply line was....well....non-existent, the General needed all the help he could get. However, his argumentative personality would alienate many allies through his career.

What Pope DID have going for him was the fact that Robert E. Lee had kept the Federal Arsenal in Texas from Confederate hands. Even over a year later, the Texans had not fully armed themselves despite Galveston being one of the few free ports left in the Confederacy. Part of this was the fact that Texas' civil and military attention was split with some forces marching (or riding railroads) east to aid their....well...Confederates while others still sought to seize New Mexico, Arizona and California.

Pope, by this already irritated his subordinates beyond description, would enter Texas.

The Texans, like most southerners, never believed that there would be a full-scale invasion by the Yankees. Indeed, they would be shocked to find a column of California and Arizona Unionists would take El Paso and Fort Quitman in western Texas over the spring and summer.

Now, they faced 12,000+ troops and lacked any significant organization. Up to this point, Texas had primarily provided horses to the Confederacy and took advantage of having free ports to export cotton (at great profit) while the rest of the Confederacy suffered from a stronger Union blockade. Lacking heavy weapons, the Texas Confederates attempted to belatedly organize into a real army.

Pope would remain in the more populous and arable Eastern Texas, burning cotton fields and seizing horses and provisions as he went. This was realistically the only option available to him.

By happenstance, he came upon the home of Sam Houston, the former Governor of Texas who had been removed from office for refusing to serve the Confederacy. Pope was invited to dine and promptly watched the proud old soldier drink himself into a stupor. In contempt, Pope left Houston on the floor of his home and rode further south. In Pope's train several hundred slaves who volunteered to serve the Union Army including several owned by Sam Houston.

He was determined to cut off Texas from the Mississippi thus did not turn west toward Austin and San Antonio.

By coincidence, a Union Fleet belatedly blockaded Galveston, closing off one of the last avenues for export in the Confederacy.

Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip (defenses of New Orleans)

With most of her defenses pulled north to defend against the expected northern invasion via the Mississippi, New Orleans had been left open to Admiral Farragut's assault from the Caribbean. Sailing through the defending Fortifications at night (losing only one ship), the local Confederate fleet was annihilated. The city itself was largely indefensible and surrendered the next day.

Within a week, Forts Jackson and St. Philip surrendered after a frightful pounding by Farragut's fleet and General Butler's massed artillery. Neither Fort required an infantry assault. To the invaders' surprise, only about 700 soldiers held the fortifications.

Butler would then march to New Orleans where fighting Yellow Fever and discourteous ladies took up more of his time than fighting Confederate.

By summer, the only significant Confederate base on the Mississippi River was Vicksburg.

 

[BELFAST]

February, 1862

Northern Tennessee

Since the start of the war, mountainous Eastern Tennessee had remained largely under Federal control but the Central and western regions remained under rebel domination. This would change in February when Grant, now in overall command of the Western Theater (much to his regional rivals' Buell and Pope great dismay), would assault the vital rivers of Tennessee.

While the Cumberland River was not the "Northern Border" of Tennessee, for all intents and purposes it acted as such. Central Tennessee was boxed into the Cumberland to the North and the sweeping Tennessee river which swung south through eastern Tennessee, then flowed west a bit in northern Alabama before turning north again. The capital of Nashville was in the northern portion of this "box" and dominating the Rivers guaranteed effectively control over the state.

View attachment 669012

Two fortifications would resist Grant. One, Fort Henry, on the Cumberland was in poor repair and dismally situated. Working in tandem with the Union river squadron, Grant would make to assault Fort Henry only for the defender to evacuate to the much better positioned Fort Donelson. With Fort Henry's fall, the Tennessee River's outlet to the Mississippi River had fallen.

Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland, was a much tougher nut to crack. A week long series of attacks from the landward side in addition to significant Naval support effectively placed the sprawling Fort under siege. Eventually, the Confederate's lost control over several key battlements and Union artillery allowed to pummel the remainder of the Fort.

The Confederate commander, John Floyd, had been secretary of war in the Buchanan administration and had been accused of using the last few months of Buchanan's Presidency to place southern men in key positions and arrange for supplies to be transferred to the south. This was not secessionism but base treason. Fearing hanging if captured, the Confederate Generals Floyd and Pillow attempted to flee past the Naval force in the black of night, abandoning their command. They didn't make it. Pillow was killed by Union naval fire and Floyd captured.

General Buckner, the remaining Confederate officer, would seek terms but received Grant's "Unconditional Surrender" ultimatum. 12,000 men surrendered along with a large portion of the Confederacy's supplies, guns, ammunition, etc.

It would be a devastating blow as the defeat effectively ensured Union control over the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers....and therefore all of Central Tennesse.

The only escapees were 700 Confederate Cavalry under Nathan Bedford Forrest who, disgusted at the cowardice of Floyd and Pillow, would managed to flee through the chilly LIck Creek. It's unguarded nature lent evidence that much of the rest of the Confederate Army might have escaped had anyone thought of it.

Within two months, the Confederates would abandon the vital industrial (by southern standards) city of Nashville and most of Central Tennessee.


London

Jingoistic calls to war had been echoing for months in London all resolutely pushed by the Confederate "Envoy" James Murray Mason. In truth, the British government had yet to even officially acknowledge the Confederacy representative but quiet negotiations were occurring.

With British ships being seized for running blockades (not entirely accurate), British investors supporting Confederate privateering (and crewing ships), British shipbuilders less-than-discreetly producing ships for the Confederacy, British supplying powder and cannon to the Confederacy and now a series of violent events in Ireland and Canada led to occasionally ridiculous accusations back and forth.

In truth, First Lord of the Treasury Palmerston and Foreign Secretary John Russell were amused by the American conflict at first. The former colony was industrializing rapidly and, despite little apparent interest in doing so, may have formed a military threat in the future. This Confederate rebellion was thought to be a good thing resulting in a schism making America more easy to control. However, the war now lead to shocking high quantities of men under arms, far more than any British strategist thought remotely possible and the American Navy was reportedly expanding exponentially.

Worse, the cotton exports had dried up, putting tens of thousands out of work in the midlands, with the potential of hundreds of thousands soon. However, since the Corn Law repeal years before, the northern states of America now produced a large portion of British grain. The other major sources were Canada, Ireland and Russia, all of which could prove problematic on their own in coming months.

By 1862, the British government now desired stricter neutrality...until these "outrages" commenced.

Palmerston and Russell had "bigger fish to fry". The joint occupation of Veracruz was rapidly becoming a fiasco as it now was obvious that the French had no intention of leaving. The partnership was immediately dissolved as both Britain and Spain withdrew from Mexico upon promises the Mexican interest payments would resume in two years....after the occupation ended. Realizing they'd been used by Napoleon III so publicly was an embarrassment among the political classes.

Worse, the King of Denmark had signed a new Constitution which united his Danish, Schleswig and Holstein possession under a modern Liberal Constitution. Many welcomed this development....except that meant the German majority of Schleswig and Holstein were effectively no longer autonomous. This was utterly unacceptable to the Northern German Confederate (dominated by Prussia). Only arguments between Prussia and Austria how to deal with the issue forestalled an invasion. This incident was an embarrassment to Britain as Britain had "guaranteed" the previous status quo. That Britain's political position was so disregarded was a humiliation.

But all of these problems were nothing compared to Alexander II utilizing the confusion in Europe to effectively roll back the agreements he'd made after the Crimean War, the most notable was that he would not base a fleet in the Black Sea. Dozens of warships already had sailed to the inland sea, no doubt to effect power over the fading Ottoman Empire and influence the Balkans. A treaty between Greece and Russia over the winter did not help.

Years before, the great powers of Europe had joined together to halt Russian expansion. Now, the Czar reversed all of this within months, all in open defiance to his agreements. This time, there would be no coalition. Europe was apparently intent on tearing itself apart and didn't need any Russian help.

Now, tension between France and Italy, France and Austria, Italy and Austria, Austria and Prussia and the Northern German Confederation and Denmark led to the potential for a European-wide war, the first in nearly half a century.

The worst part of it was that no one gave a damn about Britain's feelings about the matter. The foremost power of the age was just being......ignored.

Washington D.C.

Lord Lyons was a long time diplomat and one who had no desire to see war between the United States and Britain, much like his counterpart Charles Adams in London. He had written extensively voicing his disapproval of the administration's.....lax.....observation of neutrality in allowing so many weapons and war material to be sold to the south. Now, rumors of modern commerce raiders being specially built by British shipyards for the Confederacy was bringing American ire to a boil.

Lyons was attempting to convince both Seward and Lincoln (he was certain America did not want a war, they'd be stupid to do so) and his own superiors of the folly of British involvement.

Lyons was walking towards the Presidential Mansion for yet another meeting with Lincoln when he was bludgeoned from behind by a pair of drunken Irishmen. With the Irish Republican Brotherhood striking blows across Ireland and Canada, the pair happened to recognize the British Ambassador wandering through the streets and, on a whim, struck him down with their clubs.

While not killed, Lyons was knocked cold and lay in the mud for several minutes as the Irishmen escaped.

The British had a stockpile of a year of cotton.
Much of this was being hoarded by spectators hoping for prices to rise and make a killing.
Ireland was short of food in 1860s due to bad weather and poor harvest.

The post-Famine years were characterised by a restructuring of the rural economy. From the 1850s and into the early years of the 1870s Ireland’s agricultural output increased, living standards improved and, with the exception of the years 1859-64, Ireland enjoyed a period of agricultural prosperity. The post-Famine years were characterised by a restructuring of the rural economy. From the 1850s and into the early years of the 1870s Ireland’s agricultural output increased, living standards improved and, with the exception of the years 1859-64, Ireland enjoyed a period of agricultural prosperity.https://www.rte.ie/history/post-famine/2021/0301/1200227-hunger-and-poverty-after-the-famine/

 

[BELFAST]

April, 1862

Helena, Arkansas

Having defeated the Confederates at Pea Ridge in northern Arkansas in March, the Union Army of the Southwest under Brigadier General Curtis, the Federals managed to cross half of Arkansas and seize the Mississippi River-side town of Helena. Arkansas was not highly populated and half the state was now under Union control. What was more, Helena greatly aided Union control over the waterway.

Memphis, Western Tennessee

In April, the last major naval engagement ("Major" being a relative term) occurred off of Memphis, Tennessee. Ending with a Union victory, the city was forced to surrender hours later lest it be burned to the ground. Soldiers under Command of General Buell would soon make their way down to the city and occupy the last major block to Vicksburg Mississippi.

Indian Territory

Over the past year, the assorted "Civilized" Tribes which had been forcibly moved from their historical homes years before by President Jackson, had been warring among themselves as Union and Confederate factions (along with some general brigands) would make life miserable for the tens of thousands of natives.

Augmented by several thousand Unionist Cherokee who had taken refuge in Kansas, General John Pope of the Army of Kansas (largely responsible for Kansas and Missouri to this point) marched through the area and reestablished order. Leaving 3000 Federals in Indian Territory along with the Loyal Indians (which formed three Regiments), Pope led 12,000 troops into Texas. As Kansas, Indian Territory and even Texas possessed poorly developed road system, Pope was forced to rely heavily upon cavalry and "living off the land".

His army was escorted by several hundred Indians and Unionist Texans (including many German settlers which were heavily Unionist). Given that the supply line was....well....non-existent, the General needed all the help he could get. However, his argumentative personality would alienate many allies through his career.

What Pope DID have going for him was the fact that Robert E. Lee had kept the Federal Arsenal in Texas from Confederate hands. Even over a year later, the Texans had not fully armed themselves despite Galveston being one of the few free ports left in the Confederacy. Part of this was the fact that Texas' civil and military attention was split with some forces marching (or riding railroads) east to aid their....well...Confederates while others still sought to seize New Mexico, Arizona and California.

Pope, by this already irritated his subordinates beyond description, would enter Texas.

The Texans, like most southerners, never believed that there would be a full-scale invasion by the Yankees. Indeed, they would be shocked to find a column of California and Arizona Unionists would take El Paso and Fort Quitman in western Texas over the spring and summer.

Now, they faced 12,000+ troops and lacked any significant organization. Up to this point, Texas had primarily provided horses to the Confederacy and took advantage of having free ports to export cotton (at great profit) while the rest of the Confederacy suffered from a stronger Union blockade. Lacking heavy weapons, the Texas Confederates attempted to belatedly organize into a real army.

Pope would remain in the more populous and arable Eastern Texas, burning cotton fields and seizing horses and provisions as he went. This was realistically the only option available to him.

By happenstance, he came upon the home of Sam Houston, the former Governor of Texas who had been removed from office for refusing to serve the Confederacy. Pope was invited to dine and promptly watched the proud old soldier drink himself into a stupor. In contempt, Pope left Houston on the floor of his home and rode further south. In Pope's train several hundred slaves who volunteered to serve the Union Army including several owned by Sam Houston.

He was determined to cut off Texas from the Mississippi thus did not turn west toward Austin and San Antonio.

By coincidence, a Union Fleet belatedly blockaded Galveston, closing off one of the last avenues for export in the Confederacy.

Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip (defenses of New Orleans)

With most of her defenses pulled north to defend against the expected northern invasion via the Mississippi, New Orleans had been left open to Admiral Farragut's assault from the Caribbean. Sailing through the defending Fortifications at night (losing only one ship), the local Confederate fleet was annihilated. The city itself was largely indefensible and surrendered the next day.

Within a week, Forts Jackson and St. Philip surrendered after a frightful pounding by Farragut's fleet and General Butler's massed artillery. Neither Fort required an infantry assault. To the invaders' surprise, only about 700 soldiers held the fortifications.

Butler would then march to New Orleans where fighting Yellow Fever and discourteous ladies took up more of his time than fighting Confederate.

By summer, the only significant Confederate base on the Mississippi River was Vicksburg.

Almost like a reverse of the civil war.
Early union victories may be followed by large union defects later? or at least union reverses.

 

[Alt History Buff]

June 1862

Corinth, Mississippi

Corinth was not a well-known town but a very important one as it served as the cross-roads of two rail lines. The Confederate Secretary of War called it the "vertebrae of the Confederacy". Here, the north-south Ohio and Mobile railroad met the east-west Memphis and Charleston railroad.

Of course, their value in spring of 1862 was somewhat nebulous given that most of what was north, east and west of the junction was in Union hands.

Ulysses Grant would mass both the forces directly under his control and those of his nominal subordinate, Buell, and gathered over 90,000 men to press south out of just recently conquered central Tennessee.

Braxton Bragg and his nominal subordinate, Leonidas Polk, could summon only 65,000 men to defend this vital rail junction.

Bragg attempted to strike several times against the encroaching Grant but Polk's timidity would leave several counter-attacks begging to be unleashed. Outraged, the obnoxious Bragg would dispatch a dozen complaints of insubordination and cowardice against the inadequate Polk. At long last, no longer willing to wait for approval to relieve Polk, Bragg had his subordinate arrested.

But who would replace him?

Finally, Bragg settled upon an unexpected choice, William Tecumseh Sherman. Sherman was, in fact, a northerner who had been serving as commandant of the Louisiana Military Academy in Pineville. He had decried the secessions of 1861 as foolish but had not been relieved. He nearly resigned when ordered to receive weapons confiscated from a Federal Arsenal. This was prevented only when the request was withdrawn and the weapons transferred to the forts defending New Orleans.

Eventually, Sherman would continue teaching, all the while hoping the crisis would blow over. By June, 1861, it had closed as most of the faculty and students had resigned to join the war. Sherman was preparing to return north when he was begged to find a way to keep the school open. Assuming that the war would be over by the time it reopened in June of 1862, Sherman agreed and gathered a new faculty and accepted student.

However, Sherman, having heard of Butler's deprivations among the citizens of New Orleans and, even more so, the effective Union policy enacted by Western Generals to seize effectively all slaves as "contraband". Sherman held no particular loathing of slavery, indeed he held a low opinion of the Black Race. He imagined his own wife being treated as such and accepted the long-time offer of Bragg to a commission (though this would require approval eventually from the Confederate Congress) as a Brigadier

Bragg, having lost several key Generals in the past months (including Pillow, Floyd and Buckner captured, Van Dorn and Hood injured and several Divisional leaders killed) and relieved others of duty, would have little choice but to Brevet a promotion to several officers, including Sherman.

He DID however have another advantage: Thomas Jackson's Army of the Shenandoah, or the 10,000 or so he retained, had escaped west to join him. Bragg implemented an unusually aggressive dual-pincer movement with Jackson and Sherman as the pincers. Grant would atypically prove unready for the action and was caught flat-footed.

After a series of severe strikes, the Union General opted to cross back into Tennessee to reorganize.

Bragg claimed a great victory but the rail had been severed in all directions except south.

The Confederate Congress would approve Sherman's rank and recalled Polk to Richmond. Polk was a long-time friend of President Davis and could not be placed under arrest for insubordination but Davis did agree to get Polk out of the Western Theater.

As it was, Sherman knew that the matter was not over. He was an old friend of Grant and knew that the Illinoisan was even now preparing for his next assault. THIS time, he would not be caught unaware.

Washington D.C.

Having been assured that Hooker intended to assault the Confederate "Northern Army" as the Confederate Army of the Potomac was now know given that it had not been near the Potomac in over a year, Lincoln would spend his morning receiving requested from the endless array of job-seekers and favor-seekers besieging his office every morning.

It was under this mood that he learned of Grant's defeat at Corinth.

An hour later, Secretary Seward arrived with a familiar-looking gentleman that took a moment to place. In shock, Lincoln exclaimed, "Ambassador Adams? What are you doing here?"

Adams shook his head. "Sir, I regret to tell you that my passport was returned and ordered from British waters. Though it did not happen before my ship sailed, I suspect that we shall soon receive a declaration of war on the part of Great Britain."

Rome

Tired of waiting for diplomacy to return the nominal Italian Capital to the nearly reunited nation of Italy, thousands of Italian youths gathered outside of the Papal Territories. Giuseppe Garibaldi would be summoned by them to lead an invasion of Rome. Garibaldi had acted without the King's approval before and was willing to do so again.

The Italian Patriots crossed the border of the Papal State (now much smaller than before) which was kept in existence only due to the small garrison of French troops.

Berlin

Probably for the first time in years, Austria stole a march on Prussia diplomatically. Austria agreed to "liberate" Schleswig and Holstein from Denmark on behalf of the German Empire....provided that the House of Augustenburg assumed the crown after the assumed victory over the Danes. All of the major Kingdoms of Germany, including those of Prussia's allies in the north, desired this.

Foreign Minister Bismarck, however, never intended to do as such and simply planned on added Schleswig and Holstein as provinces under Prussia. But for him to publicly go against German opinion would ensure a political setback for the House of Hohenzollern in Germany. It may even shift some states back to the Austrian camp.

Bismarck thought about this for some time and finally determined to strike without Austrian or even allied assistance. He didn't need help to seize Schleswig and Holstein. Eventually the uproar would blow over. He doubted any German States would seek to leave the German Confederation.

One thing he was NOT frightened of was Austria. Let the Habsburg sword rattle. They'd already stupidly alienated themselves from France. There was no one to help Austria should it come to war.

 

[BELFAST]

Nice.
Sherman is on the CSA side this time. interesting.
Looks like Lincon has a bad day with the coming war with The British empire.
I wonder will the union be able to supply its captured ports in the south if they get blockaded by the royal navy.
The British will want to get those ports open as the south did produce some food.

Agriculture
With the exception of rice and tobacco, the Union had a clear agricultural advantage. Particularly horses: the Union had twice that of the Confederacy, 3.4 million to the CSA's 1.7.
The Union led corn production with 400 million bushels compared to the 250 million bushels in the Confederacy and 150 million bushels in the Border States.
The Confederacy produced nearly all of the nation's rice which amounted to 225 million bushels.
The Confederacy led tobacco production with 225 million pounds compared to 110 million pounds produced in the Border States and 50 million pounds produced in the Union.
The Union led wheat production with 100 million bushels produced in comparison to 35 million bushels in the Confederacy and 20 million bushels in the Border States.
The Union was attributed with having 40 million heads of livestock compared to 35 million in the Confederacy and only 10 million in the Border States. https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/facts.htm

This Irish man served in the papal army and later in the civil war on the Union side and was the second command at the battle of the little bighorn and was killed there.

Myles Keogh - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Alt History Buff]

May, 1862

Washington D.C.

Having been informed of the British outrage over assorted "acts of war" on the part of the Union against Great Britain (America had its own list of perceived violations on the part of the British), Lincoln summoned a Council of War with Seward, Stanton and his senior Generals.

"With the potential for war with Britain," the President began grimly, "I believe it behooves us to end this conflict with the South as quickly as possible. We may not be able to control the time and place in which we fight Her Majesty's troops but we certain may with the Confederates."

He turned to General Hooker, commander of the Army of Eastern Virginia and demanded, "Sir, it is already May. What is your intention with your army?"

Hooker, unintimidated, countered, "Two weeks, sir, as discussed before. I'm dispatching the majority of my Army, and that of General Rosecran's Army of the Shenandoah," he nodded towards his counterpart and pointed to the map on the expansive table before the men. Smoke blanketed the room, "south on a three-pronged attack on Fredericksburg. Rosecrans will descend from the Shenandoah and flank the rebel defenses from the West. Sedgwick will besiege the northern town of Fredericksburg while I complete my amphibious landing up the Virginia Peninsula. In all, 120,000 men will be march or attacking at the same time."

The Seventy-five year old Winfield Scott rumbled in his Virginia accent, "The best intelligence we have.....not provided by the Pinkertons....is that the rebels will have roughly 66,000 men available, excluding some local militia. I am in firm agreement, sir. We should attack at all costs now before Britain may bring her resources to bear. It will take some time before Her Majesty gets adequate manpower to North America. We must end the war with the rebels before then."

"What of a potential attack on Washington, sir?" McDowell, head of Washington's defenses inquired, a trace of worry. "The British burned Washington in the last war. Should we devote so many resources to the attack and leave the Capital defenseless."

Scott snorted, "Washington was undefended at the time, McDowell. Now, we have great battlements thrown up with 10,000 trained troops, access to 20,000 local militia and another 30,000 men being trained by Hallock less than 20 miles away. If the British managed to burn the city, they should be CONGRATULATED for the achievement and our commanding officers executed for incompetence. Besides, worst comes to worst, we may withdraw our 120,000 men in the course of a few days. The Capital will be fine."

Lincoln nodded, pleased with the support. "General Grant has assured me than either the bulk of his army, both his and Buell's, will be gainfully moving south within the fortnight or will be providing his resignation on June 1st."

Henry Hallock, who had been relieved of the command in the Western Theater for timidity and failing to control his Generals, had been put in command of training the raw recruits nearby. He still resented Grant for superceding him. "I tell you again, sir. Grant is too impetuous...and rumors of his drinking...."

"I CAN'T SPARE THE MAN, GENERAL," Lincoln hissed back. "HE FIGHTS."

Hooker stifled a laugh and Hallock turned red. Seeing his outburst may have repercussions, the President sighed and nodded towards Hallock. "Hallock, what say you of Britain's capabilities and likely strategy."

Hallock, behind being a good organizer and timid battlefield General, was a legitimate military scholar and strategist. Lincoln had months ago ordered him to prepare a strategy for a potential war with Britain. Already some of his alterations to coastal defenses and border fortifications near British North America were being implemented.

"Of course, Mr. President," Hallock replied, "The Royal Navy, of course, is the strongest on Earth. They shall sweep our fleet from the High Seas with ease, no matter what some fools in the Admiralty may say. However, our new ironclads coastal ships may have a chance of protecting our river mouths and harbors."

Welles, the secretary of the Navy, muttered, "It is entirely possible that the British may be blockading US in a similar manner than we do the Confederates. Soon, WE may be resorting to blockade runners, privateers and commerce raiders as our best hope for naval legitimacy. But, Hallock is correct in saying that we may achieve local superiority in brown water regions. Unfortunately, our ironclads, especially the new ones being launched, are not particularly seaworthy in open water."

A long silence followed until Hallock continued, "The good news is that the British Army is relatively small. Only 30,000 British regulars and usable colonial troops are in arms to the North in Canada and the Maritimes and these are spread over thousands of miles of front. At the moment, it seems unlikely they would be capable of a major invasion. At best, they may assault targets of opportunity like Detroit, Buffalo, Portland, etc. I've ordered these remote locations to augment their defenses and shifted several thousand soldiers to each. I cannot vow victory in any engagement but certainly there should be no surprises by land. There will be no repeat of Burgoyne's attack in 1777 or Prevost in 1814. And the ability to quickly reinforce via railroad leads me to believe that there shall be no major offensive by land from the North, at least until the British are MASSIVELY reinforced. Still, our defenses will be rapidly built up in the border regions."

Lincoln nodded, grateful for at least THAT good news. "So the most likely immediate effect of a war with Britain would be attacks on our coastline and trade and probably an increase in sale of weapons to the Confederacy."

"That is correct, sir," Hallock agreed. "But again, that state of affairs will only last for 6-12 months. You saw how quickly the Union and Confederacy raised huge quantities of troops in a short time. Britain has even greater resources."

"There are potential facts in our favor, Mr. President," Seward interjected. "Britain has faced unrest in India and Ireland and surely cannot withdraw troops from there. Therefore, any troops Britain is likely to send overseas are likely to be overwhelmingly raw recruits. And despite all the uproar over British sales to the Confederacy, they are selling far more goods, both military and otherwise, to the North than the South. And I don't think that we should ignore the fact that Britain imports a large amount of grain from these shores and are unlikely to want to risk cutting off that supply."

"All true, Mr. Seward," Lincoln replied, "but let us concentrate on the military aspects..."

Seward cut off the President, not rudely but largely incapable of stopping himself, "And Britain had her own problems with Ireland's unrest, her disagreement with France over the defacto invasion of Mexico and don't underestimate British concern over Russia's actions of late, effectively throwing out the restriction imposed after the Crimean War without the bulk of Europe even noticing...."

"THANK YOU, Seward," Lincoln interjected, "But let us concentrate on what WE can affect, not what other can do."

Seward reigned in his own temper and managed to reply evenly, "Sir....there is ANOTHER source of resources which we have not seen fit to take advantage...."

Lincoln sighed and produced a parchment from his pocket, "Gentlemen, our Secretary of State is correct. There IS another source of manpower we've been slow to utilize. This, in my hand, is a Proclamation of Emancipation for all slaves currently residing in states under rebellion. I believe this would be well received by the Abolitionist element in Britain and serve as an Olive Branch for the negotiators I've sent to Britain in hopes of keeping the peace with Her Majesty."

Lincoln turned his eyes to Hooker and stated plainly, "Sir, I call upon you...and, of course, General Grant out west....to provide me a victory upon which this document would be given actual credence. If we are defeated in these campaigns.....then it would just be a piece of paper waved about by a vanquished nation. May you go with God, Hooker, and give me an occasion to read these pages and put an end to these divisions between the states."

 

[Alt History Buff]

June, 1862

Washington DC

John Hay elbowed this way through the crowded waiting room of the Presidential Mansion. As usual, it was chock full of favor-seekers or office-mongers. Several recognized him but he managed to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to their calls as he fled towards the Private offices of the President. Angry threats by several disappointed visitors had led to a modest security detachment guarding the door to the inner sanctum.

The President's private secretary was almost through when he noted, to his astonishment, the graying visage of an old soldier seated with a younger man.

"Colonel Lee?" he exclaimed in shock. "How are you, sir?"

"Quite well, Mr. Hay," Lee replied in his elegant Virginia drawl. "My son and I have come to Washington on a matter of some importance."

Hay, late for his own meeting, whispered, "I shall see what I can do to gain a few minutes of the President's time. I'm sure he would like to speak with you."

Robert E. Lee had been offered a commission many times in the past year only to refuse them all, stating he could not bear arms against Virginia. Even an offer of a command in the Western Theater did nothing to alter this position. But Lincoln, Scott and others in the government still held out hopes that the venerable soldiers would change his mind, maybe once Virginia has been fully conquered.

Doing as requested, Lee waited and, forty-five minutes later, was called into the President's office.

The President shook the Virginians hand and introduced himself to the young man with him as his eldest son, George Washington Lee, another former soldier who resigned when Virginia seceded from the Union.

"Gentlemen, I cannot express my gratitude to you and your good family for the many kindnesses the Lee family offered to wounded soldiers after Bull Run and other engagements. Many young men owe their lives to you, both Northern and Southern," Lincoln waxes expansively. "I wish you would accept the government's offer to reimburse you for the acres of your property utilized as a cemetery."

"No, thank you, Mr. President," Lee shook his head, "I have no desire to profit from the deaths of so many fine young men."

Lincoln nodded, "I quite understand, sir. Though I fear I know the answer, by any chance is this visit in response to my standing offer of a commission?"

"No, sir, my position has not changed," Lee replied gently.

"I feared as much," the President smiled and gestured towards some chairs. "Let us take a few minute and talk about what DID bring you from Arlington this morning."

Hay quietly brought over some coffee and poured the four of them.

"My son, George, here has been working to ensure that the Confederate prisoners are being properly cared for,...." Lee began. As the Virginian expounded, Lincoln grew more and more grim. The younger Lee then presented a report compiled regarding the unsanitary conditions of the various prison camps. By this point, Lincoln was visibly angry.

"Gentlemen, if you will bear with me for a few minutes, I happen to have Secretary Stanton arriving for another meeting and together we shall get to the bottom of this. I gave strict orders to treat the Confederates as prisoners of war despite some preferring to treat them as criminals."

Duly, Stanton arrived and was initially happy to see Lee as the Virginian had long been courted for a commission. However, when it became apparent that the Lees had arrived with a list of complaints regarding prisoners of war, a matter relating to Stanton's department. Defensively, Stanton mentioned lack of resources, lack of knowledge of how to keep so many men, reports of Confederate cruelties at camps such as Andersonville, etc.

This last drew Lincoln's ire, "Stanton, WE are not responsible for Andersonville, WE are only responsible for the prisoners whom have surrendered to us!"

Lincoln turned to George Washington Lee and stated quietly, "Mr. Lee, would you be willing to lead a commission of like-minded Congressmen, Doctors, etc to review each major camp in the next week, put together a report to me with recommendations how to improve them? I am prepared to guarantee that the War Department will obey each and every one of your recommendations."

Taken aback, Lee nodded, speechless, "Good, then you may report directly to me and I'll provide a copy to Congress."

The President turned to Stanton with a glare, "Someday this war will be over and much bad blood to be forgiven. Let us pray that only death in honorable combat will be held against us, not men left hungry and exposed in a prison camp. We are fighting this war to reunite the country. Those men are no good to America dead."

Stanton, embarrassed as the implied criticism stated he would form his own report in a week and implement changes. The Secretary of War departed without bringing up any of the other issues he'd planned to discuss. Lincoln sighed, knowing that he'd damaged his relationship to an indispensable Department Head.

"Well, young Mr. Lee, I believe that Mr. Hay can arrange your passage and expenses to the various prison camps this afternoon as well as obtaining written military authorization to turn over every stone wherever you find it. Is this satisfactory?"

"Eminently, Mr. President," George Lee replied, "You have exceeded my hopes my trip to Washington."

"I am pleased that SOMEONE is happy with me, young man," Lincoln grinned, "It is a new feeling, I can assure you."

"As for you, Colonel, I'm sure you are aware that War may be imminent with Britain. Should such an event occur, may I approach you again for a commission, even if I deliberately limit it to a northern location which may be put at risk by British armed forces?" Lincoln inquired. "Surely, there is no expectation to face fellow Virginians under such a circumstance."

"I shall....consider it....should that unfortunate series of events occur, sir," Lee finally conceded. "Though I most fervently pray it never comes to that."

Lincoln nodded, "I heartily agree, Colonel. But, as I stated before, I've been disappointed many times in recent years."

 

[BELFAST]

Nice work.
I suspect that the British would not blockade grain ships for the Union to the UK and traditional food was exempt from naval blockades.
Under rules of the blockade, a ship would be boarded and cargo and paper inspected. if contraband was found the ship could be seized as a prize or sunk.
It would help to have a lawyer on board to ensure all actions are legal.
The captain of Alabama was a lawyer.
The union needs to sell grain to bring in revenue and even if it banned export there will be smuggling of grain and the price drop and union farmers get desperate.
OTL food was ship to Canada and then to Bermuda and smuggled to the CSA,
In the event of war, I wonder what the status of British subjects in the Union and especially and in the Union forces.
This brit served in the forces of both sides.

Henry Morton Stanley - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This one was in the union army for 3 years and later become Lord Kinsale.

Union Colonel John Fitzroy De Courcy​

Fleeting Fame: Union Colonel John Fitzroy De Courcy - Emerging Civil War

It is not unusual for the commander of a defeated force to get sacked. Nor is it unusual for such a commander to suffer additional consequences, if that defeat is particularly egregious, or seems to involve an overly ripe degree of blundering. Defeat at Ball’s Bluff sent Union Colonel Charles P...

emergingcivilwar.com

Though often overlooked, more than 50,000 British citizens served in various capacities in the American Civil War.
over 50,000 sailed from Britain to the U.S. to take part, to fight, to volunteer.

The Unknown Contributions of Brits in the American Civil War

Historian Amanda Foreman discusses how British citizens took part in the war between the Union and the Confederacy

www.smithsonianmag.com

Brits and the civil war youtube
British who volunteered in the America Civil war

 

[Imperial 1914]

How badly did Robert E Lee keeping the Texas arsenal from falling into confederate hands hurt the confederate war effort and what's the status of Mexican government and army in TTL that is facing the French invasion?

 

[BELFAST]

How badly did Robert E Lee keeping the Texas arsenal from falling into confederate hands hurt the confederate war effort and what's the status of Mexican government and army in TTL that is facing the French invasion?

Good question.

 

[Alt History Buff]

June, 1862

Shiloh and Corinth, Mississippi

Humiliated by his previous defeat (largely of his own inactivity), Grant meticulously planned his assault upon Shiloh, one of the crucial rail junctions in the Confederacy. Learning that his old friend Cump (William Tecumseh Sherman) had thrown in with the rebels had been tough to hear though having George Thomas, the meticulous Virginian on this side made up for this.

Determined never to let BRAXTON BRAGG (of all people) out-General him, Grant threw all of his forces towards seizing Shiloh and Corinth. In truth, he need not both as the city had largely been abandoned by the time the first artillery round fell.

A rail junction was only so useful if all the regions to which the rail follows have been taken.

By June, 1862, Grant was already pronouncing the conquest of Northern Mississippi and Alabama (all north of the Tennessee River) and lent his intention to march south and cut the the only remaining railroad running east-west through the Confederacy by seizing the vital junction of Vicksburg (which also was the only major Confederate formation left on the Mississippi River).

Texas

John Pope had a secret weapon that the Texans lacked. Over the past few months, the Spencer Carbines (small cavalry versions of the Spencer rifles). Finding muzzle loading muskets useless for his cavalry, Pope demanded only these new carbines. Oddly, the Union Cavalry still tended to use swords as if this was the 18th century. Even the Confederate Cavalry had given up swords and they held themselves to be modern knights. They used pistols almost exclusively which often gave them the advantage over sword-wielding Union Cavalry.

As his force was largely a cavalry force, Pope was able to demand the Carbines. This would prove vital as Pope smashed the Confederate Army of Texas in one large cavalry battle outside of Houston. Pope was able to reach Galveston Bay, where a Union blockading force besieging Galveston Island was apparently shocked to see him.

After then-Colonel Robert Lee had prevented the Union arsenal from falling into their hands, the Texans largely shrugged, deeming it unlikely they'd ever need the arms.

Because Texas lacked adequate artillery, they were unable to fortify most of their inland cities, a fact that Pope intended to remedy.

Hampton Roads

The Confederate Navy had not had a good war. However, they felt their fortunes improving when the Ironclad Ram "Virginia" left her harbor outside of Richmond to seek out the wooden Union ships blockading the Capital. What her Captain DID NOT know was that the Union's first two Monitors had been built, the Monitor and Passaic.

For hours, the small Rebel fleet (the Virginia and three conventional ships) were pummeled by the twelve ship Union fleet. The three ironclads effectively doing little but put dents in one another's armor. Finally, the Virginia saw the wounded wooden sail ship Cumberland foundering and lunged forward, thrusting her anachronistic "Ram" into the Cumberland's hull. Unfortunately for the Virginia, the two vessels became stuck for nearly an hour as the Cumberland burned and settled lower and lower, threatening to take the Virginia with her. Finally, the Virginia's engines managed to back away but, as the pilots feared, the ship had waited too long to retreat past the local sandbar. The Virginia was trapped all alone (the other three Confederate ships had been sunk or taken) against the weight of the entire fleet. Running low on powder, the rebel ironclad tried to flee out to sea but her slow speed made it impossible to escape. Eventually, several hits managed to knock off enough iron plates to pepper the inside of the ship. Worse, the rudder was damaged in a collision with the Passaic, leaving the ship foundering onto a bar.

A boarding part was put aboard and foiled the Confederate attempt to scuttle the ship.

Virginia was taken. There was nothing left to halt the Union invasion of the Virginia Peninsula.

Northern Virginia

General Hooker envisioned a three-pronged attack. First, his main force (led by him, would lunch an amphibious attack from the Virginia Peninsula. Second, Sedgwick would cut off and besiege the northern bastion of Fredericksburg. Third, in a surprise attack, Rosecrans would emerge from the Shenandoah and cross the Rapidan, Anna and James Rivers, threatening to cut off Richmond from the West.

This three-pronged assault largely went as planned, though much of this was due to Beauregard's decision to operate on the defensive. He pulled his forces from Fredericksburg and opted not to defend the sprawling Virginia Peninsula. He chose to shorten his lines and defend a 30 mile, well-entrenched defensive line surrounding Richmond to the vital rail junction of Petersburg, both heavily defended.

His greater fear was the flanking movement by Rosecrans to the west. Here, he could be completely cut off and was forced to dispatch Longstreet with 20,000 men to sweep Rosecrans from south of the James.

This Longstreet did brilliantly but two months of maneuver still handed over most of Northern Virginia north of the James leaving only a small salient at Richmond. The city was also completely cut off by sea with the mouth of the James in Federal control. A narrow route of supply, communication....and escape got narrower every day.

By July, the industrial city of Richmond could barely get food, much less raw materials. The Tredegar Iron Works effectively shut down.

Washington DC

Lincoln, seeing he could claim a number of victories, would formally issue the Emancipation Proclamation in July of 1862. He not only hoped to utilize black resources to prosecute the war with the Confederacy but also make this a moral issue with the British public and prevent further conflict with Her Majesty's government.

He would only get half of his wishes.

 

[Alt History Buff]

July, 1862

London

Both Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell were highly ambivalent toward the war with America. Neither thought that Britain would gain much by it. However, the war hysteria which THEY had helped create in a bid for popularity was sweeping the nation. Outrages against British trading vessels were an assault on the Flag itself!

That didn't even cover the fiendish American plot to offer arms to Ireland to rebel and the American-planned assassinations of Lord Lyons and the Scottish-Canadian politician John Mac Donald. Of course, neither man truly believed any of these were truly perpetuated by Lincoln's government. And there were rightful legalities regarding ships seized by blockade. Even here, Lincoln quietly offered to release the British trading vessels (he already had released the crews).

But once the ball was rolling downhill, momentum only increased its speed, not slowed it.

To be truth, the government was pleased to have a distraction from the foreign policy fiasco that has been the past year. The French openly backslapped Palmerston and Russel by using the joint occupation of Veracruz as only the first step to openly conquer Mexico.

The Czar had effectively undone all the work accomplished by the Crimean War by rearming the Crimea. He did so in violation of every treaty and barely bothered to mention it to the rest of Europe. Given the fractured political conflict of the Continent, another coalition would prove impossible and Britain dared not go it alone. Thus Alexander II got away with diplomatic murder.

Now, word arrived that Prussia had crossed the border of the "Danish" German territories of Schleswig-Holstein intending to "liberate" the German peoples there. However, Prussia had managed to alienate virtually of of her allies with this move. Now, Austria was reportedly arming for war against Prussia. Britain had acted as a "Guaranteer of the Status Quo" at the last treaty. Now, no one bothered to even consult Britain.

It was a massive humiliation that Britain was taking even harder by the fact that NO ONE CARED WHAT BRITAIN THOUGHT ABOUT ANYTHING!

At least with the Americans, Britain may accomplish something. While America seemed to have little ambition in world affairs, the industrial, economic and demographic profile of the country meant that it may someday threaten Britain's global Empire.

When the American Civil War commenced, there had been accusations that Britain secretly desired for the nation to be split asunder. In truth, most of Britain didn't care. But the speed in which America had harnessed her arsenal astonished even the most hawkish members of the Ministry. For the first time, Britain REALLY became concerned with America becoming a threat.

Of course, neither politician doubted the potential consequences of their actions. Should the Union prevail in conquering the South and liberating the slaves, thus eliminating the primary structural issue between North and South, the united nation may seek revenge against Britain. For the past fifty years, America had barely glanced upwards towards Canada and the Maritimes, as that nation was content with her inexorable march west to the Pacific.

With Britain interjecting herself into American affairs, this would likely focus American vengeance directly upon British North America, a region which even the Army states is defenseless in the long term from her much larger southern neighbor. It may take a year or a decade or a full generation but eventually America would push into Canada and Britain could only hope that they had a sympathetic ally in the Confederacy to balance the scales.

Of course, there was the minor problem that Britain had not, in any manner, allied with the Confederacy. War with the Union did not mean allying with one of the last slaving nations would be popular among the public. Thus, Britain only "recognized" the Confederacy but did not make an official alliance with the odious slavers. There would be no further restrictions upon sales of arms nor would the Union Embargo be entertained.

Both men wearily eyed the future and wondered if they'd made a terrible, terrible mistake.

Puebla, Mexico

On the fifth of May, 1862, General Zaragoza inflicted a humiliating defeat upon the French Legion. However, French reinforcements (some French, some hirelings from Europe) would launch another attack and seize Puebla. In this battle, Pontifiro Diaz was killed and Zaragoza wounded and carried north.

The path to Mexico City was open. President Juarez dispatched a desperate letter to America pleading for Lincoln's help.

Paris

Napoleon III regretted his actions of only a month prior. Trying to ensure that Britain did not intervene in Mexico, he determined to declare war upon America as a "show of solidarity" on the flimsy pretext of some stopped French ships and American sails of guns to Mexico. He never really expected to have to fight America in any capacity beyond seizing a few dozen American merchant ships.

But now, he was stuck in an awkward position of discovering that his few thousand French troops in the Papal States had surrendered to Italian patriots invading without their King's nominal approval.

Catholics had returned Napoleon III to his throne. He could not abandon the Pope despite the fact that he was in agreement that Italy SHOULD control the Papal States politically and Rome SHOULD be the capital of Italy. France and Italy had too many common interests not to come to terms. But now the death of a few dozen French troops at Italian hands.....it put him in a tight spot.

Besides, the Emperor also had the little problem of Germany going to war upon itself by the look of things.

Trying to figure out who to approach for an alliance, Napoleon III reached out one more time to his country's age-old enemy, Austria. By the mid-19th century, Prussia (a former longtime French ally) was looking increasingly like a threat while French relations with Austria were softening. They'd stood together in the Crimean....but against each other in Italy.

If Napoleon's Generals were correct in their assessment, then Austria may need an ally more than they realize and it may be time to make amends after the conflict in the War of Italian Unification (or whatever the Italians were calling it).

 

[BELFAST]

Nice work again.
Looks like the confederates are better of in terms of money but losing much more battles than OTL early.
Robert e Lee is going for humanitarian of the year and the only person north or south south that has not lost his mind.
So confederate recognition by the British empire.
In one of the links, I posted above the English historian Amanda foreman said the British give the CSA belligerent status for legal reasons as a naval blockade in the customs of war could only be respected against another country. If the CSA was a rebel part of the USA the embargo did not carry any legal weight.
Looks like the blockade forced the British to take sides.

 

[Imperial 1914]

Can Prussia fight France and Austria at the same time and would Russia support Prussia?