God Save These American States

[Virginia Liberal]

The Holy Roman Empire/Germany Part I


On December 24, 1806 the leaders of the Kingdom of Bavaria, the Prussian Empire The League Of German Christian Republics (Soon to be the United Republic of Germany), The Bohemian Empire, The Kingdom of Hungary-Croatia, and The Republic of Slovenia met in Geneva Switzerland where they drafted the Treaty of Geneva. This treaty ended hostilities between the former parts of the Holy Roman Empire. Emperor Fransis II officially dropped all claim to the title of Emperor over the German States outside of the Area Controlled by Bohemia, and recognized the Successor states to the old Holy Roman Empire. All Parties agreed to recognize each other as independent states and drop all claims on each other territory. The Treaty of Geneva ended the two years of Terror in the German States and transformed the Feudalistic German States into Modern Nation States.


But Before Christmas Eve 1806 There was the Terror.


The League of German Christian Republics was perhaps the organized and strongest of all of these Franciscan/Plebeian Republics that had come about from the Great revolution. It was a Union of the various Christian Republics though out Northern Germany and along Rhine and Danube Rivers. The league based itself out of the City of Kassel in roughly the center of its most geographically united body. The LGCR was very large in the beginning however as the military and political situation evolved the League unlike the other Franciscan/Plebeian republics was able to adapt with these changes. From 1805 though 1807 the League was engaged in a four front war fighting Bavaria and Bohemia in the south Prussia and Great Britain (a token force) in the east and north, and France in the west. To the German Republicans this was an unwinnable position to be in. still for a year and a half the armies of the League protected the core of the league form all changers. On June 17, 1806 The Eastern Army lead by Volksgeneral Gerhard von Scharnhorst; 38,500 strong defeated the Prussian 1st Army 57,000 strong led by Hans Ernst Karl, Graf von Zieten at the battle of Brunswick. Brunswick was followed by Soltau on July 24, 1806 where the Northern Army 32,500 strong halted the British, Hanover Royalist, and Prussian VI Corps 60,000 men lead by Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge the younger brother of King George IV. The Battle is marked by the death of the British Duke at the height of the battle word of which caused the Army’s moral to crash and the army routs with in two hours following the Duke’s death. His body is turned over to the British forces following the battle as a token of good will. These victories will stop any fighting in the Northern parts of the LGCR.

Volksgeneral Gerhard von Scharnhorst

To the South the Bavarians have had a much easier time dealing with the Plebeians. Prince Ludwig leads an army of 45,000 men to Stuttgart where he defeats a gathering Plebeians Army on June 25, 1806. Ludwig follows this up with a victory at Wurzburg on July 3, 1806. Following this victory Ludwig’s father the Elector-Prince Maximilian IV of Bavaria declare himself Maximilian I King the new Kingdom of Bavaria. In creating his kingdom he created a constitution for his lands to that it could forgo the struggles that came from the lack of such documents. The Bavarian Constitution of 1806 created a two-house parliament based upon the British model with a House of Commons and a House of Nobles. The House of Commons was elected by the population at large with suffrage granted to all men of 21 years of age, or older, or any man serving in the military. The House of Nobles were seated by the landed nobility of the Kingdom, with these seats passed down through the families. granted large amounts of power to the King as the Royal Authority. Under Royal Authority the King could enact any needed legislation that the kingdom needed provide that the Parliament failed to do so. The King also had the Repeal ability. The Royal Repeal removed any law that the king deemed harmful to the nation.

Elector-Prince Maximilian IV/King Maximilian I of Bavaria

Meanwhile in the East the Prussian Empire kept a defensive stance toward the LGCR allowing the British, Bavarian and Bohemians to deal with them. The reason for this was the existence of the Norse Christian Republic in the Grand Dutchy of Jutland. Kaiser Ludwig I ordered the Prussian Army to crush the revolt with full force. He dispatches General Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, Fürst von Wahlstatt with an army of 58,000 men. The well-disciplined trained and armed Prussian soldier made quick work of the Revolting Danish would be defeated in four pitched battles over the summer of 1806. The First of the Fatal Four as these battles would become know as was Keil, on June 21, 1806 The start of von Blucher’s summer offensive. There his I, II and IV Corps 30,100 men would engaged the Norse Republican Army 1st Division 24,000 men strong it was a slaughter with 5,000 Danish being taken prisoner. Keil was followed by the Battle of Hiede that took place on the same day There the Norse Republican Army 2nd Division 15,000 strong engaged The Prussian III, and V corps just over 20,000 men commanded by Major General Jan Henryk Dabrowski. Once more the well trained Prussian (and Polish) troops defeat the Norse Army Taking an Additional 3,500 men captive. The Danes would fall back to Flensburg where they would give battle once more on July 17, 1806. The Battle of Flensburg would show that the Danes were learning to fight as even though they still lost the battle they cost the Prussians 3,000 killed and wounded. Aarhus would be the sight of the fourth battle taking place after a long scorched earth campaign. The Battle would take place on July 29, 1806. The Danes were so out numbered at this point that it was almost no challenge for Blucher. The Prussians were unaffected by marching though the waist left by the retreating Danes Jutland was simply too small for this tactic to work effectively. After just two hours of Battle the Danes surrendered. With their main field army gone the Government of the Norse Christian Republic boarded one of the few ships they had and fled to the Union of Iberian Republics on the Night of July 31st.

General Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, Fürst von Wahlstatt

Major General Jan Henryk Dabrowski

Next Time in Holy Roman Empire/Germanies Part II The Rise of the Bohemian Empire, Slovenian Republic and the United Kingdom of Hungary-Croatia

 

[Alpha-King98760]

I love it!!!

 

[Virginia Liberal]

League of German Christian Republics (Soon to be re-branded simply the Union of German Republics)

The Kingdom of Bavaria

The United Kingdom of Hungary-Croatia

The Kingdom of Bohemia

The Slovenian Republic

Still working on the next up date but some flags to tide you over.

 

[Alpha-King98760]

Has the flag of the Kingdom of France remained the same as OTL?

​

 

[Virginia Liberal]

Has the flag of the Kingdom of France remained the same as OTL?

​

No see Royal Revolution noble rebellion chapter back on page two. The flag of the kingdom of france is a white cross on a blue field with flur-der-lis on it (i know i butchered that but to be fair its 5am here and i just woke up)

 

[Alpha-King98760]

No see Royal Revolution noble rebellion chapter back on page two. The flag of the kingdom of france is a white cross on a blue field with flur-der-lis on it (i know i butchered that but to be fair its 5am here and i just woke up)

Oh thanks.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

You're Welcome

The Flag of the Kingdom of France 1787-present

 

[Alpha-King98760]

You're Welcome

The Flag of the Kingdom of France 1787-present

Thanks.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

Holy Roman Empire/Germanies Part II The Rise of the Bohemian Empire, and the United Kingdom of Hungary-Croatia

Venna, Austria December 29, 1805

Fransis II by the Grace of God elected Roman Emperor, ever Augustus, hereditary Emperor of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary and Bohemia sat in his office of the The Hofburg Palace His loyal Austrian Troops doing their best to hold back the mob of peasants besieging the city, he had received his reply from Hungary the Magyars had refused to send him the troops he had called for instead inviting him to Buda. Francis was appalled by this turn of events but with the city of Vennia on the verge of falling to the Franciscan Plebeians he had to go somewhere so in the middle of the night he his family and a good portion of his loyal forces fled the city to Bohemia which was still at least loyal on paper.


Buda, Hungary January 1, 1806

For the Hungarian’s there was no time to wait for Francis to change his mind they had they things to do and an Empire of their own to build. They already had their own constitution just waiting to take effect, on January 15, 1806 the date that they had set but it required a monarch for it to be accepted by all the people of the realm they wished to rule, so on January 8, 1806 they went to their local Hapsburg Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary bringing a copy of their Constitution of Saint Stephen with them. Joseph met with them at his palace at Alcsútdoboz and looked over the Constitution he asked for three days to read it over and think on the subject. Three Days later he contacted the Magyars Council in Buda and agreed to take on the titles King of Hungary, King of Croatia, and Prince of Transylvania. His wife the Russian born Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna would become Queen Consort Alexandra. With that done the United Kingdom of Hungary-Croatia was born on January 15, 1806, The Hungarian’s sent out embassies to the other nations of Europe and for the most part would be accepted by the major powers of Europe by the end of the year. In the Meantime Hungary politely excused themselves from the mess that Germany had become and started a program of nationalistic indoctrination, and reform with in the kingdoms, government, and military; dead wood was eliminated and new younger officers were installed, leading up to the first Diet Elections under the new constitution in November 1806. This break with the rest of the house of Hapsburg (aka Francis II) would never heal and the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Kingdom of Hungary-Croatia would suffer continued cold relations for generations to come, which set them up to be played against each other by the other powers that would seek to control the fate of Europe in the second half of the 19th Century.

During this interim period political parties blossomed with as many flavors as there are colors of the rainbow, however by the election four had risen to national dominance. The Imperial Monarchist Party a deeply conservative monarchist party focused on restoring the glory of the Hapsburg Monarchy to its glory at the height of the Holy Roman Empire. The Franciscanist Party of St. Stephen’s Crown a branch of the Spanish Franciscanist movement. The Constitutional Monarchist Party: Centered around the concept of a strong stable monarchy that is regulated by the written law and division of power created by a constitution. Then lastly the Republican Party of St. Stephen The true republican party of the Kingdom without any of the religious due dah thank you very much.

The Election would take place on November 17, 1806. The House of Magnates 300 Seats where appointed by Joseph I this house was non partisan due to them all being of noble rank. The House of Representatives 450 seats showed the true feelings of the country Hungary’s 150 seats were divided up with CMP 75, IMP 25, Republicans 20, Franciscanist 10 other Independents 20. Croatia’s 150 seats went IMP 75 CMP 50. Republican 20, other Independents 5. While Transylvania’s 150 seats went Republican 75,CMP 30, IMP 25, Franciscanist 5, other Independents 15. Total seats CMP 155, CMP 125, Republican 115, Franciscanist 15, Independents 40. The CMP and IMP agreed to work together to create a monarchist majority along with 15 of the 40 independents for a 270 seat majority, at the request of the King. Joseph I then appointed the leader of the CMP the largest member of the alliance Mezei Ákos as the first Minister-President. Joseph would appoint Christopher Andrew Báthory as the first High Lord.

Key elements of the St. Stephen’s Constitution

- Monarch

o is Head of State and in that role, appoints the Minister President to lead the Diet. And is the only person who call for a declaration of war to the fully assembled Diet. All laws much have the Monarch’s seal before becoming law, the Monarch has both full veto and line item veto.

o Is commander of the Armed Forces. Appoints the Grand Marshal of the Army and Grand Admiral of the Navy.

o The Monarch heads the Government Council. This committee acts like the British cabinet, it consist of the following seats

§ The High Lord of the House of Magnates

§ The Minister President of the House of Representatives

§ The Foreign Minister Appointed by the High Lord.

§ Minister of the Treasury Appinted by the Minister President

§ Minister of the Realms Appointed by the King form either house

§ The Grand Marshal of the Army

§ The Grand Admiral of the Navy.

- Diet (Parliament): Bicameral the Upper house of Magnates made up of nobility appointed by the King. And the Lower House of Representatives elected by the common folk. Both houses are equal and both must approve any bill the other passes before it goes before Royal Review.

o House of Magnates

§ 300 members split between the three realms with each kingdom being represented by 100 nobles appointed by the king. Seats are reassigned ever 10 years. The House of Magnates is lead by the High Lord who is appointed by the King.

o The House of Representatives

§ Has 450 seats divided equally between the three realms with each realm getting 150 seats, seats are elected by any male over the age of 21 or serving in the military, seats are held by the elected person for a 3 year term. The Minister President is the leader of the House of Representatives and is appointed by the King, generally form the party with the most seats, but not always.

- Regional Governments: The United Kingdom of Hungary-Croatia shall have three regional Diets below the National Diet. These Regional Diets shall oversee local domestic laws as long as regional laws do not violate National Laws. Hungary, Croatia and Transylvania shall each have a regional Diet. Regional Diets shall be composed of 50 Magnate Seats, and 50 common seats, they will be headed by the Governor-General appointed by the King.


Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia June 28, 1806

Francis I of Bohemia was not happy. Elsewhere in Europe he had once been known as Francis II Holy Roman Emperor and King of Hungary however the last four months had seen most of those stripped form him and now he found himself stripped of all but Bohemia and even here his power was threaten. The Bohemians had greeted him with a Constitution and if he wished to keep the throne then he would have to play ball. This constitution stripped him and his heirs of most of their power as Monarchs. They would be left with the role of Commander in Chief of the Military, have a veto over any laws passed by the Parliament and be responsible to appoint the Prime Minister, who would form the governing cabinet which the monarch would chair but only have a tie breaking vote. Francis was appalled by this and at first refused to sign but then his wife Maria Theresa ask him “If not here then where shall we go? The Germanies are lost to us, Hungary and Croatia is lost to us, Will you be a King in Bohemia or a beggar in Parris, Berlin, or London?” after this gut check from his wife Francis agreed to the constitution of Bohemia and in return the Bohemians sent an army south to capture Venna, which would fall on October 17, 1806 the duchies of Upper and lower Austria, Moravia, and Silesia before the end of 1806. These duchies would be incorporated into the Kingdom of Bohemia, which would at the insistence of Francis I of Bohemia rebrand its self the Bohemian Empire, on March 7, 1807.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

Thread marks updated to the most recently posted chapter

 

[Virginia Liberal]

Joseph I King of the United Kingdom of Hungary-Croatia.

Buda Castle Residence of the King of Hungary-Croatia

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The war of 1805 began on September 11, 1805 when a Great Lakes Confederacy War band lead by Big Tom Bloody Elk attacked the town of Toledo the Federal Republic of America’s state of Erie. This attack ended with the sacking, and Pillaging of the town. This resulted in the President Hamilton calling for a declaration of War on the Great Lakes Confederacy five days later on September 16, 1805; Hamilton’s Declaration of War would pass by a vote of 15 for 0 opposed.

A Great Lakes Confederacy War band

The same day that the Senate was voting to declare war of the Great Lakes Confederacy back in the State of Erie the 1st, 5th, Legions and the Erie State Guard were already putting their fall campaign plan in action. On September 12, 1805 Major General James Leonard McCoy ordered his 1st legion across the border his objective was the village of Bear’s Tavern (otl Fort Wayne In) which sat on the British Supply road running from Fort Detroit to Forts George III and Prince Charlotte on the Ohio River. Then he would move his force to cross Little Council River (Otl Tippecanoe River) at Blue Bird Village (otl Monticello IN) At the Same time along the banks of the Ohio River Major General Willard Kirk Fisher had his 5th Legion west marching toward the Great Lakes Confederacy’s fortress known as Bloody Stone Hall (Near Otl Mt. Carmel Ind on the peninsula created byt the joining of the White and Wabash Rivers) . This Fortress dominated the southern approach to Council Creek Town (otl: Terre Haute) once it had fallen then the southern rout would be clear. The Erie State Guard would advance up the center between the two Legions they would secure the Flanks of both and ensure supply lines were protected.


The Campaign started off well On September 31, 1805 the 1st Legion arrived at the crossroads village of Bears Tavern and easily drove off the 1,000 or so Confederacy Warriors that had gathered there. General McCoy left a garrison of 1,500 infantry 2 field guns and 50 cavalry to guard the cross road and Marched out the next morning. Likewise in the south General Fisher encountered a sizable war band of about 3,000 warriors and the village of Owl Creek, on September 28, 1805 This battle was also a victory for the Federals with Fisher loosing less than 100 men in the action. Increasing his scouting party and screens he marched on.


The Erie State Guard would not fare as well as the two legions did. Brigadier General Butler and his men ran into much stiffer resistance in the form of constant hit and run attacks, this cause The Guard begins to fall behind the two legions that it was flanking.


The First major battle of the war would occur at Blue Bird Village here was one of the few stone bridges that crossed the Little Council Creek River. Blue Bird Village and its bridge was defended by Thomas Wolfboold. He had under his command 8,500 Warriors and 3 small old cannons, knowing that the Federals would most likely come here at some point he had ordered his med to clear away the brush and trees from the eastern approach to the bridge. And to place the brush on the western sides of the bridge, in this brush bushes and trees he placed his cannon and loaded them with grape shot or as many small rocks as they could. McCoy’s 1st Legion arrived at the Bridge on October 10, 1805 He ordered his field guns to deploy on the ridge to the east of the bridge and village. He ordered his artillery to open fire at 12:00 noon once they were fully deployed. He allows two hours of bombardment before he sent word for the 1st Sub Legion to cross the bridge and secure the western end of the bridge. When the 1stCohort was almost at the edge of the bridge the Confederacy’s Cannon’s opened up on the bridge Fort the first two Cohorts it was a slaughter. But the remaining three cohorts pushed though the dead and dying men however it was not till almost 1700 that the Federalist had a bridge head across the River. The final assault would begin at 1800 hours. The Second Sub Legion would lead the way up the heights beyond the bridge once more Thomas Wolfblood’s men put up the fight of five times their number but as the sun set the Federalist held the heights. But it had been a costly affair the Federalist had lost 1,500 men killed with another 2,000 wounded or missing. The Confederacy’s War band had lost 1,000 men killed and 2,000 men wounded or missing. Wolfblood had his men with draw in good order toward the south. The next morning McCoy’s victory was soured as he learned that Butler had been stopped and his supply lines were open to attack and indeed several supply wagons had been captured by Confederacy Raiders. To combat this McCoy dispatch his cavalry and the more battle worn of his cohorts back to guard the supply lines form Bear’s Tavern to Blue Bird Village; He also set up a winter camp here to wait for reinforcements.

General McCoy leads The First Legion up the Hieghts on the West Bank of the Little Council Creek River at climax of the Battle of Blue Bird Bridge

To the South General Fisher’s offensive reached Bloody Stone Hall on the evening of October 31, 1805 he found the fortress located at the Junction of the Council Creek River (Otl Wabash) and the Sunfish River (otl White). The Fortress sat on a manmade hill, that dominated the area. Under the cover of darkness he had his men cross the Sunfish River and cut the fortress off form its land side, These men immediately started to entrench for a siege. His other Sub Legion occupied the West and southern banks of the Council Creek and Sunfish Rivers respectfully opposite the fortress and placed his guns on the best ground he could find. Fisher also made use of Two steam powered River boats that the Federal Navy built at New Dublin (otl:Cincinnati). On November 8,1805 Fisher would launch an assault on the fortress. His infantry advanced with the coming of dawn and for 6 hours gave a good fight but they were repelled with heavy losses. Fisher settled his boys back into their siege trenches and decided to wait out the Confederacy’s Warriors; winter was coming and he had open supply lines.

one of the Steamboats that the Federal Navy used to supply General Fisher's siege of Bloody Stone Hall


Inside the fortress the Confederacy’s Commander Bloody Bear Claw knew that he was in trouble he was now cut off and even though the fort was well stocked for twice the 2,500 warriors he had under his command The mornings assault was a very close thing he had thrown them back with his last reserve unit. Yet time had to be bought for their British allies to come to the aid and he and his men were determined to buy that time whatever the cost.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The Irish Revolution 1805-1811



The Irish Revolution is the longest running of any of the revolution cause by the Troubles and by far the most destructive of any of the troubles. The Irish Troubles started out simply enough on a July day in 1804 in the city Dublin where the Holy Church of the Works of Christ of Ireland was founded. Roughly a year and a Half later the Leader of the HCWCI John Murphy, pet with other radical political and industrial leaders such as Wolfe Tone, Henry Joy McCracken, and Lord Edward FitzGerald. This meeting on November, 15, 1805 would set the stage for the December Revolt and the beginning of six years of bloodshed, and forced migration for the Irish People.



The Rebellion Kicked off on December 21, 1805 the same day that the Royal Navy’s Fleet left headed toward the Coast of America. There was no one spark point on that faithful day or at least the British could never identify it, but when the Sun came up on the 21st every city, town and village in Ireland erupted in Rebellion. British Soldiers, Sailors, and the hated landlords were hung in the streets, and by the end of the day the British Presence in Ireland was reduced to the Northern Protestant counties. When he learned of it the following morning King George IV erupted into a rage. He summoned the Parliament where the demanded that an army be raised to quash this Irish Revolt. Parliament consented as much as William Pitt hated to do and the Government summoned an Army 45,000 strong to crush the Irish rebellion.



The only traditional campaign took place between April 17, 1806 and April 30, 1806. This campaign saw the Irish Rebel army lead by Tone crushed in front of the city of Cork on April 21, 1806. In this pitched battle Tone’s Army was crushed losing 5,000 men out of 18,000. However following the battle Tone dispersed the bulk of his forces to fight a backwoods war against the British. On April 30, 1806 Tone surrendered the Irish Army just 2,500 men strong at this point to the British. By June 15, 1806 Every major city in Ireland was occupied. However as the British Commander Major General Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis soon found out the battle for Ireland had just started and anytime his troops left the cities they came under vicious hit and run attacks. The situation in Ireland continued to decline and as a result on October 10, 1806 Parliament authorized an additional 60,000 troops to be sent to Ireland, it was the first of many increases in the number of troop under Cornwallis’s command between 1806 and 1808. By the Fall of 1808 when parliament authorized the last 15,000 man increase the British Empire had 175,000 troops in Ireland. The Lack of progress lead Lord Cornwallis to state “We seem to be stuck in quagmire the irony of this is the harder we fight to get out the deeper we sink. “ and King George IV to state in 1808 “Damn to Hell all Irishmen The Isle would serve us better if it were empty.”

Battle of Cork

The feelings behind these two statements would lead to a first in British History on March 8, 1809 the House of Commons passed the Irish Detainment Act. This law ordered the Royal Army to collect Irish men women and children from the country side and place them into controlled Camps. Movement in and out of these camps would only happen under armed escort; the act also outlawed the Holy Church of the Works of Christ of Ireland. The Irish Detainment Act took effect on April 1, 1809 by the end of the year over 2.5 million Irish lived under armed guard and still resistance continued but with fewer places from which to draw support it was dealt a major blow. The Detainment Act would be followed an even more drastic law passed by the Parliament in 1810. This law was the Irish Deportation Act. The Deportation Act had two parts the first part took effect on March 1, 1810 and gave Irish who could afford it 90 days to book passage to other areas of the world that would take them. Following that 90 day period the second part kicked in This part called for the Forced Deportation of All Irish who may have been in or supported the Rebellion To the new Colony of St. Patrick’s Isle on the Islands of New Zealand. Between the summer of 1810 and the December 11,1812 Lord Cornwallis would carry out these laws to the letter. Irish families around the world would work hard to bring their family members out of Ireland during the 90 days, however most would be deported starting June 1, 1810.

New Dublin, Colony of Southern Erie

The Results of these laws would result in over 3.9 out of 5 million Irish leaving the Emerald Isle between 1810 and 1811. Of these 3.9 million 1,900,000 would immigrate to the United States of New England, the Federal Republic of America and the Commonwealth of American States. The remaining 2 million Irish would end up in what in our timeline would become the northern island of New Zealand where they would rebuild their culture. The Irish Rebellion had other major impacts upon the world it kept the British from bring their full weight to bear on the Federal Republic of America and the Commonwealth of American States in the War of 1805. In Britain the Irish Rebellion would see the fall of William Pitt the younger’s government.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

its not dead life is crazy for me here is a map of Europe post troubles

Countries of Europe by Region

Western Europe

The Kingdom of Portugal

The Union of Iberian Christian Republics

The Kingdom of Andorra

Kingdom of France

The Kingdom of the Netherlands

Switzerland

The British Empire

Central Europe

Gold United Republic of Germany

Blue The Bavarian Empire

Navy Blue The Prussian Empire

Green The Bohemian Empire

Southern Europe

The Kingdom of Sardinia Piedmont

The Italian Empire

The Papal States

The Republic of Slovenia

The United Kingdom of Hungary-Croatia

The Byzantine Empire

Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, The balkins and the Near East.

The Swedish Empire

The Russian Empire

The Princapality of Bulgaria

The Ottoman Empire

Sultanate of Nejd

 

[Virginia Liberal]

War of 1805: 1806 Sprig campaigns Part I

In London the war between the Federal Republic of America and the Great Lakes Confederacy was seen in an unfavorable light; as they wanted the Indians to act as a buffer between British North America and the American Republics. The fact that the Confederacy had in all appearances started the war with the Federal Republic of America; then after starting it had proceeded to let the Federals come close to wiping their nation off the face of the earth. Worst of all this had happened while Britain’s old sore spot Ireland appeared on the cusp of rebellion once more. These feelings left the British Government spilt on whether or not they would support the Great Lakes Confederacy in their self-inflicted war. That was until the morning of November 24, 1805 when the Liberty’s Light a schooner flying the flag of the Federal Republic of America (but with a New English Crew) was spotted by the HMS Hermes as she approached the Irish coast the Liberty’s Light was stopped and searched. Under barrels of salted cod the Royal Marines found boxes of gunpowder and crates of Muskets, and Rifles. Liberty’s Light was seized at once. The news of an American gun runner off the Irish Coast on top of the fact that their client state was getting its butt handed to it together and with King George IV’s public call for war gave William Pitt and the Tories what they needed to declare war on the Federal Republic of America on December 1,1805. Orders were drawn up for a fleet of 75 warships Commanded by Rear Admiral Horatio Nelson and an additional 20,000 troops under the command of Major General Banister Tarleton to be dispatched to America to reinforce the already 55,000 men stationed on the continent. Word of the Declaration of War was sent ahead on a fast mail ships one headed to New York City, the other to Canada to inform the British troops and citizens there.

Banister Tarleton

In America things were progressing at a slow pace with both armies being encamped for the winter. On November 12, 1805 President Hamilton called up an additional 30,000 militia men to add to the active troops and these units were being worked into the existing five legions and five guards units. When the RMS Mercury arrived in New York Harbor on December 22, 1805. The Captain delivered his sealed communications the British ambassador and then made the ship ready to take the British diplomats back to Kingston, Jamaica. The Biritish Ambassador met with Hamilton at 5 pm that evening to deliver the declaration of war in person. and the Senate set plans in motions to move the Government to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania if it looked like the British would attempt to seize the New York City. Hamilton also called up any and all militia men not in federal service to reinforce the coastal garrisons. The Federal Navy under Admiral Richard Dale would set sail at first light to Providence Rhode Island, orders were sent out to the other fleet ports for the fleet to concentrate there, From there the Fleet would respond to any moves the Brits could make on New York City. The Fact that Rhode Island was part of the neutral United States of New England was ignored by both the Federal Repulbic of America and the State Government of Rhode Island.

The Royal Navy arrived off the coast of New Jersey on January 19, 1806. Admiral Nelson split his command up into three divisions North, Central, and South. North Division would consist of 40 warships, Central and South Divisions would consist of 15 warships each. Nelson’s plan was to engage the Federal Fleet and inflict such damages upon it that would be knocked the out of the war; he would then land Tarleton’s men and take New York City which would become the Royal Navy’s base of operations.

The battle of Long Island Jan 25, 1806

Word of the British arrival reached Admiral Dale on January 21, 1806. Dale viewed the fact that the British had only brought 40 warships to New York City as an opportunity to engage the Royal Navy on close to even terms and destroy it piece by piece. He had managed to muster a fleet of 57 warships at Providence. This fleet consisted of all three of the Federal Navy’s Independence class 88 gun Ships of the Line, and all ten of the Federal Class 44 gun heavy Frigates, that core group aside his fleet consisted of twenty sloops with 24 guns and fifteen brigs and sloops 14 guns or less; lastly he had hired 9 privateers out of Providence. Dale’s plan was to sail his fleet out to sea then attack the British form the east, forcing them towards the coast and the harbor defense guns and shallow waters would in theory turn the odds of the battle in his favor. The battle began with the first contact between the two fleets at 10am. Dale’s Flagship the 88-gun FNS Independence leading the Federal Navy line of battle came charging out of the morning sun. Nelson was caught off guard at first; however, he quickly set out ordering his fleet to battle. The two fleets slugged it out for over six hours with several bloody boarding actions on both sides; but in the end Nelson refused to be driven into the shallows and with fifteen ships of the line to Dale’s three it was only a matter of time before Dale was forced to with draw his ships to keep his fleet intact. To keep the British honest if nothing else. As the smoke cleared The Federal Navy had lost one ship of the line, five Heavy Frigates, and nine sloops and seven brigs plus 2 of the Rhode Island Privateers. Dale retreated east by southwest arriving at Wilmington North Carolina two days later to refit his ships. Dale had no way in knowing how warm of reception his battered fleet would receive. Nelson has not gotten off free and clear. The Royal Navy has lost four ships of the line, eight frigates, and seven sloops or smaller vessels. However, the Federal Navy had been dealt with so Nelson chose to press on with the next step of the plan.

Nelson would wait just eight days before launching his attack on New York City. January 29, 1806 dawned a crisp cold clear New York morning; just before Dawn Tarleton’s 20,000 men were landed on the Rockaway Peninsular. As soon as they were organized they began to march north toward the harbor defense batteries on the Brookland Heights. Then with the rising sun behind them the Royal Navy entered the Harbor and engaged with the Defense batteries and the few small warships that the Federal Navy had left in the harbor. The battle of New York Harbor lasted for 9 hours and 30 minuets. By Noon the Batteries in Brookland had been silenced by Tarleton with no quarter shown, and no prisoners taken. By dusk however the Royal Marines had captured Bedlovs, and Ellis Islands. As night fell only the Manhattan battery, and the Forts of Governors Island still held out. The next morning things turned bad. A squadron of five ships centered around the 74 gun ship of the line HMS Armageddon sailed up the Hudson River with the intent of engaging the Battery from the North while the 100 gun HMS Britannia’s group attacked it from the south. It is unclear which group of ships fired into the city or whether it was intentional or accidental, however at 11 am on January 30, 1806 New York City was hit by British shells. The Armageddon Squadron was confused but soon it was decieded that bombardment of the city was the actual objective. By the end of the day city was burning in several locations. The fire caused panic in the ranks of the New York City Militia garrison and the general population that was still in the city. This panic prevented the fire brigades from doing there jobs by January 31, 1806 the city was completely ablaze; and would burn for three days. On February 3, 1806 Tarleton Crossed the East River and easily drive out the remnants of the New York Militia still on Manhattan after the fires had died down. By the end of February 3, 1806, the only American forces in New York City and Harbor was the garrisons of Fort Jay and Williams Castle {1} on Governors Island. Tarleton would leave a holding force in Manhattan but he would encamp the bulk of this forces on Long Island. Nelson would dedicate a force of ships to blockade and bombard Governors Island, however he had secured a harbor in American territory to act as a supply base for the Fleet and future land campaigns.

{1} Due to Hamilton's military focus Castle William was completed in 1803

 

[Virginia Liberal]

Ripples in the Water

The Burning of New York City sent shock waves through the American Republics. To the south these shock waves would set off a month-long debate in the Commonwealth of American States House of Delegates, over the proper response to this action by the British; With Chancellor Monroe asking the Commonwealth Congress in a joint session for a Declaration of War upon Great Britain and her Indian Allies on February 12,1806. “We must Stand Resolute and unwavering in our resolve that the Red Coated minions of the King of England; be he George III; George IV, or George C (100) shall not aim to reclaim one foot of soil of the American States Be they in this Commonwealth or in one of our Brother Republics. We may not agree from time to time be we are all the sons and daughters of the spirit of 1776.” Chancellor Monroe addressing the Joint session of the Commonwealth Congress. However, this met with resistance form James Madison’s Commonwealth Charterist Party. “I don’t disagree with our esteemed Chancellors request personally; but I question if such a request should be put to this august body. Our Commonwealth has not been attacked by Britain nor her allies. Instead Chancellor Monroe asks us to be the aggressor and I say that such a request is not with in the spirit of the commonwealth charter that empowers this government.” James Madison Declaration of War debate Feb 21, 1806. Finally, on February 28, 1806 Speaker of the House Mercer suggested an amendment to the Declaration of War that limited any territorial gains the Commonwealth could seek in a treaty after the war to territory with in the former United States Northwest Territory and the Islands of the Caribbean. This satisfied enough of Madison’s men to get the Declaration of War passed on March 7, 1806.

Chancellor James Monroe (State Nationalist Alliance-Va 1805-1814)

Commonwealth Delegate James Madison (Commonwealth Charterist Party-Va) (Speaker of the House of Delegates 1796-1805)

The Commonwealth was not the only one of the republics to face this choice to the North the United States of New England was having a similar debate. Consul St. Clair favored neutrality while Consul Adams favored joining the war. The Congress was little help as no three delegates could agree on even to bring a Declaration of War to the floor for a debate. Then the fates intervened The British Ambassador in Boston gave the Consuls an ultimatum as the Federal Navy used a New England port to stage for the Battle of Long Island, New England could either Join with Britain, or declare a strict Neutrality allowing both sides to use her ports or interning both sides that entered her ports, or they could face war with Britain. In the face of the Congress buckled and on February 15, 1806 the True Neutrality Act was brought to the floor. It declared that New England would trade freely with all nations, showing no side in the current hostilities undue favor. The True Neutrality Act would pass the next day February 16, 1806. With Consul St. Clair signing it as Adams was out ill that day. To months to the day later on April 16, 1806 the New English Reunion Society was formed in New Hampshire its goal was to reunite the New English States with the British Empire as an equal partner with London.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

Ok I got a question for those of you who follow this TL (or anyone else for that matter). I'm working on TTL Canada analog But I cannot chose between two final versions of the name; so which sounds better? The Crown Federation of New Albion or the Royal Federation of New Albion?

I'm staying away of the Word Imperial as it pops up very often when dealing with Canada or Australia or New Zealand. Let me know what you think. also hopefully next update by Tuesday.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The Ohio Campaign of 1806 Commonwealth of American States vs. British Empire and Great Lakes Confederacy Part I

March 8, 1806

The Congress may have taken its sweet time in voting for war but the Commonwealth Military was more than ready to enter the war. Just a day after the Commonwealth declared war on the British Empire and the Great Lakes Confederacy; the Commonwealth Army launched and invasion of The Great Lakes Confederacy aimed at securing control of the Northern Bank of the Ohio River for the Commonwealth. Major General Henry Lee IV commander of the 40,000 strong Commonwealth Army of the Ohio crossed the Ohio River; Lee is riding with the 25,000 strong 1st Corps of his army commanded by Major General Benjamin Smith (1) They cross the river at Fort Washington Va (2) Once across Lee and Smith turn west and head for Fort George III and the small city of Georgetown that exist to the north of the fort. At the same time Major General William Henry Harrison commanding the 15,000 strong 2nd Corps of the Army of the Ohio cross the river at Hanson’s Ferry (3). Once across he also turns west and heads for the town of Charlotte and the Fort Princess Charlotte from whom the town takes its name.

The Battle of Fort Princess Charlotte.

Harrison’s second corps arrived at the town of Charlotte the east bank of the Big Council Creek River just before dusk on March 8th, Harrison ordered his cavalry to move quickly and secure the draw bridge that across the river before the town could alert the fort His Cavalry Commander Brigadier General James Welborn. With the crossing secure Harrison moved his force across the river and deployed his men and artillery under the cover of darkness. March 9th dawned bright and clear, Harrison’s men were awoken with the rising sun after about 7 hours of rest. General William Harrison chose to waist little time and ordered his artillery to open fire on the British Fort. Much to his surprise his 12 and 6 pounder field artillery would soon be joined by the two 110 pounder guns of the FNS Bombard as she steamed back and fought in the Ohio River. Fort Princess Charlotte was a combination earthwork and wooden palisade fortress much smaller than the Massive Masonry Fort George III, it was armed with forty seven12 pounder field guns and 8 heavy 110 pounder naval guns; it was manned by a garrison of 2,500 British regular Infantry and due to the war there was also 3,500 man strong ban of Great Lakes Warriors.

The Bombardment would go on till one in the afternoon when Harrison ordered the guns to hold. The fort’s wooden inner buildings were burning and the earthwork and timber batteries had seen better days but were very much still intact. With his shell starting to run low Harrison lit the Green rocket that singled to his Brigade commanders that it was time to attack. In one of the most beautiful moments in battle all three Virginian Brigades 5,000 men each fixed Bayonets and started advancing on the fort. When they reached the 100 yard mark from the fort the Brigadier Generals ordered the charge Bulges blared and The Virginians broke into a run bayonets at the ready letting lose a battle cry that sounded like nothing the Brits had ever heard before On that day the Southern Yell was born. When they were a mere 10 yards away the British and their Indian allies opened up with a barrage of Grapeshot and buck and ball. The Front ranks of the Virginian Brigades melted away but the rear lines kept coming. By one thirty pm they were in the fort and all semblance of order end it was a melee bayonet, sword, axe and knife. It would take 4 hours before the last of the fighting ended, and the smoke cleared it was the Virginians who carried the day but it was a bloody one. Harrison lost 3,500 men killed in the assault, with and additional 2,500 wounded; for a total of 6,000 casualties among them was Brigadier General William Clark commander of the 9th Virginia Rifle Brigade who caught a grapeshot ball in the leg during the final charge he would live, his close friend Colonel Meriwether Lewis commander of the 115th Rifle Regiment would not be so lucky he stopped a Warriors axe with is face and would die from his wounds. The British would see their garrison reduced by three fourths of their number; and the survivors captured. As the Sun set the Commonwealth and Virginian Flags were raised on the north Bank of the Ohio, the First Fort had fallen. Harrison would rest for two days before leaving the Recovering General Clark in command of the fort with a garrison of 2,000 infantry and marching west with what remained of his corps to join up with Lee.



(1) who had been George Washington’s Aid-de-camp back in the Revolution

(2) OTL Paducah Ky

(3) OTL The Green River State forest area) at the junction of the Green and Ohio Rivers

 

[Virginia Liberal]

Virginia Liberal​

The Siege of Fort George Begins
To the West Henry Lee IV found himself faced with a fully manned and stocked Fort King George III, a completely different prospect than what Harrison had faced. Fort King George III was a large masonry star fort that dominated the convergence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. It mounted just over fifty heavy 68 pounder guns, and over one hundred smaller 12 pounder field guns. Fort George III was manned by a British garrison of 10,000 regulars, and 8,500 warriors of the Great Lakes Confederacy. When it came to the prospect of a siege the fort was stocked with enough provisions for a year fully cut off from supplies.

Lee set up his headquarters in the Georgetown town hall and had his men start digging siege trenches, he and his men settled down for a long siege. Following the fall of Fort Prince Charlotte three batteries of 42 pounder heavy artillery pieces were floated down the Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers from Armories in Charleston Va, Nashville, Nc and New Dublin Ga{1}. Lee would not have his heavy artillery fully in place until March 25, 1806, at dawn on the March 27, 1806 Lee would give the order to fire to Colonel Winfield Scott the commander of the assembled Heavy Artillery Battalion, This would start a year long bombardment the longest in the history of North American Warfare at that conclusion of the war. The longest battle of the war had begun.

Major General Frederick Oxfort

British 68 pounder at fort George III

Commonwealth 42 Pounder heavy artillery




The Fall of Council Creek Town

April 3, 1806 Commander Bloody Bear Claw looked out over the battlements of his nation’s great fortress. Spring was in the air but in his heart it was still winter. His force inside the Fortress was still well fed and ready for a fight but as he looked out he could see that the Federalist force had grown over the winter; and they had gleefully shared news that the Southerners had driven the British out of their fort to the south. Bloody Bear Claw new that soon they would try his defenses once more there was no escape he was completely surrounded his men knew this and were ready to make the Federalist bleed if no when they tried; and he would make sure that Bloody Stone Hall lived up to its name and went down in the history books. As he slept that night gods granted him a vision, he must five up on what it lost for now. The gods told him that he would lead his forces north to a great fortress on the lakes and their ensure that his people’s belief’s and way of life is preserved

On the other side of the lines Major General Fisher spent the night with his divisional commanders out lining the finalized plans for the assault on the fort in the morning. Artillery bombard meant would start with the first light of the day. The Infantry that would begin its advance three house after the start of the bombardment. The meeting lasted until 9 pm that night when Fisher and his officers turned in for the night. Fisher was awakened at dawn by his gunners who were insisting that the enemy forces were here to talk turns under a white flag. Commander Bloody Bear Claw and Major General Fisher would meet in a tent set up between the Siege lines and the Fort. Bloody Bear Claw offered to surrender the fortress without any further bloodshed he would surrender all the artillery pieces in the fort and not destroy the provisions or the battlements. In exchange his men got to keep their firearms and their horses for those who had them. Fisher new that McCoy would be attacking Council Creek Town any day now so he added that all of Bloody Bear Claw’s men receive parole papers stating they will not partake in combat between any Federal or Commonwealth soldiers. Bloody Bear Claw agreed to this terms and signed the terms of surrender at 08:30 on April 4, 1806. Fisher had the steamships bring up some printing presses from Washington, Erie. He would spend the next two day issuing parole passes to the Confederacy Warriors, all of whole marched out of the fort at dawn on April 7, 1805 headed for Fort Detroit. Dawn of April 8, 1806 would see Fisher detach 500 men to garrison the fortress and marched north to link up with McCoy.

General McCoy and the First Legion were reinforced over the course of the winter and now numbered 31,000 infantry and 2,500 cavalry with 7 batteries of artillery in support. McCoy and the First legion would begin marching south towards Council Creek Town on April 15, 1806 however he was constantly harassed and engaged with delaying actions would keep him from arriving at Council Creek town until the end of May 10, 1806, and is men bloodied by the march. Yet this worked in the federalist favor as it put the 1st and 5th legions arrived at the same time, giving the Federalist a total of 55,000 infantry 3,500 cavalry and 14 batteries of field artillery, facing them was 30,000 Confederacy Warriors with only hand full of artillery pieces commanded by the leader of the Great Lakes Confederacy Great Chief Thomas Laughing Dog. The Battle of Council Creek Town would begin at first light on May 11, 1806, with the First Legion crashing into the Northern flank of the Confederacy’s lines while the 5th Legion attacked the southern flank. The Warriors fought tooth and nail for every yard the federalist gained they lost ten men, and in the end it was the sheer determination of the Federalist men that kept them pushing forward. By noon the fighting had moved back into the city itself. As their situation got more and more desperate the defenders fought harder and harder, yet one has to wonder if they knew that their hope was lost, but still they fought on till dusk when the last pockets of resistance were broken. The battle of Council Creek Town had taken a full 14 hours and set a new record in casualties The Federals lost 3,500 killed with another 5,300 wounded and 2,500 missing at the close of battle; of the Confederacy’s Warriors 10,000 escaped under the cover of darkness, and another 5,000 were captured the rest were killed or wounded. Amongst the dead was Great Chief Thomas Laughing Dog. The Federalist had taken the capital of the Great Lakes Confederacy and destroyed the bulk of its armed forces. However both the 1st and 5th legions were out of the war effort for the rest of the spring and summer campaign seasons.

Thomas Laughing Dog


{1} Decatur Al

 

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Bloody Bear Claw

You do realize that many of us recognize that as an OTL picture of Tecumseh, right?