The Two Unlucky Soldiers
- Thread starter jmberry
- Start date
I am enjoying this. Seeing two annoying Revolutions crushed is nice, esoecially if it means stemming republicanism, even if only partially.
Your approach to the French Revolution is interesting. Particularly since Louis XVI's brothers will not rule and influence policy post revolution. The death of Napoleon alone creates a vast array of butterflies that I can hardly bgin to name.
The Dauphin promises to be interesting. His current actions remind me of another ruler desiring experiences considered beneath his station. It is too soon to tell if he will be a good king, but an interesting one without a doubt.
I am curious to how he evaded his keepers to undertake this brave and foolish act though?
Your approach to the French Revolution is interesting. Particularly since Louis XVI's brothers will not rule and influence policy post revolution. The death of Napoleon alone creates a vast array of butterflies that I can hardly bgin to name.
The Dauphin promises to be interesting. His current actions remind me of another ruler desiring experiences considered beneath his station. It is too soon to tell if he will be a good king, but an interesting one without a doubt.
I am curious to how he evaded his keepers to undertake this brave and foolish act though?
Thanks for your kind words. I don't plan on completely getting rid of republicanism TTL, but it will be less prevailent. This world will look more to Hobbes than Locke.
On that note I kind of at a loss on where to go next, so I'm asking you the readers - What do want to see next? More of the French Civil War? A return to the colonies? Something else entirely?
Thank you. And since I recieved two different replies to my query, I had to flip a coin. Next update will be on France, followed by an update on British North America.
Hmm, even if all the Patriot Colonies gain independence they would be contained from most expansion. How probe is the South to revolt, they seem the hardest to defend and they had a loyalist population in the First revolt.
I wonder if the coloines will become Ireland writ large with long term colonial rule but regular revolts of various level?
Excellent, I look forward to seeing how events in the Civil War develop.
I wonder if the coloines will become Ireland writ large with long term colonial rule but regular revolts of various level?
Excellent, I look forward to seeing how events in the Civil War develop.
Keep it up. As usual. 
I like this because it isn't overtly positive or absurdedly hinting to be dystopic-it's depressing in a sense, yes...but merely one sense, and you're keeping this realistic on the reactions to a lot of stuff. I agree that the 1784 Colonial Act is still harsh, but if it's as biased as you say I can believe it is not some ridiculous burn-and-smite thing like the colonials might make it out to be.
I like this because it isn't overtly positive or absurdedly hinting to be dystopic-it's depressing in a sense, yes...but merely one sense, and you're keeping this realistic on the reactions to a lot of stuff. I agree that the 1784 Colonial Act is still harsh, but if it's as biased as you say I can believe it is not some ridiculous burn-and-smite thing like the colonials might make it out to be.
Part XIV
From "Great Battles in Military History, Vol. IV: Early Modern Warfare, 1793-1872", edited by General Sir Randolph Montgomery (Ret.), St. Augustine, East Florida, 1987
The Battle of Chatillon, August 7th, 1795
War: French Civil War
Attacker: French Republicans, 35,000 men, commanded by Marshal Dumouriez*, later by Colonel Bernadotte
Defender: French Royalists, 30,000 men, commanded by Marshal Jourdain
Casualties: 17,394 Royalists, 14,682 Republicans
Result: Republican Victory
*Killed in Action
Interesting Notes: The Battle of Chatillon was the first decisive Republican victory in the French Civil War. It marked the advent of early modern warfare, and it marked the first time aerial support was used in warfare, in the form of observation balloons used by the Republican forces. It is also notable for being the death of Dumouriez, who was killed by friendly fire in the heat of battle. Some claim this was planned by Danton, for Dumouriez had Girondist sympathies not in line with the ruling Jacobins. Regardless, this is propelled Dumouriez's second, then Colonel Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte, to command and fame.
***
July 14th, 1795
Hofburg, Vienna, Archduchy of Austria, Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation
Prince Louis-Charles was the happiest boy in the world. Oh sure, his Mama was constantly crying for his Papa and his Frere Louis-Joseph, and his cousin Franz seemed to treat Mama like she was a burden, but that hadn't stopped Louis-Charles from enjoying himself. Just the other day, cousin Franz had given in to his wishes and given him a brand new telescope - the nasty Republicans had broken his old one when they burned his great-great-great-great-grandfather's palace down - and he was dying to use it. He was fascinated by astronomy, ever since that German found a new planet and tried to name it after the English King. Of course, everyone gave it a sensible Roman name, Caelus [1], but that meant there was more to the universe, and if some stodgy English king who wanted to be a farmer could have something named after him, why not Louis-Charles's own father? He checked his telescope and found Mars easily enough, then began exploring the heavens. Maybe if he found something grand, Mama would stop crying.
***
August 9th, 1795
Somewhere in le Plat de Langres, Kingdom of France
Not for the first time, the Dauphin wondered how the Republicans had beaten them. He had gone over the battle a thousand times in the past two days. Sure, they had had more men, but there was more to it. Gradually, he realised the answer. Air power! The Republicans had used balloons to scope the battle field - that meant they had a clearer idea on where the Royalists were. If the Royalists used balloons as well, the odds would balance out. He had to get a letter to Father, he had to tell him about this new fronteir right away.
[1] We know it better as Uranus, but Herschel did indeed want to call it "George's Star." That name never caught on in France, obviously. Caelus is the Roman equivalent of Uranus
From "Great Battles in Military History, Vol. IV: Early Modern Warfare, 1793-1872", edited by General Sir Randolph Montgomery (Ret.), St. Augustine, East Florida, 1987
The Battle of Chatillon, August 7th, 1795
War: French Civil War
Attacker: French Republicans, 35,000 men, commanded by Marshal Dumouriez*, later by Colonel Bernadotte
Defender: French Royalists, 30,000 men, commanded by Marshal Jourdain
Casualties: 17,394 Royalists, 14,682 Republicans
Result: Republican Victory
*Killed in Action
Interesting Notes: The Battle of Chatillon was the first decisive Republican victory in the French Civil War. It marked the advent of early modern warfare, and it marked the first time aerial support was used in warfare, in the form of observation balloons used by the Republican forces. It is also notable for being the death of Dumouriez, who was killed by friendly fire in the heat of battle. Some claim this was planned by Danton, for Dumouriez had Girondist sympathies not in line with the ruling Jacobins. Regardless, this is propelled Dumouriez's second, then Colonel Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte, to command and fame.
***
July 14th, 1795
Hofburg, Vienna, Archduchy of Austria, Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation
Prince Louis-Charles was the happiest boy in the world. Oh sure, his Mama was constantly crying for his Papa and his Frere Louis-Joseph, and his cousin Franz seemed to treat Mama like she was a burden, but that hadn't stopped Louis-Charles from enjoying himself. Just the other day, cousin Franz had given in to his wishes and given him a brand new telescope - the nasty Republicans had broken his old one when they burned his great-great-great-great-grandfather's palace down - and he was dying to use it. He was fascinated by astronomy, ever since that German found a new planet and tried to name it after the English King. Of course, everyone gave it a sensible Roman name, Caelus [1], but that meant there was more to the universe, and if some stodgy English king who wanted to be a farmer could have something named after him, why not Louis-Charles's own father? He checked his telescope and found Mars easily enough, then began exploring the heavens. Maybe if he found something grand, Mama would stop crying.
***
August 9th, 1795
Somewhere in le Plat de Langres, Kingdom of France
Not for the first time, the Dauphin wondered how the Republicans had beaten them. He had gone over the battle a thousand times in the past two days. Sure, they had had more men, but there was more to it. Gradually, he realised the answer. Air power! The Republicans had used balloons to scope the battle field - that meant they had a clearer idea on where the Royalists were. If the Royalists used balloons as well, the odds would balance out. He had to get a letter to Father, he had to tell him about this new fronteir right away.
[1] We know it better as Uranus, but Herschel did indeed want to call it "George's Star." That name never caught on in France, obviously. Caelus is the Roman equivalent of Uranus
Interlude 1
And now for a little fun.
From the Allofactual Conclave Telesite, 2002
"What if the colonists had won the First American Insurrection?"
Friederich writes: Sorry if this has been done before guys, but seriously, what would have happened if the colonists won?
Randy Monty writes: Even assuming the colonists pulled a win out of their arses, the constant assumption that they would form a working nation is simply ludicrous. Virginia and Massachusets couldn't agree on which direction the sun should rise, even in the 1830s. What makes people believe that they could do so in the 1780s.
Bernadotte writes: Oh come on Randy. We all know your simply shouting off pro-Tory dogma. Chances are the "United Nations in America" (that was the name, right?) would have been a republic similar to the Netherlands - filled with merchants, and ultimately ignored by Europe.
Randy Monty writes: The Dutch, a republic? HA!
Rugbaron writes: FOR QUALITY RUGS, TRY THE RUG BARON AT 174 QUEEN CHARLOTTE STREET, AUGUSTA, NEW BRUNSWICK
Bernadotte: Oh great, an addrone. Could we get an enforcer here, please?
And now for a little fun.
From the Allofactual Conclave Telesite, 2002
"What if the colonists had won the First American Insurrection?"
Friederich writes: Sorry if this has been done before guys, but seriously, what would have happened if the colonists won?
Randy Monty writes: Even assuming the colonists pulled a win out of their arses, the constant assumption that they would form a working nation is simply ludicrous. Virginia and Massachusets couldn't agree on which direction the sun should rise, even in the 1830s. What makes people believe that they could do so in the 1780s.
Bernadotte writes: Oh come on Randy. We all know your simply shouting off pro-Tory dogma. Chances are the "United Nations in America" (that was the name, right?) would have been a republic similar to the Netherlands - filled with merchants, and ultimately ignored by Europe.
Randy Monty writes: The Dutch, a republic? HA!
Rugbaron writes: FOR QUALITY RUGS, TRY THE RUG BARON AT 174 QUEEN CHARLOTTE STREET, AUGUSTA, NEW BRUNSWICK
Bernadotte: Oh great, an addrone. Could we get an enforcer here, please?
Part XV
November 14th, 1787
Just of the coast of West Florida
Arthur Phillip finished heaving his lunch over the side of the ship, and then looked out to sea.
"Finally, we're almost there. Then I won't have to put up with this nightmare any longer." The ship, and the others like it, was filled with convicts, sent to settle the New World as part of Lord North's plan to transform British North America into a second Britain. What sending cutthroats, robbers, and tax evaders had with transforming America into a second England was beyond Phillip's comprehension, but he was being made governor of West Florida because of it, so he really had no right to complain.
"Land, ho!" shouted the lookout. Phillip looked and saw the shoreline come into view. Soon, Fort Charlotte and it's surrounding settlement came into sight. Their destination, Phillip thought. His new home.
***
November 16th, 1787
Fort Charlotte, West Florida [Mobile, Alabama]
Governor Arthur Phillip couldn't believe the rotten luck. There just wasn't enough land at Fort Charlotte for all of his "settlers" to live. 791 convicts, and Fort Charlotte was already having trouble supporting the 800 or so colonists it already had. And if Major Ross opened his mouth one more time, Phillip felt he might just shoot the marine dead.
Sighing, Phillip grabbed a map at looked at the shoreline for a suitable location to send the convicts. His eyes wandered and found a location near the border with Louisiana, Fort Bilocci. He'd have Lt. King take half the convicts there, which would help alleviate pressure and fortify the colony against Spanish incursion. He then looked at the other end of his colony. There, on the east end, was a redoubt called Pensacola. He'd send John Macarthyr there, with another 200 colonists. He'd also send Ross there. With any luck, that braggart would get malaria and die a horrible, horrible death. Finally, he decided on the names of these new settlements. The one at Fort Bilocci would be named "Sydney," after Lord Sydney. The one at Pensacola would be called "Sirius" after his flagship.
November 14th, 1787
Just of the coast of West Florida
Arthur Phillip finished heaving his lunch over the side of the ship, and then looked out to sea.
"Finally, we're almost there. Then I won't have to put up with this nightmare any longer." The ship, and the others like it, was filled with convicts, sent to settle the New World as part of Lord North's plan to transform British North America into a second Britain. What sending cutthroats, robbers, and tax evaders had with transforming America into a second England was beyond Phillip's comprehension, but he was being made governor of West Florida because of it, so he really had no right to complain.
"Land, ho!" shouted the lookout. Phillip looked and saw the shoreline come into view. Soon, Fort Charlotte and it's surrounding settlement came into sight. Their destination, Phillip thought. His new home.
***
November 16th, 1787
Fort Charlotte, West Florida [Mobile, Alabama]
Governor Arthur Phillip couldn't believe the rotten luck. There just wasn't enough land at Fort Charlotte for all of his "settlers" to live. 791 convicts, and Fort Charlotte was already having trouble supporting the 800 or so colonists it already had. And if Major Ross opened his mouth one more time, Phillip felt he might just shoot the marine dead.
Sighing, Phillip grabbed a map at looked at the shoreline for a suitable location to send the convicts. His eyes wandered and found a location near the border with Louisiana, Fort Bilocci. He'd have Lt. King take half the convicts there, which would help alleviate pressure and fortify the colony against Spanish incursion. He then looked at the other end of his colony. There, on the east end, was a redoubt called Pensacola. He'd send John Macarthyr there, with another 200 colonists. He'd also send Ross there. With any luck, that braggart would get malaria and die a horrible, horrible death. Finally, he decided on the names of these new settlements. The one at Fort Bilocci would be named "Sydney," after Lord Sydney. The one at Pensacola would be called "Sirius" after his flagship.
Part XVI
From "Meridonial Stars: A History of the lands of Australia" by Francois Gaudet, Paris, France, 1977, trans. by Richard Harper, Oxford, United Kingdom, 1981
Australian history enters the wrold stage with the voyages of Abel Tasman in the 17th Century. He was soon followed by others, includign Francois Thijseen, William Dampier, and Willem de Vlamingh ...
That said, Australia didn't truly enter the civilized world's notice until the 18th century, with the voyages of Captain James Cook for Britain. He traveled up and down the east coast of the continent, as well as the coasts of the Aotereans [New Zealand]. He suggested to his superiors that Botany Bay would be a good location for a settlement, but they never followed up on this in his lifetime, the First American Insurrection, the dissoulution of the BEI Company, and their after-affects causing Britain to shelve any ideas of settling the Austral continent for the forseeable future.
Indeed, Australia was ignored for the remainder of the 18th century. Britain was too involved in North America and India to pay it any mind, the United Provinces only claimed New Holland in the barest possible sense, France was concerned with its own civil war, and none of the other countries of Europe had any interest in the region.
***
From "Books of Change Vol. X: White Lotus China" by Li Ai-fen, Shanghai, Chinese Empire, 2002, trans. by Christopher Harrison, 2004, Oregon City, Ursalia
Few events changed the Middle Kingdom more than the Qing invasions in 1644. For over one and a half centuries the Manchus ruled China, becoming no different from their subjects in time. But the White Lotus movement never saw the Qing as anything more than foriegn invaders. In 1796, a tax protest by the White Lotus spiraled into a rebellion, first in Sichuan, then spreading to Shaanxi and Hubei. The rebellion gained much momentum because of the incompetence of Heshen, the right-hand of Emperor Qianlong, in dealing with the White Lotus. Emperor Qianlong never removed Heshen from power, and this led to the downfall of the Qing - indeed. some Westerners have sugested the idea that had Emperor Qianlong died earlier than his actual death in 1801, his son would have been able to stop the White Lotus before events reached the point of no return.
By the time Emperor Qianlong died, however, the White Lotus had become too powerful. The next emperor, Jiaqing, was unable to defeat the White Lotus. By 1804, the Qing were driven from Peking back to Harbin. The White Lotus declared the creation of Xinming - New Ming - China.
From "Meridonial Stars: A History of the lands of Australia" by Francois Gaudet, Paris, France, 1977, trans. by Richard Harper, Oxford, United Kingdom, 1981
Australian history enters the wrold stage with the voyages of Abel Tasman in the 17th Century. He was soon followed by others, includign Francois Thijseen, William Dampier, and Willem de Vlamingh ...
That said, Australia didn't truly enter the civilized world's notice until the 18th century, with the voyages of Captain James Cook for Britain. He traveled up and down the east coast of the continent, as well as the coasts of the Aotereans [New Zealand]. He suggested to his superiors that Botany Bay would be a good location for a settlement, but they never followed up on this in his lifetime, the First American Insurrection, the dissoulution of the BEI Company, and their after-affects causing Britain to shelve any ideas of settling the Austral continent for the forseeable future.
Indeed, Australia was ignored for the remainder of the 18th century. Britain was too involved in North America and India to pay it any mind, the United Provinces only claimed New Holland in the barest possible sense, France was concerned with its own civil war, and none of the other countries of Europe had any interest in the region.
***
From "Books of Change Vol. X: White Lotus China" by Li Ai-fen, Shanghai, Chinese Empire, 2002, trans. by Christopher Harrison, 2004, Oregon City, Ursalia
Few events changed the Middle Kingdom more than the Qing invasions in 1644. For over one and a half centuries the Manchus ruled China, becoming no different from their subjects in time. But the White Lotus movement never saw the Qing as anything more than foriegn invaders. In 1796, a tax protest by the White Lotus spiraled into a rebellion, first in Sichuan, then spreading to Shaanxi and Hubei. The rebellion gained much momentum because of the incompetence of Heshen, the right-hand of Emperor Qianlong, in dealing with the White Lotus. Emperor Qianlong never removed Heshen from power, and this led to the downfall of the Qing - indeed. some Westerners have sugested the idea that had Emperor Qianlong died earlier than his actual death in 1801, his son would have been able to stop the White Lotus before events reached the point of no return.
By the time Emperor Qianlong died, however, the White Lotus had become too powerful. The next emperor, Jiaqing, was unable to defeat the White Lotus. By 1804, the Qing were driven from Peking back to Harbin. The White Lotus declared the creation of Xinming - New Ming - China.
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The South, currently, is largely pacified in the Coastal Plain, but the more finge areas in the West are much more complicated. That said, the latest date for Europe and the Americas is 1795, so events in America are just getting underway.
Keep it up. As usual.
I like this because it isn't overtly positive or absurdedly hinting to be dystopic-it's depressing in a sense, yes...but merely one sense, and you're keeping this realistic on the reactions to a lot of stuff. I agree that the 1784 Colonial Act is still harsh, but if it's as biased as you say I can believe it is not some ridiculous burn-and-smite thing like the colonials might make it out to be.
Thank you. I'm not trying to go for the utopia or dystopia angle for the most part, as I want to keep the shape of the world realistic (that siad, there will be some points in history that will be pretty dystopic in some regions, but its not like the last two hundred fifty years have been a walk in the park for humanity)
The 1784 Colonial Act is due to be replaced soon (there's a Parliamentary election coming up, and that is one of the items the new preniership is going to address), so it won't be bothering us for much longer anyway.
All in due time
.BTW, if anyone with knowledge of Qing China, or China in general, wants to correct me on any mistakes I made in the last post (names, language, information) please feel free to point those mistakes out.
Ah, good. I'd be hoping there was still some sympathy for the colonial cousins in the Parliament.
As well as hopefully the new MPs will hammer out a fairer deal and realize in SOME sense they have to fix things up and be a bit better to the colonies (since in TTL this has no view, it seems, of the FAI being a noble revolution or anything, just a mass revolt...if you get what I mean).What I ponder on is how the loyalist colonies will go in the future, since this just passed the 'First' American Insurrection-not just the OTL USA's midwest, but the other British American holdings as well.
Ah, good. I'd be hoping there was still some sympathy for the colonial cousins in the Parliament.
What I ponder on is how the loyalist colonies will go in the future, since this just passed the 'First' American Insurrection-not just the OTL USA's midwest, but the other British American holdings as well.
Well, there are those who agree with the Patriots' views, if not their methods (Edmund Burke for one), their just not as vocal TTL.
As for the future of North America, note that the first Australians are settling in West Florida (and, though I haven't mentioned it yet, Nova Scotia), not New South Wales, a British knight and general is spending retirement in St. Augustine in 1987, and by 2004 Oregon City is part of a country called "Ursalia."
Hmm, butterflies breed that is certain.
I googled Ursalia, will your TL include quick tunnels I wonder? *grins*
No, can't say it does
. I actually chose Ursalia because I had heard it was an alternate name suggested for Canada (which TTL won't make sense as a name for that region, stay tuned ...). I'm kind of embarrassed for forgetting that reference, being as I used to be a huge Gummi Bears fan.