Chapter 63
October, 1896
Shanghai, Old Walled City
From the ramparts of the Old Walled City of Shanghai, Major General John Meigs grimaced as he gazed through the lenses of his binoculars. The rail station west of the city remained in barely managed chaos as thousands of Columbian soldiers waited to board the inadequate rail system outside the Walled City. Though reinforcements continued to arrive at reasonable intervals, the inefficient rail system into Shanghai hampered the allied plans to travel west to Nanjing, one of the two primary invasion points of the suddenly active Imperial Army.
Far to the west, Meigs knew, the Mandarin launched a second expedition south into rebel territory via some remote town called “Chongqing”, though the Columbian lacked any capacity to assist his allies there until his own army could be properly organized.
Much to the General’s surprise, George Custer had actually proven quite apt at gathering the chaotic assortment of regular and volunteer brigades and divisions arriving hodgepodge in Shanghai harbor, often without any coordination with the supply vessels bearing weapons, ammunition and other various material of war. Somehow the man managed to coordinate the transfer of the 1st Illawara Volunteer Brigade, the 8th and 10th Division and two regiments of Hawaiian Volunteers over to Nanking in perhaps the most impressive logistical feat Meigs had witnessed since disembarking upon these shores.
“Pity MacArthur still hasn’t returned from Manila,” Meigs grumbled.
“I quite agree, General,” a voice returned promptly, embarrassing the commander as Meigs hadn’t realized he’d even spoken aloud. “I’ve had occasion to work with General MacArthur and he is truly among the most competent staff officers I’ve ever encountered.”
Pretending he’d intended to address his companions, Meigs turned to the two men in his party and demanded to the fifty-two-year-old in army fatigues, “When did you serve alongside MacArthur, Lawton?”
Henry Lawton, commanding the 2nd Tasman Volunteers, currently attempting to board the overloaded trains to the west, nodded, his matching white hair and bushy mustache flowing slightly in the autumn breeze, “In Kyushu, sir, some years ago.”
With an absent, almost fond, grin, he added, “My friend Arthur MacArthur is among the most gifted soldiers in service to our country…and I’ve often said he is the most arrogant, too…until I had occasion to meet his son!” At this, the Brigadier guffawed, his eyes bright.
“You mean that young sailor…the Lieutenant in the Navy serving on that contraption newly arrived from Yerba Buena?” By happenstance, Meigs had been working assiduously on the docks of Shanghai trying to organizing the offloading of two artillery regiments from North America when the oddest vessel he’d ever laid eyes upon was towed into Shanghai harbor. Curious, he requested a short tour of the submersible USS Whitehead, first of its class, and wondered how the damn thing made it across an ocean without sinking to the bottom. Though the US Navy had utilized submersibles before, this was plainly an improvement to the old clunkers he’d reviewed in Philadelphia.
“No, sir,” Lawton shook his head. “Lieutenant Arthur MacArthur III seems a fine young fellow, though I have no doubt he fell out with his father over his choice of service! I was actually referring to Douglass, who must be entering his second year at West Point, whom I’ve had the dubious pleasure of teaching freshman mathematics last fall. A brilliant student, he was accepted into West Point via Presidential appointment at fifteen, who probably knew more than I did on the subject of mathematics than I and was seldom hesitant to let his teacher know it…though never quite to the point of earning demerits for disrespecting a superior officer!”
“God, there is someone more arrogant than the General?” Echoed a third voice, this one much more familiar to the commanding officers. Unlike the two soldiers, the third man donned civilian attire and bearing features strikingly similar to Meigs. “Johnny, after dealing with that pompous ass in Kyushu on that railroad project, I don’t think I can take much more of his condescension!”
By happenstance, Meigs’ brother, Montgomery had been contracted to extend a series of railroads in Kyushu and Shikoku (“Free” Nihon) and offered his services on the mainland, a proposal the General swiftly accepted and frequently congratulated himself on his foresight as the rail system in rebel territory, having lost too many of its experienced personnel, was drastically in need of competent leadership. Upon commencement of hostilities, the younger Meigs ordered his wife and six daughters, having accompanies him to Kyushu, back to Hawaii for their safety.
“None of this disrespect for my Chief-of-Staff, Monty!” the elder grumbled. A pain in the ass MacArthur may be, Meigs was too much a professional to belittle such a competent officer. “Now, where the hell is that additional rolling stock we were promised?”
“My Chinese adjutants assure me they will arrive from the south on the morrow, Johnny.” Despite the General’s admonishments, his younger brother refused to abide by military etiquette and frequently used the diminuative when addressing his brother rather than his rightful rank. “I suggest we worry more about those rumbles emerging across the waters to the east…”
The entire city of Shanghai had heard the reverberations of naval artillery off the eastern horizon since the previous day. Plainly Dewey had encountered the Imperial Chinese Fleet though no word of the status of that engagement had yet to reach Shanghai.
“I suggest, Monty,” Meigs replied heatedly with a glare, “that we concentrate on what WE CAN Affect!”
For once, the younger brother withheld a caustic comment. He knew full well the significance of a comprehensive naval defeat. The campaign on land would be over before it even had properly begun.
The engineer nodded, “Very well, Johnny, I’ll take my leave and ensure the next batch of men and material will have transports available on the morning.”
“Much gratitude, Mr. Meigs,” Lawton replied, “Once my own command is fully embarked, then the Nihonjin Brigade will follow.” To the shock of the entire military establishment, the Nihon government enthusiastically agreed to weaken their own defenses on Kyushu and Shikoku by offering their services on the mainland. The 1st Shikoku Volunteer Brigade under General Michitsura, some three thousand soldiers strong, arrived in Shanghai the previous morning and already milled about the railyard awaiting their transport to Nanjing.
Apparently, the Nihonjin consider this southern rebellion their own real chance at preserving their independence from the Mandarin, Meigs considered. They have little confidence in Uncle Sam keeping the Chinese hordes from overrunning their remaining Free Islands. I should probably be insulted…if I didn’t agree with them. Columbia’s political classes are not exactly known for their patience or loyalty.
His brother taking his leave to see to the mess at the rail station, Meigs and Lawton returned to their conversation regarding the reports of an army massing north of the Yangtze near Nanjing…and the probes already threatening the flimsy barrier between north and south. In defiance of his doubts, Meigs was determined to stand by his allies come what may…
Unfortunately, he knew the true battle was being fought at sea even now.
Stand firm, Dewey! He prayed. Stand firm or the cause is lost!
Shanghai, Old Walled City
From the ramparts of the Old Walled City of Shanghai, Major General John Meigs grimaced as he gazed through the lenses of his binoculars. The rail station west of the city remained in barely managed chaos as thousands of Columbian soldiers waited to board the inadequate rail system outside the Walled City. Though reinforcements continued to arrive at reasonable intervals, the inefficient rail system into Shanghai hampered the allied plans to travel west to Nanjing, one of the two primary invasion points of the suddenly active Imperial Army.
Far to the west, Meigs knew, the Mandarin launched a second expedition south into rebel territory via some remote town called “Chongqing”, though the Columbian lacked any capacity to assist his allies there until his own army could be properly organized.
Much to the General’s surprise, George Custer had actually proven quite apt at gathering the chaotic assortment of regular and volunteer brigades and divisions arriving hodgepodge in Shanghai harbor, often without any coordination with the supply vessels bearing weapons, ammunition and other various material of war. Somehow the man managed to coordinate the transfer of the 1st Illawara Volunteer Brigade, the 8th and 10th Division and two regiments of Hawaiian Volunteers over to Nanking in perhaps the most impressive logistical feat Meigs had witnessed since disembarking upon these shores.
“Pity MacArthur still hasn’t returned from Manila,” Meigs grumbled.
“I quite agree, General,” a voice returned promptly, embarrassing the commander as Meigs hadn’t realized he’d even spoken aloud. “I’ve had occasion to work with General MacArthur and he is truly among the most competent staff officers I’ve ever encountered.”
Pretending he’d intended to address his companions, Meigs turned to the two men in his party and demanded to the fifty-two-year-old in army fatigues, “When did you serve alongside MacArthur, Lawton?”
Henry Lawton, commanding the 2nd Tasman Volunteers, currently attempting to board the overloaded trains to the west, nodded, his matching white hair and bushy mustache flowing slightly in the autumn breeze, “In Kyushu, sir, some years ago.”
With an absent, almost fond, grin, he added, “My friend Arthur MacArthur is among the most gifted soldiers in service to our country…and I’ve often said he is the most arrogant, too…until I had occasion to meet his son!” At this, the Brigadier guffawed, his eyes bright.
“You mean that young sailor…the Lieutenant in the Navy serving on that contraption newly arrived from Yerba Buena?” By happenstance, Meigs had been working assiduously on the docks of Shanghai trying to organizing the offloading of two artillery regiments from North America when the oddest vessel he’d ever laid eyes upon was towed into Shanghai harbor. Curious, he requested a short tour of the submersible USS Whitehead, first of its class, and wondered how the damn thing made it across an ocean without sinking to the bottom. Though the US Navy had utilized submersibles before, this was plainly an improvement to the old clunkers he’d reviewed in Philadelphia.
“No, sir,” Lawton shook his head. “Lieutenant Arthur MacArthur III seems a fine young fellow, though I have no doubt he fell out with his father over his choice of service! I was actually referring to Douglass, who must be entering his second year at West Point, whom I’ve had the dubious pleasure of teaching freshman mathematics last fall. A brilliant student, he was accepted into West Point via Presidential appointment at fifteen, who probably knew more than I did on the subject of mathematics than I and was seldom hesitant to let his teacher know it…though never quite to the point of earning demerits for disrespecting a superior officer!”
“God, there is someone more arrogant than the General?” Echoed a third voice, this one much more familiar to the commanding officers. Unlike the two soldiers, the third man donned civilian attire and bearing features strikingly similar to Meigs. “Johnny, after dealing with that pompous ass in Kyushu on that railroad project, I don’t think I can take much more of his condescension!”
By happenstance, Meigs’ brother, Montgomery had been contracted to extend a series of railroads in Kyushu and Shikoku (“Free” Nihon) and offered his services on the mainland, a proposal the General swiftly accepted and frequently congratulated himself on his foresight as the rail system in rebel territory, having lost too many of its experienced personnel, was drastically in need of competent leadership. Upon commencement of hostilities, the younger Meigs ordered his wife and six daughters, having accompanies him to Kyushu, back to Hawaii for their safety.
“None of this disrespect for my Chief-of-Staff, Monty!” the elder grumbled. A pain in the ass MacArthur may be, Meigs was too much a professional to belittle such a competent officer. “Now, where the hell is that additional rolling stock we were promised?”
“My Chinese adjutants assure me they will arrive from the south on the morrow, Johnny.” Despite the General’s admonishments, his younger brother refused to abide by military etiquette and frequently used the diminuative when addressing his brother rather than his rightful rank. “I suggest we worry more about those rumbles emerging across the waters to the east…”
The entire city of Shanghai had heard the reverberations of naval artillery off the eastern horizon since the previous day. Plainly Dewey had encountered the Imperial Chinese Fleet though no word of the status of that engagement had yet to reach Shanghai.
“I suggest, Monty,” Meigs replied heatedly with a glare, “that we concentrate on what WE CAN Affect!”
For once, the younger brother withheld a caustic comment. He knew full well the significance of a comprehensive naval defeat. The campaign on land would be over before it even had properly begun.
The engineer nodded, “Very well, Johnny, I’ll take my leave and ensure the next batch of men and material will have transports available on the morning.”
“Much gratitude, Mr. Meigs,” Lawton replied, “Once my own command is fully embarked, then the Nihonjin Brigade will follow.” To the shock of the entire military establishment, the Nihon government enthusiastically agreed to weaken their own defenses on Kyushu and Shikoku by offering their services on the mainland. The 1st Shikoku Volunteer Brigade under General Michitsura, some three thousand soldiers strong, arrived in Shanghai the previous morning and already milled about the railyard awaiting their transport to Nanjing.
Apparently, the Nihonjin consider this southern rebellion their own real chance at preserving their independence from the Mandarin, Meigs considered. They have little confidence in Uncle Sam keeping the Chinese hordes from overrunning their remaining Free Islands. I should probably be insulted…if I didn’t agree with them. Columbia’s political classes are not exactly known for their patience or loyalty.
His brother taking his leave to see to the mess at the rail station, Meigs and Lawton returned to their conversation regarding the reports of an army massing north of the Yangtze near Nanjing…and the probes already threatening the flimsy barrier between north and south. In defiance of his doubts, Meigs was determined to stand by his allies come what may…
Unfortunately, he knew the true battle was being fought at sea even now.
Stand firm, Dewey! He prayed. Stand firm or the cause is lost!