Saphroneth
Banned
An interesting idea!
I did think the Union might blanch at putting a capital city on the Great Lakes, but heavy batteries and forts at both sides of the Huron-Michigan strait would solve that - it's not like NY is much safer!
If they will not meet us on the open sea (a Trent TL)
- Thread starter Saphroneth
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I did think the Union might blanch at putting a capital city on the Great Lakes, but heavy batteries and forts at both sides of the Huron-Michigan strait would solve that - it's not like NY is much safer!
9-25 October 1862
Saphroneth
Banned
9 October
As the run up to the elections in the American Nations intensifies, a bill is floated in the US Congress. It would mandate that the Ordnance Department keep on hand, at all times, not less than 500,000 rifles of a modern type along with the powder, accouterments and other materiel required to swiftly mobilize this number of troops into a full army.
This bill is torn to shreds in debate, with the sheet scale of the cost that the Federal government would incur being stressed. Nevertheless, the idea of keeping rifles on hand survives - it is made very clear that one of the largest single problems the Union has had in the late war is want of guns to arm their recruits.
11 October
The Dunderberg is laid down in New York, along with a number of other ironclads. It has taken some time to sort out the supply chain after the chaos caused by the 20-ironclad navy, the harbour destruction of the 20-ironclad navy and the United States ironclads hoovering up much of the material ordered for the 20-ironclad navy, but Webb feels that the Dunderberg - while a long term prospect, with an estimated construction time of fifteen months - will prove to be a sound investment. *
12 October
The Admiralty tenders orders for a dozen 'anti mine gunvessels', which are to be small ships of the gunboat or gunvessel type fitted with light guns (40-lber Armstrongs are the initial assumption) and powerful engines, as well as mine clearing grapnels and serrated chains to be attached directly to the hull (these latter to be used to cut the ropes or detonation wires of tethered mines). They are also provided with excess anchors for a similar task - dragging the anchors along the bottom to sever control cables - and the facility to operate Standard Diving Dress.
All these vessels are to be tightly compartmentalized in case of mine detonation.
As is the custom at this time, the orders are put out in ones and twos to multiple different builders - the best will then be used as a basis for any further improvements.
14 October
A demonstration in New York against the war and the economic disruption it is causing turns somewhat violent, with several shops burned and looting taking place.
Wood calls for calm, though his rhetoric in so doing is perhaps concerning - he implores the Federal government to bring an end to the war and restore good governance, while also hinting that a government which cares more for scoring political points than keeping its citizens fed and clothed is one which bears a resemblance to the ministry of Lord North.
After hearing this, the commander of the Narrows garrison quickly orders his men recalled from furlough so he can be ready to deal with potential "eventualities".
15 October
Ferdinand Maximilian formally accepts the offer of the Mexican imperial crown. (Mexico has an imperial crown due to complicated reasons, mostly related to 'it's bigger than mainland Spain, look at it'.) He will wrap up his affairs in Austria and then travel to Mexico to be crowned.
Also on this date, Superb conducts firing trials. The enormous mortar making up her primary armament proves to be as unwieldy as expected, but the sheer impact of the shells on the target (an old Martello tower) means the ship is considered a success. (Though replacement mortar components are considered essential - the likelihood at the moment is that Great Eastern will carry them like she does everything else.)
17 October
A report from the commander of the Narrows garrison reaches Washington, and causes a stir.
The commander explains that his troops had been largely furloughed, retaining forty percent of his strength at the forts to man them, and that he recalled the men in case of "eventualities". However, those men who were recalled have largely simply not returned - and those who do complain of lack of pay. (At home they can at least work either on their jobs or on their farms, which is productive work - military pay is in greenbacks, which at this point are becoming less and less believable as actual currency.)
Based on this (small) sample, the Ordnance department calculates that in the event of a resumption of war, the Union army would have fewer men in toto than they had pre-ceasefire facing the Confederacy alone.
This stark report means the pressure to resolve the war with a peace deal is intensified.
18 October
Confederate agents representing the State of Virginia contract for twenty Krupp guns, as an initial purchase to potentially be expanded later. The German industrialist is happy to sell - he wants as much business as possible, and his principal competitor (Armstrong) has been doing well from the American War.
21 October
The Snider-Enfield is demonstrated at Hythe. This weapon, a conversion of the Enfield rifle musket, proves to be something of a wonder weapon - it fires faster than the Enfield and retains all of its good qualities, including the great accuracy. Indeed, with the stiff paper cartridges it inserts complete instead of the normal muzzle-loading method, it is capable of a higher muzzle velocity and hence a longer range for the same accuracy or greater accuracy at the same range.
The only concern that remains in the minds of the Committee on Rifles is whether it will be possible to manufacture the cartridges in quantity and whether they will survive rough handling (an Enfield cartridge is just as usable if it is squashed, this is not true of the Snider cartridges), though they are also shown the metallic prototype cartridges which are being considered as an alternative. These are much harder to manufacture, but are also nearly immune to not only squashing but also damp.
22 October
Reports in Russia that the conscription measures of 1862 (routine) have been significantly underproducing, especially in the Polish area.
This does not seem to be particularly surprising as the emancipation of the serfs has been causing nationwide disruption to the normal way of things.
24 October
King Frederick inspects the Landwehr of the current class - a small cohort, the first attempt at implementing the new system on a regional basis and part of a trial to see how much training time is ideal. They are enthusiastic - perhaps overly so - and demonstrate with a mock battle, one in which perhaps a few too many rifle butts are made use of.
Nevertheless, they handle their needleguns well (a significant fraction of the training time is rifle practice) and a few British instructors are explaining the wonders of Hythe - though they are a bit snooty about the use of breech loading weapons!
25 October
The report on possible sites for the US capital in the event of a change of location is delivered to Congress. Broadly, the plans fall into two categories - one being that the new capital should be a new Federal District, much as the original District of Columbia was, an area without any major existing population center and then developed from there. (Several sites are suggested.)
The other option is the use of an existing large city - Boston, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Columbus are all mentioned, with detailed examination on their vulnerabilities and advantages. One key point of interest is that Chicago is actually quite defensible despite being on the Great Lakes - the Straits of Mackinac to Lake Huron could be sealed by fortifications, being five miles wide and with nearby islands to place batteries on - though the location is quite a long way from the current center of population of the US.
* OTL this ship was LD by 3 October 1862, specified to take fifteen months, was launched 33 months later and required extensive work in France to make her usable.
As the run up to the elections in the American Nations intensifies, a bill is floated in the US Congress. It would mandate that the Ordnance Department keep on hand, at all times, not less than 500,000 rifles of a modern type along with the powder, accouterments and other materiel required to swiftly mobilize this number of troops into a full army.
This bill is torn to shreds in debate, with the sheet scale of the cost that the Federal government would incur being stressed. Nevertheless, the idea of keeping rifles on hand survives - it is made very clear that one of the largest single problems the Union has had in the late war is want of guns to arm their recruits.
11 October
The Dunderberg is laid down in New York, along with a number of other ironclads. It has taken some time to sort out the supply chain after the chaos caused by the 20-ironclad navy, the harbour destruction of the 20-ironclad navy and the United States ironclads hoovering up much of the material ordered for the 20-ironclad navy, but Webb feels that the Dunderberg - while a long term prospect, with an estimated construction time of fifteen months - will prove to be a sound investment. *
12 October
The Admiralty tenders orders for a dozen 'anti mine gunvessels', which are to be small ships of the gunboat or gunvessel type fitted with light guns (40-lber Armstrongs are the initial assumption) and powerful engines, as well as mine clearing grapnels and serrated chains to be attached directly to the hull (these latter to be used to cut the ropes or detonation wires of tethered mines). They are also provided with excess anchors for a similar task - dragging the anchors along the bottom to sever control cables - and the facility to operate Standard Diving Dress.
All these vessels are to be tightly compartmentalized in case of mine detonation.
As is the custom at this time, the orders are put out in ones and twos to multiple different builders - the best will then be used as a basis for any further improvements.
14 October
A demonstration in New York against the war and the economic disruption it is causing turns somewhat violent, with several shops burned and looting taking place.
Wood calls for calm, though his rhetoric in so doing is perhaps concerning - he implores the Federal government to bring an end to the war and restore good governance, while also hinting that a government which cares more for scoring political points than keeping its citizens fed and clothed is one which bears a resemblance to the ministry of Lord North.
After hearing this, the commander of the Narrows garrison quickly orders his men recalled from furlough so he can be ready to deal with potential "eventualities".
15 October
Ferdinand Maximilian formally accepts the offer of the Mexican imperial crown. (Mexico has an imperial crown due to complicated reasons, mostly related to 'it's bigger than mainland Spain, look at it'.) He will wrap up his affairs in Austria and then travel to Mexico to be crowned.
Also on this date, Superb conducts firing trials. The enormous mortar making up her primary armament proves to be as unwieldy as expected, but the sheer impact of the shells on the target (an old Martello tower) means the ship is considered a success. (Though replacement mortar components are considered essential - the likelihood at the moment is that Great Eastern will carry them like she does everything else.)
17 October
A report from the commander of the Narrows garrison reaches Washington, and causes a stir.
The commander explains that his troops had been largely furloughed, retaining forty percent of his strength at the forts to man them, and that he recalled the men in case of "eventualities". However, those men who were recalled have largely simply not returned - and those who do complain of lack of pay. (At home they can at least work either on their jobs or on their farms, which is productive work - military pay is in greenbacks, which at this point are becoming less and less believable as actual currency.)
Based on this (small) sample, the Ordnance department calculates that in the event of a resumption of war, the Union army would have fewer men in toto than they had pre-ceasefire facing the Confederacy alone.
This stark report means the pressure to resolve the war with a peace deal is intensified.
18 October
Confederate agents representing the State of Virginia contract for twenty Krupp guns, as an initial purchase to potentially be expanded later. The German industrialist is happy to sell - he wants as much business as possible, and his principal competitor (Armstrong) has been doing well from the American War.
21 October
The Snider-Enfield is demonstrated at Hythe. This weapon, a conversion of the Enfield rifle musket, proves to be something of a wonder weapon - it fires faster than the Enfield and retains all of its good qualities, including the great accuracy. Indeed, with the stiff paper cartridges it inserts complete instead of the normal muzzle-loading method, it is capable of a higher muzzle velocity and hence a longer range for the same accuracy or greater accuracy at the same range.
The only concern that remains in the minds of the Committee on Rifles is whether it will be possible to manufacture the cartridges in quantity and whether they will survive rough handling (an Enfield cartridge is just as usable if it is squashed, this is not true of the Snider cartridges), though they are also shown the metallic prototype cartridges which are being considered as an alternative. These are much harder to manufacture, but are also nearly immune to not only squashing but also damp.
22 October
Reports in Russia that the conscription measures of 1862 (routine) have been significantly underproducing, especially in the Polish area.
This does not seem to be particularly surprising as the emancipation of the serfs has been causing nationwide disruption to the normal way of things.
24 October
King Frederick inspects the Landwehr of the current class - a small cohort, the first attempt at implementing the new system on a regional basis and part of a trial to see how much training time is ideal. They are enthusiastic - perhaps overly so - and demonstrate with a mock battle, one in which perhaps a few too many rifle butts are made use of.
Nevertheless, they handle their needleguns well (a significant fraction of the training time is rifle practice) and a few British instructors are explaining the wonders of Hythe - though they are a bit snooty about the use of breech loading weapons!
25 October
The report on possible sites for the US capital in the event of a change of location is delivered to Congress. Broadly, the plans fall into two categories - one being that the new capital should be a new Federal District, much as the original District of Columbia was, an area without any major existing population center and then developed from there. (Several sites are suggested.)
The other option is the use of an existing large city - Boston, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Columbus are all mentioned, with detailed examination on their vulnerabilities and advantages. One key point of interest is that Chicago is actually quite defensible despite being on the Great Lakes - the Straits of Mackinac to Lake Huron could be sealed by fortifications, being five miles wide and with nearby islands to place batteries on - though the location is quite a long way from the current center of population of the US.
* OTL this ship was LD by 3 October 1862, specified to take fifteen months, was launched 33 months later and required extensive work in France to make her usable.
Saphroneth
Banned
Still better than nothing. It's just there as a highlight on the capabilities of US industry, really - if anything I've hugely boosted them TTL.
The non-river US ironclads operational as of 25 October 1862 were the Monitor, Galena, New Ironsides and Naugatuck - that fourth one being essentially a revenue cutter with flood tanks and an iron plate at the waterline.
Saphroneth
Banned
Aside - while doing research I found an American publication describing the Defence and Resistance class as "slow". True, on the face of it, but they were nearly as fast as the Monitor's speed added to that of the New Ironsides - a bit like describing the NelRods as slow for 1923 when they're still faster than the entire US battle line built by that date.
Saphroneth
Banned
This may be useful information. All the US ironclads of the Civil War except for those which were war prizes (meaning captured complete), in order of first date usable as a warship in OTL.
Name | Class | Type | Date serviceable
Carondelet | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-15
Cincinnati | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-16
Louisville | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-16
Mound City | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-16
Cairo | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-25
Pittsburgh | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-25
Baron DeKalb | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-31
Benton | Benton | Riverine casemate | 1862-02-24
Monitor | Monitor | Monitor | 1862-03-04
Naugatuck | Naugatuck | Revenue cutter | 1862-03-22
Galena | Galena | Broadside | 1862-04-21
Essex | Essex | Riverine casemate | 1862-05-01
Eastport | Eastport | Riverine casemate | 1862-08-15
New Ironsides | New Ironsides | Broadside | 1862-08-21
Passaic | Passaic | Monitor | 1862-11-25
Montauk | Passaic | Monitor | 1862-12-14
Nahant | Passaic | Monitor | 1862-12-29
Patapsco | Passaic | Monitor | 1863-01-02
Chillicothe | Chillicothe | Riverine casemate | 1863-01-08
Weehawken | Passaic | Monitor | 1863-01-18
Indianola | Indianola | Riverine casemate | 1863-01-23
Sangamon | Passaic | Monitor | 1863-02-09
Catskill | Passaic | Monitor | 1863-02-24
Nantucket | Passaic | Monitor | 1863-02-26
Lafayette | Lafayette | Riverine casemate | 1863-02-27
Keokuk | Keokuk | Casemate ironclad | 1863-03-01
Tuscumbia | Tuscumbia | Riverine casemate | 1863-03-12
Choctaw | Choctaw | Riverine casemate | 1863-03-23
Lehigh | Passaic | Monitor | 1863-04-15
Neosho | Neosho | River monitor | 1863-05-13
Roanoke | Roanoke | Harbour monitor | 1863-06-29
Osage | Neosho | River monitor | 1863-07-10
Ozark | Ozark | River monitor | 1864-02-18
Onondaga | Onondaga | Monitor | 1864-03-24
Canonicus | Canonicus | Monitor | 1864-04-16
Tecumseh | Canonicus | Monitor | 1864-04-19
Winnebago | Milwaukee | River monitor | 1864-04-27
Agamenticus | Miantonomoh | Monitor | 1864-05-05
Chickasaw | Milwaukee | River monitor | 1864-05-14
Manhattan | Canonicus | Monitor | 1864-06-06
Kickapoo | Milwaukee | River monitor | 1864-07-08
Tunxis | Casco | Failed monitor | 1864-07-12
Saugus | Canonicus | Monitor | 1864-08-27
Milwaukee | Milwaukee | River monitor | 1864-08-27
Spuyten Duyvil | Spuyten Duyvil | Torpedo boat | 1864-09-01
Mahopac | Canonicus | Monitor | 1864-09-22
Monadnock | Miantonomoh | Monitor | 1864-10-04
Dictator | Dictator | Ocean monitor | 1864-11-11
Casco | Casco | Failed monitor | 1864-12-04
Chimo | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-01-20
Naubuc | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-03-27
Camanche | Passaic | Monitor | 1865-05-01
Squando | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-06-06
Catawba | Canonicus | Monitor | 1865-06-10
Oneota | Canonicus | Monitor | 1865-06-10
Modoc | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-06-23
Suncook | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-07-27
Nausett | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-08-10
Shawnee | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-08-18
Miantonomoh | Miantonomoh | Monitor | 1865-09-18
Ajax | Canonicus | Monitor | 1865-09-27
Tonawanda | Miantonomoh | Monitor | 1865-10-12
Wassuc | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-10-28
Koka | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-11-28
Yazoo | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-12-15
Marietta | Marietta | River monitor | 1865-12-16
Sandusky | Marietta | River monitor | 1865-12-26
Cohoes | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-01-19
Wyandotte | Canonicus | Monitor | 1866-02-15
Etlah | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-03-12
Shiloh | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-03-12
Napa | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-05-04
Klamath | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-05-06
Yuma | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-05-06
Umpqua | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-05-07
Waxsaw | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-10-21
Dunderberg | Dunderberg | Seagoing casemate | 1867-08-07
Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo | Ocean monitor | N/A
Passaconaway | Kalamazoo | Ocean monitor | N/A
Quinsigmond | Kalamazoo | Ocean monitor | N/A
Shackamaxon | Kalamazoo | Ocean monitor | N/A
Puritan | Puritan | Ocean monitor | N/A
Name | Class | Type | Date serviceable
Carondelet | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-15
Cincinnati | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-16
Louisville | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-16
Mound City | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-16
Cairo | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-25
Pittsburgh | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-25
Baron DeKalb | City | Riverine casemate | 1862-01-31
Benton | Benton | Riverine casemate | 1862-02-24
Monitor | Monitor | Monitor | 1862-03-04
Naugatuck | Naugatuck | Revenue cutter | 1862-03-22
Galena | Galena | Broadside | 1862-04-21
Essex | Essex | Riverine casemate | 1862-05-01
Eastport | Eastport | Riverine casemate | 1862-08-15
New Ironsides | New Ironsides | Broadside | 1862-08-21
Passaic | Passaic | Monitor | 1862-11-25
Montauk | Passaic | Monitor | 1862-12-14
Nahant | Passaic | Monitor | 1862-12-29
Patapsco | Passaic | Monitor | 1863-01-02
Chillicothe | Chillicothe | Riverine casemate | 1863-01-08
Weehawken | Passaic | Monitor | 1863-01-18
Indianola | Indianola | Riverine casemate | 1863-01-23
Sangamon | Passaic | Monitor | 1863-02-09
Catskill | Passaic | Monitor | 1863-02-24
Nantucket | Passaic | Monitor | 1863-02-26
Lafayette | Lafayette | Riverine casemate | 1863-02-27
Keokuk | Keokuk | Casemate ironclad | 1863-03-01
Tuscumbia | Tuscumbia | Riverine casemate | 1863-03-12
Choctaw | Choctaw | Riverine casemate | 1863-03-23
Lehigh | Passaic | Monitor | 1863-04-15
Neosho | Neosho | River monitor | 1863-05-13
Roanoke | Roanoke | Harbour monitor | 1863-06-29
Osage | Neosho | River monitor | 1863-07-10
Ozark | Ozark | River monitor | 1864-02-18
Onondaga | Onondaga | Monitor | 1864-03-24
Canonicus | Canonicus | Monitor | 1864-04-16
Tecumseh | Canonicus | Monitor | 1864-04-19
Winnebago | Milwaukee | River monitor | 1864-04-27
Agamenticus | Miantonomoh | Monitor | 1864-05-05
Chickasaw | Milwaukee | River monitor | 1864-05-14
Manhattan | Canonicus | Monitor | 1864-06-06
Kickapoo | Milwaukee | River monitor | 1864-07-08
Tunxis | Casco | Failed monitor | 1864-07-12
Saugus | Canonicus | Monitor | 1864-08-27
Milwaukee | Milwaukee | River monitor | 1864-08-27
Spuyten Duyvil | Spuyten Duyvil | Torpedo boat | 1864-09-01
Mahopac | Canonicus | Monitor | 1864-09-22
Monadnock | Miantonomoh | Monitor | 1864-10-04
Dictator | Dictator | Ocean monitor | 1864-11-11
Casco | Casco | Failed monitor | 1864-12-04
Chimo | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-01-20
Naubuc | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-03-27
Camanche | Passaic | Monitor | 1865-05-01
Squando | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-06-06
Catawba | Canonicus | Monitor | 1865-06-10
Oneota | Canonicus | Monitor | 1865-06-10
Modoc | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-06-23
Suncook | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-07-27
Nausett | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-08-10
Shawnee | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-08-18
Miantonomoh | Miantonomoh | Monitor | 1865-09-18
Ajax | Canonicus | Monitor | 1865-09-27
Tonawanda | Miantonomoh | Monitor | 1865-10-12
Wassuc | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-10-28
Koka | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-11-28
Yazoo | Casco | Failed monitor | 1865-12-15
Marietta | Marietta | River monitor | 1865-12-16
Sandusky | Marietta | River monitor | 1865-12-26
Cohoes | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-01-19
Wyandotte | Canonicus | Monitor | 1866-02-15
Etlah | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-03-12
Shiloh | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-03-12
Napa | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-05-04
Klamath | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-05-06
Yuma | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-05-06
Umpqua | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-05-07
Waxsaw | Casco | Failed monitor | 1866-10-21
Dunderberg | Dunderberg | Seagoing casemate | 1867-08-07
Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo | Ocean monitor | N/A
Passaconaway | Kalamazoo | Ocean monitor | N/A
Quinsigmond | Kalamazoo | Ocean monitor | N/A
Shackamaxon | Kalamazoo | Ocean monitor | N/A
Puritan | Puritan | Ocean monitor | N/A
Looking at the 1860 census anyway - the biggest cities in the remaining U.S. that aren't on the coast/great lakes or Confederate border would seem to be
2-Philadelphia
13-Albany
17-Pittsburgh
(All of which are bigger than Richmond in 1860!)
Followed by Troy, Lowell, Syracuse, Hartford, Reading, Utica, Manchester (NH), Dayton, Paterson (NJ), Indianapolis at #48 and then Columbus at #49.
If the U.S. ends up deciding to go for a state capitol then Albany, Hartford, Indianapolis, Columbus, and Harrisburg would all make a moderate amount of sense. (And in 1860 the U.S. center of population was in Ohio, which is another point for one of the more central cities)
Saphroneth
Banned
The trick is really to find somewhere with good communications and which the Union can defend in the event of war - whether by way of batteries across navigable water or by way of not having a navigable water route to the city, quite apart from being a fair distance from the border (either one).
...speaking of which, it's quite an amusing detail that if the Confederacy got all of Virginia including the bit above the M-D line, the US would only be 84 miles across at the narrowest point (East Liverpool to Cleveland)
I was looking up what Richmond was before being designated Confederate capital, and I ran into another one of those stupid misconceptions people airily repeat about the Civil War - that Virginia was the "first Ironclad used in war".
That would surprise the French, whose Devastation class batteries bombarded Kinburn in 1855 and who then employed the ironclads again in the Adriatic in 1859. The Devastation class were definitely ironclads, being twice the size of Monitor, masted, engined and carrying 4.3" of hammered wrought iron.
"World's first ironclad used in ship to ship combat" would be true of Virginia unless it comes out that the Adriatic theater was more impressive than my current information.
...speaking of which, it's quite an amusing detail that if the Confederacy got all of Virginia including the bit above the M-D line, the US would only be 84 miles across at the narrowest point (East Liverpool to Cleveland)
I was looking up what Richmond was before being designated Confederate capital, and I ran into another one of those stupid misconceptions people airily repeat about the Civil War - that Virginia was the "first Ironclad used in war".
That would surprise the French, whose Devastation class batteries bombarded Kinburn in 1855 and who then employed the ironclads again in the Adriatic in 1859. The Devastation class were definitely ironclads, being twice the size of Monitor, masted, engined and carrying 4.3" of hammered wrought iron.
"World's first ironclad used in ship to ship combat" would be true of Virginia unless it comes out that the Adriatic theater was more impressive than my current information.
I think you might find several of the eight battalions of The Royal West Indian Regiment would have been deployed in Canada, even perhaps with Pennyfather (though in an LOC role) Other active regiments were recruited in the West Indies, indeed, they had been for many decades before this time. The Duke of York gave his name to some in the Revolutionary wars to fend off the threat of Spain and France to the valuable islands of the British Empire. Some were Garrison troops, but others were trained in the Light Bob's tradition and would be useful in the field. They were used outside of the West Indies and were trusted and reliable contributors to the British field army.
Aren't they more likely to stay in the West Indies? When they were sent overseas it was to West Africa, and they went there primarily because the climate was unsuitable for British troops (before the widespread use of quinine). Sending them to snowy Canada seems a little cruel, and reducing garrisons in the West Indies a little over-confident. If there's a shortage of rear area troops in Canada, it would seem easier to use Canadian or British militia.
In the Napoleonic Wars - from wiki:
The Regiments were later involved in the War of 1812, both on the Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Mexico, taking part in the British attack on New Orleans. In 1800 there were 12 battalion-sized regiments which were seen as valuable also for dealing with slave revolt in the West Indies colonies. After the Slave Trade Act of 1807, there was a shortfall of around five thousand members at the start of the War of 1812, and the war offered hope of new recruitment from slaves fleeing the United States. However, only eight joined the regiments from the Chesapeake Bay area in 1814, and a further thirteen on the coast of Georgia early in 1815, the great majority of refugees who offered military service preferring the newly formed Corps of Colonial Marines, who later rejected British government orders for transfer to the Regiments.[8]
Unfortunately in our period under discussion, only two battalions were extant, however, I bet more would have been recruited had the need been found.
The Regiments were later involved in the War of 1812, both on the Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Mexico, taking part in the British attack on New Orleans. In 1800 there were 12 battalion-sized regiments which were seen as valuable also for dealing with slave revolt in the West Indies colonies. After the Slave Trade Act of 1807, there was a shortfall of around five thousand members at the start of the War of 1812, and the war offered hope of new recruitment from slaves fleeing the United States. However, only eight joined the regiments from the Chesapeake Bay area in 1814, and a further thirteen on the coast of Georgia early in 1815, the great majority of refugees who offered military service preferring the newly formed Corps of Colonial Marines, who later rejected British government orders for transfer to the Regiments.[8]
Unfortunately in our period under discussion, only two battalions were extant, however, I bet more would have been recruited had the need been found.
Saphroneth
Banned
Don't forget that there's no British land actions (as in, involving infantry instead of Marines) taking place south of the Great Lakes, apart from a small action against Fort Delaware.
Three, I think. However, with fewer battalions than in 1812 and with difficulty in recruiting (note that six of the eight companies of the new 4th Regiment came from the three existing ones), I think the safer bet is that they'd be kept in the West Indies. If the garrison can be reduced safely, or new West Indian battalions recruited, you're more likely to see 1/14th or 1/21st sent to Canada.
There already were Black formations in Canada prior to this date in OTL. The "Company of Coloured Men" fought at Queenston Heights during the war of 1812 and other Black militias participated during that war. Black militia companies numbering some 1000 men participated in putting down the Upper Canada rebellion in 1835 and in the 1850's the Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps was an all Black militia unit also known as the "African Rifles".
Saphroneth
Banned
It's quite possible the VPRC has actually done better than OTL, here - a call-up in early 1862 would do wonders for their recognition as a useful part of the Canadian militia.
Yeah given useful service in this war that should help eliminate the type of reluctance shown by enlistment authorities towards Black men in 1914.
Saphroneth
Banned
Unless there's a problem with it, this is what I'm likely to make the US/CS border.
Draft Treaty of Havana - US/CS border section
The boundary between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America shall be as follows.
The Chesapeake Bay and lower Susquehanna navigation shall be shared between the nations.
The eastern terminus of the border shall be at the intersection of the Mason-Dixon survey line and the Susquehanna river, and the border will then follow the Mason-Dixon line west to the Ohio River.
The border will be the Ohio River from this point to the confluence with the Mississippi, which will then be the border downriver until the 37th Parallel.
The border shall then continue westwards from this point to the 114th line of longitude, at which point the border will follow this line until the 36th Parallel, which shall be the border from here to the Pacific.
Incidentally, there's a bugaboo hidden in there - the confluence of the Ohio with the Mississippi is one arcminute south of the 37th parallel - and depending on the meaning that could officially stamp Cairo, IL, as "Disputed".
The boundary between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America shall be as follows.
The Chesapeake Bay and lower Susquehanna navigation shall be shared between the nations.
The eastern terminus of the border shall be at the intersection of the Mason-Dixon survey line and the Susquehanna river, and the border will then follow the Mason-Dixon line west to the Ohio River.
The border will be the Ohio River from this point to the confluence with the Mississippi, which will then be the border downriver until the 37th Parallel.
The border shall then continue westwards from this point to the 114th line of longitude, at which point the border will follow this line until the 36th Parallel, which shall be the border from here to the Pacific.
Incidentally, there's a bugaboo hidden in there - the confluence of the Ohio with the Mississippi is one arcminute south of the 37th parallel - and depending on the meaning that could officially stamp Cairo, IL, as "Disputed".
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Saphroneth
Banned
Apart from the bugbear I note in the spoilered bit, it's incredibly simple. Basically:
Everything east of the Susqhehanna to the Union
Border straight-lines the Maryland-Pennsylvania border, chops off a tiny bit of Virginia to go to the Union, then follows the Ohio river down from Virginia through Kentucky to the southernmost tip of Illinois. At that point it runs west until it hits OTL Nevada, jogs south a bit and cuts to the Pacific.
Border straight-lines the Maryland-Pennsylvania border, chops off a tiny bit of Virginia to go to the Union, then follows the Ohio river down from Virginia through Kentucky to the southernmost tip of Illinois. At that point it runs west until it hits OTL Nevada, jogs south a bit and cuts to the Pacific.
Skallagrim
Banned
It's a very plausible outcome.
In fact, I still think that the Confederacy accepting the 36th Parallel in the far west, instead of the 37th, is rather generous to the Union, considering the circumstances. I do assume that the CSA will certainly insist on keeping the southernmost, Virginia-owned tip of the Delmarva peninsula? It's not mentioned in your outline, but it would be very unrealistic for them to forego that claim.
Regarding Cairo, Ill. -- that's a very interesting detail, in particular because that region is widely considered as being culturally "Southern", even in OTL. Would be fun to see the CSA press that claim.
Regarding Cairo, Ill. -- that's a very interesting detail, in particular because that region is widely considered as being culturally "Southern", even in OTL. Would be fun to see the CSA press that claim.