God Save These American States
Also the British St. Louis is much larger than the FRA/former Louisiana St. Louis
FRA Map is fix I'm leaving it South St. Louis for now you'll see why at the end of the Decade.
Next Up date will pick up with the spring campaigns of 1843
Next Up date will pick up with the spring campaigns of 1843
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The Bloody Decade:Commonwealth-Colombian War:The Six Weeks Battle
The Second Battle of Villa de Curra
The Second Battle of Villa de Qurra would begin on April 7,1843. Major General Vanguard’s Southern Army of South America (Southern Army) was stronger than it had ever been after receiving the bulk of the 80,000 reinforcements, it was comprised of 110, 000 Infantry, 18,000 Cavalry, 15 batteries of Field guns and 8 batteries of Horse Artillery.
To the west Major General Fernandez’s 22nd Field army had also been reinforced it now contained 75,000 Infantry, 12,000 Cavalry/Dragoons supported by 12 batteries of field guns, 2 batteries of horse artillery and 6 batteries of heavy 68 pounder naval guns. His men were deployed in a entrench line running north to south across the valley ancored on the mountains to the north and south. This line was a series of trenches, breastworks and earthen forts. The strongest of these forts sat atop of a 900 feet high hill in the center of the valley; it had been cleared of trees and turned into one big earth and timber fort, in which 2 of the 6 batteries of 68 pounder guns had been placed where they had a commanding field of fire into the valley. This fort the Colombians had named La Dominadora (the Dominatrix).
Upon the discovery of the Colombian fortified line was a shock to the Commonwealth soldiers who had been expecting another stand up engagement. Vanguard would take his time assembling his army before he began his attack, he aimed at trying to turn the Colombians’s left flank which looked to be open on the northern side of a large hill at the northern edge of the valley, quietly his staff wondered if it was a bad sign that the Colombian guns had been quiet till now.
Colombian Trenches in front of Villa de Curra
As soon as the attack began that all changed the Colombian guns that could bare on the Commonwealth troops erupted including the heavy cannons on the heights. Vanguard’s attack was beaten back before it even reached the Colombian lines. Seeing what he was up against now he had his reserve divisions begin entrenching to provide themselves with some cover from the Colombian guns. Under the cover of darkness the men of the Southern Army entrenched and by the break of dawn on April 8th they had decent if shallow earth works and trenches in place. For the next five weeks the two armies traded artillery fire and sniped at each other, they would probe the other’s line trying to find a weak spot only to be repulsed, each time. Then on the Morning of May 12th Major General Ambrose Patton commander of the Cavalry Division came to Vanguard’s headquarters with a local Bolivian citizen. The man said that he knew a route though the mountains to the south that would allow them to get behind the Colomiban lines. Patton urged his commander to allow him to take his division and flank the Colombians. Vanguard agreed but told Patton to leave 2,500 troopers here with the army just in case, he also sent three red signal rockets with Patton. Patton was to fire them off before he attacked so that Vanguard could coordinate an assault with the beginning of Patton’s.
It would take Patton and his troopers five days before they came out of the steep and narrow mountain trails that lead them to the rear of the Colombian line however in the predawn hours of May 19th Patton launched his three red signal rockets and readied his men for a charge.
To the East both the Colombians and the Commonwealthers saw the rockets for the Colombians there was a moment of wonder as to why signal rockets were going up from their rear, when every piece of artillery that Vanguard had opened up on the Colombian’s lines. The Colombian Artillery returned fire but they had the rising sun in their eyes. Then waves of Infantry started pouring out of the trenches; at the same time Patton’s Cavalry some 15,000 men came charging up out of the west. Major General Fernandez and his staff were quickly captured when Patton and his staff arrived at the Colombian General’s headquarters in person. Faced with attacks from the front and rear many of the Colombian infantry began to panic in the trenches many men threw down their rifles and surrendered however the forts continued to fight. Slowly over the next three days the forts would fall one by one until only La Dominadora was left in the fight. When many of his men wounded and powder and shot starting to run low Colonel Luis Aranda ordered his guns spiked and surrendered on the evening of May 22, 1843. Finally the guns were silent and the Second Battle of Villa de Cura or the Six Weeks Battle as it came to be called was over.
Patton's Charge
Major General Ambrose Patton
The Next Morning Major General Vanguard and three of his battered divisions would march north and occupy the Cities of Maracay,La Victoria, and Magdaleno and begin fortifying them. While the rest of the army tended to the wounded and the prisoners. Of the 75,000 Infantry, 12,000 Cavalry/Dragoons supported by 12 batteries of field guns, 2 batteries of horse artillery and 6 batteries of heavy 68 pounder naval guns that the Colombians started off with 5,000 had been killed another 16,000 wounded all of the artillery was either destroyed or captured and 60,000 men had been captured including Major General Fernandez, and his staff, the Entire 22nd Field army had been erased from the face of the earth.
The Commonwealth Southern Army did not escape unscathed; they lost 12,000 men Killed and 20,000 wounded as well as 3 batteries worth of field guns destroyed. (although a battery's worth would be replaced with captured Colombian guns.). Yet the Objective had been met the Colombian’s overland supply route had been cut; and the destruction of the 22nd Field Army meant that it would take time for the Colombians to challenge the Commonwealth’s positions. Major General William Vanguard was hailed as a hero despite the butcher's bill that had been paid for the victory.
The Second Battle of Villa de Qurra would begin on April 7,1843. Major General Vanguard’s Southern Army of South America (Southern Army) was stronger than it had ever been after receiving the bulk of the 80,000 reinforcements, it was comprised of 110, 000 Infantry, 18,000 Cavalry, 15 batteries of Field guns and 8 batteries of Horse Artillery.
To the west Major General Fernandez’s 22nd Field army had also been reinforced it now contained 75,000 Infantry, 12,000 Cavalry/Dragoons supported by 12 batteries of field guns, 2 batteries of horse artillery and 6 batteries of heavy 68 pounder naval guns. His men were deployed in a entrench line running north to south across the valley ancored on the mountains to the north and south. This line was a series of trenches, breastworks and earthen forts. The strongest of these forts sat atop of a 900 feet high hill in the center of the valley; it had been cleared of trees and turned into one big earth and timber fort, in which 2 of the 6 batteries of 68 pounder guns had been placed where they had a commanding field of fire into the valley. This fort the Colombians had named La Dominadora (the Dominatrix).
Upon the discovery of the Colombian fortified line was a shock to the Commonwealth soldiers who had been expecting another stand up engagement. Vanguard would take his time assembling his army before he began his attack, he aimed at trying to turn the Colombians’s left flank which looked to be open on the northern side of a large hill at the northern edge of the valley, quietly his staff wondered if it was a bad sign that the Colombian guns had been quiet till now.
Colombian Trenches in front of Villa de Curra
As soon as the attack began that all changed the Colombian guns that could bare on the Commonwealth troops erupted including the heavy cannons on the heights. Vanguard’s attack was beaten back before it even reached the Colombian lines. Seeing what he was up against now he had his reserve divisions begin entrenching to provide themselves with some cover from the Colombian guns. Under the cover of darkness the men of the Southern Army entrenched and by the break of dawn on April 8th they had decent if shallow earth works and trenches in place. For the next five weeks the two armies traded artillery fire and sniped at each other, they would probe the other’s line trying to find a weak spot only to be repulsed, each time. Then on the Morning of May 12th Major General Ambrose Patton commander of the Cavalry Division came to Vanguard’s headquarters with a local Bolivian citizen. The man said that he knew a route though the mountains to the south that would allow them to get behind the Colomiban lines. Patton urged his commander to allow him to take his division and flank the Colombians. Vanguard agreed but told Patton to leave 2,500 troopers here with the army just in case, he also sent three red signal rockets with Patton. Patton was to fire them off before he attacked so that Vanguard could coordinate an assault with the beginning of Patton’s.
It would take Patton and his troopers five days before they came out of the steep and narrow mountain trails that lead them to the rear of the Colombian line however in the predawn hours of May 19th Patton launched his three red signal rockets and readied his men for a charge.
To the East both the Colombians and the Commonwealthers saw the rockets for the Colombians there was a moment of wonder as to why signal rockets were going up from their rear, when every piece of artillery that Vanguard had opened up on the Colombian’s lines. The Colombian Artillery returned fire but they had the rising sun in their eyes. Then waves of Infantry started pouring out of the trenches; at the same time Patton’s Cavalry some 15,000 men came charging up out of the west. Major General Fernandez and his staff were quickly captured when Patton and his staff arrived at the Colombian General’s headquarters in person. Faced with attacks from the front and rear many of the Colombian infantry began to panic in the trenches many men threw down their rifles and surrendered however the forts continued to fight. Slowly over the next three days the forts would fall one by one until only La Dominadora was left in the fight. When many of his men wounded and powder and shot starting to run low Colonel Luis Aranda ordered his guns spiked and surrendered on the evening of May 22, 1843. Finally the guns were silent and the Second Battle of Villa de Cura or the Six Weeks Battle as it came to be called was over.
Patton's Charge
Major General Ambrose Patton
The Next Morning Major General Vanguard and three of his battered divisions would march north and occupy the Cities of Maracay,La Victoria, and Magdaleno and begin fortifying them. While the rest of the army tended to the wounded and the prisoners. Of the 75,000 Infantry, 12,000 Cavalry/Dragoons supported by 12 batteries of field guns, 2 batteries of horse artillery and 6 batteries of heavy 68 pounder naval guns that the Colombians started off with 5,000 had been killed another 16,000 wounded all of the artillery was either destroyed or captured and 60,000 men had been captured including Major General Fernandez, and his staff, the Entire 22nd Field army had been erased from the face of the earth.
The Commonwealth Southern Army did not escape unscathed; they lost 12,000 men Killed and 20,000 wounded as well as 3 batteries worth of field guns destroyed. (although a battery's worth would be replaced with captured Colombian guns.). Yet the Objective had been met the Colombian’s overland supply route had been cut; and the destruction of the 22nd Field Army meant that it would take time for the Colombians to challenge the Commonwealth’s positions. Major General William Vanguard was hailed as a hero despite the butcher's bill that had been paid for the victory.
Could we get an update soon on the situation in Vermont? I'm curious as to their political situation, presidents, parties, etc. And how they're feeling about the neighboring Crown Republic along with the other chaos in the world atm. Still loving this btw!
Can do. Honestly Vermont is gonna come into play in 1844 cause New England gets bit by the greedy dumb bug so yeah I can do a Vermont interlude
Just figured I'd mention that I'm always watching this TL. I don't comment a lot, but I'm always watching with keen interest. Also, thanks for being so open to suggestions. It's nice to know that the author is open to stuff like that. Keep up the great work!
T
You're welcome. Thanks for the feed back I appreciate the feed back. It means a lot especially from the five or six that by the like count are this tls dedicated watchers. Any time I'm working on a British North America city map as well I hope the provide a clearer of what Noth America looks like.
Interlude: Vermont in the 1830's and early 1840's
Throughout the 1820’s and the better part of the 1830’s the political world of the Republic of Vermont was dominated by the Green Mountain Party (GMP). with several smaller parties forming the minority in the Assembly. The GMP’s political platform centered around a hands off business economy and the forgien policy centered around turning Vermont into an unassailable fortress “the Switzerland of North America ''. This all started to change in 1831 when the Repulbican Reconquista Party (RRP) was formed in New Haven, and took over the politics of Western Connecticut. The RRP as its name might give away focused its platform around the idea that Vermont should be the base from which the Republican forces would liberate the rest of New England from the Clutches of the Royalist in the Crown Republic of New England. The rest of their platform was extremely similar to that of the GMP. In the 1831 election the RRP would take 20 of West Connecticut’s 49 seats in the Assembly, and 16 of the State of Vermont’s 68 house seats for a total of 36 out of 117 seats, making them the largest opposition party to the GMP. That same year a rising star in the RRP Abraham Wynne would win the race for the Mayor of the City New Haven, West Connecticut the largest port in the Republic.
President Arron Hunt 1832-1841
In 1832 President Baker would announce he was retiring, setting up a new election for the Presidency in the fall. The GMP would skip over Vice President Gilford Viceman and run Secretary of War Arron Hunt, while the RRP would run Mayor Wynne as their candidate for president. Hunt would win the election of 1832 with a sizable margin, however the RRP would make more gains in the house gaining enough for 45 seats. Making them second only to the GMP’s 61 seats with smaller parties taking the remaining 11 seats. This trend would continue throughout the 1830’s capping out with the election of the RRP’s Vice Presidential candidate George Gildcrest in 1838, with Hunt winning reelection for the third time. Then Finally in 1841 Hunt would retire and the GMP would run his Secretary of State William Renstind while the RRP would run Abraham Wynne for president, keeping Gildcrest in the Vice President Race. Wynne would win a close contest however ending the GMP’s control of the Presidency; Wynne would win reelection in 1844 as Vermont plunged into War with the Crown Republic of New England and the British Empire.
Vice President George Gildcrest 1838-1850
In 1835 the RRP got one of its major objectives completed with the Army Equipment Acquisition Act being passed. This act would see the Army of the Republic of Vermont adopt the Colt Revolving Rifle, and the Colt Revolver Pistol as the official long and small arms of the Army of Vermont. The Pistol would be the standard ACP. 45 brass cartridge while the rifle would be chambered in colt ACR .45 cartridge(1). This would have issues later as they were the only one of the American Republics who didn’t use the McKnight .45-70 cartridge and had to maintain their own supply of ammunition.
President Abraham Wynne President 1841-1850
Infrastructure wise the 1830’s would see the expansion of the Railroad industry in the Republic of Vermont. The largest of these Railroads was the New Haven and Northern which would come to dominate the Republic’s Railroad industry and by 1844 it owned 80% of the track and rolling stock in the Republic and had controlling interest in the other 20%. Making it North America’s first monopoly.
President Arron Hunt 1832-1841
In 1832 President Baker would announce he was retiring, setting up a new election for the Presidency in the fall. The GMP would skip over Vice President Gilford Viceman and run Secretary of War Arron Hunt, while the RRP would run Mayor Wynne as their candidate for president. Hunt would win the election of 1832 with a sizable margin, however the RRP would make more gains in the house gaining enough for 45 seats. Making them second only to the GMP’s 61 seats with smaller parties taking the remaining 11 seats. This trend would continue throughout the 1830’s capping out with the election of the RRP’s Vice Presidential candidate George Gildcrest in 1838, with Hunt winning reelection for the third time. Then Finally in 1841 Hunt would retire and the GMP would run his Secretary of State William Renstind while the RRP would run Abraham Wynne for president, keeping Gildcrest in the Vice President Race. Wynne would win a close contest however ending the GMP’s control of the Presidency; Wynne would win reelection in 1844 as Vermont plunged into War with the Crown Republic of New England and the British Empire.
Vice President George Gildcrest 1838-1850
In 1835 the RRP got one of its major objectives completed with the Army Equipment Acquisition Act being passed. This act would see the Army of the Republic of Vermont adopt the Colt Revolving Rifle, and the Colt Revolver Pistol as the official long and small arms of the Army of Vermont. The Pistol would be the standard ACP. 45 brass cartridge while the rifle would be chambered in colt ACR .45 cartridge(1). This would have issues later as they were the only one of the American Republics who didn’t use the McKnight .45-70 cartridge and had to maintain their own supply of ammunition.
President Abraham Wynne President 1841-1850
Infrastructure wise the 1830’s would see the expansion of the Railroad industry in the Republic of Vermont. The largest of these Railroads was the New Haven and Northern which would come to dominate the Republic’s Railroad industry and by 1844 it owned 80% of the track and rolling stock in the Republic and had controlling interest in the other 20%. Making it North America’s first monopoly.
- This happens before the Federal Army looks at the rifle and requires it be chambered in the McKnight .45-75. The Colt ACR .45 cartridge is more akin to the Spencer .56-50 rifle form the ACW
I've said it once and I'll say it again. This TL is criminally underrated.
The Bloody Decade: 1843 Spring in Spain part 1
By Mid April the British and Prrussian Armies had been fully assembled at Seville The British had supplied 90,0000 Infantry 20,000 cavalry 25 batteries of field guns and 9 batteries of horse guns under the command of General Christopher Henry Howard Duke of Norfolk. The Prussians had sent 80.000 Infantry 10,000 cavalry, 18 batteries of field guns and 6 batteries of horse guns under the command of General der Infanterie Wolfe von Richthofen. The two commanders had agreed to a joint campaign but not to a joint command, while keeping in touch with each other they would campaign on their own, towards a joint objective that was the breaking of the Siege of Valencia. The British would take an inland route breaking the French rail line that connected their forward Supply depots to the large supply dump at Madrid. While the Prussians would secure the city of Murcia and protect the british right flank.
General Christopher Henry Howard Duke of Norfolk
At the start of the Spring campaign the French Iberaian Army had just over 275,000 men 250,000 Infantry, 25,000 Cavalry supported by 60 batteries of field guns and 15 batteries of horse guns. In addition to the 90,000 man Army of Arragon 80,000 infantry, 10,000 cavalry, 10 batteries of field guns and 5 batteries of horse guns. However the Duke of Normandy’s confidence in the Aragonese was shaken after Marius and his Spanish/Italian force had defeated them the previous fall.
The Army of Iberia was divided into four commands: The 1st Iberian Army 130,000 Infantry, 5,000 cavalry, 30 batteries of field guns, 1 battery of horse guns and 15 batteries of heavy siege guns. The 1st Iberian Army was tasked with besieging the city of Valencia and was commanded by Louis de Bourbon the Duke of Normany himself.
The 2nd Iberian Army consisted of 100,000 infantry 5,000 Cavalry 12 batteries of field guns and 3 batteries of horse artillery The 2nd Iberian Army was commanded by Lieutenant General Henri Gilbert Marquis de Lafayette was based in Toledo. General Lafayette’s objective was to tie up the English and Prussian armies as much as possible so that they didn’t interfere with the siege of Valencia before it was completed.
The Madrid Garrison was the third part of the Army of Iberia with 20,000 Infantry 1,000 cavalry, 33 batteries of field guns and 4 batteries of heavy guns it was commanded by Lieutenant General Francos O'Reilly, and was tasked with the defense of Madrid and the massive supply depot that had been created there.
The last part of the Army of Iberia was the Cavalry Division and independent command of 15,000 cavalry and 11 batteries of horse guns. Commanded by Général de division Adolphe Michaud. This command was tasked two work in conjunction with the 2nd Iberian Army in defending against the English and Prussian threat as well as protecting the railway that the french had constructed between Madrid and Valencia to support the French siege of the city.
The events that would lead to the battle Bailén April 25,1843 began days earlier when General Lafayette received word from the French Cavalry that the English and some Granadans were on the march, a day later word that the Prussians were also on the march reached Lafayette. With this information he decided that he would deal with the English then the Prussians. Lafayette sent orders to Michaud that he should use his men to “harass and delay” the Prussian advance along the coast. The two armies would collide at the town of Bailén.
In the morning of April 25th the French cavalry attached to the 2nd Iberian Army ran into its British counterpart where the road crossed the Rio Rumblar. Colonel Albert Maçon sent word back to Lafayette that they had “encountered the English” he and his men would meet the British scout force of about 3,500 as they crossed the Rio Rumblar which was shallow and easily forded. As the two mounted forces charged, meleed broke off and charged each other again after an hour of combat and the arrival of more english cavalry, the French disengaged, falling back toward Bailén. The delay Colonel Maçon and his men gave the british may have been small but it was enough to allow the lead French Division to take up positions on the hills that surrounded the town of Bailén, had they not done this the British Cavalry could have most likely occupied the town and allowed the British to occupy the high ground not the other way around.
Undaunted by the small fight put up by the French cavalry the British Cavalry Commander Major General Alexander Cromwell had his men push on toward the town. However, he and his men were surprised to find a division of French Infantry supported by artillery deploying on the hills around the town. Hoping to catch the French off guard Cromwell split up his command he sent 8,000 men under Brigadier Oswald Meldcraft toward the line of French Infantry occupying that he correctly guessed was right around 10,000 men. He then took his other 9,000 men on a flanking move to the south of town where he hoped to be able to swing around the French flank and encircle them. At 1300 hours Brigadier Meldcraft charged at the French on the hills while Cromwell found a nastly surprise in the form of Colonel Macon’s cavalry dismounted on a hill to the south side of the town. In both cases the British had every reason to believe that their cavalry charge would be effective however they had failed to account for the progression of technology. And Meldcraft must have been shocked when the first French volley erupted when they were still over 400 yards away or at the accuracy. Despite this French rifles were still muskets and the British Charge would hit the French line like a wave however the arrival of a second division of French Infantry would drive them back. To the South Cromwell found that the 5,000 dismounted french cavalry was proving just as hard to deal with. The arrival of a third french Infantry division sealed the French control of the high ground around the town. By the end of the first day both armies had arrived on the field for the most part the French had three divisions still a day's march away, and the British had two divisions about a day’s march away.
The Second day would begin with the British mounting an attack on the French Right flank to the north of town. Their attack began at 0800h and would last until 1330h when it was called off due to little progress seen for the effort. With their efforts expended the British settled down to repel a french counter attack however aside from an artillery bombardment no attack came. This was because Lafayette had ordered his three divisions who were still west of the battle to engage on a long flanking march from La Carolina to Mengibar. This march would not be completed until 10 am on the third day of the battle and would force the British to countermarch their two divisions that had just arrived at the battle field back east to counter the french flanking attack. It was at 1300h on April 28th that the french counter attack at Bailén. Faced with being engaged on their Flank as well as center the Duke of Norfolk ordered his men to fall back and regroup. The Well Practiced Red Coats would manage to pull his off without falling into a route and this most likely saved the army. Regardless The British were forced to fall back to Cordoba after dark fell on the battlefield.
The British had been beaten back but as Lafayette enjoyed his victory word reached him that the Prussians had taken Murica and he was forced to fall back to the north or risk the Prussians attacking him from his rear. So even in defeat the British Prussian Campaign suffered no set back. However in London it was recognized the not upgrading the Royal Army’s long and small arms back in the 1830’s was an oversight
General Christopher Henry Howard Duke of Norfolk
At the start of the Spring campaign the French Iberaian Army had just over 275,000 men 250,000 Infantry, 25,000 Cavalry supported by 60 batteries of field guns and 15 batteries of horse guns. In addition to the 90,000 man Army of Arragon 80,000 infantry, 10,000 cavalry, 10 batteries of field guns and 5 batteries of horse guns. However the Duke of Normandy’s confidence in the Aragonese was shaken after Marius and his Spanish/Italian force had defeated them the previous fall.
The Army of Iberia was divided into four commands: The 1st Iberian Army 130,000 Infantry, 5,000 cavalry, 30 batteries of field guns, 1 battery of horse guns and 15 batteries of heavy siege guns. The 1st Iberian Army was tasked with besieging the city of Valencia and was commanded by Louis de Bourbon the Duke of Normany himself.
The 2nd Iberian Army consisted of 100,000 infantry 5,000 Cavalry 12 batteries of field guns and 3 batteries of horse artillery The 2nd Iberian Army was commanded by Lieutenant General Henri Gilbert Marquis de Lafayette was based in Toledo. General Lafayette’s objective was to tie up the English and Prussian armies as much as possible so that they didn’t interfere with the siege of Valencia before it was completed.
The Madrid Garrison was the third part of the Army of Iberia with 20,000 Infantry 1,000 cavalry, 33 batteries of field guns and 4 batteries of heavy guns it was commanded by Lieutenant General Francos O'Reilly, and was tasked with the defense of Madrid and the massive supply depot that had been created there.
The last part of the Army of Iberia was the Cavalry Division and independent command of 15,000 cavalry and 11 batteries of horse guns. Commanded by Général de division Adolphe Michaud. This command was tasked two work in conjunction with the 2nd Iberian Army in defending against the English and Prussian threat as well as protecting the railway that the french had constructed between Madrid and Valencia to support the French siege of the city.
The events that would lead to the battle Bailén April 25,1843 began days earlier when General Lafayette received word from the French Cavalry that the English and some Granadans were on the march, a day later word that the Prussians were also on the march reached Lafayette. With this information he decided that he would deal with the English then the Prussians. Lafayette sent orders to Michaud that he should use his men to “harass and delay” the Prussian advance along the coast. The two armies would collide at the town of Bailén.
In the morning of April 25th the French cavalry attached to the 2nd Iberian Army ran into its British counterpart where the road crossed the Rio Rumblar. Colonel Albert Maçon sent word back to Lafayette that they had “encountered the English” he and his men would meet the British scout force of about 3,500 as they crossed the Rio Rumblar which was shallow and easily forded. As the two mounted forces charged, meleed broke off and charged each other again after an hour of combat and the arrival of more english cavalry, the French disengaged, falling back toward Bailén. The delay Colonel Maçon and his men gave the british may have been small but it was enough to allow the lead French Division to take up positions on the hills that surrounded the town of Bailén, had they not done this the British Cavalry could have most likely occupied the town and allowed the British to occupy the high ground not the other way around.
Undaunted by the small fight put up by the French cavalry the British Cavalry Commander Major General Alexander Cromwell had his men push on toward the town. However, he and his men were surprised to find a division of French Infantry supported by artillery deploying on the hills around the town. Hoping to catch the French off guard Cromwell split up his command he sent 8,000 men under Brigadier Oswald Meldcraft toward the line of French Infantry occupying that he correctly guessed was right around 10,000 men. He then took his other 9,000 men on a flanking move to the south of town where he hoped to be able to swing around the French flank and encircle them. At 1300 hours Brigadier Meldcraft charged at the French on the hills while Cromwell found a nastly surprise in the form of Colonel Macon’s cavalry dismounted on a hill to the south side of the town. In both cases the British had every reason to believe that their cavalry charge would be effective however they had failed to account for the progression of technology. And Meldcraft must have been shocked when the first French volley erupted when they were still over 400 yards away or at the accuracy. Despite this French rifles were still muskets and the British Charge would hit the French line like a wave however the arrival of a second division of French Infantry would drive them back. To the South Cromwell found that the 5,000 dismounted french cavalry was proving just as hard to deal with. The arrival of a third french Infantry division sealed the French control of the high ground around the town. By the end of the first day both armies had arrived on the field for the most part the French had three divisions still a day's march away, and the British had two divisions about a day’s march away.
The Second day would begin with the British mounting an attack on the French Right flank to the north of town. Their attack began at 0800h and would last until 1330h when it was called off due to little progress seen for the effort. With their efforts expended the British settled down to repel a french counter attack however aside from an artillery bombardment no attack came. This was because Lafayette had ordered his three divisions who were still west of the battle to engage on a long flanking march from La Carolina to Mengibar. This march would not be completed until 10 am on the third day of the battle and would force the British to countermarch their two divisions that had just arrived at the battle field back east to counter the french flanking attack. It was at 1300h on April 28th that the french counter attack at Bailén. Faced with being engaged on their Flank as well as center the Duke of Norfolk ordered his men to fall back and regroup. The Well Practiced Red Coats would manage to pull his off without falling into a route and this most likely saved the army. Regardless The British were forced to fall back to Cordoba after dark fell on the battlefield.
The British had been beaten back but as Lafayette enjoyed his victory word reached him that the Prussians had taken Murica and he was forced to fall back to the north or risk the Prussians attacking him from his rear. So even in defeat the British Prussian Campaign suffered no set back. However in London it was recognized the not upgrading the Royal Army’s long and small arms back in the 1830’s was an oversight
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@Marse Lee
By the 1840s Vermont has been battling between defensive minded Vermonters and the exiles from the rest of New England who want to take back there home states. Unfortunately the by the 1840s the RoV reconquestors and the CRoNE expansionist have both come into power. And..... London is distracted by events in spain
By the 1840s Vermont has been battling between defensive minded Vermonters and the exiles from the rest of New England who want to take back there home states. Unfortunately the by the 1840s the RoV reconquestors and the CRoNE expansionist have both come into power. And..... London is distracted by events in spain
The Bloody Decade: Second War of Spanish Succession: Spring in the Channel
Spring in the Channel
As soon as the British Empire entered the war the Royal Navy put to sea in force. Its first action moving the British Army of Iberia to Cadiz went without a hitch as the French were still shifting resources to deal with the new British threat. The task for the Royal Navy was simple drive their French Counterpart the la Marine Royale (la Royale) out of the English Channel so that the Duke of Mann’s bold strategy of retaking Normandy or at least part of it for Britain could proceed. To do this Britain split its home fleet up in to 3 commands The Irish Squadron consisting of 21 ships of the line, 28 frigates, 18 Corvettes, and 22 sloops plus smaller ships, commanded by Rear Admiral Sammuel H. Nelson (1). Channel Squadron consisting of 23 ships of the line, 24 Frigates, 14 Corvettes, 16 Sloops and various smaller ships commanded by Rear Admiral Thomas C. Hobb and lastly North Sea Fleet 26 ships of the line, 18 frigates, 19 Corvettes, 17 sloops and various smaller ships commanded by Admiral Patrick G. Newfield.
The French on the southern shore of the Channel spilt their ships up into just two commands The Celtic Squadron consisting of 19 ships of the line, 26 frigates, 19 corvettes, 16 sloops and various other small ships, Commanded by Contre-Amiral Henri Christophe ; the French Channel Squadron consisting of 20 ships of the line,. 22 frigates, 18 corvettes, 21 sloops and various smaller ships, commanded by Contre-Amiral Constantin Villeneuve, there was also the Biscay Squadron comprised of 17 ships of the line, 24 frigates, 18 corvettes, 14 Sloops and various other ships, commanded by Contre-Amiral Aurèle Belrose.
The First clash between these two forces would take place on May 24,1843 when the British Irisn Squadron and the French Celtic Squadron, these fleets would meet about thirteen miles west of the small Island of St. Anges. The Battle of St. Anges would be a traditional sort of naval battle for the age of sail, as both forces were primarily sail powered with each side having a speckling of steam powered. It lasted close to 8 hours before both sides were forced to break off. The French would lose 3 ships of the line, 4 frigates, 3 corvettes and 6 sloops sunk with 2 more ships of the line, 3 Frigates 2 Corvettes and 9 sloops receiving heavy damage. The British didn’t come out free and clear either They would lose 5 ships of the line, 6 frigates, 4 corvettes, and 10 sloops sunk and many others heavily damaged, However the french had been forced back to port, and on a personal note Admiral Nelson had managed to show that he could win and improve over the battle record of his father, who had never lived down his loss to the Americans in the War of 1805.
The Second naval battle of the Spring took place off of the Isle of Portland on May 30,1843. It would pit the French Channel Squadron against the British Channel Squadron. The British didn’t have as much luck as they had at St. Agnes. As the two fleets closed on each other Contre-Amiral Constantin Villeneuve was able to position the french Channel Squadron so that he managed to cross the T on the Royal Navy. Faced with this Rear Admiral Hobb decided to try and have his ships break the French Line and engage them in a close quarters melee (2) Hobb places his steam ships in front of his sailing ships hoping that their increased speed would protect them from the French guns , he also hope that the French were going to be bad shots and fail to concentrate fire(3). However, the French gunnery was extremely well placed and they were able to blow the Charging British out of the water with two of the Steamer HMS Swiftshire and HMS Ajax taking hits to their boilers and exploding in spectacular fashion. The wrecks at the front of the formation caused the British to evade them which opened up more British ships to the murderous French fire. By the time the sun went down the British had been forced to q to Portsmouth after taking heavy losses They would lose 6 ships of the line, 4 frigates, 3 corvettes, and 8 sloops sunk and many others heavily damaged. Yet the battle was not over, a spring storm blew into the channel and scattered much of the French squadron out into the North Sea where many ships would be hunted down by the North Sea Fleet and the survivors being forced to go the long way around the British Isles before finally arriving at Brest. By the time it was said and done the French Channel Squadron had lost 11 ships of the line 14 frigates, 4 Corvettes, and 9 Sloops.
So it was that on April 3,1843 an army of 180,000 men (165,000 Infantry, 15,000 Cavalry and 30 batteries of field guns and 10 batteries of Horse Artillery) Commanded by Henry Hanover Duke of Mann began to cross from Portsmouth to Cherbourg. The first action would take place on Peel Island at 0730 when under the cover of a Royal navy bombardment two Regiments of Royal Marines attacked the Fortress that protected Cherbourg Harbor, the battle would last for 5 hours with the fort not surrendering until noon. Once the Fort fell the landings went on with out issue the Local Militia and National Guard units were easily driven back an by the time dusk fell the city and the area around it were under British (English) Control for the first time since the year 1450.
As soon as the British Empire entered the war the Royal Navy put to sea in force. Its first action moving the British Army of Iberia to Cadiz went without a hitch as the French were still shifting resources to deal with the new British threat. The task for the Royal Navy was simple drive their French Counterpart the la Marine Royale (la Royale) out of the English Channel so that the Duke of Mann’s bold strategy of retaking Normandy or at least part of it for Britain could proceed. To do this Britain split its home fleet up in to 3 commands The Irish Squadron consisting of 21 ships of the line, 28 frigates, 18 Corvettes, and 22 sloops plus smaller ships, commanded by Rear Admiral Sammuel H. Nelson (1). Channel Squadron consisting of 23 ships of the line, 24 Frigates, 14 Corvettes, 16 Sloops and various smaller ships commanded by Rear Admiral Thomas C. Hobb and lastly North Sea Fleet 26 ships of the line, 18 frigates, 19 Corvettes, 17 sloops and various smaller ships commanded by Admiral Patrick G. Newfield.
The French on the southern shore of the Channel spilt their ships up into just two commands The Celtic Squadron consisting of 19 ships of the line, 26 frigates, 19 corvettes, 16 sloops and various other small ships, Commanded by Contre-Amiral Henri Christophe ; the French Channel Squadron consisting of 20 ships of the line,. 22 frigates, 18 corvettes, 21 sloops and various smaller ships, commanded by Contre-Amiral Constantin Villeneuve, there was also the Biscay Squadron comprised of 17 ships of the line, 24 frigates, 18 corvettes, 14 Sloops and various other ships, commanded by Contre-Amiral Aurèle Belrose.
The First clash between these two forces would take place on May 24,1843 when the British Irisn Squadron and the French Celtic Squadron, these fleets would meet about thirteen miles west of the small Island of St. Anges. The Battle of St. Anges would be a traditional sort of naval battle for the age of sail, as both forces were primarily sail powered with each side having a speckling of steam powered. It lasted close to 8 hours before both sides were forced to break off. The French would lose 3 ships of the line, 4 frigates, 3 corvettes and 6 sloops sunk with 2 more ships of the line, 3 Frigates 2 Corvettes and 9 sloops receiving heavy damage. The British didn’t come out free and clear either They would lose 5 ships of the line, 6 frigates, 4 corvettes, and 10 sloops sunk and many others heavily damaged, However the french had been forced back to port, and on a personal note Admiral Nelson had managed to show that he could win and improve over the battle record of his father, who had never lived down his loss to the Americans in the War of 1805.
The Second naval battle of the Spring took place off of the Isle of Portland on May 30,1843. It would pit the French Channel Squadron against the British Channel Squadron. The British didn’t have as much luck as they had at St. Agnes. As the two fleets closed on each other Contre-Amiral Constantin Villeneuve was able to position the french Channel Squadron so that he managed to cross the T on the Royal Navy. Faced with this Rear Admiral Hobb decided to try and have his ships break the French Line and engage them in a close quarters melee (2) Hobb places his steam ships in front of his sailing ships hoping that their increased speed would protect them from the French guns , he also hope that the French were going to be bad shots and fail to concentrate fire(3). However, the French gunnery was extremely well placed and they were able to blow the Charging British out of the water with two of the Steamer HMS Swiftshire and HMS Ajax taking hits to their boilers and exploding in spectacular fashion. The wrecks at the front of the formation caused the British to evade them which opened up more British ships to the murderous French fire. By the time the sun went down the British had been forced to q to Portsmouth after taking heavy losses They would lose 6 ships of the line, 4 frigates, 3 corvettes, and 8 sloops sunk and many others heavily damaged. Yet the battle was not over, a spring storm blew into the channel and scattered much of the French squadron out into the North Sea where many ships would be hunted down by the North Sea Fleet and the survivors being forced to go the long way around the British Isles before finally arriving at Brest. By the time it was said and done the French Channel Squadron had lost 11 ships of the line 14 frigates, 4 Corvettes, and 9 Sloops.
So it was that on April 3,1843 an army of 180,000 men (165,000 Infantry, 15,000 Cavalry and 30 batteries of field guns and 10 batteries of Horse Artillery) Commanded by Henry Hanover Duke of Mann began to cross from Portsmouth to Cherbourg. The first action would take place on Peel Island at 0730 when under the cover of a Royal navy bombardment two Regiments of Royal Marines attacked the Fortress that protected Cherbourg Harbor, the battle would last for 5 hours with the fort not surrendering until noon. Once the Fort fell the landings went on with out issue the Local Militia and National Guard units were easily driven back an by the time dusk fell the city and the area around it were under British (English) Control for the first time since the year 1450.
- The Son of Horiato Nelson OTL Victor at Trafalgar TTL moderately decent Admiral who got his teeth kicked in by the Americans n 1805
- a mavover that worked for Admiral Horatio Nelson at OTL Trafalgar
- this also happened at OTL Trafalgar
Quick note the pink line running from Norfolk to Salem va I forgot to list its the Chesapeake and Allegheny RR built on the path otl Virginian Rr did.
Interlude: That Queerest of Religions: The Church of the Last Saintly Dominion (LSD)
The Church of the Last Saintly Dominion (LSD).
The Church of the Last Saintly Dominion was founded by Joseph and Edith Jones in the Spring of 1820, in a small town in Northern New Hampshire. The story of the Church’s founding goes one spring day while Joseph and Edith were out exploring the woods around their farm and a bright light caught their attention. The light led them to a cave where they found the Archangel Micheal holding two golden disks with strange pictographs on them. Michael told Joseph and Edith that they had been chosen by God to reintroduce the world to the last teachings of Jesus Christ. Michael went on to tell them that After Christ was resurrected he came to the Americas and preached the word of his life, death and resurrection to the people of the New World. He then touched their heads and gave them the ability to translate the golden disk. He said that the mushrooms that grew in the cave were the same as the Manna that god gave the Hebrews as they fled Egypt and that the mushrooms would sustain them, and they must not leave the cave until they have finished their task.
For the next two months Joseph and Edith Jones lived in the cave eating the mushrooms and translating the two discs. Which told the story of the Last Saintly Dominion. After Christ arrived among the people of the New World and began to preach his gospel to them his first disciple was a man named Tepeu who translated Christ teaching into the written records of the Mayan culture. Tepeu would work to spread the word of Christ and become the Paul of the New World Church. However like in the old world the Christians here were plagued by oppression and Christ had Tepeu gather up all of his followers and led them far to the north away from the desert and into a rainy land of massive pines there at the base of a great snow capped mountain that they called the White Peak they built the City of Fava Aethel (Father’s City) and the Last Saintly Dominion was born.
Over the next 100 years the Last Saintly Dominion expanded and grew however as they found success and converted the local people they grew arrogant and strayed away from the teachings of Christ and the Lover of God. After a Century God grew displeased with the people of the Last Saintly Dominion and showed his anger as the Great White Peak erupted in flame, lava and ash destroying the Last Saintly Domain and erasing all traces of them from the history of man. Until mankind was ready once more ready to hear the last and true teachings of Christ.
After they finished translating the disc they melted away and Micheal left them to spread the word of Christ's true teachings to the world once more. However the Mushrooms had among other things increased the sexual drive of the couple and Edith found herself pregnant a few weeks after leaving the cave. She and Joseph would establish the Church of the Last Saintly Dominion (The LSD Church) on the ground near the cave and soon began recruiting people to the religion. Each Saturday Joseph would preach the gospel of the LSD and they would partake in the manna mushrooms then as the service wound down the children were taken to a building behind the church for sweets and cakes and drinks while the adults celebrated gods love by having orgies in the church.
The principles of the Church of the Last Saintly Dominion As were established in the Book of Jones. Both men and women had roles to play in society Men were the providers, protectors and leaders of the church, community, and family unit. Women were tasked to have and raise children to take care of their husbands needs. Women were expected to be pregnant as often as possible, an example that Edith Jones set personally. Polygamy was encouraged in LSD society “ Each man shall take at least one wife in this lifetime and should take a second, third, fourth and so on as long as he has the means to provide and care for them and her children. But no man should take so many wives that he deprives other men of their first wife.” Jones 14:2-
10. All people of the LSD were to share with their fellow Brothers and sisters of faith if they lacked anything. “Let no member go without if a family is hungry, feed them; if a man cannot give his wife children then take her and give him a child of your seed.” Jones 18:5-6
As the Church of LSD spread and it gathered more followers all across New England and Vermont however as it grew the Church gathered enemies and by 1830 life in the North East was becoming extremely uncomfortable for the members of the Church of LSD which by now numbered in the 10's of thousands. Then one night in the summer of 1831 the Angel Michael reappeared to Edith (who was pregnant with her thirteenth child.) and Joseph and told them to take their followers to the land of the LSD and rebuild Fava Aethel. So over the next few months this new mission from god was spread throughout the LSD community and they sold off everything they couldn’t carry on the trek to Oregon Country. In late 1834 the LSD church would arrive in OTL Washington State and would establish New Zion (1) at the base of Mount Rainier. They also established the Theocratic Republic of Cascadia. As a means to keep the peace between Russia and Britain the Theocratic Republic of Cascadia would be recognized in the Treaty of Geneva of 1849 that ended the Second War of Spanish Succession and the War of 1844.
The Church of the Last Saintly Dominion was founded by Joseph and Edith Jones in the Spring of 1820, in a small town in Northern New Hampshire. The story of the Church’s founding goes one spring day while Joseph and Edith were out exploring the woods around their farm and a bright light caught their attention. The light led them to a cave where they found the Archangel Micheal holding two golden disks with strange pictographs on them. Michael told Joseph and Edith that they had been chosen by God to reintroduce the world to the last teachings of Jesus Christ. Michael went on to tell them that After Christ was resurrected he came to the Americas and preached the word of his life, death and resurrection to the people of the New World. He then touched their heads and gave them the ability to translate the golden disk. He said that the mushrooms that grew in the cave were the same as the Manna that god gave the Hebrews as they fled Egypt and that the mushrooms would sustain them, and they must not leave the cave until they have finished their task.
For the next two months Joseph and Edith Jones lived in the cave eating the mushrooms and translating the two discs. Which told the story of the Last Saintly Dominion. After Christ arrived among the people of the New World and began to preach his gospel to them his first disciple was a man named Tepeu who translated Christ teaching into the written records of the Mayan culture. Tepeu would work to spread the word of Christ and become the Paul of the New World Church. However like in the old world the Christians here were plagued by oppression and Christ had Tepeu gather up all of his followers and led them far to the north away from the desert and into a rainy land of massive pines there at the base of a great snow capped mountain that they called the White Peak they built the City of Fava Aethel (Father’s City) and the Last Saintly Dominion was born.
Over the next 100 years the Last Saintly Dominion expanded and grew however as they found success and converted the local people they grew arrogant and strayed away from the teachings of Christ and the Lover of God. After a Century God grew displeased with the people of the Last Saintly Dominion and showed his anger as the Great White Peak erupted in flame, lava and ash destroying the Last Saintly Domain and erasing all traces of them from the history of man. Until mankind was ready once more ready to hear the last and true teachings of Christ.
After they finished translating the disc they melted away and Micheal left them to spread the word of Christ's true teachings to the world once more. However the Mushrooms had among other things increased the sexual drive of the couple and Edith found herself pregnant a few weeks after leaving the cave. She and Joseph would establish the Church of the Last Saintly Dominion (The LSD Church) on the ground near the cave and soon began recruiting people to the religion. Each Saturday Joseph would preach the gospel of the LSD and they would partake in the manna mushrooms then as the service wound down the children were taken to a building behind the church for sweets and cakes and drinks while the adults celebrated gods love by having orgies in the church.
The principles of the Church of the Last Saintly Dominion As were established in the Book of Jones. Both men and women had roles to play in society Men were the providers, protectors and leaders of the church, community, and family unit. Women were tasked to have and raise children to take care of their husbands needs. Women were expected to be pregnant as often as possible, an example that Edith Jones set personally. Polygamy was encouraged in LSD society “ Each man shall take at least one wife in this lifetime and should take a second, third, fourth and so on as long as he has the means to provide and care for them and her children. But no man should take so many wives that he deprives other men of their first wife.” Jones 14:2-
10. All people of the LSD were to share with their fellow Brothers and sisters of faith if they lacked anything. “Let no member go without if a family is hungry, feed them; if a man cannot give his wife children then take her and give him a child of your seed.” Jones 18:5-6
As the Church of LSD spread and it gathered more followers all across New England and Vermont however as it grew the Church gathered enemies and by 1830 life in the North East was becoming extremely uncomfortable for the members of the Church of LSD which by now numbered in the 10's of thousands. Then one night in the summer of 1831 the Angel Michael reappeared to Edith (who was pregnant with her thirteenth child.) and Joseph and told them to take their followers to the land of the LSD and rebuild Fava Aethel. So over the next few months this new mission from god was spread throughout the LSD community and they sold off everything they couldn’t carry on the trek to Oregon Country. In late 1834 the LSD church would arrive in OTL Washington State and would establish New Zion (1) at the base of Mount Rainier. They also established the Theocratic Republic of Cascadia. As a means to keep the peace between Russia and Britain the Theocratic Republic of Cascadia would be recognized in the Treaty of Geneva of 1849 that ended the Second War of Spanish Succession and the War of 1844.
- OTL Tacoma Wa
- Giving a Nod to @Napoleon53 whose AFC Inspired this update.
What needs to happen now is a Quebec/Canadian Nationalist revolt to balkanize British North America a bit for once.
The Bloody Decade: The Mexican-Commonwealth War: A Louisiana Sunrise
A Louisiana Sunrise The battle of Edgerly Station March 16,1843
March 15,1843 Quelqueshue, La. Major General Jubal Randolph and his Army of the Transmississippi had been forced back to where they had started their campaign had begun, the town of Quelqueshue, Louisiana. It was no fault of his men or himself they had just been outnumbered by their Mexican Counterparts, however that was had changed Major General Thomas O'Keefe and the recently renamed Commonwealth Western Army had arrived from Georgia and now the numbers were on their side for the first time since the campaign the war even had started. Their scouts had Santa Anna’s army 30 miles away crossing the Sabine River this morning General O’Keefe had assumed overall command of the campaign and had decided to march west and meet the Mexicans on the road.
30 miles to the west General Santa Anna watched from his horse as his army filed across on to the ferries that crossed the Sabine River. In doing so his army was officially leaving the old Tejas Province that had been part of New Spain before everything fell apart. In crossing this river he was taking a major risk, his army was down to 65,000 Infantry 2,500 cavalry and and 24 batteries of field guns. This was the result of the constant skirmishing with the Commonwealth Army of the Transmississippi and he need to guard his supply train from raiders. He had to give it to the General Randolph the man had done an excellent job retarding his advance, and blunting his spear head. His Supply train was starting to seriously concern him; it stretched all the way back to San Antonio. He hoped that one more battle would be enough to drive the Americans back into New Orleans so he could came and wait for General Manuel Rojo and his 110,000 men who according to the last dispatch he received had already cross the Rio Grande and should be approaching San Antonio by now.
The two Armies would run into each other near a small siding on the Louisiana State Railway known as Edgerly Station just about 8 miles north of the town of Vinton La. When the Battle began at least to Santa Anna nothing had really changed the Commonwealth line was marked by the familiar banners of the regiments of the Army of the Trans Mississippi and Randolph’s personal standard fluttered at the Station house just behind the fighting. There some new ones but reinforcements had been expected the closer to the Mississippi River they got. Things started to take an odd turn around 1500 hours Santa Anna had just sent in two of his reserve divisions on a flanking attack that should unseat the Americans line and force them to withdraw when his cavalry reported a large body of Infantry with a heavy cavalry screen coming down from the North. It didn’t take him long to figure out that his attack had ended, he sent the recall order out to his two flanking divisions and orders his last reserve division to take up positions to the north of his left flank to act as a breakwater and give him time to redeploy his army to counter this move.
General O’Keefe was thrilled; his men and engaged a Mexican Division that had been deployed to the North of their main line at 1630h the Mexicans had put up a stiff fight but they hadn’t known the sheer weight of that was coming down on their heads. They had held out for an hour and a half before finally being forced to withdraw and to their credit did so in an orderly manner. They had held out long enough for two more divisions to take up positions guarding the Mexican’s Left Flank. Looking at the Warm spring sun O’Keefe doubted that he would be able to envelope the Mexican Army at this rate they simply had too much fight in them but his men were ready for a fight and he was gonna do his best to try.
Santa Anna Looked at his golden Pocket Watch with the Mexican Eagle emblazoned on its front. It was just now 1830 still and hour till the sun was down. His men were fighting bravely as any he had ever served with or commanded but the sheer weight of the American’s Numbers was telling, the three divisions he had deployed to extend his Left flank either had been chewed to shreds or were kiin the process of being chewed to shreds. He was quietly pulling brigades form the Center and Right Flank to form a hodgepodge reserve if the Left flank finally gave way before the darkness fell; he had also issued ordered for his men to be ready to pull back to the Western bank of the Sabine once darkness fell, and had issued orders to the unlucky division in Center of the Line that would form the Rear guard (aka be sacrificed ) so the Army could escape. Once he had the River between him and the Americans he could rest his men and link up with Rojo and try again. Finally at 1915h the sun dipped below the western horizon and the fighting died down. He waited until 2100h before he began to withdraw his army from the battle, with the last units not pulling back till almost 0400h on March 17,1843.
When Dawn broke The Commonwealth would send out the cavalry to chase down the Mexicans and the rearguard led by General Juan Desantos. Despite the best efforts of Major General Hubert Knox to try and delay the Mexican retreat, Desantos would only turn a regiment or two around to stall the pursuit. Allowing the bulk of his men to reach the safety of the west bank of the Sabine River and managed to blow the ferries after he crossed. Against all odds Santa Anna had escaped to fight again another day. However he had bled to do so losing 1,500 men killed 3,000 wounded and 4000 captured.
Following the battle O'Keefe and Randolph decided to reorganize their armies. O'Keefe detached three divisions to the Army of the Trans Mississippi bringing it back up to 95,000 infantry. And devised a new plan. He and his larger command would move north to Possum Bluff to cross at the ferry there. While Randolph would wait here for the River steamboats that the navy was moving here from New Orleans. To allow his men to cross. They were gonna keep the pressure on the Mexicans as much as possible.
March 15,1843 Quelqueshue, La. Major General Jubal Randolph and his Army of the Transmississippi had been forced back to where they had started their campaign had begun, the town of Quelqueshue, Louisiana. It was no fault of his men or himself they had just been outnumbered by their Mexican Counterparts, however that was had changed Major General Thomas O'Keefe and the recently renamed Commonwealth Western Army had arrived from Georgia and now the numbers were on their side for the first time since the campaign the war even had started. Their scouts had Santa Anna’s army 30 miles away crossing the Sabine River this morning General O’Keefe had assumed overall command of the campaign and had decided to march west and meet the Mexicans on the road.
30 miles to the west General Santa Anna watched from his horse as his army filed across on to the ferries that crossed the Sabine River. In doing so his army was officially leaving the old Tejas Province that had been part of New Spain before everything fell apart. In crossing this river he was taking a major risk, his army was down to 65,000 Infantry 2,500 cavalry and and 24 batteries of field guns. This was the result of the constant skirmishing with the Commonwealth Army of the Transmississippi and he need to guard his supply train from raiders. He had to give it to the General Randolph the man had done an excellent job retarding his advance, and blunting his spear head. His Supply train was starting to seriously concern him; it stretched all the way back to San Antonio. He hoped that one more battle would be enough to drive the Americans back into New Orleans so he could came and wait for General Manuel Rojo and his 110,000 men who according to the last dispatch he received had already cross the Rio Grande and should be approaching San Antonio by now.
The two Armies would run into each other near a small siding on the Louisiana State Railway known as Edgerly Station just about 8 miles north of the town of Vinton La. When the Battle began at least to Santa Anna nothing had really changed the Commonwealth line was marked by the familiar banners of the regiments of the Army of the Trans Mississippi and Randolph’s personal standard fluttered at the Station house just behind the fighting. There some new ones but reinforcements had been expected the closer to the Mississippi River they got. Things started to take an odd turn around 1500 hours Santa Anna had just sent in two of his reserve divisions on a flanking attack that should unseat the Americans line and force them to withdraw when his cavalry reported a large body of Infantry with a heavy cavalry screen coming down from the North. It didn’t take him long to figure out that his attack had ended, he sent the recall order out to his two flanking divisions and orders his last reserve division to take up positions to the north of his left flank to act as a breakwater and give him time to redeploy his army to counter this move.
General O’Keefe was thrilled; his men and engaged a Mexican Division that had been deployed to the North of their main line at 1630h the Mexicans had put up a stiff fight but they hadn’t known the sheer weight of that was coming down on their heads. They had held out for an hour and a half before finally being forced to withdraw and to their credit did so in an orderly manner. They had held out long enough for two more divisions to take up positions guarding the Mexican’s Left Flank. Looking at the Warm spring sun O’Keefe doubted that he would be able to envelope the Mexican Army at this rate they simply had too much fight in them but his men were ready for a fight and he was gonna do his best to try.
Santa Anna Looked at his golden Pocket Watch with the Mexican Eagle emblazoned on its front. It was just now 1830 still and hour till the sun was down. His men were fighting bravely as any he had ever served with or commanded but the sheer weight of the American’s Numbers was telling, the three divisions he had deployed to extend his Left flank either had been chewed to shreds or were kiin the process of being chewed to shreds. He was quietly pulling brigades form the Center and Right Flank to form a hodgepodge reserve if the Left flank finally gave way before the darkness fell; he had also issued ordered for his men to be ready to pull back to the Western bank of the Sabine once darkness fell, and had issued orders to the unlucky division in Center of the Line that would form the Rear guard (aka be sacrificed ) so the Army could escape. Once he had the River between him and the Americans he could rest his men and link up with Rojo and try again. Finally at 1915h the sun dipped below the western horizon and the fighting died down. He waited until 2100h before he began to withdraw his army from the battle, with the last units not pulling back till almost 0400h on March 17,1843.
When Dawn broke The Commonwealth would send out the cavalry to chase down the Mexicans and the rearguard led by General Juan Desantos. Despite the best efforts of Major General Hubert Knox to try and delay the Mexican retreat, Desantos would only turn a regiment or two around to stall the pursuit. Allowing the bulk of his men to reach the safety of the west bank of the Sabine River and managed to blow the ferries after he crossed. Against all odds Santa Anna had escaped to fight again another day. However he had bled to do so losing 1,500 men killed 3,000 wounded and 4000 captured.
Following the battle O'Keefe and Randolph decided to reorganize their armies. O'Keefe detached three divisions to the Army of the Trans Mississippi bringing it back up to 95,000 infantry. And devised a new plan. He and his larger command would move north to Possum Bluff to cross at the ferry there. While Randolph would wait here for the River steamboats that the navy was moving here from New Orleans. To allow his men to cross. They were gonna keep the pressure on the Mexicans as much as possible.
No comment but the future of British North America has three possible roads it can go down its fate is up in the air.
I can say it's not gonna play out in the 1840's but in the 1850s or 1860s as this decade of war is gonna empower the various Nationalists movements. And spoiler none of the powers in this war are gonna be happy in the 1850s. Which will also see the rise of two nativeish African nations (well 3 but I've kinda dealt with Egypt some. )
The Bloody Decade: War of Spanish Succession: In the Shadow of the Alps
Spring in the Shadow of the Alps: When The Hammer Blow Falls.
As April warmed up the Piedmont in Northern Italy Marshal Sacco struck on a bold almost insane plan. Over the winter he had reinforced his Army of Northern Italy to 230,000 Infantry, 50,000 Cavalry and 40 Batteries of field guns and 20 batteries of Horse guns. He had also gain a new fire brand of a Cavalry General Cosimo Siciliano. It was Siciliano who helped Sacco plan the spring offensive. Marshall Sacco would break the Army of Northern Italy into two again He would take the Bulk of the Army and March Southeast so that it looked like they were heading to reinforce the Siege of Genoa, this would force the French to intercept Saccos before he and the Army could get to Genoa. Meanwhile Siciliano and the Bulk of the Army’s cavalry would move west then south along the foothills of the Alps. While Lonbardi’s Army would move south at a slower pace just west of Sacco’s Line of March. When the French intercepted Sacco and engaged in battle Lombardi would swing south then attack their rear. Meanwhile Sicilino and the Cavalry would attack the French forward supply base at Cuneo.
April 18,1843 was a warm spring morning when Major General Léonard Roux was enjoying his breakfast when he started receiving reports that The Italians were marching south by south east in force. Given that the war was not nover the only reason that Sacco would march that direction was he intended to Crush the Genoa Pocket, where Major General Bava, the one Sardinian Commander worth a damn in Roux's mind, was bottled up. This was worrying as it would free up more Italian troops for him to have to deal with later. But there was also opportunity Here If He moved fast enough he might be able to catch them Crossing the Po and destroy the biggest chunk of the Italian Army. This would delight Paris who were rightly very worried about an English Army encamped at Cherbourg. So without finishing his breakfast he started drafting orders. He wanted his Army minus the Cuneo Garrison 210,000 Infantry, 7,000 Cavalry, 52 batteries of field guns and 8 batteries of horse guns. Ready to march within the hour. By 1100 hours the French were marching toward destiny. Because King Chalres Felix was insistent that he use what was left of the Army of Piedoment he assigned it commanded by Major General Giacomo Consoli the task of Screening the Left (northern) Flank of the French Advance. The Army of Piedmont consisted of 50,000 Infantry, 3,000 Cavalry and 14 batteries of field guns, after the beating it took in 1842 the men’s morale was low and faith in the officers was nonexistent.
Roux and his French army would catch up with Sacco at the town of Pollentia just east of Bra. However when his men arrived at the field they found not a moving army but an Italian army that was deployed for a battle along a one mile wide front just east of the town. Roux deployed his men, it meant little to him the Italians were out in the open and in front of his army he would crush them all the same. At 1300h on April 19,1843 the Battle of Pollentia began in earnest.
Meanwhile three hours earlier at 1000h at the old battle field of Savigliano Lombardi’s Column ran into the Sardinian Army of Piedmont out numbered over two to one the Lonbardi was able to use his numbers to overwhelm the Sardinians flanks and by 1200h he had encircled the demoralized Sardinian troops. The most dedicated and loyal parts of the Army namely the Piedmont Guards Division would hold out for almost four more hours before finally overwhelmed by the Italian’s numbers, but this was the exception most of the Sardinian Army surrendered en mass once they realized there was no escape this time. In some instances whole divisions would throw down their rifles and walk to the nearest Italian unit and surrender peacefully. When one such event started to take place with a Brigade that was in line next to the Piedmont Guards they turned their fire on the men attempting to surrender, mowing down hundreds of men from behind. The fact that the Piedmont guards and one or two other hold out divisions kepted Lombardi’s men occupied meant that they wouldn’t be able to march on the main battle till the morning. The Second battle of Savigliano while not as big or bloody as the previous one was a decisive victory for Lombardi and would prove to be a turning point.
Back at Pollentia the first day of fighting had ended in stalemate the battle field was too narrow for either side to use their numbers effectively. Not hearing from Consoli was beginning to worry Roux so that night he sent his cavalry out on a night recon and the report he got back confirmed his worst fears. The Italians had set a trap and he had walked into it not only that but the acurseid Sardinias had allowed themselves to be encircled and crushed without trying to get word out to him. He wanted to let his men sleep tonight but now the reserve would have to be woken up so they could redeploy before he lost his entire army. He would send the better part of his reserve 70,000 Infantry west to Cappellazzo to block the Itailians at Savigliano he had to extract his army but he couldn’t just pull out or it would be Lombardi infront of him and Sacco behind. And he would be no better off than he was now.
April 20, 1843 would see heavy fighting as the Battle of Cappellazzo began at 0900h when Lombardi’s army found the French Reserve deployed and waiting for them with 70,000 Infantry 6,000 Cavalry and 21 batteries of field guns commanded by General de Division Émilien Petit. Lombardi deployed his 90,000 Infantry, 2,500 Cavalry and 15 batteries of field guns and the battle commenced. Both sides were exhausted and determined. The Itailians to finish off the french and put an end to the Kingdom of Sardinia once and for all. The French not to be encircled and end up like the Sardinians. So that the battle ended up as a hard fought stalemate by the time the sun fell below the horizon.
Back at Pollentia the battle continued as a stalemate until Sacco pulled one of this trademarked sleight of hands. He dispatched two divisions on a 10 mile march around the mountain to the North of the battle; these two divisions would reappear at 1700h behind the French Left Flank. With the bulk of his reserve fighting at Cappellazzo Roux had little he could deploy to meet this and instead had to have his left flank do a series of Left Wheels so that they turned to meet the new flank this also shortened this line. However in doing so he had made his position untenable and when Sacco started a fresh assault on the Left and center trying to Drive the French army into the River the well disciplined french soldiers broke. Maybe Roux could have salvaged something from the battle at that point, however he never got the chance as an Italian sharpshooter managed to put a bullet in his left ear and out of his right. At 1805h Major General Léonard Roux fell from his horse dead. And the french army broke. Roux’s aide de camp Colonel Juste Robert was able to get most of the Artillery mustered and retreating protected by the Cavalry and as many units in good order as he could find. He also managed to along with General de Division Aimeric Durand throw together a rear guard that bought time for at least some of the Army to escape the battle however they had to sacrifice themselves to accomplish this.
When the smoke Cleared the French Army was gone over 70,000 Frenchmen had been taken prisoner another 4,500 were dead and 8,600 were wounded; the Italians had not had any men captured but had suffered 3,000 killed and 9,000 wounded. When all three battles were added up Italy had lost just over 10,000 killed and 25,000 wounded. France’s grand total for all three battles would be 75,000 captured, 13,500 killed and 22,600 wounded. The Sardinians had been wiped off the map, losing all of their last field army. General de Division Émilien Petit would reform at Cumeo which they returned to find battered but not broken, as the Garrison had been more than enough to ward off Siciliano Cavalry raid. That is not to say everything was fine, the Rail Line that had been painfully run though the mountains had been destroyed in several places and over 300 supply wagons had been burned.
April 23, 1843 Naples
When Word of the battle first reached Naples just hours after the guns had fallen silent Napoleon II had ordered the bells rung in celebration of the victory over the French however as time passed and the Full report came in from Marshall Sacco it became clear that the war against the French was not over. Sardinia was another story as King Charles Felix had been overthrown by what subjects he had left under the government of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and its new Leaders Chancellor Fonsie Arcuri and Queen Esmeralda had sent word that they would like to discuss terms to Naples. When he was informed of this in his room where he was held captive Crown Prince Ferdinand Emanuele complained that his sister had no right to the throne only for Napoleon II to remind him that first he was a captive here and second his father was not dead but in route to Paris after being overthrown and he should be glad that the Sardinian Monarch survived at all “After all that is the way Republics are born.” Napoleon instructed Sacco to offer the following terms.
On April 24,1843 the Sardinian Government would sign the treaty and orders were sent to Bava to stand down in Genoa; which he would do on the next day having his men stack their arms and march out of the city to Albenga where they would encamp on April 28,1843 before being disbanded. It was the Sardinian Navy that threw a wrench in things by refusing to accept the orders or recognize the new Government they would sail to Toulon and join up with the French Royal Navy. In response Queen Esmerarlda was forced to exile the officers and men of the Fleet that kept fighting after the signing of the Treaty of Albenga. The French would be the other thorn as they refused to abandon Cumeo which they had fortified, Louis XVII decided that making the Italians fight on the Eastern side of the mountains was better than letting them descend into southern France as the Romans once had Gaul. As the deadline approached Napoleon II and Marshall Sacco would agree that Esmeralda had done her utmost to honor the treaty and grant her the title of Duchess of Piedmont when she abdicated the throne of Sardinia on May 1, 1843.
As April warmed up the Piedmont in Northern Italy Marshal Sacco struck on a bold almost insane plan. Over the winter he had reinforced his Army of Northern Italy to 230,000 Infantry, 50,000 Cavalry and 40 Batteries of field guns and 20 batteries of Horse guns. He had also gain a new fire brand of a Cavalry General Cosimo Siciliano. It was Siciliano who helped Sacco plan the spring offensive. Marshall Sacco would break the Army of Northern Italy into two again He would take the Bulk of the Army and March Southeast so that it looked like they were heading to reinforce the Siege of Genoa, this would force the French to intercept Saccos before he and the Army could get to Genoa. Meanwhile Siciliano and the Bulk of the Army’s cavalry would move west then south along the foothills of the Alps. While Lonbardi’s Army would move south at a slower pace just west of Sacco’s Line of March. When the French intercepted Sacco and engaged in battle Lombardi would swing south then attack their rear. Meanwhile Sicilino and the Cavalry would attack the French forward supply base at Cuneo.
April 18,1843 was a warm spring morning when Major General Léonard Roux was enjoying his breakfast when he started receiving reports that The Italians were marching south by south east in force. Given that the war was not nover the only reason that Sacco would march that direction was he intended to Crush the Genoa Pocket, where Major General Bava, the one Sardinian Commander worth a damn in Roux's mind, was bottled up. This was worrying as it would free up more Italian troops for him to have to deal with later. But there was also opportunity Here If He moved fast enough he might be able to catch them Crossing the Po and destroy the biggest chunk of the Italian Army. This would delight Paris who were rightly very worried about an English Army encamped at Cherbourg. So without finishing his breakfast he started drafting orders. He wanted his Army minus the Cuneo Garrison 210,000 Infantry, 7,000 Cavalry, 52 batteries of field guns and 8 batteries of horse guns. Ready to march within the hour. By 1100 hours the French were marching toward destiny. Because King Chalres Felix was insistent that he use what was left of the Army of Piedoment he assigned it commanded by Major General Giacomo Consoli the task of Screening the Left (northern) Flank of the French Advance. The Army of Piedmont consisted of 50,000 Infantry, 3,000 Cavalry and 14 batteries of field guns, after the beating it took in 1842 the men’s morale was low and faith in the officers was nonexistent.
Roux and his French army would catch up with Sacco at the town of Pollentia just east of Bra. However when his men arrived at the field they found not a moving army but an Italian army that was deployed for a battle along a one mile wide front just east of the town. Roux deployed his men, it meant little to him the Italians were out in the open and in front of his army he would crush them all the same. At 1300h on April 19,1843 the Battle of Pollentia began in earnest.
Meanwhile three hours earlier at 1000h at the old battle field of Savigliano Lombardi’s Column ran into the Sardinian Army of Piedmont out numbered over two to one the Lonbardi was able to use his numbers to overwhelm the Sardinians flanks and by 1200h he had encircled the demoralized Sardinian troops. The most dedicated and loyal parts of the Army namely the Piedmont Guards Division would hold out for almost four more hours before finally overwhelmed by the Italian’s numbers, but this was the exception most of the Sardinian Army surrendered en mass once they realized there was no escape this time. In some instances whole divisions would throw down their rifles and walk to the nearest Italian unit and surrender peacefully. When one such event started to take place with a Brigade that was in line next to the Piedmont Guards they turned their fire on the men attempting to surrender, mowing down hundreds of men from behind. The fact that the Piedmont guards and one or two other hold out divisions kepted Lombardi’s men occupied meant that they wouldn’t be able to march on the main battle till the morning. The Second battle of Savigliano while not as big or bloody as the previous one was a decisive victory for Lombardi and would prove to be a turning point.
Back at Pollentia the first day of fighting had ended in stalemate the battle field was too narrow for either side to use their numbers effectively. Not hearing from Consoli was beginning to worry Roux so that night he sent his cavalry out on a night recon and the report he got back confirmed his worst fears. The Italians had set a trap and he had walked into it not only that but the acurseid Sardinias had allowed themselves to be encircled and crushed without trying to get word out to him. He wanted to let his men sleep tonight but now the reserve would have to be woken up so they could redeploy before he lost his entire army. He would send the better part of his reserve 70,000 Infantry west to Cappellazzo to block the Itailians at Savigliano he had to extract his army but he couldn’t just pull out or it would be Lombardi infront of him and Sacco behind. And he would be no better off than he was now.
April 20, 1843 would see heavy fighting as the Battle of Cappellazzo began at 0900h when Lombardi’s army found the French Reserve deployed and waiting for them with 70,000 Infantry 6,000 Cavalry and 21 batteries of field guns commanded by General de Division Émilien Petit. Lombardi deployed his 90,000 Infantry, 2,500 Cavalry and 15 batteries of field guns and the battle commenced. Both sides were exhausted and determined. The Itailians to finish off the french and put an end to the Kingdom of Sardinia once and for all. The French not to be encircled and end up like the Sardinians. So that the battle ended up as a hard fought stalemate by the time the sun fell below the horizon.
Back at Pollentia the battle continued as a stalemate until Sacco pulled one of this trademarked sleight of hands. He dispatched two divisions on a 10 mile march around the mountain to the North of the battle; these two divisions would reappear at 1700h behind the French Left Flank. With the bulk of his reserve fighting at Cappellazzo Roux had little he could deploy to meet this and instead had to have his left flank do a series of Left Wheels so that they turned to meet the new flank this also shortened this line. However in doing so he had made his position untenable and when Sacco started a fresh assault on the Left and center trying to Drive the French army into the River the well disciplined french soldiers broke. Maybe Roux could have salvaged something from the battle at that point, however he never got the chance as an Italian sharpshooter managed to put a bullet in his left ear and out of his right. At 1805h Major General Léonard Roux fell from his horse dead. And the french army broke. Roux’s aide de camp Colonel Juste Robert was able to get most of the Artillery mustered and retreating protected by the Cavalry and as many units in good order as he could find. He also managed to along with General de Division Aimeric Durand throw together a rear guard that bought time for at least some of the Army to escape the battle however they had to sacrifice themselves to accomplish this.
When the smoke Cleared the French Army was gone over 70,000 Frenchmen had been taken prisoner another 4,500 were dead and 8,600 were wounded; the Italians had not had any men captured but had suffered 3,000 killed and 9,000 wounded. When all three battles were added up Italy had lost just over 10,000 killed and 25,000 wounded. France’s grand total for all three battles would be 75,000 captured, 13,500 killed and 22,600 wounded. The Sardinians had been wiped off the map, losing all of their last field army. General de Division Émilien Petit would reform at Cumeo which they returned to find battered but not broken, as the Garrison had been more than enough to ward off Siciliano Cavalry raid. That is not to say everything was fine, the Rail Line that had been painfully run though the mountains had been destroyed in several places and over 300 supply wagons had been burned.
April 23, 1843 Naples
When Word of the battle first reached Naples just hours after the guns had fallen silent Napoleon II had ordered the bells rung in celebration of the victory over the French however as time passed and the Full report came in from Marshall Sacco it became clear that the war against the French was not over. Sardinia was another story as King Charles Felix had been overthrown by what subjects he had left under the government of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and its new Leaders Chancellor Fonsie Arcuri and Queen Esmeralda had sent word that they would like to discuss terms to Naples. When he was informed of this in his room where he was held captive Crown Prince Ferdinand Emanuele complained that his sister had no right to the throne only for Napoleon II to remind him that first he was a captive here and second his father was not dead but in route to Paris after being overthrown and he should be glad that the Sardinian Monarch survived at all “After all that is the way Republics are born.” Napoleon instructed Sacco to offer the following terms.
- The Kingdom of Sardinia surrenders to the Italian Empire All Sardinian troops on the ground and Ships at sea shall cease all combat operations against the Italian Empire and its Allies.
- The Kingdom of Sardinia will order the French to abandon their position at Cumeo and leave all Sardinian Territory and ports.
- On May 1,1843 the Kingdom of Sardinia will cease to exist and integrate itself into the Italian Empire. If all the terms of the treaty are met then on that Day Queen Esmeralda would become the Duchess of Piedmont if Not another governmental structure will be created.
On April 24,1843 the Sardinian Government would sign the treaty and orders were sent to Bava to stand down in Genoa; which he would do on the next day having his men stack their arms and march out of the city to Albenga where they would encamp on April 28,1843 before being disbanded. It was the Sardinian Navy that threw a wrench in things by refusing to accept the orders or recognize the new Government they would sail to Toulon and join up with the French Royal Navy. In response Queen Esmerarlda was forced to exile the officers and men of the Fleet that kept fighting after the signing of the Treaty of Albenga. The French would be the other thorn as they refused to abandon Cumeo which they had fortified, Louis XVII decided that making the Italians fight on the Eastern side of the mountains was better than letting them descend into southern France as the Romans once had Gaul. As the deadline approached Napoleon II and Marshall Sacco would agree that Esmeralda had done her utmost to honor the treaty and grant her the title of Duchess of Piedmont when she abdicated the throne of Sardinia on May 1, 1843.
Russia, Italy, Britain, Prussia, and France in Europe will have some fun time I’m assuming?
African countries so more exploring of Africa, dont known if Ethiopia has been mentioned or the rush for colonies besides Northern Africa and DutchSA.