Don't You Know That Cotton's King!: Redux TL
- Thread starter herricks
- Start date
Historians.
Professional writers.
If you were writing an essay you would get into trouble for that and demerited. Same with using "2000" instead of "two thousand" (although in general this is more flexible) if describing the numbers in an army. Writing the word gets you more points.
This also. Its "and".
If it was something informal, like a personal letter or an e-mail to somebody, I'd use '&'. For creative pieces I'd only ever use the full word, especially when you are trying to write an alternate version of events. "&" generally if used is only ever used in titles, "and" is infidelity the correct term for any book, essays and critiques.
It is also completely lazy in my opinion.
Red on the Bluegrass
Dispatches informing London of President Lincoln's refusal of their ultimatum arrived on February 25. When this refusal was found out their was an outcry by the British people. Lord Palmerston would push for the British government to go to war with the US because of Lincoln's refusal to meet London's demands. On March 2 Parliament agreed that war was the only to force Washington to meet its demands. Three days later the Royal Navy sent a fleet west to break the Union blockade. Dispatches were sent on a steamer aimed for Washington to inform Lincoln of Britain's declaration of war & to tell the British embassy to move itself to Richmond.
In France views over the war in America was mixed. The Confederacy was supported by Conservative supporters of Napoleon III, Bourbon legitimists, and Roman Catholic interests. The Union had the support of republicans and Orléanists (who wanted a descendant of Louis Philippe on the throne). The Union blockade cut off most cotton supplies to French textile mills, causing the "famine du coton" (cotton famine). Mills in Alsace, Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Normandy saw prices of cotton double by 1862 and were forced to lay off many workers. As a result, many French industrialists and politicians were rather favorable to a quick Southern victory. While not necessarily willing to support the Confederacy on his own, Napoleon III would follow suit with Britain & ordered parts of the French fleet in both Europe & Mexico to join up with the British & break the blockade on March 8.
The Confederacy's Cumberland Campaign began on April 6, 1862 as General Johnston crossed the border into Kentucky with 20,000 men south of Murray while his cavalry regiment of 1100, commanded by the newly appointed Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest, crossed near Fulton. The recently renamed Army of Tennessee moved quickly to take control of Paducah & western Kentucky. General Johnston's hesitation in invading Kentucky had caused President Davis to order Major General Braxton Bragg to move into Kentucky a week earlier with 13,000 en & occupy Bowling Green. Of Johnston's Paducah Campaign General Forrest saw the first major action when his regiment came into contact with Federal forces just west of Mayfield. In a quick violent battle Confederate forces had taken the field & drove off the Federal troops. The battle however was a Union strategic victory as instead of retreating towards Paducah Union forces held onto Mayfield causing Forrest to change route & take longer to reach the main arm of the Confederate Army. This allowed the Union Army to slip out of Paducah & move to meet Johnston head on on April 12 near the community of Benton.
Union forces, now under the command of Major General Henry Halleck, were composed of nearly 23,000 troops when their skirmishers reached the Confederates. The first shots of the Battle of Benton were fired at 0940 as the two sides forward units began the exchange. With over 40,000 troops participating in the battle the Battle of Benton was the largest to be fought in Kentucky at that time. By the battles end it had produced nearly 10,000 casualties. While both sides fought valiantly in their struggle to achieve victory by 1700 it was becoming more & more clear which side would seize the day. At around 1750 Union forces began their withdrawal. The victory at Benton caused Halleck to move his forces from the Jackson Purchase & effectively ceding all control to the Confederacy.
The next month Johnston & Bragg had defeated Halleck again near Leitchfield & in doing so gained effective control over all of western Kentucky. Kentucky would not be the only state in the Western Theater to see war. On June 6,1862 General Forrest crossed the Ohio & assaulted the town of Cairo, Illinois. The Battle of Cairo, while relatively small, was the first significant battle in the war to occur in entirely Federal territory. 1500 Confederates & 1250 Federal troops battled for nearly two hours before the Confederates seized the town holding it until the following day when, after learning of a Union reinforcement column, Forrest withdrew torching the town.
Dispatches informing London of President Lincoln's refusal of their ultimatum arrived on February 25. When this refusal was found out their was an outcry by the British people. Lord Palmerston would push for the British government to go to war with the US because of Lincoln's refusal to meet London's demands. On March 2 Parliament agreed that war was the only to force Washington to meet its demands. Three days later the Royal Navy sent a fleet west to break the Union blockade. Dispatches were sent on a steamer aimed for Washington to inform Lincoln of Britain's declaration of war & to tell the British embassy to move itself to Richmond.
In France views over the war in America was mixed. The Confederacy was supported by Conservative supporters of Napoleon III, Bourbon legitimists, and Roman Catholic interests. The Union had the support of republicans and Orléanists (who wanted a descendant of Louis Philippe on the throne). The Union blockade cut off most cotton supplies to French textile mills, causing the "famine du coton" (cotton famine). Mills in Alsace, Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Normandy saw prices of cotton double by 1862 and were forced to lay off many workers. As a result, many French industrialists and politicians were rather favorable to a quick Southern victory. While not necessarily willing to support the Confederacy on his own, Napoleon III would follow suit with Britain & ordered parts of the French fleet in both Europe & Mexico to join up with the British & break the blockade on March 8.
The Confederacy's Cumberland Campaign began on April 6, 1862 as General Johnston crossed the border into Kentucky with 20,000 men south of Murray while his cavalry regiment of 1100, commanded by the newly appointed Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest, crossed near Fulton. The recently renamed Army of Tennessee moved quickly to take control of Paducah & western Kentucky. General Johnston's hesitation in invading Kentucky had caused President Davis to order Major General Braxton Bragg to move into Kentucky a week earlier with 13,000 en & occupy Bowling Green. Of Johnston's Paducah Campaign General Forrest saw the first major action when his regiment came into contact with Federal forces just west of Mayfield. In a quick violent battle Confederate forces had taken the field & drove off the Federal troops. The battle however was a Union strategic victory as instead of retreating towards Paducah Union forces held onto Mayfield causing Forrest to change route & take longer to reach the main arm of the Confederate Army. This allowed the Union Army to slip out of Paducah & move to meet Johnston head on on April 12 near the community of Benton.
Union forces, now under the command of Major General Henry Halleck, were composed of nearly 23,000 troops when their skirmishers reached the Confederates. The first shots of the Battle of Benton were fired at 0940 as the two sides forward units began the exchange. With over 40,000 troops participating in the battle the Battle of Benton was the largest to be fought in Kentucky at that time. By the battles end it had produced nearly 10,000 casualties. While both sides fought valiantly in their struggle to achieve victory by 1700 it was becoming more & more clear which side would seize the day. At around 1750 Union forces began their withdrawal. The victory at Benton caused Halleck to move his forces from the Jackson Purchase & effectively ceding all control to the Confederacy.
The next month Johnston & Bragg had defeated Halleck again near Leitchfield & in doing so gained effective control over all of western Kentucky. Kentucky would not be the only state in the Western Theater to see war. On June 6,1862 General Forrest crossed the Ohio & assaulted the town of Cairo, Illinois. The Battle of Cairo, while relatively small, was the first significant battle in the war to occur in entirely Federal territory. 1500 Confederates & 1250 Federal troops battled for nearly two hours before the Confederates seized the town holding it until the following day when, after learning of a Union reinforcement column, Forrest withdrew torching the town.
Expanse
The misfortunes faced by the Union in the Western Theater of the war, while grim, were of little consequence in the east where a major offensive was soon to be underway. Major General George B. McClellan had amassed over 120,000 men at Fort Monroe on the Virginia Peninsula in preparation to march on Richmond. Preparation for the Peninsula Campaign had already had setbacks however the Confederate ironclad the CSS Virginia had sunk several Union warships before the arrival of the Union ironclad USS Monitor forced it into the first ever duel among ironclads which ended inconclusively though the Virginia withdrew. On March 17,1862 the Army of the Potomac marched out of Fort Monroe & assaulted its first target, the historic community of Yorktown.
As the dawn of a new day began on March 28,1862 the town of Portland, Maine awoke to see several ships, some of them warships, anchored just off shore. Many confused Portlanders came down to the shore to get a better view of the vessels & began seeing several rowboats lowered into the water which began moving towards shore. Soon the townsfolk saw that the men in these boats were uniformed not with the Unions blue but with red. Too late the Portlanders realized it was the British heading ashore. In minutes several squads of Royal Marines rounding up hundreds of civilians without a fight. Tragedy however would strike when some armed men attempted to fight killing 3 & wounding 7 Marines. The British warships then opened up on the town & bombarded it into submission. By noon Portland was under British control & 4500 British soldiers, which had been set out from Britain on March 5, were being offloaded.
Although McClellan's forces outnumbered the Confederates, who were commanded by General Joesph Johnston, the Battle of Yorktown the Confederates held their ground for ten days. Suddenly, General Johnston & his soldiers watched the Army of the Potomac become frantic & disarrayed. Soon they learned why when a warship sporting the Union Jack appeared & began firing on the Union lines. Johnston ordered his forces to attack & quickly the Federals broke & began to retreat. The next ten days saw the Army of the Potomac quickly withdraw south towards Fort Monroe. Fort Monroe however was taking a severe beating from British warships who were doing their best to drive the Union Navy from the area. On April 5 the Confederacy was given a significant blow however when General Johnston was shot & killed by a Union sniper. Following Johnston's death, President Davis would give command of the Army of Northern Virginia to General Robert E. Lee. Four days after Johnston's death the Union Navy began a risky, but valiant attempt to save the Army of the Potomac & dozens of both military & commandeered civilian vessels sailed to Poquoson to evacuate the AoP from Virginia.
Union warships would fiercely fight the British while the AoP was evacuated. The Battle of Poquoson would become the second engagement between ironclads as both the USS Monitor & CSS Virginia joined the fight. The battle would end with the American naval force withdrawal. Several of the Union ships were now either sunk or disabled. The British however, had suffered more casualties than anticipated which would shock them. Although the Battle of Poquoson was an American defeat, the evacuation of the Army of the Potomac succeeded in withdrawing over 70,000 of the nearly 85,000 Union troops that had been trapped on the peninsula & moving them the the eastern shore.
At 10 o'clock in the morning ambassador Lyons arrived at the White House to inform President Lincoln of Britain's declaration of war on the United States. This was already known however as the Bombardment of Portland was already taking place & reports were streaming in. The action at Portland, which was done under the supervision of Rear Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, had jumped the gun. Britain's declaration was supposed to have been delivered before any hostile actions occurred. Now London looked to be the aggressor in the eyes of the Union. France's declaration would arrive later that day however, no action had yet taken place as had with Britain. Lincoln would allow the two nations delegations to leave Washington peacefully. Both of which went to Richmond to start governmental relations with the Confederate government.
On April 1 France entered actions against the Union with French warships attacking US ships blockading the Texas coast. Over the next month the Union blockade of the Confederacy was broken by British & French warships. On Ship Island, Louisiana British & French warships surrounded the Union forces who were preparing to assault New Orleans. On April 25 the commander of these forces surrendered his army. May would see the beginning of British & French warships appearing off of Union cities.
The misfortunes faced by the Union in the Western Theater of the war, while grim, were of little consequence in the east where a major offensive was soon to be underway. Major General George B. McClellan had amassed over 120,000 men at Fort Monroe on the Virginia Peninsula in preparation to march on Richmond. Preparation for the Peninsula Campaign had already had setbacks however the Confederate ironclad the CSS Virginia had sunk several Union warships before the arrival of the Union ironclad USS Monitor forced it into the first ever duel among ironclads which ended inconclusively though the Virginia withdrew. On March 17,1862 the Army of the Potomac marched out of Fort Monroe & assaulted its first target, the historic community of Yorktown.
As the dawn of a new day began on March 28,1862 the town of Portland, Maine awoke to see several ships, some of them warships, anchored just off shore. Many confused Portlanders came down to the shore to get a better view of the vessels & began seeing several rowboats lowered into the water which began moving towards shore. Soon the townsfolk saw that the men in these boats were uniformed not with the Unions blue but with red. Too late the Portlanders realized it was the British heading ashore. In minutes several squads of Royal Marines rounding up hundreds of civilians without a fight. Tragedy however would strike when some armed men attempted to fight killing 3 & wounding 7 Marines. The British warships then opened up on the town & bombarded it into submission. By noon Portland was under British control & 4500 British soldiers, which had been set out from Britain on March 5, were being offloaded.
Although McClellan's forces outnumbered the Confederates, who were commanded by General Joesph Johnston, the Battle of Yorktown the Confederates held their ground for ten days. Suddenly, General Johnston & his soldiers watched the Army of the Potomac become frantic & disarrayed. Soon they learned why when a warship sporting the Union Jack appeared & began firing on the Union lines. Johnston ordered his forces to attack & quickly the Federals broke & began to retreat. The next ten days saw the Army of the Potomac quickly withdraw south towards Fort Monroe. Fort Monroe however was taking a severe beating from British warships who were doing their best to drive the Union Navy from the area. On April 5 the Confederacy was given a significant blow however when General Johnston was shot & killed by a Union sniper. Following Johnston's death, President Davis would give command of the Army of Northern Virginia to General Robert E. Lee. Four days after Johnston's death the Union Navy began a risky, but valiant attempt to save the Army of the Potomac & dozens of both military & commandeered civilian vessels sailed to Poquoson to evacuate the AoP from Virginia.
Union warships would fiercely fight the British while the AoP was evacuated. The Battle of Poquoson would become the second engagement between ironclads as both the USS Monitor & CSS Virginia joined the fight. The battle would end with the American naval force withdrawal. Several of the Union ships were now either sunk or disabled. The British however, had suffered more casualties than anticipated which would shock them. Although the Battle of Poquoson was an American defeat, the evacuation of the Army of the Potomac succeeded in withdrawing over 70,000 of the nearly 85,000 Union troops that had been trapped on the peninsula & moving them the the eastern shore.
At 10 o'clock in the morning ambassador Lyons arrived at the White House to inform President Lincoln of Britain's declaration of war on the United States. This was already known however as the Bombardment of Portland was already taking place & reports were streaming in. The action at Portland, which was done under the supervision of Rear Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, had jumped the gun. Britain's declaration was supposed to have been delivered before any hostile actions occurred. Now London looked to be the aggressor in the eyes of the Union. France's declaration would arrive later that day however, no action had yet taken place as had with Britain. Lincoln would allow the two nations delegations to leave Washington peacefully. Both of which went to Richmond to start governmental relations with the Confederate government.
On April 1 France entered actions against the Union with French warships attacking US ships blockading the Texas coast. Over the next month the Union blockade of the Confederacy was broken by British & French warships. On Ship Island, Louisiana British & French warships surrounded the Union forces who were preparing to assault New Orleans. On April 25 the commander of these forces surrendered his army. May would see the beginning of British & French warships appearing off of Union cities.
Good luck. It appears that you are going for a much earlier win which leaves the Confederacy attacked, and potentially with entrenched allies that will replace the United States as the Confederacies principal import/export partner and investor.
It's a more productive approach than the late season victories which posit a wrecked confederacy miraculously healing itself.
You will still have a lot of trouble convincingly ending slavery in less than two generations.
Industrialization is still a long shot.
And you have to keep in mind that Confederate pockets are not infinitely deep. Any state has limited, resources, a limited tax base, limited capital, and limitations in what it can do. The Confederacy can't simulatenously fund a half dozen ambitious megaprojects simultaneously. It has to pick and choose what it does with its resources.
This was a critical underlying problem of your previous timeline which was never really acknowledged. I hope that you can keep an eye on it here. There is, possibly a way to address the Confederacy's shortage of internal capital. And that is foreign loans and foreign investment. A lot of previous Confederacy timeline writers tend to emphasize foreign investment. The Confederacy is not an especially attractive location for foreign investment, there's a lot of places that are more attractive and offer better returns. But it's possible that a Confederacy with strong ties (is in the pocket of) England and France MIGHT actually be a competitive destination. 19th Century foreign investment is quite different from 20th century foreign investment, so keep that in mind. Regarding foreign loans - strong ties to England and France might result in a very liberal lending policy. But be cautious, it's a short step from being a borrower, to becoming a virtual colonial protectorate of England and France or other European states.
Anyway, best wishe.
It's a more productive approach than the late season victories which posit a wrecked confederacy miraculously healing itself.
You will still have a lot of trouble convincingly ending slavery in less than two generations.
Industrialization is still a long shot.
And you have to keep in mind that Confederate pockets are not infinitely deep. Any state has limited, resources, a limited tax base, limited capital, and limitations in what it can do. The Confederacy can't simulatenously fund a half dozen ambitious megaprojects simultaneously. It has to pick and choose what it does with its resources.
This was a critical underlying problem of your previous timeline which was never really acknowledged. I hope that you can keep an eye on it here. There is, possibly a way to address the Confederacy's shortage of internal capital. And that is foreign loans and foreign investment. A lot of previous Confederacy timeline writers tend to emphasize foreign investment. The Confederacy is not an especially attractive location for foreign investment, there's a lot of places that are more attractive and offer better returns. But it's possible that a Confederacy with strong ties (is in the pocket of) England and France MIGHT actually be a competitive destination. 19th Century foreign investment is quite different from 20th century foreign investment, so keep that in mind. Regarding foreign loans - strong ties to England and France might result in a very liberal lending policy. But be cautious, it's a short step from being a borrower, to becoming a virtual colonial protectorate of England and France or other European states.
Anyway, best wishe.
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Because you're writing a TL, not a letter to a friend. It's just way too informal if you want your work to be taken seriously.
Does the early shots by the Brits have similar effects as the infamous attack on "Perlenhafen"?
Well another Trent War scenario! Welcome to the club 
I've enjoyed many of your previous TLs, even read your first Dixieland TL. Gotta say this one seems like it's going to be interesting, I'll look forward to reading it!
I've enjoyed many of your previous TLs, even read your first Dixieland TL. Gotta say this one seems like it's going to be interesting, I'll look forward to reading it!
Well another Trent War scenario! Welcome to the club
I've enjoyed many of your previous TLs, even read your first Dixieland TL. Gotta say this one seems like it's going to be interesting, I'll look forward to reading it!
I've not read any Trent war TL's but I hope this will be different. And thank you
I think this TL is better than last one.
I wonder what the British and French will do to replace Union wheat imports?
Will they go else where for their Wheat or will they increase rice imports from the CSA as a substitute.
It is possible that Wheat could be smuggled across the border in to Canada and by sea to Britain and France.
year..........................value of wheat exports.................quantity of wheat exports (bu)
1858............................$9,000,000..........................................9,000,000
1859............................$3,000,000...........................................3,000,000
1860............................$4,000,000..........................................4,000,000
1861............................$38,000,000.......................................31,000,000
1862............................$43,000,000......................................37,000,000
1863............................$47,000,000......................................36,000,000
1864............................$31,000,000.......................................24,000,000
1865............................$19,000,000........................................10,000,000
1866.............................$8,000,000..........................................6,000,000
Source: US Census, Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970
Or Will the British have 3rd parties buy Union wheat for them. OTL CSA bought Union food through 3 rd parties.
I could see the Union Navy building commerce raiders to disrupt British and French merchant ships world wide.
I assume British and French assets in the Union will be seized and Union assets in Britain and France seized.
The Union might even supply arms and money to the Fenians (IRB) and might even have Commerce raiders under The Fenians (IRB) flag.
The Union now will not be able to import arms from Britain and France as it did OTL.
With Union ports being blocked less immigrants will arrive in Union ports meaning fewer recruits fior the union army.
Insurance rates for shipping at Lloyds are going to rise a lot.
I could see Ship yards in the UK and France and else where being very busy.
I wonder what the British and French will do to replace Union wheat imports?
Will they go else where for their Wheat or will they increase rice imports from the CSA as a substitute.
It is possible that Wheat could be smuggled across the border in to Canada and by sea to Britain and France.
year..........................value of wheat exports.................quantity of wheat exports (bu)
1858............................$9,000,000..........................................9,000,000
1859............................$3,000,000...........................................3,000,000
1860............................$4,000,000..........................................4,000,000
1861............................$38,000,000.......................................31,000,000
1862............................$43,000,000......................................37,000,000
1863............................$47,000,000......................................36,000,000
1864............................$31,000,000.......................................24,000,000
1865............................$19,000,000........................................10,000,000
1866.............................$8,000,000..........................................6,000,000
Source: US Census, Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970
Or Will the British have 3rd parties buy Union wheat for them. OTL CSA bought Union food through 3 rd parties.
I could see the Union Navy building commerce raiders to disrupt British and French merchant ships world wide.
I assume British and French assets in the Union will be seized and Union assets in Britain and France seized.
The Union might even supply arms and money to the Fenians (IRB) and might even have Commerce raiders under The Fenians (IRB) flag.
The Union now will not be able to import arms from Britain and France as it did OTL.
With Union ports being blocked less immigrants will arrive in Union ports meaning fewer recruits fior the union army.
Insurance rates for shipping at Lloyds are going to rise a lot.
I could see Ship yards in the UK and France and else where being very busy.
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The War Grows
The capture of Portland wasn't to be a permanent occupation. The British forces were to march overland to Canada and moved out of Portland on April 5. There were few regular troops in the region but several partisans would take shots at the British during their journey. State militia units from Maine New Hampshire, and Vermont would mix with a battalion of regular army troops from Maine to attempt and stop the British force before reaching Canada & joining with the Anglo-Canadian army that was growing on the border. The Battle of Andover on April 13 was the first land battle between Union &British forces and while the American force sent against them nearly doubled their size, the Americans were untrained and untested and were easily defeated by the British who suffered little more than 200 casualties.
To counter the superior numbers the the Union held over their forces, General John Fox Burgoyne who commanded the British forces in Canada though an offensive would force the Union to divert troops that would be used in their invasion of Canada to counter this offensive. On April 15 1500 British and 7500 Canadian troops crossed the border into Maine. By May most of northern New Hampshire and almost all of Maine was under Anglo occupation.
The entrance of Britain & France into the war severely hampered the Unions plan of action against the Confederacy. On April 10 the Army of the North was established with Major General William Rosecrans as its commander. Along with 15,000 new recruits the Army of the North was made up of almost 20,000 experienced soldiers pulled from the Armies of the Potomac and the Ohio. Rosecrans planned to invade Ontario from Michigan & march to & capture Toronto. The invasion of Maine however changed these plans & 10,000 troops were diverted to be sent to Maine. While the Army of the North would be reinforced, an immediate offensive was put on hold. With the Union moving troops north to combat the new threat in Canada and Britain not having enough trained manpower to move into the more populated states the “Northern Theater” stayed mostly quiet with the only significant action in May for this theater was the capture of Portsmouth by Royal Marines.
The disastrous Peninsular Campaign only slowed the Union warplans in Virginia. On June 5 Major General John Pope would invade northern Virginia with 70,000 troops of the newly formed Union Army of Virginia. The Army of Northern Virginia had recouped from the losses of the Peninsular Campaign & General Lee moved forward with 60,000 to counter Pope. A week after the Northern Virginia Campaign began portions of the two armies met at the Battle of Culpepper Courthouse. The Battle of Culpepper Courthouse was only a corps sized battle however it was the first major engagement in the Eastern Theater since the arrival of the British. Confederate forces, commanded by General “Stonewall” Jackson, defeated the Union & forced them from the field. Eight days later the two armies met in full force at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. The Battle of Cedar Mountain would last for more than a day of bitter fighting. More than 19,000 troops would fall as casualties in the battle of which almost 12,000 were Union. General Pope & the Army of Virginia was soundly defeated & forced to withdraw & not stop. For two more weeks the Northern Virginia Campaign continued but now the Confederates were on the offensive. While more engagements between the two forces occurred none so large as Cedar Mountain and on July 7 Pope crossed back over the Potomac with his army. The Army of Virginia would be disbanded by the end of the month with the soldiers being merged with the Army of the Potomac & the Army of the North.
General Lee wished to use the Army of northern Virginia's new momentum to invade the north and possibly end the war. Richmond would hesitate however as news of new events in the world were being discovered.
Of the European powers the nation that most supported Washington was the Russian Empire. Russia saw a unified United States as a counterbalance to the British Empire. Only six years had past since the end of the Crimean War in which both Britain and France had defeated Russia and forced them to destroy their Black Sea Fleet and many in Russia still harbored anger towards them for it hoping for revenge. During the 1861–1862 winter, two fleets from the Imperial Russian Navy was sent to American waters to avoid their getting trapped if a war broke out with Britain and France. While wintering in the Americas war would come to them and British and French warships were soon off the port cities that the Russian vessels were anchored in. In New York, where the majority of one fleet was anchored most of the Russian fleet set sail back to Russian waters on April 20. The frigate Alexander Nevsky however had remained in port with mechanical issues, one other frigate would remain until the Nevsky could sail, and wouldn't be able to leave until May 2.
The two remaining Russian warships sailed out of New York right at daybreak on their return voyage to Russia. The Royal Navy had just began moving into position to set up their own blockade of the US and so only three frigates had arrived off New York. In the early morning mist these ships were unaware that the warships sailing were of a neutral nation and would open fire on them. The Russian vessels quickly returned fire an soon a full blown battle was taking place. Britain's numerical superiority and naval expertise allowed them to carry the day though it would not be cheap. One ship was burning, sinking three hours later, and the other two had damage to some degree. For the two Russian vessels however the Nevsky's magazine had caught fire and exploded while the remainder, heavily damaged from the battle, withdrew back to New York.
News of the incident would not reach Russia for a month & when it did there was a national uproar and call for war. For two weeks Europe waited to see what Saint Petersburg would do. On June 19 Russian warships would appear in the North Sea and attack several British commerce ships in the Dogger Bank. That same day London would receive from Saint Petersburg Russia's declaration of war and Paris would receive a declaration as well three days later. What had been a war in North America had in stroke of the pen now turned global and it was anyone's guess who would come out on top.
The capture of Portland wasn't to be a permanent occupation. The British forces were to march overland to Canada and moved out of Portland on April 5. There were few regular troops in the region but several partisans would take shots at the British during their journey. State militia units from Maine New Hampshire, and Vermont would mix with a battalion of regular army troops from Maine to attempt and stop the British force before reaching Canada & joining with the Anglo-Canadian army that was growing on the border. The Battle of Andover on April 13 was the first land battle between Union &British forces and while the American force sent against them nearly doubled their size, the Americans were untrained and untested and were easily defeated by the British who suffered little more than 200 casualties.
To counter the superior numbers the the Union held over their forces, General John Fox Burgoyne who commanded the British forces in Canada though an offensive would force the Union to divert troops that would be used in their invasion of Canada to counter this offensive. On April 15 1500 British and 7500 Canadian troops crossed the border into Maine. By May most of northern New Hampshire and almost all of Maine was under Anglo occupation.
The entrance of Britain & France into the war severely hampered the Unions plan of action against the Confederacy. On April 10 the Army of the North was established with Major General William Rosecrans as its commander. Along with 15,000 new recruits the Army of the North was made up of almost 20,000 experienced soldiers pulled from the Armies of the Potomac and the Ohio. Rosecrans planned to invade Ontario from Michigan & march to & capture Toronto. The invasion of Maine however changed these plans & 10,000 troops were diverted to be sent to Maine. While the Army of the North would be reinforced, an immediate offensive was put on hold. With the Union moving troops north to combat the new threat in Canada and Britain not having enough trained manpower to move into the more populated states the “Northern Theater” stayed mostly quiet with the only significant action in May for this theater was the capture of Portsmouth by Royal Marines.
The disastrous Peninsular Campaign only slowed the Union warplans in Virginia. On June 5 Major General John Pope would invade northern Virginia with 70,000 troops of the newly formed Union Army of Virginia. The Army of Northern Virginia had recouped from the losses of the Peninsular Campaign & General Lee moved forward with 60,000 to counter Pope. A week after the Northern Virginia Campaign began portions of the two armies met at the Battle of Culpepper Courthouse. The Battle of Culpepper Courthouse was only a corps sized battle however it was the first major engagement in the Eastern Theater since the arrival of the British. Confederate forces, commanded by General “Stonewall” Jackson, defeated the Union & forced them from the field. Eight days later the two armies met in full force at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. The Battle of Cedar Mountain would last for more than a day of bitter fighting. More than 19,000 troops would fall as casualties in the battle of which almost 12,000 were Union. General Pope & the Army of Virginia was soundly defeated & forced to withdraw & not stop. For two more weeks the Northern Virginia Campaign continued but now the Confederates were on the offensive. While more engagements between the two forces occurred none so large as Cedar Mountain and on July 7 Pope crossed back over the Potomac with his army. The Army of Virginia would be disbanded by the end of the month with the soldiers being merged with the Army of the Potomac & the Army of the North.
General Lee wished to use the Army of northern Virginia's new momentum to invade the north and possibly end the war. Richmond would hesitate however as news of new events in the world were being discovered.
Of the European powers the nation that most supported Washington was the Russian Empire. Russia saw a unified United States as a counterbalance to the British Empire. Only six years had past since the end of the Crimean War in which both Britain and France had defeated Russia and forced them to destroy their Black Sea Fleet and many in Russia still harbored anger towards them for it hoping for revenge. During the 1861–1862 winter, two fleets from the Imperial Russian Navy was sent to American waters to avoid their getting trapped if a war broke out with Britain and France. While wintering in the Americas war would come to them and British and French warships were soon off the port cities that the Russian vessels were anchored in. In New York, where the majority of one fleet was anchored most of the Russian fleet set sail back to Russian waters on April 20. The frigate Alexander Nevsky however had remained in port with mechanical issues, one other frigate would remain until the Nevsky could sail, and wouldn't be able to leave until May 2.
The two remaining Russian warships sailed out of New York right at daybreak on their return voyage to Russia. The Royal Navy had just began moving into position to set up their own blockade of the US and so only three frigates had arrived off New York. In the early morning mist these ships were unaware that the warships sailing were of a neutral nation and would open fire on them. The Russian vessels quickly returned fire an soon a full blown battle was taking place. Britain's numerical superiority and naval expertise allowed them to carry the day though it would not be cheap. One ship was burning, sinking three hours later, and the other two had damage to some degree. For the two Russian vessels however the Nevsky's magazine had caught fire and exploded while the remainder, heavily damaged from the battle, withdrew back to New York.
News of the incident would not reach Russia for a month & when it did there was a national uproar and call for war. For two weeks Europe waited to see what Saint Petersburg would do. On June 19 Russian warships would appear in the North Sea and attack several British commerce ships in the Dogger Bank. That same day London would receive from Saint Petersburg Russia's declaration of war and Paris would receive a declaration as well three days later. What had been a war in North America had in stroke of the pen now turned global and it was anyone's guess who would come out on top.
Cool, the Civil War's become a world war kind of conflict. Just don't make it like freaking Britannia's Fist, ok?
I'll let EnglishCanuck explain:
"The Britannia's Fist trilogy by Peter Tsouras. It spirals out of control in terms of being believable incredibly fast. The Americans can do literally no wrong and despite taking what would be incredible body blows manage to bounce back with an absurd degree of techno-wank and seemingly psychic intelligence officers. Then the Russians throw in on the American side...the blurb for the third book makes it sound even more incredible.
"Kind of like 1862 by Robert Conroy. I like his books, but that one was a wank. Thankfully I know the CSA will win in your TL so I don't have to worry about it
Red & Blue
With Autumn just around the corner the war in the Western Theater began to heat up once more. Aside from temporarily loss of men in the Army of the Ohio the entrance of Britain and France had had little affect on this theater of the war.
The Unions Department of the Ohio received a new commander in July with Major General Don Carlos Buell. Buell was given the task of driving the Confederates out of Kentucky & invading Tennessee. On August 20 General Johnston & General Bragg had led the Army of Tennessee out of Leitchfield to attempt & gain full control over Kentucky. The Eastern Kentucky Campaign's plan of action was to march on Lexington before circling around & taking Louisville. It was hoped that gaining control of these key cities that Kentucky would finally officially join the Confederacy. General Buell & his army had been based in Lexington & when word of Johnston's offensive reached him set out to stop him. On September 17 the two armies converged near the tiny settlement of Raywick. The Battle of Raywick was fought by 66,000 Union & 45,000 Confederate troops making it the largest battle of the western theater yet. This would be the bloodiest single day of the war causing over 25,000 casualties.
The Battle of Raywick was tactically inconclusive though would be considered strategically a Union victory as it halted Johnston's advance with the Confederates withdrawing back to Leitchfield. Buell would withdraw as well, back to Lexington & the war in Kentucky would remain quiet for the remainder of 1862.
North of Kentucky in Michigan General Rosecrans would cross the Detroit River with 30,000 men of the Army of the North on August 17. Despite the outbreak of the war, the city of Windsor was only lightly protected and after just a few fired rounds broke and ran. For ten days the Union Army moved north towards Toronto. While no major force had came to challenge the Americans the Army of the North was plagued by hit and run attacks by Canadian auxiliaries making the casualty number steadily grow. On August 28 however the Americans would finally be challenged just west of the town of Berlin. General Burgoyne had arrived in Toronto on August 19 to take command of the Anglo-Canadian army personally. The army consisted of 8500 British soldiers and 14,500 trained but untested Canadian soldiers. Almost immediately Burgoyne set out with the army to confront Rosecrans to rid Canada of the invaders.
The Battle of Berlin was the first major battle between British & American soldiers. For five hours the two armies fought ferociously. Though untested in battle, the Canadians proved themselves fiercely in battle. By the end of the day the American forces were beginning to withdraw. Of the 12,000 casualties that had been sustained during the battle nearly 3/4's were American. For the next twelve days the Army of the North withdrew from Ontario. The two sides would fight each other three more times before Rosecrans crossed the Niagara River into New York though none would be anywhere near as fierce as Berlin had been.
As General Rosecrans invaded Ontario 15,000 men under the command of Brevet Major General William Tecumseh Sherman were moving into New Hampshire. The British occupying force numbered 9500 under General George Paget were situated mostly around Northwood, New Hampshire in preparation to attack Concord. Sherman refused to see another state capital fall to the hands of the enemy& sent his men on a forced march to stop the British. On August 22 the Battle of Northwood occurred as General Sherman attacked the British positions. Sherman would have his men pound on the British relentlessly to drive them from American territory. The next morning the British began to withdraw from Northwood & further attacks would turn this withdrawal into a retreat that wouldn't end until all British forces had pulled out of southern New Hampshire. In the withdrawal however Portsmouth would be completely destroyed by the Royal Navy. Day by day this war was growing more bloodier.
The blockade of the US by the Royal & French Navies was tight but not so tight as to keep American commerce raiders from sneaking out through the cracks. These raiders would cause troubles for both British & French shipping & force their navies to divert ships to give chase to these raiders. With Russia entering the war against them, London was forced to pull back some ships from North America to strengthen its home fleet. While Napoleon III sent portions of France's navy to make up for the drop in the Royal Navy's strength this wouldn't cover those lost. While American shipping still struggled the blockade was much less “solid” as the allies in Richmond, Paris, & London hoped for.
With Autumn just around the corner the war in the Western Theater began to heat up once more. Aside from temporarily loss of men in the Army of the Ohio the entrance of Britain and France had had little affect on this theater of the war.
The Unions Department of the Ohio received a new commander in July with Major General Don Carlos Buell. Buell was given the task of driving the Confederates out of Kentucky & invading Tennessee. On August 20 General Johnston & General Bragg had led the Army of Tennessee out of Leitchfield to attempt & gain full control over Kentucky. The Eastern Kentucky Campaign's plan of action was to march on Lexington before circling around & taking Louisville. It was hoped that gaining control of these key cities that Kentucky would finally officially join the Confederacy. General Buell & his army had been based in Lexington & when word of Johnston's offensive reached him set out to stop him. On September 17 the two armies converged near the tiny settlement of Raywick. The Battle of Raywick was fought by 66,000 Union & 45,000 Confederate troops making it the largest battle of the western theater yet. This would be the bloodiest single day of the war causing over 25,000 casualties.
The Battle of Raywick was tactically inconclusive though would be considered strategically a Union victory as it halted Johnston's advance with the Confederates withdrawing back to Leitchfield. Buell would withdraw as well, back to Lexington & the war in Kentucky would remain quiet for the remainder of 1862.
North of Kentucky in Michigan General Rosecrans would cross the Detroit River with 30,000 men of the Army of the North on August 17. Despite the outbreak of the war, the city of Windsor was only lightly protected and after just a few fired rounds broke and ran. For ten days the Union Army moved north towards Toronto. While no major force had came to challenge the Americans the Army of the North was plagued by hit and run attacks by Canadian auxiliaries making the casualty number steadily grow. On August 28 however the Americans would finally be challenged just west of the town of Berlin. General Burgoyne had arrived in Toronto on August 19 to take command of the Anglo-Canadian army personally. The army consisted of 8500 British soldiers and 14,500 trained but untested Canadian soldiers. Almost immediately Burgoyne set out with the army to confront Rosecrans to rid Canada of the invaders.
The Battle of Berlin was the first major battle between British & American soldiers. For five hours the two armies fought ferociously. Though untested in battle, the Canadians proved themselves fiercely in battle. By the end of the day the American forces were beginning to withdraw. Of the 12,000 casualties that had been sustained during the battle nearly 3/4's were American. For the next twelve days the Army of the North withdrew from Ontario. The two sides would fight each other three more times before Rosecrans crossed the Niagara River into New York though none would be anywhere near as fierce as Berlin had been.
As General Rosecrans invaded Ontario 15,000 men under the command of Brevet Major General William Tecumseh Sherman were moving into New Hampshire. The British occupying force numbered 9500 under General George Paget were situated mostly around Northwood, New Hampshire in preparation to attack Concord. Sherman refused to see another state capital fall to the hands of the enemy& sent his men on a forced march to stop the British. On August 22 the Battle of Northwood occurred as General Sherman attacked the British positions. Sherman would have his men pound on the British relentlessly to drive them from American territory. The next morning the British began to withdraw from Northwood & further attacks would turn this withdrawal into a retreat that wouldn't end until all British forces had pulled out of southern New Hampshire. In the withdrawal however Portsmouth would be completely destroyed by the Royal Navy. Day by day this war was growing more bloodier.
The blockade of the US by the Royal & French Navies was tight but not so tight as to keep American commerce raiders from sneaking out through the cracks. These raiders would cause troubles for both British & French shipping & force their navies to divert ships to give chase to these raiders. With Russia entering the war against them, London was forced to pull back some ships from North America to strengthen its home fleet. While Napoleon III sent portions of France's navy to make up for the drop in the Royal Navy's strength this wouldn't cover those lost. While American shipping still struggled the blockade was much less “solid” as the allies in Richmond, Paris, & London hoped for.