Wrapped in Flames: The Great American War and Beyond

[RodentRevolution]

This will most likely be the last update I can do until 2018, so I'm afraid we're going to have to wait until January to discover Williams's fate

It has been a bonanza of instalments for the holiday season, giving the level of research and detail you put into this mighty work I am sure few begrudge you a slightly slower pace of slaving over the keyboard

Once again well done for a really enthralling and illuminating piece of alternate history.

 

[Icedaemon]

The tone of this last chapter suggests this is building up for a major American victory?

 

[TheKnightIrish]

The tone of this last chapter suggests this is building up for a major American victory?

How can this be? The Empire must win. The Empire MUST ALWAYS WIN.

Unfortunately we’ve always been more talented at defence than attack...Williams is an competent(+) defensive tactician. I’m not sure his offensive capabilities were ever tested particularly.

 

[Old1812]

How can this be? The Empire must win. The Empire MUST ALWAYS WIN.

Unfortunately we’ve always been more talented at defence than attack...Williams is an competent(+) defensive tactician. I’m not sure his offensive capabilities were ever tested particularly.

Yeah, most of the British commanders get a better defensive rating than attack. Overall, I think the Wrapped in Flames expansion pack does a pretty good job expanding on a game I already loved. I didn't like the new counters though, but I'm used to it.

 

[EnglishCanuck]

It has been a bonanza of instalments for the holiday season, giving the level of research and detail you put into this mighty work I am sure few begrudge you a slightly slower pace of slaving over the keyboard

Once again well done for a really enthralling and illuminating piece of alternate history.

Thank you! It's been a fun ride in this thread so far, and I'm looking forward to tackling more of it in the New Year! Thank you for all your reading and your comments

The tone of this last chapter suggests this is building up for a major American victory?

An author never spoils

 

[EnglishCanuck]

How can this be? The Empire must win. The Empire MUST ALWAYS WIN.

Unfortunately we’ve always been more talented at defence than attack...Williams is an competent(+) defensive tactician. I’m not sure his offensive capabilities were ever tested particularly.

I've had that observation too. You see many talented commanders/victories on the offensive (Blenheim, Plains of Abraham, Salamanca, the Alma, Long Island) but there's a goodly number of famous victories on the defence where the British have cracked their enemies teeth on their entrenched positions (Crecy, Azincourt, Quebec, Lundy's Lane, Queenston Heights, Waterloo, Inkerman) which stand out. Williams, from all I have read, stands out as one of the better defensive minds. Kars, considering the hopeless odds, was heroic, and he forced the Russians to pause in a position they should have walked over. Couple that with his experience with the Royal Artillery and he was a good man to have holding a line. He'd put his mind to the issue of defending Canada since his arrival there, and his whirlwind tour of the country OTL suggests he was quite serious about holding his ground, while the limited correspondence I can get my hands on suggests he wasn't enthusiastic about attacking the United States. So there's no real offensive strategy he's ever put his name to.

Yeah, most of the British commanders get a better defensive rating than attack. Overall, I think the Wrapped in Flames expansion pack does a pretty good job expanding on a game I already loved. I didn't like the new counters though, but I'm used to it.

Here's hoping I can make it up to you in the sequel then

 

[King Nazar]

I just got caught up with this. Its an excellent story EC and I love how much detail has been put into it!

What does the "front line" in Canada look like? It seems that the Americans are occupying everything south and west of Toronto.

 

[EnglishCanuck]

I just got caught up with this. Its an excellent story EC and I love how much detail has been put into it!

Thank you! I'm glad you've been enjoying it so far and I hope you keep on doing so!

What does the "front line" in Canada look like? It seems that the Americans are occupying everything south and west of Toronto.

Front lines in Canada at present (September 1862) has the Union occupying Canada West (Ontario) as far east as the Trent River, facing off against the Anglo-Canadian forces entrenched there. Their offensives have stalled since the Battle of Mount Pelion and there's been no movement further west since August. The attempts to cross the St. Lawrence stalled at Doran Creek back in May, and there have been no further attempts since then due to a lack of resources. The Union has the big cities occupied and most of the rail hubs with principal garrisons at London, Hamilton, and Toronto. I'll be detailing the occupation in a later chapter.

In Canada East, the Americans are staring at the British across the border since the bloody engagements in May and June and the lines haven't moved much since the conflict started.

 

[King Nazar]

Front lines in Canada at present (September 1862) has the Union occupying Canada West (Ontario) as far east as the Trent River, facing off against the Anglo-Canadian forces entrenched there. Their offensives have stalled since the Battle of Mount Pelion and there's been no movement further west since August. The attempts to cross the St. Lawrence stalled at Doran Creek back in May, and there have been no further attempts since then due to a lack of resources. The Union has the big cities occupied and most of the rail hubs with principal garrisons at London, Hamilton, and Toronto. I'll be detailing the occupation in a later chapter.

In Canada East, the Americans are staring at the British across the border since the bloody engagements in May and June and the lines haven't moved much since the conflict started.

Got it. Many thanks.

I do wonder how the Orange Order types in Toronto are handling US occupation.

 

[Old1812]

Here's hoping I can make it up to you in the sequel then

Wasn't a serious criticism EC, just an in-joke for any wargamers on the board

But seriously, this has become my favorite Trent War TL.

 

[EnglishCanuck]

I do wonder how the Orange Order types in Toronto are handling US occupation.

Oh they're none too happy! Those who aren't already in the ranks are rumbling and fuming about yankees and paddys running about. Most of those not in the ranks are too old to fight, but there's others causing mischief of their own. What they're up to will be detailed in a later post since I've got a few more big events to cover for 1862!

Wasn't a serious criticism EC, just an in-joke for any wargamers on the board

But seriously, this has become my favorite Trent War TL.

Oh I got the joke, just playing along

I'm glad you're enjoying it though!

 

[EnglishCanuck]

For the upcoming chapter this map of Clinton County New York (circa 1856) should give you a decent idea of where the action is taking place.

Points of Interest:

- Champlain in the upper right corner where you can see Rouse Point directly, and its environs
- The smaller more detailed map of Rouse Point itself about midway down on the left side of the map

With that you ought to be able to follow what's going on. Note I say ought too...

 

[EnglishCanuck]

Chapter 31: The Battle of Rouse Point
​

“Up, Guards, and at them again.” – Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellesley, at the Battle of Waterloo

​

“The American defenses at Rouse Point, compared to the extensive entrenchments that Williams had constructed along the Lacolle River, were rudimentary. Sumner believed that “the men under my command are disorganized from various causes. Action with the enemy on multiple fronts and my new divisions having just been merged, the troops with me, officers and men, need drill more than they do experience with the pick, shovel and axe. Under all these circumstances I believe that drill and discipline are worth more to our men than fortifications, which may dampen their spirit further.”

As such, beyond rudimentary entrenchments covering the causeway at Fort Montgomery, Sumner had established few field works. The blockhouses on the roadways were intended to drive off Williams scouts and raiders, rather than protect his position indefinitely. However, most of the army was bivouacked beyond these works. Richardson’s II Corps sat in the forward positions, barracked in the larger buildings of the town, such as the train yard, the church, and the hotels. Burnside’s men were encamped largely under canvas south of Lake Street but above the shipping depot.

60,000 men put a strain on the village of barely 1,000 souls, and Sumner was planning on splitting his army between the Rouses Point and the village of Champlain to send them to winter quarters…

Sumner had taken for his headquarters, the Massachusetts House Hotel in the village of Rouse Point proper, housing himself and his staff. From here he could manage the Fort, and his front line troops while keeping in contact with both of his Corps commanders as they drilled and prepared their troops…” The Union’s Shield: The Army of the Hudson, Donald Cameron, University of New York 1930

“A singular failing in the Union armies early in the war was the lack of coordination of the cavalry. Even when present these formations were attached at the brigade or division level, and not used beyond scouting, picket, or escort duty. Though almost all of the armies had cavalry brigades organized on paper, these were merely organizational groupings and did not reflect the true deployment of the Union troopers. Even their ostensible commanders had little control over their deployments and use, often only commanding their own regiments and reporting to the commanders of the army regarding the state of the cavalry overall. This lack of organization would contribute greatly to British and Confederate successes in the field…

… in the Army of the Hudson. Blake’s cavalry had been farmed out between the corps with the 4th and 6th New York attached to II Corps, the 8th Illinois to XVII Corps, while the 5th Cavalry was attached to Sumner’s headquarters. By contrast, the British cavalry was concentrated in a single division under Lawrenson with two brigades. This cavalry had skirmished and raided up and down the border, giving William’s an excellent view of the American dispositions, and only the blockhouses prevented a good view of the positions beyond.” – Cavalry in the Great American War, MG Amos Morrell (Retired), 1978, USMA

“William’s men had moved south starting on the 28th, his four divisions moving on the road alongside the Champlain, with the gunboats of Collinson’s squadron meant to support them. William’s ordered the gunboats to remain at Fort Lennox until 7am an after the attack was to commence so that the infantry would not be discovered too early.

Leading the formation would be the relatively fresh 4th Division under Major General John Eardley Inglis. Considered a hero for his defence of Lucknow during the Mutiny he was regarded as an affable and able soldier. The Nova Scotia born general had first seen action in the Rebellions of 1837, and was present at St. Charles and St. Eustace, before serving in India in the Punjab Campaign and then in the Mutiny where had had received the rank of Major General. Previously he had been appointed to the command of the Ionian Islands in 1860, but when war had broken out and the regiments from the Mediterranean had been called on he had requested and received permission to command the Division formed from those regiments. With his heart in Canada he had been unable to bear the thought of sitting out the war, and had argued that the local climate would be good for his health after recurring bouts of illness from his time in India.

General John Eardley Inglis​

His three brigades were under the commands of Col. Alexander Dunn[1], MG Charles Warren, and MG James Lindsay…

Warren, commanding the 2nd Brigade, was an old officer who had first seen action as a young officer under Wellington at Waterloo. From there he had served in India and China, and then again in the Russian War where he had commanded the 1st Brigade of the 2nd Division, serving at Alma, Inkerman, and had been wounded in the assaults on the Redan. Personally brave he was well suited to field command in the eyes of his superiors despite his age.

Lindsay was, like many of the officers sent to Canada, was a Guards officer. He had joined the Grenadier Guards by purchase in 1832 and served with his battalion in Canada from 1838 to 1842, though without seeing any fighting in the rebellions. He rose quickly in the ranks earning the rank of Major General in March 1861, but without ever having fired a shot in anger. When war had beckoned he had not been amongst the officers dispatched but had remained in Britain where he was placed in command of a brigade destined for Canada. Though he had never seen action, he was energetic and popular with the men of the 3rd Brigade.

Second in line was the 1st Division under Paulet which would support the 4th as it moved to attack Fort Montgomery. The 2nd and 3rd Divisions, under Grant and Russell respectively, followed and would move to attack the American strongpoints in the village directly and drive off the defenders. Simultaneously Lawrenson’s cavalry would swing to the west and engage the American flank to keep the defenders off balance.

Williams expected this pressure, coupled with the appearance of the ironclads and gunboats, would drive the Americans from the field and leave the fort to surrender to the British troops.” Empire and Blood: British Military Operations in the 19th Century Volume IV.

“The 29th of September dawned as a crisp, bright, and pleasant autumn morning. The waters of Lake Champlain sparkled in the sunrise, and the men of the Army of the Hudson woke with a familiar sense of drudgery as they began morning work. Cook fires were lit, sentries were relieved, and patrols were sent forward to probe the border for signs of the British. As had been the case for almost the last three months, no one expected to find anything other than scouts, or the occasional Canadian lumber party.

However, a sharp sighted lookout at Fort Montgomery spotted unusual movement in the tree line. He duly reported this to the forts commandant, Col. Alfred Sully of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The Minnesotan’s had suffered heavy casualties at Beaver Creek, but had been out of the line of fire at Napierville. With the dispatch of the majority of the 99th New York to serve as crews in the gunboats of Winslow’s squadron Richardson had posted the Minnesotan’s to the forts garrison to allow them to recuperate along with Sully who had been wounded at Beaver Creek.

Sully had joined the army in 1841 and had served against the Indians in Florida and against the Mexicans, being breveted three times for bravery earning the rank of Captain. He had been posted to the command of the regiment in 1862 and from there had fought in the battles in Canada. As an old Indian Fighter he took the sentry’s report seriously and placed his men on alert, and sent this report to Sumner in the village. Sumner, who was breakfasting with his officers saw this report of “queer goings on in the woods”, passed word to Richardson and Burnside. Richardson suspected something was up and ordered the men to stand to and soon Oliver O. Howard’s Division was forming up in line…

Burnside gave similar orders…” – The Union’s Shield: The Army of the Hudson, Donald Cameron, University of New York 1930

“Right away Inglis could sense something had gone wrong. Union troops were seen lining up for battle, and the British were not all in position yet. He requested that the attack begin immediately, even though Russell’s division was not yet in place. William’s held firm to his schedule though, and by 8:30am the guns were in place and he ordered the attack to go ahead.

All along the line the guns opened up, and after a short bombardment, the British advanced at 9am sharp. Warren’s brigade led the way, ominously into silence. What none knew was that the landward facing guns, despite months of work, had yet to be installed as the builders feared the descent of vessels up the river more than an army on land. As it was, it was only the muskets of the defenders that would greet the British from the fort itself. However, they were supported by the men of William “Baldy” Smith’s division. Smith’s men, at this point old hands at fighting the British, were ready.

Brooks’s Vermonter’s, supported by Captain Ayres artillery, took the lead. Warren’s brigade made for the causeway, soon under fire from the Ayres’s guns and the men in the fort. Dunn’s brigade moved to support them, opening fire at 400 yards against Brooks men. The Vermonters, remained steady and fired back with aplomb, and soon the battery guns were doing deadly work in the British ranks…

…Russell’s division advanced up the center, taking fire from the blockhouses on Main Street as they came. Col. Smythe’s 1st Brigade led the way, while the 3rd Brigade under Scovell kept contact with Inglis’s position on their left, trading fire with the blockhouses. Oddly, as they advanced towards Haldon Farm, they received no fire whatsoever, and through the emerging smoke of battle they could discern no enemy infantry present. Russell was suspicious, but determined to make good use of this potential opportunity. And so in went Smythe’s brigade, led by 76th Regiment of Foot.

When they came within 100 yards, the world exploded. The position was not empty, but merely waiting.

The remaining 1600 men of the Irish Brigade had, on Meagher’s orders, held fire until the British were in close. Using their preferred buck and ball tactic, they hit the 76th with a volley which the men would come away determinedly believing was a hidden artillery emplacement. The shocked 17th Battalion of Volunteer Rifles wavered, then upon the second volley broke, and the 76th fell back in disarray. Only the 86th remained relatively unscathed and fell back in good order, but the Irish did not pursue and Meagher kept his men in the limited shelter of the blockhouses. In a matter of minutes they had inflicted some 300 casualties on the British while suffering only 5 of their own…

The Irish Brigade strikes back​

…Grant’s Division faced hard luck. On their flank thick woods concealed the enemy, and rendered their artillery useless and he found himself struggling to make headway against Blenker’s men…

Warren’s attack on the causeway was repulsed, and his men rotated out of line and Lindsay’s brigade went in. They fared little better. Lindsay, in his first taste of battle, was cool under fire, but the fire was heavy, and they advanced into the teeth of Brooks men, while the 1st Minnesota caught the British in enfilade fire from the ramparts of the fort.

Soon Davidson’s New Yorker’s were fed into the line and Dunn’s troops were forced to split their attention between the two brigades. However in doing so, a gap was opening between the section of the line between Russell’s division and Inglis’s…” Empire and Blood: British Military Operations in the 19th Century Volume IV.

“Smith, in the smoke of battle, realized a gap was opening up in the enemy lines. He relayed this news to Sumner, commanding from the edge of the village. Requesting permission to counter attack, he proposed to feed Hancock’s men into the gap and take the British from the flank. Sumner agreed and ordered him to take advantage of the British weakness.

Hancock, leading from the front, brought his men around. They were eager, fresh, and looking forward to being the attackers. The men of the 5th Wisconsin, 49th Pennsylvania, 43rd New York, and the 6th Maine were spoiling for a fight. Hancock had licked the British in Maine, and he could do it again here. Leading the charge he dashed at the head of his men, and they emerged through the smoke on Dunn’s flank.

The sudden enfilade of fire took Dunn’s men by surprise. The regulars wheeled in perfect formation to meet this sudden threat, but the overwhelming fire of Hancock’s well-handled men forced Dunn to withdraw, firing as he went. Hancock’s success emboldened Brooks troops and they too began the advance.

Sumner wrote in admiration of the beginning of the counter attack saying “Hancock behaved superbly today”…” Hancock the Superb: The Life of Winfield Scott Hancock, Charles Rivers, Newton Publishing, 2012

Hancock's decisive action would put him in good standing​

“The beginning of a general counterattack along the line allowed Sumner to move Burnside’s II Corps into action. Sending Burns’s Division to support Smith, he ordered Burnside’s men to swing around the flank to take the British at the edge of the village. Burnside complied, and led his corps into action from the camp…

…while Burnside’s troops advanced, the cavalry under Blake skirmished with the British at Fox Farm. Low’s 1st Brigade of Cavalry was holding the flank, and the appearance of the New Yorkers was assumed to be the presage to a flanking attempt. In due course Low detached riders to warm William’s of what he believed to be an impending assault on the flank. The first report was dismissed, as was the second, but the third report was far more urgent as by now Burnside’s men were shaking into line at the woods on Grant’s flank.

Williams was faced with a dilemma. On Inglis’s front he was facing a general attack, and Russell’s division was already heavily engaged in the center. His only reserve was Paulet’s 1st Division, which he intended to use to counterattack and storm the works. If this flanking attack was true he would have no reserve to commit if he went in, but if he did not commit the reserve his attack on Fort Montgomery would fail. Finally he informed Grant he would need to hold out on his own…” – The Union’s Shield: The Army of the Hudson, Donald Cameron, University of New York 1930

“Williams’s decision has remained controversial to this day, and many in London would later use it against him. Though William’s knew Grant was his possible replacement it is hard to imagine Williams’s pride allowing him to jeopardize his army. While more cynical elements in London society would simply call it an attempt to discredit Grant, others would point out that with the problems that beset Inglis’s division keeping Paulet in reserve was the best choice.

However, in the post war world, it would be held as a black mark against him. Indeed Lord Granville would relate that his rise was a conspiracy engineered by an energetic social climber and that he had been “considered something of a nincompoop at Woolwich, unfit to command in the field.”…” Empire and Blood: British Military Operations in the 19th Century Volume IV.

William's and his staff​

“Burnside’s emergence from the woods nearly enveloped Grant’s division, which by this point had curled in on itself, forming a near right angle to Blenker’s men in front and the approaching men of Casey’s division. Grant, riding up and down the line encouraged his men, and directed them as best he could, but soon superior numbers began to tell, and slowly, surely, he was pushed back. Soon his brigades were making contact with Russell’s men, still stalled in the bloody fighting at Haldon Farm.

Casey’s spirited counter attack forced the two British divisions nearly into one another’s arms, and they began withdrawing north to connect with Inglis, only to find Americans in contact with them…

Burn’s men advanced into the gap Hancock had exploited and were soon engaged along the line with Inglis. The fighting was particularly bloody, and Inglis himself was shot and killed as he attempted to keep the flank secure. It was here that William’s threw in the 1st Division.

As ever Paulet’s men, disciplined and unflappable, plugged the gap, reuniting the line with Russell’s troops just on the border. Once again the disciplined volley fire drove the Union back and mowed men down in their hundreds. Despite even Hancock’s valor after Smith fell leading the way, the Union men could not close with the 1st Division, allowing the remainder to slip north...

…The fighting would rage on and off until 6pm, and it was only as Lawrenson’s cavalry began to harass Burnside’s flanks that a general advance ceased. Paulet’s rearguard action allowed the remainder of the army to slip away to their positions on the Lacolle River. Bleeding and broken they would lick their wounds back north, while Sumner did not have the means to pursue. The Parthian shot by Collinson’s returning gunboats put that in plain perspective…” – The Union’s Shield: The Army of the Hudson, Donald Cameron, University of New York 1930

-----

1] Whom I hope you remember from Chapter 25.

 

[GDIS Pathe]

well that ought to boost american morale

 

[Icedaemon]

This is a costly war for Britain, it seems. The question is, will this lead to a desire for peace or a desire to inflict worse terms on the Union?

 

[TheKnightIrish]

How could you!

 

[EnglishCanuck]

well that ought to boost american morale

At this point even a small victory would boost morale after the Black Month!

This is a costly war for Britain, it seems. The question is, will this lead to a desire for peace or a desire to inflict worse terms on the Union?

Well one needs to consider who is in power in Britain. Palmerston is known for escalating conflicts rather than de-escalating them, such as in Russia and China. In the Union too, they are determined to find peace with honor, which means not negotiating from a bad position unless they have to. So far both sides are fairly intransigent at the moment, and are unlikely to back down, even after 7 months of bloody fighting.

However, as the conflict moves into winter both sides will be considering their options.

How could you!

It always gets worse before it gets better! But in fairness I didn't kill anyone famous

Well anyone majorly famous at least...

 

[Knightmare]

Well one needs to consider who is in power in Britain. Palmerston is known for escalating conflicts rather than de-escalating them, such as in Russia and China. In the Union too, they are determined to find peace with honor, which means not negotiating from a bad position unless they have to. So far both sides are fairly intransigent at the moment, and are unlikely to back down, even after 7 months of bloody fighting.

However, as the conflict moves into winter both sides will be considering their options.

Of course, at the same time, a war with one of their bigger trade partners.... Well, there's gonna be pressure.

 

[EnglishCanuck]

Of course, at the same time, a war with one of their bigger trade partners.... Well, there's gonna be pressure.

Both sides are big trade partners, something like almost dollar for dollar in trade goods. But, like in 1812, there's going to be pressure from merchants on both sides of the Atlantic for trade to resume, since people are legitimately losing money hand over fist for the war. Certain political events coming up will also play a part in perhaps hastening an end to the war as well, some that you wouldn't expect too I'd say

 

[Knightmare]

Both sides are big trade partners, something like almost dollar for dollar in trade goods. But, like in 1812, there's going to be pressure from merchants on both sides of the Atlantic for trade to resume, since people are legitimately losing money hand over fist for the war. Certain political events coming up will also play a part in perhaps hastening an end to the war as well, some that you wouldn't expect too I'd say

There's another thing I feel should be considered if they want to esclate matters:

5. The Representation of the People Act has yet to pass, and now the British lower class may be forced to bear rapidly rising prices for bread as a result of war with the United States and Russia. One of those wars being partially on behalf of slavery. Will Parliament be willing to accept the violence that might be required to suppress mass unrest or food riots? If the British government attempts to placate the masses by further extending the franchise, it seems unlikely that in those circumstances the new voters will feel especially grateful.

6. I'm sure Ireland and India will be fine and not at all any trouble if Britain suffers money troubles or has to withdraw large numbers of soldiers, or has to levy new taxes. Very compliant, those folks.


10. Speaking of trade, how are British relations with Latin America now that it seems to have endorsed a French and Spanish policy of conquering Latin American nations to create or re-create colonies, and also suggested that slavery was perfectly okay?