The US standing army in 1803 wasn't small, it was miniscule. The whole army wouldn't make up a couple of french brigades. That said many of the officers and non-coms were quite good, the dragoons were quite professional, and the artillery even impressed the british. But most platoons were more the size of a corporals guard. Not many wanted to enlist and desertion was high, at least in the navy you might get prize money by capturing a pirate.
True, but, desertion is most often a symptom of poor dicipline and weak leadership. Better trained and educated officers and non-coms applying dicipline to the standing army would probably reduce the desertion rate, although, you make a good point about pay. Pay increases would have to be part of the re-organization of the army.
I saw the suggestion of free blacks to bolster the force and while from an ecconomic and socially progressive viewpoint, that would have served the country very well in many ways. However, we need to keep this within the unfortunate reality of the era and it's doubtful Jefferson or his political allies would ever support having "so many negroes under arms".
Christ, they'd probably use that exact phrasing in voicing their concerns.
Oh, yes. Fighting America will do Britain far more good than stopping Nappy in Spain.
Precisely my point!
The whole point of this exercise is based on my theory (from the Alternate Louisiana Purchase thread) that I always suspected at least part of Napoleone's motives for selling Louisianna to the U.S. was to create trouble for Britain elsewhere, siphoning forces that would otherwise be used against him to fight a war or series of wars in the Americas. Problem with that was the political and millitary reality of the U.S. of the era OTL.
Thus, I suggested a POD where Naps sends millitary advisors as part of the deal.
Between this thread and the other, I think the discussion has been greatly advanced towards an interesting and possibly plausible scenario.
Obviously, still needs some hashing out to one of two ends: either it could be a plausible scenario or it couldn't, but that's the whole point of these discussion threads, isn't it?
This discussion's been an excellent accademic exercise and excuse to brush up on the Napoleonic era beyond Europe at the very least.