Fenians, Brits, Mexicans, Canucks and Frenchies....OH, MY! An alternate American Civil War
- Thread starter Alt History Buff
- Start date
In the Superbowl (American Football Championship) a few years ago, the Atlanta Falcons had a 28-3 lead over the New England Patriots late in the game and lost in overtime.
It would be like having a 4-goal lead at the 70 minute mark in the World Cup final...and losing.
ETA: Atlanta is in Georgia.
Nephi
Banned
I just read this whole thing dude, hell of a timeline. Only really minor nitpick Birmingham didn't exist until after the civil war. It was actually part of reconstruction, they founded it in 1871. And it grew into a city almost overnight, it was when they found all the coal deposits at the junction of two major rail lines. But 🤷♂️ it's also another timeline maybe they found it in the 1850s here.
Thanks, I had no idea. I just read up on Wikipedia that it was basically a merger of small towns after the Civil War.
Nephi
Banned
Yeah I shouldn't have said anything 😁 because I actually sat and read all this over three days.
Chapter 241
September, 1892
Vladivostok
The Japanese invasion had initially seemed to go so well. The Russian Pacific Fleet had been laid low with little difficulty (only one Japanese ship had been lost compared to six Russian vessels).
However, KEEPING the territory would prove far more difficult as the Japanese would swiftly learn. Occupying the city itself was easy. But building enough barracks to winter would prove almost impossible given the lack of materials present (Japanese plans assumed there would be enough of the city left to billet the soldiers). Attempts to harvest the local timber would prove even less successful as the Russian General Kuropatkin would swiftly gather reinforcements from inland and viciously harass the invaders via forest warfare and well-honed winter tactics. By September, the ill-prepared Japanese would realize how poorly provisioned they were for the coming winter.
With 5000 Regulars and 7000 Militia volunteers, the Russians would effectively besiege the Japanese army of 10,000 men already shivering in ashes of the city at the base of the Peninsula. By the time, the harbor froze over in Winter, the Japanese commanders were already fearing that their command would not last until spring.
Singapore
The Royal Navy's Indian Squadron, while having only just learned of the Japanese mauling of two British vessels (by accident) would nevertheless prove unable to dispatch a large squadron to Singapore. Protests were issued to the Japanese Envoys (who had no idea what was going on) even as demands were issued to Britain for instruction.
But the ongoing Indian Rebellion was simply too chaotic that the bulk of the Royal Navy was compelled to remain in situ in order to support the British and Indian Armies fighting for order.
Instead, the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy would dispatch 5 vessels to Singapore. Four warships already billeted to the sprawling harbor, these five reinforcements, the two British ships damaged by the Japanese and three Russian warships which escaped from Vladivostok (the latter five ships having been at least partially repaired in the Singapore dockyard) would give a powerful enough fleet to defend the area.
Or so they thought.
The Straights of Malacca
Ten of the best and most modern ships in the Russian Navy would sail past Singapore in the night unaware that three of their brethren's ships lay at anchor only a few miles away.
Though it was far too late in the season to expect to reconquer the city of Vladivostok, the Russian Navy insisted on "teaching the Asiatics a lesson".
This would prove to be an error in judgement. Though modern naval vessels were no doubt vastly superior to only a decade earlier, a journey of nearly 10,000 miles would prove hazardous to any ship. Boilers burst, pumps failed and engines wore. By the time the Russian fleet arrived in the South China Sea, every ships were showing signs of fatigue. Sailors were exhausted.
When the Russian fleet emerged into the South China Sea, the Japanese fleet sailing off of the eastern coast of Sumatra would fall upon the Russian rear, hardly allowing the enemy to enter their "Imperial Waters".
Each bearing exactly 10 vessels, the Japanese and Russians squared off for hours, steaming back and forth attempting to "Cross the T" and testing the skills of their gunners, power of their cannon and depth of their armor.
Unlike the previous stomping the Japanese Imperial Navy had handed the Russian Pacific Squadron, this battle would be much more a matter of equals.
However, the element of surprise and better condition of the Japanese ships would prove pivotal. Four Russian ships were sunk or taken while most of the others endured damage and were forced southwards past Sumatra and the surviving Russian commander bitterly ordered the fleet to Madras. The Japanese, while also suffering heavy damage, would lose only two ships.
Callao, Peru
The port town which served as the gateway to Lima would host several American ships. The American intent of dispatching a powerful squadron to intimidate the Chileans away from coastal Peru and Bolivia would prove.....a bit problematic.
Two American vessels would endure engine trouble and fail to make it to Peru. Another would get lost in a Pacific storm and promptly run aground off the Ecuadorian coast.
Only four American ships actually made it to Peru and intelligence reports that the Chilean Navy may be more than capable of defeating these. Instead, the American diplomats would be ordered to "give it another go" in hopes of convincing the Chileans to return home.
Like the Russians, the Americans learned the hardships of waging a war so far from home. The great advantages of the mechanized age could be a double-edged sword.
Rio de Janeiro
Though President Sherman had approved the dispatch of warships to the Pacific, he was not yet willing to accept that the troubles in eastern South America could not be resolved.
He ordered a diplomatic mission to Rio de Janeiro in hopes of ending this dispute over "Grand Chako" or "Grande Shako" or whatever the hell the region was called. By most accounts, these inland prairies had never been populated in four centuries by any of the nations now claiming them....so how much could they really be worth?
More important to the Americans was the fact that France, Italy, Brazil and Chile had formed an alliance. America may not give a damn about some desert or prairie that no one in Washington had ever heard of. But America DID give a great deal of a damn over the arrival of European influence in the Americas. It was bad enough that Spain and Britain still maintained large holdings in the West Indies......but much worse if military alliances with various American nations were formed.
THAT was unacceptable.
Washington
In the meantime, President Sherman would receive envoys from Great Britain. With another rebellion in India, word of the recent incident with Japan having just reached Britain and the little matter of a French and Italian invasion of Germany across the English Channel, Great Britain was hardly inclined to spend much attention on South America.
But Great Britain DID have significant diplomatic, political and economic ties to both the Argentine and Buenos Aires,
Sherman would ask Great Britain to assist the American delegation to Rio de Janeiro in hopes to putting an end to this problem. In truth, America didn't give a damn about the Gran Chaco. Given that the most powerful nations now involved in the dispute - Brazil and Chile - either didn't WANT of the land (Brazil was supporting its client in Paraguay) or had a very weak claim (Chile was using the Gran Chaco hubbub in order to justify aggression against Bolivia, Peru and, quite possibly the Argentine or Buenos Aires.
Great Britain agreed to send additional diplomats with an offer to "mediate" the Gran Chaco matter.
Germany
Though it took some time, the German Confederation had finally managed to dispatch significant forces from Prussia, Saxony and other German states to aid Western Germany, much of which was now under control of France.
The Germans were perhaps aided by the fact that France had not particularly thought out what they would do once the disputed regions of Luxembourg, Alsace and Lorraine were properly reclaimed.
What was more, the Germans were aided by the rapidly development of rifle range and accuracy, artillery capability and the machine gun. This would result in modern warfare becoming more defensive that it had been in centuries, if not longer. Only a few decades ago, the massed bayonet formation, only modestly changed from Alexander the Great's Phalanx, remained in use in the American War Between the States.
Military observers in Europe would quickly realize that the old tactics were rapidly becoming obsolete. Once could only see a thousand men cut to pieces in minutes after charging across open ground upon a few hundred well-dug in troops. French superior numbers often failed despite uncommon German disorganization. Rapidly, the French Generals figured out that entrenched positions were best flanked or reduced via massed artillery barrage.
When winter quarters were called (another tradition rapidly evaporating), the Germans received a welcome reprieve.
Vladivostok
The Japanese invasion had initially seemed to go so well. The Russian Pacific Fleet had been laid low with little difficulty (only one Japanese ship had been lost compared to six Russian vessels).
However, KEEPING the territory would prove far more difficult as the Japanese would swiftly learn. Occupying the city itself was easy. But building enough barracks to winter would prove almost impossible given the lack of materials present (Japanese plans assumed there would be enough of the city left to billet the soldiers). Attempts to harvest the local timber would prove even less successful as the Russian General Kuropatkin would swiftly gather reinforcements from inland and viciously harass the invaders via forest warfare and well-honed winter tactics. By September, the ill-prepared Japanese would realize how poorly provisioned they were for the coming winter.
With 5000 Regulars and 7000 Militia volunteers, the Russians would effectively besiege the Japanese army of 10,000 men already shivering in ashes of the city at the base of the Peninsula. By the time, the harbor froze over in Winter, the Japanese commanders were already fearing that their command would not last until spring.
Singapore
The Royal Navy's Indian Squadron, while having only just learned of the Japanese mauling of two British vessels (by accident) would nevertheless prove unable to dispatch a large squadron to Singapore. Protests were issued to the Japanese Envoys (who had no idea what was going on) even as demands were issued to Britain for instruction.
But the ongoing Indian Rebellion was simply too chaotic that the bulk of the Royal Navy was compelled to remain in situ in order to support the British and Indian Armies fighting for order.
Instead, the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy would dispatch 5 vessels to Singapore. Four warships already billeted to the sprawling harbor, these five reinforcements, the two British ships damaged by the Japanese and three Russian warships which escaped from Vladivostok (the latter five ships having been at least partially repaired in the Singapore dockyard) would give a powerful enough fleet to defend the area.
Or so they thought.
The Straights of Malacca
Ten of the best and most modern ships in the Russian Navy would sail past Singapore in the night unaware that three of their brethren's ships lay at anchor only a few miles away.
Though it was far too late in the season to expect to reconquer the city of Vladivostok, the Russian Navy insisted on "teaching the Asiatics a lesson".
This would prove to be an error in judgement. Though modern naval vessels were no doubt vastly superior to only a decade earlier, a journey of nearly 10,000 miles would prove hazardous to any ship. Boilers burst, pumps failed and engines wore. By the time the Russian fleet arrived in the South China Sea, every ships were showing signs of fatigue. Sailors were exhausted.
When the Russian fleet emerged into the South China Sea, the Japanese fleet sailing off of the eastern coast of Sumatra would fall upon the Russian rear, hardly allowing the enemy to enter their "Imperial Waters".
Each bearing exactly 10 vessels, the Japanese and Russians squared off for hours, steaming back and forth attempting to "Cross the T" and testing the skills of their gunners, power of their cannon and depth of their armor.
Unlike the previous stomping the Japanese Imperial Navy had handed the Russian Pacific Squadron, this battle would be much more a matter of equals.
However, the element of surprise and better condition of the Japanese ships would prove pivotal. Four Russian ships were sunk or taken while most of the others endured damage and were forced southwards past Sumatra and the surviving Russian commander bitterly ordered the fleet to Madras. The Japanese, while also suffering heavy damage, would lose only two ships.
Callao, Peru
The port town which served as the gateway to Lima would host several American ships. The American intent of dispatching a powerful squadron to intimidate the Chileans away from coastal Peru and Bolivia would prove.....a bit problematic.
Two American vessels would endure engine trouble and fail to make it to Peru. Another would get lost in a Pacific storm and promptly run aground off the Ecuadorian coast.
Only four American ships actually made it to Peru and intelligence reports that the Chilean Navy may be more than capable of defeating these. Instead, the American diplomats would be ordered to "give it another go" in hopes of convincing the Chileans to return home.
Like the Russians, the Americans learned the hardships of waging a war so far from home. The great advantages of the mechanized age could be a double-edged sword.
Rio de Janeiro
Though President Sherman had approved the dispatch of warships to the Pacific, he was not yet willing to accept that the troubles in eastern South America could not be resolved.
He ordered a diplomatic mission to Rio de Janeiro in hopes of ending this dispute over "Grand Chako" or "Grande Shako" or whatever the hell the region was called. By most accounts, these inland prairies had never been populated in four centuries by any of the nations now claiming them....so how much could they really be worth?
More important to the Americans was the fact that France, Italy, Brazil and Chile had formed an alliance. America may not give a damn about some desert or prairie that no one in Washington had ever heard of. But America DID give a great deal of a damn over the arrival of European influence in the Americas. It was bad enough that Spain and Britain still maintained large holdings in the West Indies......but much worse if military alliances with various American nations were formed.
THAT was unacceptable.
Washington
In the meantime, President Sherman would receive envoys from Great Britain. With another rebellion in India, word of the recent incident with Japan having just reached Britain and the little matter of a French and Italian invasion of Germany across the English Channel, Great Britain was hardly inclined to spend much attention on South America.
But Great Britain DID have significant diplomatic, political and economic ties to both the Argentine and Buenos Aires,
Sherman would ask Great Britain to assist the American delegation to Rio de Janeiro in hopes to putting an end to this problem. In truth, America didn't give a damn about the Gran Chaco. Given that the most powerful nations now involved in the dispute - Brazil and Chile - either didn't WANT of the land (Brazil was supporting its client in Paraguay) or had a very weak claim (Chile was using the Gran Chaco hubbub in order to justify aggression against Bolivia, Peru and, quite possibly the Argentine or Buenos Aires.
Great Britain agreed to send additional diplomats with an offer to "mediate" the Gran Chaco matter.
Germany
Though it took some time, the German Confederation had finally managed to dispatch significant forces from Prussia, Saxony and other German states to aid Western Germany, much of which was now under control of France.
The Germans were perhaps aided by the fact that France had not particularly thought out what they would do once the disputed regions of Luxembourg, Alsace and Lorraine were properly reclaimed.
What was more, the Germans were aided by the rapidly development of rifle range and accuracy, artillery capability and the machine gun. This would result in modern warfare becoming more defensive that it had been in centuries, if not longer. Only a few decades ago, the massed bayonet formation, only modestly changed from Alexander the Great's Phalanx, remained in use in the American War Between the States.
Military observers in Europe would quickly realize that the old tactics were rapidly becoming obsolete. Once could only see a thousand men cut to pieces in minutes after charging across open ground upon a few hundred well-dug in troops. French superior numbers often failed despite uncommon German disorganization. Rapidly, the French Generals figured out that entrenched positions were best flanked or reduced via massed artillery barrage.
When winter quarters were called (another tradition rapidly evaporating), the Germans received a welcome reprieve.
Chapter 242
September, 1892
Toulon
Having spent adequate time in Europe, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass would bid adieu to Lincoln's grandson Jack who would be remaining in Greece with his young wife and learning the Antiquities Trade. The Americans would board a French transports in Athens bounded for New York. From there the two men would separate and take trains home.
However, the ship never reached America, instead stopping at Toulon, the primary French naval base in the Mediterranean.
What Lincoln and Douglass did NOT know was that relations between America and France had plummeted in the past few months.
First, over the summer (June) President Sherman had issued a sharply worded message to France effectively commanding them to halt supporting the Brazilian blockade of the Uruguay River as well as supplying the Chileans in their aggression against Bolivia and Peru. Sherman reiterated the long-held but seldom enforced dictate that the Monroe Doctrine made America "almost sovereign" in the Western Hemisphere. While his language was atypically blunt, the American dismay at the rapidly deteriorating situation in South America could not be overstated.
The President vowed immediate economic sanctions in the form of tariffs or embargo/boycott of French goods and even somewhat opaquely threatened to halt French military supply shipments to South America on the high seas (the French interpreted these words as having been official government policy, not just those of the President without backing of Congress). Sherman also clarified that any French aggression towards the Co-Protectorate or any of the Northern African Nations (Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia) would be considered an attack on the United States (Sherman would receive much dissent on this subject).
Sherman didn't even mention the war in Europe though it was commonly held that Great Britain was greatly agitating for America to somehow get involved (with NO success).
Perhaps more important to Napoleon IV than ANY of these disputes was the French (and Italian) fear that Russia would become involved in the conflict on behalf of the German Confederation. Rumors thrown around back and forth would hold that secret American and British diplomats were petitioning the Czar to "Guarantee the Borders of Germany" by force, if necessary. While certainly the Germans and even the British were seeking Russian intervention, there was in reality no American contact. However, the paranoia that gripped Paris in the wake of the war's slowdown in the fall and winter of 1892 would lead to unfounded suspicions that ex-President Lincoln and Mr. Douglass were actually American emissaries (both respected by the Czar) negotiating an alliance. The fact that the Czar himself invited the men would reinforce this train of thought and the French civilian Captain, learning of these rumors, would quietly "pull into Toulon for resupply" and immediately inform the local Admiral of the presence of the American "diplomats". The Admiral furthered the fiasco by ordering the two Americans seized for "questioning" and shipped up to Paris for further investigation.
The American Ambassador to Paris, former Congressman Henry Cabot Lodge, would learn of this outrage and express his nation's utmost displeasure as the illegal seizure of American citizens, two heroes, in fact, by the French government. In truth, the French Prime Ministers Jules Ferry was barely aware of the situation when the Americans showed up upon his doorstep and was more than a little irritated by Lodge's diatribe.
In truth, Ferry was not remotely as convinced as others in Paris that America, Russia or even Britain were likely to involve themselves in a European land war. Even the British only threatened trade sanctions (not even blockades were mentioned). America and Russia had barely expressed an opinion about the war in Germany.
But America's intemperate language to the Empire could not be ignored and Ferry informed the American Ambassador that the French vessels was within its right to discharge passengers upon French soil and the government was within her rights to interrogate any non-diplomat foreigner as much as it pleased. The Emperor and Prime Minister's popularity waning, Ferry also publicly replied that America was "not sovereign" in the Americas and France would provide any support they damned well wanted to Brazil.
When this was received in America in late September, President Sherman would order the withdrawal of the Americans delegation and formally ban any French imports. He also demanded the immediate release of ex-President Lincoln and Mr. Douglass. By this point, Prime Minister Ferry was firmly of the opinion that the two Americans were exactly what they claimed - tourists - but the Frenchman was not inclined to do anything the Americans wanted.
Thus, a series of false assumptions, miscommunications and diplomatic blunders severely worsened a situation in South America which could relatively easily been solved by diplomacy.
Toulon
Having spent adequate time in Europe, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass would bid adieu to Lincoln's grandson Jack who would be remaining in Greece with his young wife and learning the Antiquities Trade. The Americans would board a French transports in Athens bounded for New York. From there the two men would separate and take trains home.
However, the ship never reached America, instead stopping at Toulon, the primary French naval base in the Mediterranean.
What Lincoln and Douglass did NOT know was that relations between America and France had plummeted in the past few months.
First, over the summer (June) President Sherman had issued a sharply worded message to France effectively commanding them to halt supporting the Brazilian blockade of the Uruguay River as well as supplying the Chileans in their aggression against Bolivia and Peru. Sherman reiterated the long-held but seldom enforced dictate that the Monroe Doctrine made America "almost sovereign" in the Western Hemisphere. While his language was atypically blunt, the American dismay at the rapidly deteriorating situation in South America could not be overstated.
The President vowed immediate economic sanctions in the form of tariffs or embargo/boycott of French goods and even somewhat opaquely threatened to halt French military supply shipments to South America on the high seas (the French interpreted these words as having been official government policy, not just those of the President without backing of Congress). Sherman also clarified that any French aggression towards the Co-Protectorate or any of the Northern African Nations (Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia) would be considered an attack on the United States (Sherman would receive much dissent on this subject).
Sherman didn't even mention the war in Europe though it was commonly held that Great Britain was greatly agitating for America to somehow get involved (with NO success).
Perhaps more important to Napoleon IV than ANY of these disputes was the French (and Italian) fear that Russia would become involved in the conflict on behalf of the German Confederation. Rumors thrown around back and forth would hold that secret American and British diplomats were petitioning the Czar to "Guarantee the Borders of Germany" by force, if necessary. While certainly the Germans and even the British were seeking Russian intervention, there was in reality no American contact. However, the paranoia that gripped Paris in the wake of the war's slowdown in the fall and winter of 1892 would lead to unfounded suspicions that ex-President Lincoln and Mr. Douglass were actually American emissaries (both respected by the Czar) negotiating an alliance. The fact that the Czar himself invited the men would reinforce this train of thought and the French civilian Captain, learning of these rumors, would quietly "pull into Toulon for resupply" and immediately inform the local Admiral of the presence of the American "diplomats". The Admiral furthered the fiasco by ordering the two Americans seized for "questioning" and shipped up to Paris for further investigation.
The American Ambassador to Paris, former Congressman Henry Cabot Lodge, would learn of this outrage and express his nation's utmost displeasure as the illegal seizure of American citizens, two heroes, in fact, by the French government. In truth, the French Prime Ministers Jules Ferry was barely aware of the situation when the Americans showed up upon his doorstep and was more than a little irritated by Lodge's diatribe.
In truth, Ferry was not remotely as convinced as others in Paris that America, Russia or even Britain were likely to involve themselves in a European land war. Even the British only threatened trade sanctions (not even blockades were mentioned). America and Russia had barely expressed an opinion about the war in Germany.
But America's intemperate language to the Empire could not be ignored and Ferry informed the American Ambassador that the French vessels was within its right to discharge passengers upon French soil and the government was within her rights to interrogate any non-diplomat foreigner as much as it pleased. The Emperor and Prime Minister's popularity waning, Ferry also publicly replied that America was "not sovereign" in the Americas and France would provide any support they damned well wanted to Brazil.
When this was received in America in late September, President Sherman would order the withdrawal of the Americans delegation and formally ban any French imports. He also demanded the immediate release of ex-President Lincoln and Mr. Douglass. By this point, Prime Minister Ferry was firmly of the opinion that the two Americans were exactly what they claimed - tourists - but the Frenchman was not inclined to do anything the Americans wanted.
Thus, a series of false assumptions, miscommunications and diplomatic blunders severely worsened a situation in South America which could relatively easily been solved by diplomacy.
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Chapter 243
October, 1892
Callao, Peru and Antofagasta, Bolivia (occupied by Chile)
Only with the utmost effort did the bulk of the American Pacific fleet arrive in Callao. While the presence of the American ships probably prevented the Chileans from attacking the Peruvian capital directly, it did nothing to prevent the Chilean occupation of the nitrate and guano-rich coastal territories of Bolivia and Peru.
Decades before, these two countries had done so little to populate and exploit these vital regions that Chilean settlers did the majority of the work and made up the majority of the population (in coastal Bolivia, the HEAVY MAJORITY) of the coast. Unsurprisingly, Chile soon began to view these lands as rightfully THEIRS (much as the United States would easily annex Texas when Mexico failed to populate by the early part of the 19th century).
Only American intervention prevented the Chilean Navy from pushing the Bolivians and Peruvians out. The arid desert would halt significant invasion by land. Thus the Chileans would back down, deeply resentful.
The 1892 invasion would be virtually unchallenged by Bolivia and Peru and most coastal towns were seized by Chilean soldiers supplied by the Chilean Navy by sea (no railroad ran northwards through northern Chile to the region).
The American Pacific Squadron flotilla dispatched Peru would assume that the Chileans would back down once again when they realized the Americans were serious. The fleet, dispatched under the fifty-two years old William T. Sampson, consisted of the newly launched USS Yakima and USS Iowa, two older heavy Cruisers USS Virginia and USS Connecticut, two frigates USS Salt Lake and USS Superior and two of the new "Norfolk-Class" torpedo gunboats.
The latter arrived with only eight functional "Whitehead Torpedoes" (though more were promised). The Torpedo gunboats could only bear two of them at a time and would have to return to Callao to rearm. Bot the Salt Lake and Superior would be understaff and the Commodore would be forced to assign over a dozen officers and sailors from other vessels to bring them to combat-ready status. Among the transfers was the young Lieutenant Leland Stanford, Jr., who was dismayed to be transferred from the Yakima, which was laid up with engine trouble.
This was a powerful squadron even without the Yakima. However, the Chileans were the beneficiaries of of the latest heavy French Loire-class battlecruisers, the Prat and Simpson, four older ironclads and four lighter corvettes.
The Americans were not concerned though as it was believed that the American heavy guns were superior to the French. However, the new Loire-Class ships bore huge cannon fresh from the foundry which matched the best the British and Americans could produce.
Commodore Sampson, having received orders from Washington "forward" (though exactly what he was supposed to do was a mystery and he was uncertain if he should seek battle or merely blockade the small coastal towns) the Commodore sailed forward, leaving the Yakima and the two torpedo boats behind (he was uncertain about the utility of the lighter Norfolk-class ships).
The Americans would sail to Antofagasta in October, expecting the Chileans to retreat. Instead, 10 Chilean vessels would challenge the five American ships, obviously waiting off the shore in ambush. Still confident from the deck of the new USS Iowa, the Americans would sail forward. When the Chileans fired the first shot, Sampson was diplomatically covered. He ordered his own ships into line and ventured forth.
The initial phases of the battle went for the Americans, one of the lighter cruisers and a corvette were shelled. The Corvette would immediately capsize after taken a massive blow while a hit at the waterline doomed the cruiser, which was forced to retreat to Antofagasta. It would settle in the harbor and the crew forced to abandon ship.
However, the Chileans soon found the range and the true power of the French guns would become apparent. The Virginia and Salt Lake were hit badly, knocking out guns and starting fires. Both were forced to fall out of line and the Chileans opportunistically fell upon them with their lighter ships while the heavier Loire-Class vessels concentrated upon the remaining ships in line: the Iowa, Connecticut and Superior.
The Iowa matched the Chileans blow for blow but all three American ships took hits in less than 20 minutes, unable to help the Virginia and Salt Lake which were similarly fighting for their lives.
Another Chilean light Cruiser was hit, immediately taking fire and again trying (and failing) to reach Antofagasta.
The Virginia and Salt Lake, having lost several of their guns (the Salt Lake was down to one), would maul another Chilean Corvette which drifted too close. But then both would take a pummeling. Eventually, the Virginia caught fire and the colors were struck. The Salt Lake, down to her last gun, would determine there was nothing more she could add and sailed north towards safety.
As the Iowa gave at good as she got, the Loire-Class ships would take several hits as the American sailors proved to have better fire control. The Americans of the Iowa, Connecticut and Superior would close in for the kill, suddenly confident.
This confidence would be brutally ended as a shot from the Prat fell providentially through an open door to a munition storage location. Unlike the Royal Navy, the Americans had failed to take several safety procedures on these new vessels and the Iowa would pay dearly for the design flaw.
The front half of the Iowa blew skyward, killing over two hundred men. The ship literally lift 10 feet off the water before settling down. While the hull had not been breached, the guns were flung nearly a quarter mile away and the front end of the ships set entirely afire with the fire control teams either dead or without water pressure on their hoses. The flames soon spread amidships until several bulkheads were closed. But by this time, it was too late. The fire would spread slowly aft until the surviving senior officer would command the ship abandoned.
The Connecticut and Superior would read the writing on the wall and retreat north after the Salt Lake.
The Iowa would not sink but would be so gutted that the Chileans could do little more than tow it back to Chile for scrap. The Virginia would sink on her own despite attempts by the Chileans to seize the hulk.
The Battle of Antofagasta would prove to be among the greatest victories in Chilean history, the small nation having laid low the great United States Navy.
Callao, Peru and Antofagasta, Bolivia (occupied by Chile)
Only with the utmost effort did the bulk of the American Pacific fleet arrive in Callao. While the presence of the American ships probably prevented the Chileans from attacking the Peruvian capital directly, it did nothing to prevent the Chilean occupation of the nitrate and guano-rich coastal territories of Bolivia and Peru.
Decades before, these two countries had done so little to populate and exploit these vital regions that Chilean settlers did the majority of the work and made up the majority of the population (in coastal Bolivia, the HEAVY MAJORITY) of the coast. Unsurprisingly, Chile soon began to view these lands as rightfully THEIRS (much as the United States would easily annex Texas when Mexico failed to populate by the early part of the 19th century).
Only American intervention prevented the Chilean Navy from pushing the Bolivians and Peruvians out. The arid desert would halt significant invasion by land. Thus the Chileans would back down, deeply resentful.
The 1892 invasion would be virtually unchallenged by Bolivia and Peru and most coastal towns were seized by Chilean soldiers supplied by the Chilean Navy by sea (no railroad ran northwards through northern Chile to the region).
The American Pacific Squadron flotilla dispatched Peru would assume that the Chileans would back down once again when they realized the Americans were serious. The fleet, dispatched under the fifty-two years old William T. Sampson, consisted of the newly launched USS Yakima and USS Iowa, two older heavy Cruisers USS Virginia and USS Connecticut, two frigates USS Salt Lake and USS Superior and two of the new "Norfolk-Class" torpedo gunboats.
The latter arrived with only eight functional "Whitehead Torpedoes" (though more were promised). The Torpedo gunboats could only bear two of them at a time and would have to return to Callao to rearm. Bot the Salt Lake and Superior would be understaff and the Commodore would be forced to assign over a dozen officers and sailors from other vessels to bring them to combat-ready status. Among the transfers was the young Lieutenant Leland Stanford, Jr., who was dismayed to be transferred from the Yakima, which was laid up with engine trouble.
This was a powerful squadron even without the Yakima. However, the Chileans were the beneficiaries of of the latest heavy French Loire-class battlecruisers, the Prat and Simpson, four older ironclads and four lighter corvettes.
The Americans were not concerned though as it was believed that the American heavy guns were superior to the French. However, the new Loire-Class ships bore huge cannon fresh from the foundry which matched the best the British and Americans could produce.
Commodore Sampson, having received orders from Washington "forward" (though exactly what he was supposed to do was a mystery and he was uncertain if he should seek battle or merely blockade the small coastal towns) the Commodore sailed forward, leaving the Yakima and the two torpedo boats behind (he was uncertain about the utility of the lighter Norfolk-class ships).
The Americans would sail to Antofagasta in October, expecting the Chileans to retreat. Instead, 10 Chilean vessels would challenge the five American ships, obviously waiting off the shore in ambush. Still confident from the deck of the new USS Iowa, the Americans would sail forward. When the Chileans fired the first shot, Sampson was diplomatically covered. He ordered his own ships into line and ventured forth.
The initial phases of the battle went for the Americans, one of the lighter cruisers and a corvette were shelled. The Corvette would immediately capsize after taken a massive blow while a hit at the waterline doomed the cruiser, which was forced to retreat to Antofagasta. It would settle in the harbor and the crew forced to abandon ship.
However, the Chileans soon found the range and the true power of the French guns would become apparent. The Virginia and Salt Lake were hit badly, knocking out guns and starting fires. Both were forced to fall out of line and the Chileans opportunistically fell upon them with their lighter ships while the heavier Loire-Class vessels concentrated upon the remaining ships in line: the Iowa, Connecticut and Superior.
The Iowa matched the Chileans blow for blow but all three American ships took hits in less than 20 minutes, unable to help the Virginia and Salt Lake which were similarly fighting for their lives.
Another Chilean light Cruiser was hit, immediately taking fire and again trying (and failing) to reach Antofagasta.
The Virginia and Salt Lake, having lost several of their guns (the Salt Lake was down to one), would maul another Chilean Corvette which drifted too close. But then both would take a pummeling. Eventually, the Virginia caught fire and the colors were struck. The Salt Lake, down to her last gun, would determine there was nothing more she could add and sailed north towards safety.
As the Iowa gave at good as she got, the Loire-Class ships would take several hits as the American sailors proved to have better fire control. The Americans of the Iowa, Connecticut and Superior would close in for the kill, suddenly confident.
This confidence would be brutally ended as a shot from the Prat fell providentially through an open door to a munition storage location. Unlike the Royal Navy, the Americans had failed to take several safety procedures on these new vessels and the Iowa would pay dearly for the design flaw.
The front half of the Iowa blew skyward, killing over two hundred men. The ship literally lift 10 feet off the water before settling down. While the hull had not been breached, the guns were flung nearly a quarter mile away and the front end of the ships set entirely afire with the fire control teams either dead or without water pressure on their hoses. The flames soon spread amidships until several bulkheads were closed. But by this time, it was too late. The fire would spread slowly aft until the surviving senior officer would command the ship abandoned.
The Connecticut and Superior would read the writing on the wall and retreat north after the Salt Lake.
The Iowa would not sink but would be so gutted that the Chileans could do little more than tow it back to Chile for scrap. The Virginia would sink on her own despite attempts by the Chileans to seize the hulk.
The Battle of Antofagasta would prove to be among the greatest victories in Chilean history, the small nation having laid low the great United States Navy.
Chapter 244
October, 1892
Morocco
For the second time, the King of Morocco's forces would capture a group of 20 Frenchmen caught smuggling weapons to a rebel tribe. The Frenchmen made the attempt to shoot their way out but were surrounded and captured by Moroccan soldiers. Seven of the Frenchmen were killed and the other thirteen captured and thrown in a dungeon.
The King would demand that Great Britain (and to a lesser extent, America) abide by the Anglo-Moroccan-Co-Protectorate Treaty of mutual protection.
Egypt
Though there had never been any concrete evidence that the French had provided aid of any kind to the Indian Mutiny, the British Commander of the Eastern Mediterranean exorcised a seldom-used clause in the Suez Canal agreement to close the Canal to French shipping.
Germany
In addition to diplomatic protests and threats of economic retaliation (the British stopped just short of threatening to blockade the French and Italian coasts), Lord Salisbury made no effort to hide that British military wares were shipped to Germany in great quantities.
Paris
Naturally, the French government in Paris would be similarly outraged that the "neutral" British were shipping war material to Germany and announce that THEY would be blockading the German coast and any further British attempts to supply Germany would be viewed as an end to Britain's "neutrality" and any British ships would be viewed as combatants in the North Sea.
November,
Tokyo
Hearing of the defeat of YET ANOTHER western navy defeated by the Japanese Imperial Navy ( the Russians twice and the Royal Navy once), the Japanese Admiralty was confident to the point of foolhardiness.
Seeing the continued rebellion in India would almost certainly keep British attention for the foreseeable future, the Japanese Admirals saw Malaya (with heavy deposits of tin and already a prominent rubber producer as well) and the massive harbor of Singapore to be vulnerable.
Though three Imperial Navy ships had been lost in the battles and the Japanese invasion of Vladivostok not going according to plan, the Japanese determined to press their advantage over the winter to whichever target could be found.
This proved to be Malaya. The bulk of the Japanese Navy would be once again risked in a single battle as 12,000 more Japanese Imperial troops were escorted south to the tropics (most were elated not to have to sail to Siberia but would find the pestilential hell of Malaya similarly problematic) with the intent of seizing the port of Singapore.
Singapore would, in November, of 1892, maintain only five functional Royal Navy or Australian Royal Navy Capital ships (one of the British ships damaged earlier had not yet been repaired) and two damaged vessels of the Russian Pacific fleet still in port after the Battle of Vladivostok. Most of the British Indian Fleet and Australian fleet were positioned in India aiding with the Mutiny.
The diplomatic ramifications of the Japanese attack on two British vessels months before had yet to be really addressed due to the great distances. The initial Japanese response was one of embarrassment on the behalf of the local Japanese diplomats in London who desperately desired instructions. Most assumed an official apology and reparations would be offered and Great Britain, with her hands full elsewhere, would graciously accept Japan's apology.
The French and Italians, learning of the fiasco, would fear that this would move Russia towards a British alliance. Should Russian manpower and British naval strength join in alliance with the Germans......
The results could be disastrous.
It would be this suspicion which would slow the expected release of ex-President Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, who, by November, where held under house arrest in a townhome in a fashionable district of Paris.
Washington
As expected, President Sherman would be reelected by over 6% advantage in the overall popular vote and much more in the Electoral College. Still, the Republican majority in Congress would fall to its lowest point in years.
The Republicans often relied upon "Bourbon Democrats" who aligned on political issues like tariff policy, money supply, infrastructure investment, etc, to pass legislation and would be required to do this more often in the future.
Sherman would also be castigated by Democratic opposition for "Bullying Chile" in South America. Fortunately for Sherman, the news of the defeat would not arrive until after the polls closed.
Morocco
For the second time, the King of Morocco's forces would capture a group of 20 Frenchmen caught smuggling weapons to a rebel tribe. The Frenchmen made the attempt to shoot their way out but were surrounded and captured by Moroccan soldiers. Seven of the Frenchmen were killed and the other thirteen captured and thrown in a dungeon.
The King would demand that Great Britain (and to a lesser extent, America) abide by the Anglo-Moroccan-Co-Protectorate Treaty of mutual protection.
Egypt
Though there had never been any concrete evidence that the French had provided aid of any kind to the Indian Mutiny, the British Commander of the Eastern Mediterranean exorcised a seldom-used clause in the Suez Canal agreement to close the Canal to French shipping.
Germany
In addition to diplomatic protests and threats of economic retaliation (the British stopped just short of threatening to blockade the French and Italian coasts), Lord Salisbury made no effort to hide that British military wares were shipped to Germany in great quantities.
Paris
Naturally, the French government in Paris would be similarly outraged that the "neutral" British were shipping war material to Germany and announce that THEY would be blockading the German coast and any further British attempts to supply Germany would be viewed as an end to Britain's "neutrality" and any British ships would be viewed as combatants in the North Sea.
November,
Tokyo
Hearing of the defeat of YET ANOTHER western navy defeated by the Japanese Imperial Navy ( the Russians twice and the Royal Navy once), the Japanese Admiralty was confident to the point of foolhardiness.
Seeing the continued rebellion in India would almost certainly keep British attention for the foreseeable future, the Japanese Admirals saw Malaya (with heavy deposits of tin and already a prominent rubber producer as well) and the massive harbor of Singapore to be vulnerable.
Though three Imperial Navy ships had been lost in the battles and the Japanese invasion of Vladivostok not going according to plan, the Japanese determined to press their advantage over the winter to whichever target could be found.
This proved to be Malaya. The bulk of the Japanese Navy would be once again risked in a single battle as 12,000 more Japanese Imperial troops were escorted south to the tropics (most were elated not to have to sail to Siberia but would find the pestilential hell of Malaya similarly problematic) with the intent of seizing the port of Singapore.
Singapore would, in November, of 1892, maintain only five functional Royal Navy or Australian Royal Navy Capital ships (one of the British ships damaged earlier had not yet been repaired) and two damaged vessels of the Russian Pacific fleet still in port after the Battle of Vladivostok. Most of the British Indian Fleet and Australian fleet were positioned in India aiding with the Mutiny.
The diplomatic ramifications of the Japanese attack on two British vessels months before had yet to be really addressed due to the great distances. The initial Japanese response was one of embarrassment on the behalf of the local Japanese diplomats in London who desperately desired instructions. Most assumed an official apology and reparations would be offered and Great Britain, with her hands full elsewhere, would graciously accept Japan's apology.
The French and Italians, learning of the fiasco, would fear that this would move Russia towards a British alliance. Should Russian manpower and British naval strength join in alliance with the Germans......
The results could be disastrous.
It would be this suspicion which would slow the expected release of ex-President Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, who, by November, where held under house arrest in a townhome in a fashionable district of Paris.
Washington
As expected, President Sherman would be reelected by over 6% advantage in the overall popular vote and much more in the Electoral College. Still, the Republican majority in Congress would fall to its lowest point in years.
The Republicans often relied upon "Bourbon Democrats" who aligned on political issues like tariff policy, money supply, infrastructure investment, etc, to pass legislation and would be required to do this more often in the future.
Sherman would also be castigated by Democratic opposition for "Bullying Chile" in South America. Fortunately for Sherman, the news of the defeat would not arrive until after the polls closed.
Chapter 245
November, 1892
Beijing
The Tongzhi Emperor was somewhat of a dissolute waste but, like some other well-regarded rulers in history (Charles III of Spain, for example), the Emperor eventually learned to delegate to smarter, hard-working and more dedicated Ministers to do the real work. His Ministers had worked diligently for a generation to reduce waste, corruption and obsolete ideas. The presence of modern warships, telegraph, electricity (one of the Emperor's palaces was wired in 1891) and railroads would only be the most visible symbols of "Self-Strengthening" Movement. Just as important was the vast investment in Universities and not the kind that taught calligraphy and philosophy. Imperial colleges teaching mechanical sciences, medicine, etc were encouraged and subsidized.
The Middle Kingdom was now becoming more and more self-sufficient in iron, coal and other production, highly important in the modern age. China's economy was diversifying rapidly and moderately high tariffs not only brought in revenue but protected Chinese industry in much the same manner as American tariffs had done for the past 50 years.
However, all was not well in China. There was a belief that the Chinese Navy, though growing, had fallen behind Japan. Worse, Japan was not only routing the Russian animals to the north but seemed to be acting with utter impunity, as if the opinion of the Mandarin did not matter in the slightest.
The Chinese Shipyards, though having made much progress, still had not proven capable of constructing ships as modern as the most recent Japanese products. The best Chinese Warships remained American in construction.
With Japanese ambition apparently bottomless, how long would it be before the Japanese eyes turn towards the Joseon Kingdom, Taiwan, the Ryuku Islands and Vietnam?
For generations, the foreigners had bedeviled Asia but the Mandarin's Ministers could imagine a day when the Japanese may prove a more intractable foe.
For the moment, though, the Chinese would remain neutral while watching the war very, very closely.
December, 1892
Washington
The news of the humiliating defeat to Chile had finally reached the American telegraph which distributed the intelligence throughout the country. In six years of office, Sherman had never seen such vitriol.
Still, the public outrage was high enough (it was assumed that Chile had fired first per the initial reports but, really, who could say?) that Sherman was able to get Congress to declare war.
What he did not know was that Brazil and Chile had already signed a mutual defense pact.
Gran Chaco
The Argentine invasion of the Gran Chaco would swiftly inspire resistance from Paraguay and Brazil. Though the Uruguay River remained under Argentine control, the allies would still manage to funnel 15,000 men into the Chaco region of western Paraguay and blunt the Argentine offensive.
Bolivia on the other hand, which was facing invasion from the interior in the Chaco and the coast (the Litoral) would continued to do what it usually did in such situations: absolutely nothing.
If the Bolivian government had any strong opinions on America declaring war on Chile, theoretically on their behalf, the Bolivians made no real effort to express them.
India
The leadership of the Indian Rebellion (or 3rd Mutiny depending on who you ask) was far more educated and possessed of institutional authority as thousands of Indians had joined the Civil Service and served in high-ranking positions.
There were also a growing number of native officers in the Indian Army, though only a few had reached ranks above Captain. Still, this would provide a much greater level of military leadership than previous Mutinies.
A greater hindrance would be the lack of overall strategic planning on the part of the Indians as the concept of "India" seldom resonated among the linguistically, ethnically and geographically diverse subcontinent. It was primarily among the college students and soldiers who would mix with a large cross-section of Indian society. Otherwise, Bengalis and Punjabis seldom thought of themselves as "one people", much less Hindus and Muslims.
For years, the British had successfully played one faction against the other in order to conquer India with its own resources. The British would turn to the Muslims, Sikhs and other religious or racial minorities for support as well as some of the native Princes who had long since learned that defying the British meant the end of their reigns.
Taking a continent-wide strategy would pay dividends as the local Indian rebellions seldom supported one another.
However, in recent years, some western political theory had arrived in India and many of the more Radical students would gravitate to this new Communist doctrine written by men named Engels and Marx. While these Christian and Jewish philosophers apparently held anti-religious feelings (something the Hindus would not countenance), there seemed to be enough flexibility to incorporate religion into the idealized society bereft of the landlords which had soaked so much from the Indian peasant.
Years before, the British attempted to suppress reading of such material but eventually gave up in the face of reforms supporting Free Press.
Beijing
The Tongzhi Emperor was somewhat of a dissolute waste but, like some other well-regarded rulers in history (Charles III of Spain, for example), the Emperor eventually learned to delegate to smarter, hard-working and more dedicated Ministers to do the real work. His Ministers had worked diligently for a generation to reduce waste, corruption and obsolete ideas. The presence of modern warships, telegraph, electricity (one of the Emperor's palaces was wired in 1891) and railroads would only be the most visible symbols of "Self-Strengthening" Movement. Just as important was the vast investment in Universities and not the kind that taught calligraphy and philosophy. Imperial colleges teaching mechanical sciences, medicine, etc were encouraged and subsidized.
The Middle Kingdom was now becoming more and more self-sufficient in iron, coal and other production, highly important in the modern age. China's economy was diversifying rapidly and moderately high tariffs not only brought in revenue but protected Chinese industry in much the same manner as American tariffs had done for the past 50 years.
However, all was not well in China. There was a belief that the Chinese Navy, though growing, had fallen behind Japan. Worse, Japan was not only routing the Russian animals to the north but seemed to be acting with utter impunity, as if the opinion of the Mandarin did not matter in the slightest.
The Chinese Shipyards, though having made much progress, still had not proven capable of constructing ships as modern as the most recent Japanese products. The best Chinese Warships remained American in construction.
With Japanese ambition apparently bottomless, how long would it be before the Japanese eyes turn towards the Joseon Kingdom, Taiwan, the Ryuku Islands and Vietnam?
For generations, the foreigners had bedeviled Asia but the Mandarin's Ministers could imagine a day when the Japanese may prove a more intractable foe.
For the moment, though, the Chinese would remain neutral while watching the war very, very closely.
December, 1892
Washington
The news of the humiliating defeat to Chile had finally reached the American telegraph which distributed the intelligence throughout the country. In six years of office, Sherman had never seen such vitriol.
Still, the public outrage was high enough (it was assumed that Chile had fired first per the initial reports but, really, who could say?) that Sherman was able to get Congress to declare war.
What he did not know was that Brazil and Chile had already signed a mutual defense pact.
Gran Chaco
The Argentine invasion of the Gran Chaco would swiftly inspire resistance from Paraguay and Brazil. Though the Uruguay River remained under Argentine control, the allies would still manage to funnel 15,000 men into the Chaco region of western Paraguay and blunt the Argentine offensive.
Bolivia on the other hand, which was facing invasion from the interior in the Chaco and the coast (the Litoral) would continued to do what it usually did in such situations: absolutely nothing.
If the Bolivian government had any strong opinions on America declaring war on Chile, theoretically on their behalf, the Bolivians made no real effort to express them.
India
The leadership of the Indian Rebellion (or 3rd Mutiny depending on who you ask) was far more educated and possessed of institutional authority as thousands of Indians had joined the Civil Service and served in high-ranking positions.
There were also a growing number of native officers in the Indian Army, though only a few had reached ranks above Captain. Still, this would provide a much greater level of military leadership than previous Mutinies.
A greater hindrance would be the lack of overall strategic planning on the part of the Indians as the concept of "India" seldom resonated among the linguistically, ethnically and geographically diverse subcontinent. It was primarily among the college students and soldiers who would mix with a large cross-section of Indian society. Otherwise, Bengalis and Punjabis seldom thought of themselves as "one people", much less Hindus and Muslims.
For years, the British had successfully played one faction against the other in order to conquer India with its own resources. The British would turn to the Muslims, Sikhs and other religious or racial minorities for support as well as some of the native Princes who had long since learned that defying the British meant the end of their reigns.
Taking a continent-wide strategy would pay dividends as the local Indian rebellions seldom supported one another.
However, in recent years, some western political theory had arrived in India and many of the more Radical students would gravitate to this new Communist doctrine written by men named Engels and Marx. While these Christian and Jewish philosophers apparently held anti-religious feelings (something the Hindus would not countenance), there seemed to be enough flexibility to incorporate religion into the idealized society bereft of the landlords which had soaked so much from the Indian peasant.
Years before, the British attempted to suppress reading of such material but eventually gave up in the face of reforms supporting Free Press.
Nephi
Banned
This is a very war filled 19th century, I'm sure it speeds up technology.
And I like the little Canada, I don't think they'll ever join even if the only thing they have going is, we're not America.
I get why the US grabbed a Connecticut sized bit of Quebec direct access to the Saint Lawrence. I'm assuming that ends just outside of the borders of Quebec City.
And I like the little Canada, I don't think they'll ever join even if the only thing they have going is, we're not America.
I get why the US grabbed a Connecticut sized bit of Quebec direct access to the Saint Lawrence. I'm assuming that ends just outside of the borders of Quebec City.
Yes, that is correct. I had America seizing parts of southern Quebec solely for the purposes of taking it after the Anglo-American war of 1861.
Chapter 246
January, 1893
Vladivostok
For the past several months, the Japanese soldiers billeted in the torched city of Vladivostok had struggled to construct shelters prior to the closure of the Harbor by ice. Very little could be constructed though beyond crude mud and stone huts. What little wood that was available was plainly expected to be burned by Spring.
However, the ill-prepared Japanese would not get such luxury of huddling in their shelters over the winter. The Russians, having spent months gathering forces from Eastern Siberia, would do what the Japanese thought unthinkable. 18,000 Russian troops, in the heart of a blizzard, charged into the city, now cut off by sea from Japan.
The Japanese soldiers had not created defensive fortifications of note due to the shortage of materials. Taken utterly by surprise, the Japanese exited their barracks and fought back with almost fanatical courage. However, the Russian numbers, equipment (rifles, etc) which had been designed to operate in subzero temperatures and cold-weather clothing would keep them warm even as the Japanese, not accustomed to 30 degrees below zero, would wilt under pneumonia and frostbite.
The initial Russian attacks would be, with great difficulty, held off by the Japanese. However, the Russians would score a great bit of luck when several makeshift buildings bearing most of the Japanese supplies would be burned to the ground in the battle. By the end of January, the besieged Japanese would begin to starve.
Singapore
Having hastily repaired as many of their ships as possible, the Japanese Imperial Navy would sail southwards at last.
For the past several months, postponed by the great distances between Japan and Great Britain, diplomats had exchanged assorted accusations and threats. However, with Great Britain already mired in a major rebellion in India, it seemed unlikely that Malaya would be a priority.
Thus, the nine warships, twenty transports and twenty-two cargo ships would cross the proverbial Rubicon and sail into Singapore Harbor where the British garrison and squadron would be utterly shocked by the development. For all the outrage over the Japanese attack on two British ships months prior, it was widely accepted that this was a case of mistaken identity. As the Japanese had expected the Russian Black Sea Fleet to sail through the Straits at that point, the night-time attack could even be explained and the diplomats tasked to agreeing upon the phrasing of the apology and some sort of token reparation.
But the Japanese were not in the mood to kowtow to foreigners any more. More importantly, the Malayan Peninsula and the fine harbor of Singapore was ideal for cutting off western intervention in the Pacific.
While there had been several plans to construct a massive defensive fortification along the harbor, this had not actually been started by 1893. Only a handful of already obsolete artillery emplacements had been constructed.
The Royal Navy vessels had received less than an hour's warning that the Japanese Imperial Fleet had been sighted approaching the Harbor.
Only three of the four British vessels present could even get under steam before the Japanese entered Singapore. The invaders would not waste any time with maneuver. Even as merchant ships desperately raised steam or sail in hopes of escape, the warships would pummel one another in the harbor until the outnumbered British ships were steam for the open sea in hopes of escape. Only one would make it, the other two sinking within hours of flight.
The single remaining British ship in Singapore and the two Russian vessels remaining at anchor (all under heavy repair) would be scuttled by the crews in order to prevent capture while the Japanese silenced the handful of land batteries.
While the initial Japanese invasion plan went well, the followup invasion proved far less well conceived. Confusion reigned as the transports and supply ships disgorged their contents along the entire length of the Harbor without any rhyme or reason. Only the lack of British resistance (the Indian Mutiny had pulled most of the British Army and Royal Marines stationed on Singapore to the subcontinent) allowed for the Japanese to land in comparative safety. The bulk of the European population would retreat northwards into Malaya where about 1200 British soldiers, 2000 native Sepoys and about 4000 militia were raised in the coming days to resist the invasion.
Vladivostok
For the past several months, the Japanese soldiers billeted in the torched city of Vladivostok had struggled to construct shelters prior to the closure of the Harbor by ice. Very little could be constructed though beyond crude mud and stone huts. What little wood that was available was plainly expected to be burned by Spring.
However, the ill-prepared Japanese would not get such luxury of huddling in their shelters over the winter. The Russians, having spent months gathering forces from Eastern Siberia, would do what the Japanese thought unthinkable. 18,000 Russian troops, in the heart of a blizzard, charged into the city, now cut off by sea from Japan.
The Japanese soldiers had not created defensive fortifications of note due to the shortage of materials. Taken utterly by surprise, the Japanese exited their barracks and fought back with almost fanatical courage. However, the Russian numbers, equipment (rifles, etc) which had been designed to operate in subzero temperatures and cold-weather clothing would keep them warm even as the Japanese, not accustomed to 30 degrees below zero, would wilt under pneumonia and frostbite.
The initial Russian attacks would be, with great difficulty, held off by the Japanese. However, the Russians would score a great bit of luck when several makeshift buildings bearing most of the Japanese supplies would be burned to the ground in the battle. By the end of January, the besieged Japanese would begin to starve.
Singapore
Having hastily repaired as many of their ships as possible, the Japanese Imperial Navy would sail southwards at last.
For the past several months, postponed by the great distances between Japan and Great Britain, diplomats had exchanged assorted accusations and threats. However, with Great Britain already mired in a major rebellion in India, it seemed unlikely that Malaya would be a priority.
Thus, the nine warships, twenty transports and twenty-two cargo ships would cross the proverbial Rubicon and sail into Singapore Harbor where the British garrison and squadron would be utterly shocked by the development. For all the outrage over the Japanese attack on two British ships months prior, it was widely accepted that this was a case of mistaken identity. As the Japanese had expected the Russian Black Sea Fleet to sail through the Straits at that point, the night-time attack could even be explained and the diplomats tasked to agreeing upon the phrasing of the apology and some sort of token reparation.
But the Japanese were not in the mood to kowtow to foreigners any more. More importantly, the Malayan Peninsula and the fine harbor of Singapore was ideal for cutting off western intervention in the Pacific.
While there had been several plans to construct a massive defensive fortification along the harbor, this had not actually been started by 1893. Only a handful of already obsolete artillery emplacements had been constructed.
The Royal Navy vessels had received less than an hour's warning that the Japanese Imperial Fleet had been sighted approaching the Harbor.
Only three of the four British vessels present could even get under steam before the Japanese entered Singapore. The invaders would not waste any time with maneuver. Even as merchant ships desperately raised steam or sail in hopes of escape, the warships would pummel one another in the harbor until the outnumbered British ships were steam for the open sea in hopes of escape. Only one would make it, the other two sinking within hours of flight.
The single remaining British ship in Singapore and the two Russian vessels remaining at anchor (all under heavy repair) would be scuttled by the crews in order to prevent capture while the Japanese silenced the handful of land batteries.
While the initial Japanese invasion plan went well, the followup invasion proved far less well conceived. Confusion reigned as the transports and supply ships disgorged their contents along the entire length of the Harbor without any rhyme or reason. Only the lack of British resistance (the Indian Mutiny had pulled most of the British Army and Royal Marines stationed on Singapore to the subcontinent) allowed for the Japanese to land in comparative safety. The bulk of the European population would retreat northwards into Malaya where about 1200 British soldiers, 2000 native Sepoys and about 4000 militia were raised in the coming days to resist the invasion.
Chapter 247
February, 1893
The Chincha Islands
Having spent weeks in Callao attempting to fix her boilers, the USS Yakima under Captain Robley Evans was the new core of the American Pacific Squadron and was finally fit enough to sail. The Connecticut and Superior, while sustaining damage, had not suffered enough to go into long term drydock. The guns remained functional and the engines powerful. What was more, the American sailors were humiliated and filled with a desire for vengeance after their defeat to the Chileans at Antofagasta.
A full report of the situation had been sent to America but no response could be expected yet. Thus, Captain Evans (unofficial Fleet Captain now) would assume command and determined to protect Callao, the port of entry to Lima. The Chileans had long threatened to invade the Peruvian Capital.
Apparently confident, the Chileans prepared to do just that.
The Prat and the Simpson, the Loire-class heavy battlecruisers had both sustained damage at Antofagasta and spent some time in Valparaiso. However, the Chileans drydock facilities were less than suited for efficient repair of two ultra-modern French warships and only modest repairs had been made. Still, the Chilean Government would demand the fleet sail northwards to destroy the rest of the American fleet. As the Iowa and Yakima were the two most powerful and modern ships of the American Pacific Fleet, the destruction of the Yakima would not only open the gates to Peru but severely restrict any potential American counterattack.
The Prat and the Simpson would lead a flotilla of four ships (two lighter and older corvettes) northwards towards Callao with the intent of shifting the Americans from their port. However, the Prat was slowed by engine trouble, allowing several commercial vessels to arrive in Callao and give warning to the Americans and their dysfunctional Peruvian allies.
The Yakima and her heavier escorts, the Connecticut and Superior, would sail out to repel the invaders. However, Captain Evans was uncertain what to do with the two torpedo ships, the USS Tijuana and USS Victoria. Evans was more than willing to utilize them but the light vessels would also be an easy mark in a standup fight in broad daylight.
Fearing being left behind, the new commander of the USS Tijuana, Lieutenant Leland Stanford (his commander having been relieved for gallstone surgery in Lima), would propose a radical idea: he recommended that the Captain set a trap and utilize the light American ships in the matter than best suited their capacity.
Instead of hovering off the port of Callao, the Americans would sail to the southern port of Pisco to intercept the Chileans at sea. The Tijuana and Victoria would position themselves at an angle off the nearby Chincha Islands. When the two fleets of heavier ships engage, the torpedo vessels would strike.
Evans found the junior officer's idea intriguing. The Captain had witnessed several demonstrations of the power of the Whitehead torpedoes and bore no doubt that they could puncture a hull. But the accuracy of the torpedoes was up for debate.....and the light armor of the Norfolk-class vessels would provide no protection from a heavy shell hurled by a Loire-class.
But Evans would be willing to take the risk.
The Americans sailed south and, perhaps by providence, reached Pisco and the Chincha Islands before the Chileans. For several hours, the heavier ships would maneuver, attempting to find the range from long distances. Eventually, both parties would slowly approach, accepting that they were placing their own ships within range of enemy fire (there was always the expectation that somehow a fleet could fire on its enemy without that enemy being able to fire back).
The two forces would begin to find the range as dusk fell. The Yakima was struck a glancing blow and the Superior would suffer a number of casualties after a shell exploded only a few feet from her hull.
Both of the larger Chilean ships, though, took shells from the rapid-firing and accurate American gunners. Both began smoking but the fires would soon be suppressed and none of engines or heavy guns were out of commission.
It was under this curtain of billowing smoke that the two Norfolk-class ships raced inland under cover of approaching darkness. Neither of the larger Chilean ships even took their heavier guns from the Yakima and her escorts. Instead, the two smaller Chilean Corvettes, whose smaller guns had no hope of reaching the Yakima, would turn a sputtering fire towards the Tijuana and Victoria. Neither came particularly close, though, and the torpedo vessels would fire the first of their two torpedoes upon the Prat at a range of 180 yards.
While many nations had developed torpedoes and experimented with placing them on small vessels (or even larger ones), none had developed the technology or the tactics as well as the Americans. Having witnessed their coastlines bombarded during the Anglo-American War of 1861 (which coincided with the War Between the States which also saw Union ships bombarding Confederate coastlines), the development of small vessels capable of severely damaging larger counterparts was exceptionally intriguing.
The two Whitehead torpedoes would run true. The first, fired by the Victoria, would careen directly into the Prat's forward hull, only 20 years from the prow. By happenstance, both the French and Italian heavy vessels tended to have lighter arbor near the bow of the ships and the torpedo could not have chosen a better spot to land.
The torpedo fired from the Tijuana would not reach the Chilean ship, though. One of the Corvettes, frustrated by the lack of success in their cover fire would steam forward in hopes of landing a blow and take the torpedo amidships. Unlike the Prat, the slimmer corvette would not merely suffer a massive hole carved into her hull, but the ship would be nearly broken in half. So violent was the destruction that the forward half of the ship tore itself loose and capsized while the aft of the ship continued to steam forward as the props maintained their momentum.
The Prat immediately began dragging to the port side as the gaping hold near her prow severely reduced her speed.
Captain Evans of the Yakima, who had not really held GREAT hopes over the potential of the torpedo ships, would not waste time making a tactical decision to turn about and engage in battle at knifepoint. He ordered the Yakima, Connecticut and Superior in line and charged the Simpson, now the sole Chilean ship in line (the second Chilean Corvette having turned to aid its stricken colleagues). The American vessels would land several strikes upon the Simpson with only a glancing blow to the Connecticut in response. Several fires erupted, a boiler was knocked out and one of the heavy guns knocked off its bases.
Then the Americans sailed on towards the Prat which was attempting to come about at roughly 1/4 normal speed. Two more hits on the Prat would start some more secondary fires and strike the bridge, killing the command crew at the vital moment.
However, as the Americans turned about, they found that the battered Simpson had similarly returned to battle despite her scars and wounds. The bloodied vessel attempted to cover for her fellows and the Yakima took another blow. However, all three American vessels would furiously return fire, concentrating on the Simpson. Half a dozen more hits and the forward guns of the Simpson were eliminated, fires spreading throughout the fore of the ship. So terrible was the billowing cloud of smoke that the engine rooms had to be evacuated. The ship slowed to a halt.
Captain Evans signaled for the Superior and Connecticut to take the Simpson or sink it.
The Yakima would turn about towards the Prat, which was now wallowing near the coast attempting to turn about. The ship would run aground for lack of command coming from the bridge and lodge itself. However, the massive artillery weapons still were functional and the approaching Yakima was suffer the worst hit of the entire affair to one of her forward guns. Several bags of powder were struck as well, leading the Captain to believe the enormous smoke indicated a fatal wound.
Evans ordered a withdrawal as the torpedo boats came about, uncertain of their next move. The Yakima would offer no orders thus the Lieutenant Commander of the Victoria would signal the Tijuana to follow and took a direct coarse for the beached Prat.
At 600 yards, the Chilean battlecruiser began firing upon the darting American vessels, each waiting until the optimal range of 200-250 yards out for torpedo accuracy. Unfortunately, at 450 yards, a shell from the Prat land perfectly amidships the USS Victoria, blowing her apart like a child's toy stomped by a giant.
Still, Lieutenant Stanford would hold course and fire off her remaining torpedo at 300 yards and turn away before the Chileans could reload. The torpedo would run true and plunge into hull near her aft, separating her props and effectively crippling the vessel.
However, the guns continued to fire and the USS Tijuana would flee for her life, rejoining the Yakima and the rest of the fleet.
The final Chilean Corvette would take aboard a few dozen of the survivors of the other smaller Chilean vessel and steam south at best speed.
The fires aboard the Simpson would grow out of control and the senior surviving officer would strike the colors and abandon ship. The Prat, hours later, would be scuttled when it became abundantly clear that the vessel could not be saved. The crew was put off in lifeboats before the Americans even returned to finish her off.
Neither of the two Loire-Class ships sank but burned to the waterline and were later towed to Callao for scrap.
The battered American heavy ships, all three having taken wounds, would limp back to Callao in somewhat less than glorious fashion as two of the Yakima's boilers blew again.
The Chincha Islands
Having spent weeks in Callao attempting to fix her boilers, the USS Yakima under Captain Robley Evans was the new core of the American Pacific Squadron and was finally fit enough to sail. The Connecticut and Superior, while sustaining damage, had not suffered enough to go into long term drydock. The guns remained functional and the engines powerful. What was more, the American sailors were humiliated and filled with a desire for vengeance after their defeat to the Chileans at Antofagasta.
A full report of the situation had been sent to America but no response could be expected yet. Thus, Captain Evans (unofficial Fleet Captain now) would assume command and determined to protect Callao, the port of entry to Lima. The Chileans had long threatened to invade the Peruvian Capital.
Apparently confident, the Chileans prepared to do just that.
The Prat and the Simpson, the Loire-class heavy battlecruisers had both sustained damage at Antofagasta and spent some time in Valparaiso. However, the Chileans drydock facilities were less than suited for efficient repair of two ultra-modern French warships and only modest repairs had been made. Still, the Chilean Government would demand the fleet sail northwards to destroy the rest of the American fleet. As the Iowa and Yakima were the two most powerful and modern ships of the American Pacific Fleet, the destruction of the Yakima would not only open the gates to Peru but severely restrict any potential American counterattack.
The Prat and the Simpson would lead a flotilla of four ships (two lighter and older corvettes) northwards towards Callao with the intent of shifting the Americans from their port. However, the Prat was slowed by engine trouble, allowing several commercial vessels to arrive in Callao and give warning to the Americans and their dysfunctional Peruvian allies.
The Yakima and her heavier escorts, the Connecticut and Superior, would sail out to repel the invaders. However, Captain Evans was uncertain what to do with the two torpedo ships, the USS Tijuana and USS Victoria. Evans was more than willing to utilize them but the light vessels would also be an easy mark in a standup fight in broad daylight.
Fearing being left behind, the new commander of the USS Tijuana, Lieutenant Leland Stanford (his commander having been relieved for gallstone surgery in Lima), would propose a radical idea: he recommended that the Captain set a trap and utilize the light American ships in the matter than best suited their capacity.
Instead of hovering off the port of Callao, the Americans would sail to the southern port of Pisco to intercept the Chileans at sea. The Tijuana and Victoria would position themselves at an angle off the nearby Chincha Islands. When the two fleets of heavier ships engage, the torpedo vessels would strike.
Evans found the junior officer's idea intriguing. The Captain had witnessed several demonstrations of the power of the Whitehead torpedoes and bore no doubt that they could puncture a hull. But the accuracy of the torpedoes was up for debate.....and the light armor of the Norfolk-class vessels would provide no protection from a heavy shell hurled by a Loire-class.
But Evans would be willing to take the risk.
The Americans sailed south and, perhaps by providence, reached Pisco and the Chincha Islands before the Chileans. For several hours, the heavier ships would maneuver, attempting to find the range from long distances. Eventually, both parties would slowly approach, accepting that they were placing their own ships within range of enemy fire (there was always the expectation that somehow a fleet could fire on its enemy without that enemy being able to fire back).
The two forces would begin to find the range as dusk fell. The Yakima was struck a glancing blow and the Superior would suffer a number of casualties after a shell exploded only a few feet from her hull.
Both of the larger Chilean ships, though, took shells from the rapid-firing and accurate American gunners. Both began smoking but the fires would soon be suppressed and none of engines or heavy guns were out of commission.
It was under this curtain of billowing smoke that the two Norfolk-class ships raced inland under cover of approaching darkness. Neither of the larger Chilean ships even took their heavier guns from the Yakima and her escorts. Instead, the two smaller Chilean Corvettes, whose smaller guns had no hope of reaching the Yakima, would turn a sputtering fire towards the Tijuana and Victoria. Neither came particularly close, though, and the torpedo vessels would fire the first of their two torpedoes upon the Prat at a range of 180 yards.
While many nations had developed torpedoes and experimented with placing them on small vessels (or even larger ones), none had developed the technology or the tactics as well as the Americans. Having witnessed their coastlines bombarded during the Anglo-American War of 1861 (which coincided with the War Between the States which also saw Union ships bombarding Confederate coastlines), the development of small vessels capable of severely damaging larger counterparts was exceptionally intriguing.
The two Whitehead torpedoes would run true. The first, fired by the Victoria, would careen directly into the Prat's forward hull, only 20 years from the prow. By happenstance, both the French and Italian heavy vessels tended to have lighter arbor near the bow of the ships and the torpedo could not have chosen a better spot to land.
The torpedo fired from the Tijuana would not reach the Chilean ship, though. One of the Corvettes, frustrated by the lack of success in their cover fire would steam forward in hopes of landing a blow and take the torpedo amidships. Unlike the Prat, the slimmer corvette would not merely suffer a massive hole carved into her hull, but the ship would be nearly broken in half. So violent was the destruction that the forward half of the ship tore itself loose and capsized while the aft of the ship continued to steam forward as the props maintained their momentum.
The Prat immediately began dragging to the port side as the gaping hold near her prow severely reduced her speed.
Captain Evans of the Yakima, who had not really held GREAT hopes over the potential of the torpedo ships, would not waste time making a tactical decision to turn about and engage in battle at knifepoint. He ordered the Yakima, Connecticut and Superior in line and charged the Simpson, now the sole Chilean ship in line (the second Chilean Corvette having turned to aid its stricken colleagues). The American vessels would land several strikes upon the Simpson with only a glancing blow to the Connecticut in response. Several fires erupted, a boiler was knocked out and one of the heavy guns knocked off its bases.
Then the Americans sailed on towards the Prat which was attempting to come about at roughly 1/4 normal speed. Two more hits on the Prat would start some more secondary fires and strike the bridge, killing the command crew at the vital moment.
However, as the Americans turned about, they found that the battered Simpson had similarly returned to battle despite her scars and wounds. The bloodied vessel attempted to cover for her fellows and the Yakima took another blow. However, all three American vessels would furiously return fire, concentrating on the Simpson. Half a dozen more hits and the forward guns of the Simpson were eliminated, fires spreading throughout the fore of the ship. So terrible was the billowing cloud of smoke that the engine rooms had to be evacuated. The ship slowed to a halt.
Captain Evans signaled for the Superior and Connecticut to take the Simpson or sink it.
The Yakima would turn about towards the Prat, which was now wallowing near the coast attempting to turn about. The ship would run aground for lack of command coming from the bridge and lodge itself. However, the massive artillery weapons still were functional and the approaching Yakima was suffer the worst hit of the entire affair to one of her forward guns. Several bags of powder were struck as well, leading the Captain to believe the enormous smoke indicated a fatal wound.
Evans ordered a withdrawal as the torpedo boats came about, uncertain of their next move. The Yakima would offer no orders thus the Lieutenant Commander of the Victoria would signal the Tijuana to follow and took a direct coarse for the beached Prat.
At 600 yards, the Chilean battlecruiser began firing upon the darting American vessels, each waiting until the optimal range of 200-250 yards out for torpedo accuracy. Unfortunately, at 450 yards, a shell from the Prat land perfectly amidships the USS Victoria, blowing her apart like a child's toy stomped by a giant.
Still, Lieutenant Stanford would hold course and fire off her remaining torpedo at 300 yards and turn away before the Chileans could reload. The torpedo would run true and plunge into hull near her aft, separating her props and effectively crippling the vessel.
However, the guns continued to fire and the USS Tijuana would flee for her life, rejoining the Yakima and the rest of the fleet.
The final Chilean Corvette would take aboard a few dozen of the survivors of the other smaller Chilean vessel and steam south at best speed.
The fires aboard the Simpson would grow out of control and the senior surviving officer would strike the colors and abandon ship. The Prat, hours later, would be scuttled when it became abundantly clear that the vessel could not be saved. The crew was put off in lifeboats before the Americans even returned to finish her off.
Neither of the two Loire-Class ships sank but burned to the waterline and were later towed to Callao for scrap.
The battered American heavy ships, all three having taken wounds, would limp back to Callao in somewhat less than glorious fashion as two of the Yakima's boilers blew again.
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Chapter 248
March, 1893
Suez Canal
Having repeatedly demanded that the British and Egyptians reopen the Suez Canal in order to support their forces aiding their "allies" along the Somali coast against "Ethiopian aggression", the Italian Navy would dispatch her own blockading squadron of the Suez. Unlike the Royal Navy, which was currently spread thin across the world, the Italians and French were free to concentrate their naval forces where they pleased.
The Italians, without even consulting the French, would dispatch the bulk of their forces to the Suez, cutting off the Canal for the British as well.
Had the Italians known that the Ethiopians had routed the Italian/Somali forces on the Horn of Africa in January, they may have adjusted their actions.
As it was, the Italians would fire upon an Egyptian revenue cutter on the mistaken belief that this was a British torpedo ship. The outnumbered Royal Navy flotilla stationed near the mouth of the Suez would feel obligated to return fire and protect their ally. Within minutes, the situation devolved into a free for all in which the lighter British vessels were forced to evacuate the Canal Zone.
Hamburg
Though Great Britain had no real alliance with Germany, the Queen's Ministers would not bother to pretend neutrality and continue to ship war material (in violation of international law) to Germany.
Tired of this, Napoleon IV's Ministers would order a blockade of the city of Hamburg, on the mouth of the River Elbe. British Royal Navy and civilian Captains present were ordered to "get in the war or get the hell out".
Vladivostok
The winter of 1892/3 had been utterly miserable for the Japanese invaders. Unable to construct significant fortifications against Russian partisan incursion and mass formations, the Japanese were forced to huddle in trenches arduously carved from the frozen ground and behind barricades of rubble under the frigid Siberian sky. More Japanese died of disease and exposure than of battle wounds.....and there were MANY of battle wounds.
Of the 10,000 soldiers landed the previous fall, only 4000 remained and most of those had suffered lost digits to frostbite or their health devastated from hunger, disease and exposure. Indeed, without the high death toll, it was unlikely that the remainder would have enough food to survive to spring....though even this was on half, then quarter rations.
Only an early thaw to the ice in late March saved the Japanese. The first Japanese vessels to enter the harbor were provisions ships and the survivors of the garrison practically rioted to get aboard the ships and devour the food....often uncooked.
The Russians similarly did not waste time. Spring also heralded mud in Siberia and the Russians did not want to belay their offensive thus, as the winter slowly crawled towards spring and the snow remained on the ground, the Czar's troops attacked en masse. Over the winter, the supply line in Siberia, never efficient in any sense, would slowly accumulate powder, conscripts, etc and throw over 25,000 men at the beleaguered Japanese garrison.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Japanese would put up a furious resistance. Even the modest fortifications constructed over the winter would greatly aid in the defense. Warfare had changed with the technology, putting the advantage in the hands of the defenders (unless a massed artillery barrage proceeded an attack, something the Russians lacked the guns and powder to do).
Casualties were high but General Kuropatkin would not care and cold-heartedly sacrifice as many men as he needed to accomplish the goal. After nearly two days of constant attack, the Russians broken through various segments of the Japanese line, separating the defenders into isolated pockets. The Japanese, though, were disinclined to surrender and often died in their trenches. So outraged were the Russians that even the sick and wounded were not spared.
The final few hundred Japanese broke for the harbor in hopes of finding salvation on the handful of cargo ships still at anchor. However, only one Captain proved willing to dispatch longboats to the shore and rescue thirty-two soldiers.
By the time Kuropatkin regained control over the situation, only about 200 Japanese still lived to be taken prisoner and most of those were in severely ill-health. Only six would survive to return home after their internment in Siberia (most wouldn't even live to reach the Gulag a hundred miles north).
The Japanese invasion army of 1892 had ceased to exist. However, the war was not over as 20,000 more Japanese troops were being assembled for the second wave and would arrive in Vladivostok in April.
Washington
The Administration was still weathering the political storm over losing the USS Iowa and two other ships at Antofagasta when the news that Brazil was threatening war if America did not recall her forces from the Pacific coast of South America. Brazil's alliance with Chile remained in effect and, unless America wanted to suffer the same fate on the Atlantic, it would be best that the United States gave up this "Monroe Doctrine" nonsense.
Naturally, President Sherman could not accept these peremptory terms and rejected them. Thus, in March, Brazil declared war upon the United States. Emboldened by America's defeat to Chile, the obvious domination of the Brazilian/French/Italian fleet in the Rio Plata and the steady press of the Argentinian forces from the northern Gran Chaco would lead the Brazilian ministers to a sense of confidence that American opinions simply did not matter.
The Sherman Administration would appeal to Empress Isabel of Brazil, who had visited Washington and New York a few years prior to great acclamation, directly in hopes of halting the Brazilian Ministers' actions. However, they envoys arrived too late as the Empress had abdicated in favor of her 17 year old son, the new Emperor Pedro III of Brazil. Young and filled by his father Prince Gaston of Orleans (Count of Eu) with dreams of martial glory, the young Emperor would follow along with his government's plans.
Suez Canal
Having repeatedly demanded that the British and Egyptians reopen the Suez Canal in order to support their forces aiding their "allies" along the Somali coast against "Ethiopian aggression", the Italian Navy would dispatch her own blockading squadron of the Suez. Unlike the Royal Navy, which was currently spread thin across the world, the Italians and French were free to concentrate their naval forces where they pleased.
The Italians, without even consulting the French, would dispatch the bulk of their forces to the Suez, cutting off the Canal for the British as well.
Had the Italians known that the Ethiopians had routed the Italian/Somali forces on the Horn of Africa in January, they may have adjusted their actions.
As it was, the Italians would fire upon an Egyptian revenue cutter on the mistaken belief that this was a British torpedo ship. The outnumbered Royal Navy flotilla stationed near the mouth of the Suez would feel obligated to return fire and protect their ally. Within minutes, the situation devolved into a free for all in which the lighter British vessels were forced to evacuate the Canal Zone.
Hamburg
Though Great Britain had no real alliance with Germany, the Queen's Ministers would not bother to pretend neutrality and continue to ship war material (in violation of international law) to Germany.
Tired of this, Napoleon IV's Ministers would order a blockade of the city of Hamburg, on the mouth of the River Elbe. British Royal Navy and civilian Captains present were ordered to "get in the war or get the hell out".
Vladivostok
The winter of 1892/3 had been utterly miserable for the Japanese invaders. Unable to construct significant fortifications against Russian partisan incursion and mass formations, the Japanese were forced to huddle in trenches arduously carved from the frozen ground and behind barricades of rubble under the frigid Siberian sky. More Japanese died of disease and exposure than of battle wounds.....and there were MANY of battle wounds.
Of the 10,000 soldiers landed the previous fall, only 4000 remained and most of those had suffered lost digits to frostbite or their health devastated from hunger, disease and exposure. Indeed, without the high death toll, it was unlikely that the remainder would have enough food to survive to spring....though even this was on half, then quarter rations.
Only an early thaw to the ice in late March saved the Japanese. The first Japanese vessels to enter the harbor were provisions ships and the survivors of the garrison practically rioted to get aboard the ships and devour the food....often uncooked.
The Russians similarly did not waste time. Spring also heralded mud in Siberia and the Russians did not want to belay their offensive thus, as the winter slowly crawled towards spring and the snow remained on the ground, the Czar's troops attacked en masse. Over the winter, the supply line in Siberia, never efficient in any sense, would slowly accumulate powder, conscripts, etc and throw over 25,000 men at the beleaguered Japanese garrison.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Japanese would put up a furious resistance. Even the modest fortifications constructed over the winter would greatly aid in the defense. Warfare had changed with the technology, putting the advantage in the hands of the defenders (unless a massed artillery barrage proceeded an attack, something the Russians lacked the guns and powder to do).
Casualties were high but General Kuropatkin would not care and cold-heartedly sacrifice as many men as he needed to accomplish the goal. After nearly two days of constant attack, the Russians broken through various segments of the Japanese line, separating the defenders into isolated pockets. The Japanese, though, were disinclined to surrender and often died in their trenches. So outraged were the Russians that even the sick and wounded were not spared.
The final few hundred Japanese broke for the harbor in hopes of finding salvation on the handful of cargo ships still at anchor. However, only one Captain proved willing to dispatch longboats to the shore and rescue thirty-two soldiers.
By the time Kuropatkin regained control over the situation, only about 200 Japanese still lived to be taken prisoner and most of those were in severely ill-health. Only six would survive to return home after their internment in Siberia (most wouldn't even live to reach the Gulag a hundred miles north).
The Japanese invasion army of 1892 had ceased to exist. However, the war was not over as 20,000 more Japanese troops were being assembled for the second wave and would arrive in Vladivostok in April.
Washington
The Administration was still weathering the political storm over losing the USS Iowa and two other ships at Antofagasta when the news that Brazil was threatening war if America did not recall her forces from the Pacific coast of South America. Brazil's alliance with Chile remained in effect and, unless America wanted to suffer the same fate on the Atlantic, it would be best that the United States gave up this "Monroe Doctrine" nonsense.
Naturally, President Sherman could not accept these peremptory terms and rejected them. Thus, in March, Brazil declared war upon the United States. Emboldened by America's defeat to Chile, the obvious domination of the Brazilian/French/Italian fleet in the Rio Plata and the steady press of the Argentinian forces from the northern Gran Chaco would lead the Brazilian ministers to a sense of confidence that American opinions simply did not matter.
The Sherman Administration would appeal to Empress Isabel of Brazil, who had visited Washington and New York a few years prior to great acclamation, directly in hopes of halting the Brazilian Ministers' actions. However, they envoys arrived too late as the Empress had abdicated in favor of her 17 year old son, the new Emperor Pedro III of Brazil. Young and filled by his father Prince Gaston of Orleans (Count of Eu) with dreams of martial glory, the young Emperor would follow along with his government's plans.