Great Caribbean War
March 1850: Narciso Lopez convinces Major Robert E. Lee to accompany him on his filibustering expedition to Cuba. Over the next two months they gather almost 1,200 volunteers as the so called Cuban Liberation Brigade.
May 1850: Lopez and Lee capture the Cuban town of Cardenas. Over the next four weeks they will defeat three separate Spanish attacks as they await the arrival of another 2,000 volunteers from the United States.
June: Spain demands that the US cut off all aid to these Southern invaders, but all attempts to do so are blocked in Congress by Jefferson Davis and his allies.
July: The enlarged and re-supplied CLB moves out of Cardenas and effectively besieges Havana. Spain threatens war with the US if they do not do something and President Fillmore (just recently sworn in since Taylor’s death) invites Spanish delegates to Washington to discuss the matter.
August: Much of western Cuba has fallen to the CLB and the eastern portions of the island are in the grips of near civil war. At the Washington Conference, President Fillmore offers to purchase Cuba from Spain for $75 million (with the option to also purchase Puerto Rico for $20 million). The Spanish delegates are furious at this insult, especially since the offered price is less than President Polk suggested just a few years prior.
September 5, 1850: Spain declares war on the United States of America.
October: Fighting intensifies on Cuba as Spanish troops clash with the first American regulars to land on the island.
November: The Spanish Navy defeats a small US squadron off the Florida Keys effectively isolating the American forces on Cuba. Northern politicians begin to strongly protest the war.
December: A Spanish naval squadron proceeds up the American east coast and bombards Charleston, New York, and Boston. All three cities suffer serious damage, but New York is particularly hard hit as Brooklyn nearly burns to the ground and Manhattan sees panic driven rioting. A financial panic begins in the US. Anti-Catholic riots occur in major cities around the US. Over the next several months almost 1,500 people will be killed in these riots.
January 1851: The shelling of New York and Boston bring Northern support for the war against Spain. In return for Southern support for a National Bank and a transcontinental railroad, Northern states agree to allow Cuba to enter the Union as a slave state at the end of the war. A naval expansion bill is also passed.
February: Despite the Spanish blockade supplies continue to make it to Lee’s force in Cuba thanks to the daring of numerous American blockade runners.
April: Seeing the need to end the stalemate of the war Spanish General Baldomero Espartero plans the invasion of the United States. The Spanish government also begins secret talks with Santa Anna promising him the return of the recently lost California and Texas in return for his assistance against the US.
May: Britain informs the US of the secret talks between Spain and Mexico in order to curry favor and gain trade concessions.
June: A force of 5,000 Spanish troops land just west of Mobile, AL and begin to move on the port city. The US hurries to move any Army there to block this invasion, but this is only a feint. Two days later the Spanish Navy destroys a large fleet of transports leaving Mobile Bay for Cuba. Over 9,000 American soldiers are lost. Twelve days later 35,000 Spanish troops under the direct leadership of Gen. Espartero land at Morgan City, LA with the intention of capturing New Orleans and blocking the Mississippi.
July: An American force under Albert S. Johnston is smashed by the Spanish just south of the Mississippi. Johnston’s death at crucial point of battle along with the arrival of 15,000 Spanish reinforcements brings about a crushing defeat for the US. Over 20,000 American troops are killed or captured at the Battle of the Mississippi.
August: With the word of these two defeats some in Congress begin to pressure the President to begin peace talks with Spain. Santa Anna comes to an agreement with Spain and begins to mobilize the Mexican Army.
September: Word of Mexican mobilization spurs the creation of the Army of the Colorado and the Army of the Rio Grande. Gen. Winfield Scott convinces President Fillmore to create a General Staff and enact sourly needed military reforms.
October: The US Army is reorganized into five Army commands; Army of the Colorado under Gen. Fremont, Army of the Rio Grande under Gen. Halleck, Army of the Mississippi under______________, Army of the Tombighee under Gen. Robert Anderson, and the Army of the Caribbean under Gen. Philip Kearny. On the last day of the month Spanish troops victoriously enter New Orleans.
November 11, 1851: Mexico declares war on the United States as a two pronged invasion force enters California and Texas. Five days later 450 American volunteers under the command of William Walker enter Mexico in order to wage a guerilla war on Santa Anna’s supply lines.
December: A small US force attempting to recapture Morgan City is defeated by the Spanish. To celebrate the Spanish troops in New Orleans drink heavily and later that evening the drunken troops break into numerous homes and several women are raped. The episode leads to a riot in which 46 Americans (including 18 women and several children) are killed by the Spanish. On Christmas Eve five bombs explode in New Orleans killing over 60 Spanish soldiers. This marks the beginning of the New Orleans Uprising which will see periods of brutal house to house fighting, terrorist bombings, and brutal Spanish reprisals until the end of the war.
January 1852: With the financial situation stabilizing in the US, Winfield Scott and his General Staff begin making plans to expel the Spanish and Mexicans from American soil and win the war. A large number of military observers begin to arrive from Prussia, Sweden, France, Russia, Austria, and Great Britain.
February: The US sneaks a small force of soldiers into New Orleans to support the uprising there. They are led by Major Ulysses S. Grant.
March: Prompted by William Walker, Mariano Arista declares the Republic of Sonora (which includes Baja and Sonora), thus cutting Santa Anna’s Army in California off from support.
April: Spain dispatches 20,000 troops to Mexico to assist Santa Anna. They will be missed in during the Battle of Mobile where American troops force the surrender of the remaining 4,000 Spanish troops entrenched near Mobile.
May: A fleet of American ironclads run past the Spanish forts overlooking the Mississippi and clear the river of Spanish gunboats. A large US force lands on Puerto Rico. San Juan is captured by the end of the month.
June: In a surprise move intended to pull Spanish troops away from the Caribbean, 2,200 American troops are landed in the Canary Islands. There they begin a bush war to distract Spain. The Spanish Navy stops and boards a British merchant ship claiming that it is running guns to Lee’s army in Cuba. This incident will nearly bring Britain to War with Spain.
July: Wake Island is captured by the US Navy. Cut off from Mexico and out of supplies the Mexican Army in Las Angeles surrenders to Gen. Fremont’s Army of the Colorado. Fremont will die just two days later when stabbed by a captive Spanish officer.
August: The entire island of Puerto Rico falls to the US. An American naval force consisting of twelve deep water ironclads and twenty smaller vessels smashes the Spanish Navy at the Battle of the Silver Bank. Las Angeles is renamed Fremont.
September: Morocco launches a series of attacks on the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. Spain declares war on Morocco.
October: The US and Morocco sign the Casablanca Accords and the US begins to send arms and advisors to assist Morocco. The Army of the Mississippi surrounds New Orleans while the US Navy blockades it from the coast. Almost 30,000 Spanish troops are trapped within the city. A US force under the command of Col. Reynolds defeats a Spanish force four times larger than his own force and re-takes Morgan City.
November: The US sends 3,000 more troops to the Canaries and 5,000 to assist Morocco. The anti-Catholic American Party does well in the elections, but the newly formed National Union Party (a coalition of moderate Democrats and Whigs) capture a majority in the House.
December: With the blockade of Cuba ended American reinforcements pour onto the island and newly promoted Gen. Lee goes on the offensive. Guam is captured by a US Navy Marine contingent.
January 1853: The newly raised First Marine Brigade is send to Cuba where they launch a successful amphibious invasion of eastern Cuba. Santiago and Guantonamo Bay soon fall to the Marines.
February: The US Navy finally puts an effective blockade of Mexico’s coast in place. Veracruz is captured as are several ports on Mexico’s west coast.
March 1, 1853: Gen Espartero surrenders his force at New Orleans of his original force of 60,000 only 25,000 remain. Two days later the major Mexican army in Texas is defeated at the Second Battle of San Antonio. Santa Anna begins his long retreat back into Mexico.
April: In a desperate attempt to force the US into a favorable peace settlement, remaining elements of Spain’s Atlantic fleet enter the Chesapeake Bay bombard a few towns and land 7,500 troops at the mouth of the Potomac River in an attempt to capture Washington. They are defeated by American forces led by Gen. Scott himself at the Battle of the Potomac. The Spanish Navy abandons the ground forces and leave, but before then can escape an American squadron annihilates them in the Battle of the Chesapeake Bay.
May: The Mexican state of Chihuahua joins the Republic of Sonora, which becomes the Republic of Northern Mexico. US Marines are sent to the Canaries and the Philippines. The last Spanish contingent on Cuba surrenders.
June: American forces begin to advance towards Mexico City from Vera Cruz. The Yucatan declares its independence from Mexico. The US quickly recognizes the Republic of the Yucatan.
July: Mexico collapses into civil war. Santa Anna is captured and killed by his own troops while attempting to flee the country. The US recognizes the Republic of Northern Mexico with Mariano Arista as its president.
August: US and Moroccan forces capture Cadiz, Spain. Spain agrees to begin peace talks.
October: Treaty of Havana ends the Great Caribbean War. The US receives Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Canary Islands, Wake Is., Guam, and occupies Cadiz for the period of five years. Morocco receives Ceuta, Melilla, several small islands in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as basing rights in Cadiz for five years. Mexico is forced to recognize the independence of the Republic of Northern Mexico and the Republic of the Yucatan. Ten days after the signing of the treaty Spanish forces are victorious against American Marines at the Battle of Subic Bay in the Philippines.
1854-1858: Second Spanish Civil War and the War of Catalonian Independence. France intervenes in 1857 and supports Catalonian independence. A lesser Bonaparte is made King of Catalonia, while a Belgian nobleman is given the Spanish crown. In 1857, Cadiz declares itself a free city and offers the U.S. a 99 year lease to its port facilities in return for defensive aid.
1855: President Arista of the Republic of Northern Mexico dies and his Vice-president William Walker becomes president. He soon provokes a war with Nicaragua. Over the next four years forces from Northern Mexico (supported by large numbers of southern adventurers) will defeat and annex Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Panama. President Walker also ignores the widespread settlement of slave holders within the borders of Northern Mexico.
1856: Southern businessman, Harper Cartwright moves to southern California. He immediately begins importing slaves despite the Free State status of the region. Over the next three years he will convince many other slaveholders to follow him.
1857: The Colorado-Salton Canal is completed allowing the Salton Sink to fill up. The area around the newly formed lake is irrigated and becomes a prime cotton growing region. To support his war in Central America, President Walker sells Baja California to the United States.
1859: Transcontinental Railroad is completed from St. Louis to Fremont, California. The state of California takes control of Baja and prohibits slavery. Pro-Slavery settlers resist and declare California south of the 35th latitude to be the state of Baja. The California Civil War (1859-1861) will make Bleeding Kansas look tame in comparison.
This is as far as I've gotten. Their are a few things that I might tweek, but let me know what you think. In OTL Lopez first asked Jefferson davis to assist him. Davis declined and suggested asking Lee. Lee also declined and the rest is history.
Benjamin
March 1850: Narciso Lopez convinces Major Robert E. Lee to accompany him on his filibustering expedition to Cuba. Over the next two months they gather almost 1,200 volunteers as the so called Cuban Liberation Brigade.
May 1850: Lopez and Lee capture the Cuban town of Cardenas. Over the next four weeks they will defeat three separate Spanish attacks as they await the arrival of another 2,000 volunteers from the United States.
June: Spain demands that the US cut off all aid to these Southern invaders, but all attempts to do so are blocked in Congress by Jefferson Davis and his allies.
July: The enlarged and re-supplied CLB moves out of Cardenas and effectively besieges Havana. Spain threatens war with the US if they do not do something and President Fillmore (just recently sworn in since Taylor’s death) invites Spanish delegates to Washington to discuss the matter.
August: Much of western Cuba has fallen to the CLB and the eastern portions of the island are in the grips of near civil war. At the Washington Conference, President Fillmore offers to purchase Cuba from Spain for $75 million (with the option to also purchase Puerto Rico for $20 million). The Spanish delegates are furious at this insult, especially since the offered price is less than President Polk suggested just a few years prior.
September 5, 1850: Spain declares war on the United States of America.
October: Fighting intensifies on Cuba as Spanish troops clash with the first American regulars to land on the island.
November: The Spanish Navy defeats a small US squadron off the Florida Keys effectively isolating the American forces on Cuba. Northern politicians begin to strongly protest the war.
December: A Spanish naval squadron proceeds up the American east coast and bombards Charleston, New York, and Boston. All three cities suffer serious damage, but New York is particularly hard hit as Brooklyn nearly burns to the ground and Manhattan sees panic driven rioting. A financial panic begins in the US. Anti-Catholic riots occur in major cities around the US. Over the next several months almost 1,500 people will be killed in these riots.
January 1851: The shelling of New York and Boston bring Northern support for the war against Spain. In return for Southern support for a National Bank and a transcontinental railroad, Northern states agree to allow Cuba to enter the Union as a slave state at the end of the war. A naval expansion bill is also passed.
February: Despite the Spanish blockade supplies continue to make it to Lee’s force in Cuba thanks to the daring of numerous American blockade runners.
April: Seeing the need to end the stalemate of the war Spanish General Baldomero Espartero plans the invasion of the United States. The Spanish government also begins secret talks with Santa Anna promising him the return of the recently lost California and Texas in return for his assistance against the US.
May: Britain informs the US of the secret talks between Spain and Mexico in order to curry favor and gain trade concessions.
June: A force of 5,000 Spanish troops land just west of Mobile, AL and begin to move on the port city. The US hurries to move any Army there to block this invasion, but this is only a feint. Two days later the Spanish Navy destroys a large fleet of transports leaving Mobile Bay for Cuba. Over 9,000 American soldiers are lost. Twelve days later 35,000 Spanish troops under the direct leadership of Gen. Espartero land at Morgan City, LA with the intention of capturing New Orleans and blocking the Mississippi.
July: An American force under Albert S. Johnston is smashed by the Spanish just south of the Mississippi. Johnston’s death at crucial point of battle along with the arrival of 15,000 Spanish reinforcements brings about a crushing defeat for the US. Over 20,000 American troops are killed or captured at the Battle of the Mississippi.
August: With the word of these two defeats some in Congress begin to pressure the President to begin peace talks with Spain. Santa Anna comes to an agreement with Spain and begins to mobilize the Mexican Army.
September: Word of Mexican mobilization spurs the creation of the Army of the Colorado and the Army of the Rio Grande. Gen. Winfield Scott convinces President Fillmore to create a General Staff and enact sourly needed military reforms.
October: The US Army is reorganized into five Army commands; Army of the Colorado under Gen. Fremont, Army of the Rio Grande under Gen. Halleck, Army of the Mississippi under______________, Army of the Tombighee under Gen. Robert Anderson, and the Army of the Caribbean under Gen. Philip Kearny. On the last day of the month Spanish troops victoriously enter New Orleans.
November 11, 1851: Mexico declares war on the United States as a two pronged invasion force enters California and Texas. Five days later 450 American volunteers under the command of William Walker enter Mexico in order to wage a guerilla war on Santa Anna’s supply lines.
December: A small US force attempting to recapture Morgan City is defeated by the Spanish. To celebrate the Spanish troops in New Orleans drink heavily and later that evening the drunken troops break into numerous homes and several women are raped. The episode leads to a riot in which 46 Americans (including 18 women and several children) are killed by the Spanish. On Christmas Eve five bombs explode in New Orleans killing over 60 Spanish soldiers. This marks the beginning of the New Orleans Uprising which will see periods of brutal house to house fighting, terrorist bombings, and brutal Spanish reprisals until the end of the war.
January 1852: With the financial situation stabilizing in the US, Winfield Scott and his General Staff begin making plans to expel the Spanish and Mexicans from American soil and win the war. A large number of military observers begin to arrive from Prussia, Sweden, France, Russia, Austria, and Great Britain.
February: The US sneaks a small force of soldiers into New Orleans to support the uprising there. They are led by Major Ulysses S. Grant.
March: Prompted by William Walker, Mariano Arista declares the Republic of Sonora (which includes Baja and Sonora), thus cutting Santa Anna’s Army in California off from support.
April: Spain dispatches 20,000 troops to Mexico to assist Santa Anna. They will be missed in during the Battle of Mobile where American troops force the surrender of the remaining 4,000 Spanish troops entrenched near Mobile.
May: A fleet of American ironclads run past the Spanish forts overlooking the Mississippi and clear the river of Spanish gunboats. A large US force lands on Puerto Rico. San Juan is captured by the end of the month.
June: In a surprise move intended to pull Spanish troops away from the Caribbean, 2,200 American troops are landed in the Canary Islands. There they begin a bush war to distract Spain. The Spanish Navy stops and boards a British merchant ship claiming that it is running guns to Lee’s army in Cuba. This incident will nearly bring Britain to War with Spain.
July: Wake Island is captured by the US Navy. Cut off from Mexico and out of supplies the Mexican Army in Las Angeles surrenders to Gen. Fremont’s Army of the Colorado. Fremont will die just two days later when stabbed by a captive Spanish officer.
August: The entire island of Puerto Rico falls to the US. An American naval force consisting of twelve deep water ironclads and twenty smaller vessels smashes the Spanish Navy at the Battle of the Silver Bank. Las Angeles is renamed Fremont.
September: Morocco launches a series of attacks on the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. Spain declares war on Morocco.
October: The US and Morocco sign the Casablanca Accords and the US begins to send arms and advisors to assist Morocco. The Army of the Mississippi surrounds New Orleans while the US Navy blockades it from the coast. Almost 30,000 Spanish troops are trapped within the city. A US force under the command of Col. Reynolds defeats a Spanish force four times larger than his own force and re-takes Morgan City.
November: The US sends 3,000 more troops to the Canaries and 5,000 to assist Morocco. The anti-Catholic American Party does well in the elections, but the newly formed National Union Party (a coalition of moderate Democrats and Whigs) capture a majority in the House.
December: With the blockade of Cuba ended American reinforcements pour onto the island and newly promoted Gen. Lee goes on the offensive. Guam is captured by a US Navy Marine contingent.
January 1853: The newly raised First Marine Brigade is send to Cuba where they launch a successful amphibious invasion of eastern Cuba. Santiago and Guantonamo Bay soon fall to the Marines.
February: The US Navy finally puts an effective blockade of Mexico’s coast in place. Veracruz is captured as are several ports on Mexico’s west coast.
March 1, 1853: Gen Espartero surrenders his force at New Orleans of his original force of 60,000 only 25,000 remain. Two days later the major Mexican army in Texas is defeated at the Second Battle of San Antonio. Santa Anna begins his long retreat back into Mexico.
April: In a desperate attempt to force the US into a favorable peace settlement, remaining elements of Spain’s Atlantic fleet enter the Chesapeake Bay bombard a few towns and land 7,500 troops at the mouth of the Potomac River in an attempt to capture Washington. They are defeated by American forces led by Gen. Scott himself at the Battle of the Potomac. The Spanish Navy abandons the ground forces and leave, but before then can escape an American squadron annihilates them in the Battle of the Chesapeake Bay.
May: The Mexican state of Chihuahua joins the Republic of Sonora, which becomes the Republic of Northern Mexico. US Marines are sent to the Canaries and the Philippines. The last Spanish contingent on Cuba surrenders.
June: American forces begin to advance towards Mexico City from Vera Cruz. The Yucatan declares its independence from Mexico. The US quickly recognizes the Republic of the Yucatan.
July: Mexico collapses into civil war. Santa Anna is captured and killed by his own troops while attempting to flee the country. The US recognizes the Republic of Northern Mexico with Mariano Arista as its president.
August: US and Moroccan forces capture Cadiz, Spain. Spain agrees to begin peace talks.
October: Treaty of Havana ends the Great Caribbean War. The US receives Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Canary Islands, Wake Is., Guam, and occupies Cadiz for the period of five years. Morocco receives Ceuta, Melilla, several small islands in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as basing rights in Cadiz for five years. Mexico is forced to recognize the independence of the Republic of Northern Mexico and the Republic of the Yucatan. Ten days after the signing of the treaty Spanish forces are victorious against American Marines at the Battle of Subic Bay in the Philippines.
1854-1858: Second Spanish Civil War and the War of Catalonian Independence. France intervenes in 1857 and supports Catalonian independence. A lesser Bonaparte is made King of Catalonia, while a Belgian nobleman is given the Spanish crown. In 1857, Cadiz declares itself a free city and offers the U.S. a 99 year lease to its port facilities in return for defensive aid.
1855: President Arista of the Republic of Northern Mexico dies and his Vice-president William Walker becomes president. He soon provokes a war with Nicaragua. Over the next four years forces from Northern Mexico (supported by large numbers of southern adventurers) will defeat and annex Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Panama. President Walker also ignores the widespread settlement of slave holders within the borders of Northern Mexico.
1856: Southern businessman, Harper Cartwright moves to southern California. He immediately begins importing slaves despite the Free State status of the region. Over the next three years he will convince many other slaveholders to follow him.
1857: The Colorado-Salton Canal is completed allowing the Salton Sink to fill up. The area around the newly formed lake is irrigated and becomes a prime cotton growing region. To support his war in Central America, President Walker sells Baja California to the United States.
1859: Transcontinental Railroad is completed from St. Louis to Fremont, California. The state of California takes control of Baja and prohibits slavery. Pro-Slavery settlers resist and declare California south of the 35th latitude to be the state of Baja. The California Civil War (1859-1861) will make Bleeding Kansas look tame in comparison.
This is as far as I've gotten. Their are a few things that I might tweek, but let me know what you think. In OTL Lopez first asked Jefferson davis to assist him. Davis declined and suggested asking Lee. Lee also declined and the rest is history.
Benjamin
