alternatehistory.com

3 August
Satsuma refuses to provide their ships, citing the severe damage they have already suffered. (This conflicts with their account of victory somewhat, but not enough to matter.)
The implications are interesting, however, as not only is Satsuma domain the cause of the incident in the first place but they have the most warships of any domain.


4 August
The British fleet riding at anchor at Edo is becoming increasingly suspicious. Quite apart from anything else, there seem to be an awful lot of Bakfu warships turning up.
Maitland's response to this is simply to ensure Bacchante is ready to clear for action at short notice, a practice which the other ships take up.
Behind the scenes, both the Shogun and the Emperor are attempting to influence events appropriately. The Shogun has also trapped himself to some extent, for example, and with the refusal by Satsuma to commit any warships they may end up with the largest possible fleet.
While the sun sets on this confusing scene, the fleet intended for Charleston weighs anchor and sets out under the command of Stopfort (flying his flag in the Royal Oak). Their initial plan is to anchor around the barrier islands, a safe distance from Charleston itself, and then to commence the reduction of the city.

5 August
Militia muster completes in South Carolina. There are some twenty regiments of infantry, not all full strength, plus some cavalry and the artillery.
There are several arguments over whether this means the militia are "federalized", "confederalized" or just "mobilized", particularly in light of the way that only perhaps ten further regiments of militia from around the Confederacy are on the way (many volunteers) and so this can hardly be said to be a war the Confederacy is participating in with full vigour.

7 August
After over a week of nothing violent happening in Edo bay, an ultimatum is delivered to the Bakfu - either they must both explain their actions and make restitution as previously demanded, or the British fleet will "take appropriate steps". They are given three days to respond, increased from one day after the Shogun requests that he be permitted to consult the Emperor.

8 August
Stopfort's squadron arrives off Charleston.
While the logistics are worked out, a demand for immediate capitulation is sent ashore. The demand includes that all those involved in the illegal detention of a British seaman be punished, and that in addition the most severe penalties be exacted upon those involved with firing on Archer.
The demand is sent back within hours, unfulfilled - to use a colloquial phrase, Charleston's residents have their dander up, or at least the more gung-ho ones do. (The population of the city is distinctly smaller than it was two weeks ago, as those somewhat less blase move out of range.)

9th August
The Emperor of Japan recieves the Shogun's summary of the British final demand, along with the Shogun's public statement that he will bow to the will of the Emperor in this manner.
Both men know what it means - whatever now happens, the Emperor will have to take the blame.