alternatehistory.com

14 August

A few more minor actions take place on the Niagara frontier, but the Fenian morale has been badly harmed by the recent battle. The size of the brigade reduces to that of a regiment more or less overnight, as those less sure about the whole thing to begin with peel off individually or in small groups to return home.

HM Gunboat Britomart enters the Niagara river system, intending to prevent further crossing - she is the only British gunboat currently on Lake Erie, though there are a few suspiciously well built mail steamers around on both sides of the border. Her job is to prevent any Fenian reinforcement that might arrive, though by this time the direction of Fenian movement is decidedly eastwards.


15 August

While the filibustering attempts in Canada are going badly, in Japan an altogether more serious event takes place. Following a coordinated plan, the daimyo of Choshu, Tosa and Hizen rise in rebellion against the Shogunate - declaring their support for the restoration of the Emperor and the true destiny of Japan - and call in their various samurai retainers. The daimyo of Tosa takes the additional step of calling out several thousand of what are described as "Ashigaru" and which are functionally levied infantry who will be given pikes or muskets/rifles as available.


16 August

The 39th Foot disembark from a collection of small canal boats at Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, about two and a half miles to the east of Lacolle station. This news reaches the Fenians there in the early afternoon, and is greeted with panic - there are roughly five times as many British regulars marching towards them as there are filibusters in the town - and the entire decoy force packs itself into a train which leaves for the border within the hour.
Upon crossing back into the United States, they are promptly arrested en masse by the 17th United States infantry.


18 August

The latest Fenian raid is considered to be largely over, to a sigh of relief on both sides of the Atlantic (including in the Union, where it was seen as a potential border flashpoint). Punch produces a cartoon in which two "Fenian Men" explain to one another their plan to liberate Ireland.
Fenian #1: Well, you see, it's very simple. We invade Canada, win the battles, and take it over.
Fenian #2: Yes, I get that much. But how does that help with Ireland?
Fenian #1: Why, 'tis simple - there's just no time to explain. Now, off we go.



22 August

The Captain's design is finalized, at least in the broad terms. She is to be a ship of about 7,000 tons with Coles' new "mast enclosing turret" concept, and to reduce the possible disruption to the rigging the ropes are to be attached to a hurricane deck above the level of the turret ports.
Privately within the Admiralty many feel grateful for Reed's designs (which seem to be rather more founded in good sense) - the point is also made that a ship with the capability to steam need only be able to get home from a battle, as she can sail to a battle and only then blow all the rigging off the ship.
This is what passes for Admiralty humour.


25 August

The Japanese Shogun and his top men begin planning out their military response to the rising. It is important to quickly bring at least one daimyo to heel, to demonstrate the might of the Shogunate; of the choices, it is considered best to send roughly 2,000 of the bakfu army to the seat of Hizen domain (that is, to Nagasaki) with the support of the Ushidoshi and the various armed ships at the disposal of the shogunate.
The rest of the military force available to the shogun is to secure important positions, in concert with the forces of those daimyo who are more certain in their loyalty to the shogunate.