Lyon Comes East or One War at a Time

[hzn5pk]

December 15 - 21, 1861

For the past couple of weeks, Captain Wilkes has been on a war bonds tour across the major cities and rail stops of the USA. The tour is doing quite well to raise revenue for the war effort and to unite the nation behind the new hero’s actions. It is clear that Wilkes has the popular demand of the people. Wilkes is outspoken for support of the war and not to back down to the British. His tour very much resembles whistle stop campaigning for political office.

Lincoln at first was also for not backing down to the British, but sensibility has gotten the better of him once again and he sees that it is unwise to stir the British. His approach is to let the fever die down. Unbeknown to Lincoln, people in his own party and cabinet most notably Seward were aiding in the flaming of discontent of the Trent Affair, keeping the fervor of anti-British popular support up. This would not be known for many years. These Republicans and Democrats saw the Trent as a way for the USA to obtain Canada. The Democrats that Seward brought on board were enough to influence party moderates such as Buchanan and Lewis Cass to remain silent. Lincoln who had a tight grip on matters as the war began was starting to lose his grip on what would be known as the Trent Affair.

Lincoln and Seward, and the rest of Congress viewed the first British reaction of the seizure from British newspapers received on December 16. Upon reading the British newspapers, Congress was even more aflame and was united in being defiant towards Britain. Anti-war Democrat, Clement Vallandigham, proposed a resolution stating that the U.S. maintain the seizure of the CSA diplomats as a matter of honor. The motion was passed without going to committee as some Congressmen abstained from voting and most did not want to go against popular demand.

On December 17, Secretary Adams in London received word in a letter from Seward that Wilkes had acted alone. Adams immediately showed this to Lord Russell to aid in diffusing the matter. Russell was relieved, but wanted to see the official response from the USA before backing down. He would later be criticized for not sharing such information.

The official letter and British response along with instructions to Lord Lyons was received on December 18. Lyons unofficially delivered the demands on the 19th and officially delivered the note on the 21st. Lyons further stated that he would wait for an official American reply until December 31.

On December 19, the Senate received the draft of the House’s resolution to maintain the seizure of the CSA diplomats. It is given to Charles Summer and the Senate Foreign Relations committee to derive a response to be voted upon. With this, Sumner worked with Lincoln and Seward. It was plain to see that Seward was gun ho for a conflict with Britain for which Lincoln had to reign him in. Sumner and Lincoln weighed both the popular public demand and common sense as Sumner was worried that a conflict would ultimately ruin the trade of the USA therefore effecting industry as well.

Sumner and Lincoln wanted to let the fervor die down. To this end, Lincoln and Welles yanked Wilkes from the war bonds tour. They also tried to persuade other Congressmen and Senators to see common sense. This did little as the damage was done. Part of the damage was the success that the Union armies had in suppressing the rebellion, victory fever was high. They also tried to persuade Lord Lyons to buy them more time. Further communication to Lyons did not give him the authority to extend the deadline past December 31.

In other events:
The Harney-Price truce was extended to no Union military activity in Arkansas north of the Arkansas river. This was in exchange for no Confederate activity in Kansas north of the Arkansas river as well. This did not rule out activity on the river and the threat to Little Rock. In these agreements, Harney had obtained clearance from Washington. Price on the other hand was acting without the permission of his superiors, mainly Earl Van Dorn and Jefferson Davis. Davis wanted more action in Missouri to help relieve the East. For this greater action to relieve South Carolina and Georgia, Davis summoned the main commanders along the Mississippi and trans-Mississippi commands to Grenada to discuss strategy, The meeting would be the following week.

As the Union blockade was lifted at the mouth of the Mississippi and Mobile, these garrisons shifted their troops northward to be included in Polk’s command.

The Confederate government proposes to create the state of Calhoun out of the Indian Territory. Debate is strong for both sides. The tribes themselves are also debating if they want to be part of the CSA, if they want to unite together to become one state or keep their status as is. This show of loyalty from the Confederacy though pulls more of the tribal people to the CSA side even though they know that the USA is sweeping across the Confederacy in the East.

Sherman is transferred to Albany, NY
Nathaniel Lyon strikes out for Florence, SC
Grant rests in Columbia, SC. He protects Lyons flank.
Thomas is waiting in Chattanooga
McDowell advances and captures Helena, AR.

 

[hzn5pk]

December 22 - 28, 1861

As December 31 approached, Lincoln had two options; both of them were not good. He could go against strong domestic opinion and let the prisoners go and not risk a conflict with Britain or he could keep the prisoners and openly defy Britain. Letting them go would likely hurt him on his other domestic policies and fracture the Republican Party. Keeping them would most likely end up in a conflict with Britain. He had his mind made up and he and Sumner had worked a deal with Lyons to quietly turn the prisoners over to Lyons and have Seward compose a simple apology letter to the British. Lyons agreed that a formal reprimand of Wilkes was not needed. Giving the prisoners up would be the best practice as what influence would they have in Britain when the CSA was on her knees. For his part, Sumner was going to keep the motion to keep the prisoners in committee as long as possible and not bring it to the Senate floor for a vote.

Lincoln’s and Sumner’s approach seemed to be working, but on the day after Christmas, the contents of the British letter were leaked to the press first the Washington paper and then on the 27th most other US papers printed the letter. On December 28th, Wilkes resigned his commission and continued to speak out to not back down to British demands. The public was in an uproar, some people in Boston actually rowed out to Fort Warren to protest and ensure that the captives were not released. A public watch was put on Fort Warren to ensure that the prisoners would not be released. Once again to no avail, Lincoln went to Lyons to extend the deadline. He had three more days left for the executive decision that he had to make.

As part of the holiday season, Winfield Scott traveled to Arlington to visit his once protege, Robert E. Lee. Scott was very humble and admiring of Lee. Scott said that Lee was a good general, Scott went so far as to say that Lee was still the best general in the country for holding out longer against the odds than most any of the others. It was not superior generalship that won the Virginia and Carolina campaigns for the Union; it was the bearing of overwhelming manpower and artillery and then keeping the pressure on. Scott mentions that the generals that he did select for the campaign fit the most important aspect that he was looking for, initiative. They both talked about what could have been had the Union had generals that were afraid to use the advantages of the North. Scott asks Lee, what is next. Lee states that he does not know, for now to just manage his estate at Arlington. Lee wishes to continue to serve Virginia and by Providence to lead the state on the right path. To this end, he states that he is going to free and educate the slaves that he and his wife owned. As he leaves, Scott once again very humbly tells Lee to keep his spirits up. The two renew their friendship and keep up correspondence.

Davis holds his strategy meeting in Mississippi. There is not much he can do in the East, but here out West, some space has been opened. With McDowell in Helena, and Thomas remaining in Chattanooga, a gap has occurred in the Union lines. Davis wants the gap to be exploited, possibly with the opportunity of encircling and trapping McDowell and then recovering western Tennessee. For this, he wants Polk to block McDowell to the East. He would like Van Dorn and McCullough to come down from Little Rock. Finally, he wants Price to keep up a feint against Jefferson City and St. Louis, but slip south and link up with McCullough. Added to this, to aid the effort in trapping McDowell, Davis wants a raid on Memphis or Nashville. For this, troops have been added to Polk’s command from the Gulf and some units transferring from A.S. Johnston and Hardee. Davis is gambling that the Union will stall some in South Carolina to afford him the opportunity to discomfort McDowell. Regiments from Indian Territory and Texas have also been added to McCullough’s strength at Little Rock.

Price’s role will not directly violate the winter truce with Harney as Price will be moving south. In fact, Harney will not be able to follow without notice. After the main meeting, Davis talks with Price, McCullough, and Van Dorn. The talk is more of a tongue lashing to Price, as Davis reminds Price that he is the junior officer of the three. Davis states that the truce with Harney is null and void since it did not have his approval and that he wants an immediate battle without notice to put the Union in Missouri on the defensive and distract activity aimed for McDowell. After this engagement, Price can either continue on if there is an opening to St. Louis or come down to Arkansas. Speed is of the essence.

Price states that the battle without notice would violate his honor. For the winter season, he states the good will that has existed in Missouri will be ruined and reprisals will start again. Price states that he trusts William Harney, his enemy, more than he trusts his superiors McCullough, Van Dorn, and even Davis himself. After saying this, Price announces his resignation and hands his sword over to Davis. Price then mounts his horse and rides away. Davis was actually relieved. Yes, this was bound to have some effect on recruits in Missouri, but there would still be some that remained loyal to the cause. Letters were written and Davis replaced Price with Richard Taylor.

Taylor, a HQ staff, and a cavalry brigade are able to meet up with Price. Taylor was able to calm Price down and stated that when getting back to the main Confederate camp in Rolla, he would let Price address the troops.Price states that his resignation is for the personal dislike for the leadership of Davis, Van Dorn, and McCullough. Price says that he has done more for Missouri and securing Missouri for the Confederacy than what the others have done for the CSA. Price thanks Taylor for giving him the last word to address the troops, Price states that he will urge all of them to remain good soldiers but that his fight is over. Taylor also stated that he would forewarn Harney. He would not give Harney a full week, but that he would send a message to Harney stating that he was the new commander in Missouri and that the former truce was null and void. He will not act until Harney has received the message.

In other events, Gouverneur Warren is added as the head topographical engineer to the Central Railroad under Fremont in Iowa. Sherman’s command is transferred to Boston. He grants one week furloughs to some his New Englanders to head home.

Nathaniel Lyon rests in rout to Florence, SC as Grant does the same in Columbia, SC. Thomas is waiting in Chattanooga, awaiting orders to continue the advance of Grant and Lyon across Georgia in January.

McDowell rests in Helena, Ar. He has three options for advance as his orders are to maintain pressure on the CSA. He can advance up the Arkansas River to Little Rock, this will alleviate Missouri and activity in Kansas. He can move farther south in Arkansas to Arkansas Post. Or he can re-cross the Mississippi and go at Polk and Granada. This is the best choice. He will leave a garrison of the recent trans-Mississippi troops that were added to his command in Helena. The Union controls the Mississippi so the garrison is not isolated.

 

[hzn5pk]

December 29 – January 4, 1862

The Senate resolution to keep the Slidell and Mason dies in committee. Both Sumner and Hannibal Hamlin ensure that it cannot come up for a Senate vote. Lincoln is resolved to free the prisoners and write an apology letter himself, or leverage Seward to write a letter of apology. Senate and House opposition to Lincoln’s view on the Trent Affair meet with Lincoln and Sumner on December 29th. They state that if the prisoners are released, they will block administration legislation in Congress.

This legislation consists of:
13th amendment to ban secession, also protects slavery where it exists
Admission of Deseret as the 36th state
Homestead Act
Morrill Education Act
Railroad Act for government funding for the Central and Southern transcontinental railroads.

Lincoln and Sumner are unable to reason with these men who are also stricken with victory fever. Lincoln asks that if he does not let the prisoners go, will these and other progressive measures be passed promptly. The reply is that there will be less opposition. Lincoln also polls New England congressmen to see if they truly support this measure knowing that if a conflict comes with Britain, the economy of New England will be affected most. The New Englanders present give him strong support.

On the 31st, Lincoln and Seward meet with Lord Lyons. The official American response to the British demands is none, no written response. Lincoln states that Wilkes acted on his own and that the United States did not want any conflict with Britain. Lyons states that it is unfortunate that the Americans will not budge, just a little. Lyons states that he will leave his embassy in the next few days to return to London. Lincoln wishes him a farewell and states that instructions will be for Adams in London to remain as long as he is welcomed and also that the United States will not start a naval war or invade Canada without being provoked. Lyons believes him and will work with Russell to renew better relations with the USA for the future.

As 1862 comes, none of the remaining rebelling states take the Lincoln peace offer. Due to this, the slaves of those states are free according to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of the previous fall.
New Union recruits are ready to be stationed after training. The numbers are the same for the previous month. Victory fever and Wilkes’s war bond tour keeps recruitment up. There are three added infantry regiments this month from Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee and a cavalry regiment from Virginia.

The naval fleet is redeployed to protect the eastern seaboard. The fleet that was the west Gulf blockading fleet under David Farragut has been reassigned to the Pacific. They were going to prepare for a trip up the Mississippi river to capture New Orleans; they now will be transferred to the Pacific, carrying 5000 troops under Benjamin Butler. The eastern gulf fleet is reassigned to resume the blockade of Charleston, Savannah, and Brunswick, GA as the southern Atlantic fleet. The two Atlantic fleets are realigned for the northern ports of New England, New York, and New Jersey and the Central Atlantic fleet covering the Delaware river, Chesapeake Nay, and the Virginia and North Carolina coasts. Welles states to the admirals that they are not to provoke or fire upon any British vessel unless fired upon.

Sedgwick in transferred to northern Maine as Sherman is transferred to northeastern Maine.

Nathaniel Lyon captures Florence, SC as Grant is still in Columbia. Lines in the western theater remain unchanged. The Confederates are deploying their plan to defeat McDowell and recover western Tennessee.

Taylor takes command of forces in Rolla. Most of the Missouri guard under Price remains loyal. He divides his forces in two. The smaller diversionary force marches out from Rolla towards St. Louis. The second larger force, then marches south as part of the CSA plans on the Mississippi.

 

[hzn5pk]

January 5 – January 11, 1862

From the previous week:
Lord Lyons sent an official letter to Lord Russell on January 1 confirming that there was no official response from the USA and that Mason and Slidell were still in Union custody. He stated that Lincoln gave in to overwhelming popular sentiment not to back down in the standoff. He also states that he believes Lincoln that the USA will not fire the first shot, but the USA is strengthening its positions along the border with Canada and readying its Navy. Britain is likewise readying the Royal Navy to increase deployment to Bermuda, Halifax, and the West Indies. Plans for the Pacific are also underway.

Letters were sent from Seward to Charles Adams to remain in London as long as he is welcomed to state that even though the USA did not apologize for Wilkes’s actions, the USA does not want a conflict with Britain. If he is asked to leave, Adams is to go to a friendly European capital to aid in the effort in building support against Britain.

Lord Lyons leaves Washington for London on January 2.

Due to lighter campaigning, the Union armies are strengthened some with new troops. The troop dispositions are:
Nathaniel Lyon in Florence, SC with 65000
Ulysses S Grant in Columbia, SC with 49000
George Thomas in Chattanooga, TN with 28000
Irwin McDowell in Helena, AR with 24000
Washington is garrisoned with 10000 troops under Samuel Heintzelman.
Norfolk is garrisoned with the new Virginia regiment, 4000.
Wilmington is garrisoned with the newly added North Carolina regiment, 4000.
Nashville and Memphis are garrisoned with 4000 troops each, with a Tennessee regiment in Nashville.

These new regiments consist of some veterans of Lee’s and Beauregard’s former commands and some Unionists in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. They have freed up Reynolds and Hancock to deploy north. It was decided to deploy Reynolds and Hancock North to be prepared for any altercation with Britain than to transfer them west. Scott and Stanton see the southern swing of Grant and Lyon as being effective to wipe out the Confederacy in 1862. If needed, the Northern commands can be railed to the West.

Strategy is for Grant and Lyon to swing through South Carolina and Georgia. Thomas will then be added to the North with Grant in the middle and Lyon on the coast as they swing through Alabama and Mississippi. McDowell will advance into Northern Mississippi to protect Memphis and await the sweep that is coming his way.

Sherman is located in NE Maine with 32000
John Sedgwick will be railed to western New York with 20,000
John Reynolds will be railed to northern Maine to replace Sedgwick with 24000
Winfield Hancock is being railed to St. Albans, Vermont with 24000.

Reynolds and Hancock troops will enjoy furloughs of two weeks the same as Sherman’s force as they were transferred north. This does well for morale and recruitment in the winter months.

Fits John Porter is north of Detroit with 32000 (16000 troops have been added in December and January)

Under William Harney are 8000 troops in St. Louis and 8000 troops in Jefferson City.

Under Granville Dodge are 4000 troops in Kansas City, 2000 troops at Ft. Leavenworth and 2000 troops in Topeka. More troops will be added to protect the southern railroad as it makes it way from Kansas to Colorado territory to New Mexico territory.

8000 troops under Phil Kearny, a mounted infantry regiment of 4000 and 4000 calvary (Virginians under JEB Stuart) are transferred to Fort Snelling in Minnesota. They are to counter any Sioux or British activity in Minnesota and Dakota territory.

5000 troops under Ben Butler are in rout to California aboard what was the West Gulf blockading fleet of David Farragut which was preparing to capture New Orleans.

George McClellan is the railroad Czar. In the East, Herman Haupt will be transferring Reynolds and Hancock North, shifting Sedgwick to western New York and sending troops to Porter in Michigan. Haupt has done a remarkable job in the East as the armies have moved south to repair and integrate southern railroads in Virginia and the Carolinas. A line from Wheeling to Grafton has been completed in Virginia which aids the supply effort.

Fremont and Warren will be building the central transcontinental railroad through Iowa and Nebraska following the various trails (Oregon, Overland, Mormon, California) to Sacramento while Grenville dodge is building a southern route following the Sante Fe trail and then west to Los Angeles.

In the far West:
Union troops in California and Deseret are forming. Deseret has already raised one regiment, the West Mormon Legion that is on its way to California. A second South Mormon Legion is ready to deploy to New Mexico along with the California Column that is collecting in Yuma. Other Union troops in California have remained at their commands and have not traveled east to assist the war effort. Edward Canby is the Union officer in Northern New Mexico territory. Troops from Colorado will be joining the New Mexico troops.

Confronting the Union armies, the Confederates have:
Charleston garrison of 4000, these have orders to retreat to Savannah if Lyon approaches.
16000 troops in Savannah under Braxton Bragg
20000 troops in Augusta under William Hardee
20000 troops in Northern Georgia under A.S. Johnston. 10,000 of these are in Atlanta and 10,000 more are in Northern Georgia.
28000 troops in Grenada under Leonidas Polk.
16000 troops in Arkansas under Earl Van Dorn
12000 troops in Northern Arkansas under Richard Taylor
4000 troops are garrisoned in Rolla and 2000 in Springfield.

The Confederates also have scant forces in their Arizona Territory under overall command of Henry Sibleyand John Baylor. These are in what will become Arizona and the southern part of the Rio Grande in New Mexico. Other forces of loyal tribes and Texans are defending Indian Territory.

Military action:
Lyons rests in Florence, SC and Grant advances to the SC-GA line threatening Augusta, GA.

In the West, McDowell leaves 4000 troops in Helena and advances with 20000 to northern Mississippi where he is blocked and battles with Polk. McDowell is soundly defeated at the battle of Clarksdale and will have to retreat to Memphis. A cavalry unit under Nathan Forrest is able to get between McDowell and Memphis. Forrest is actually able to raid Memphis. McDowell is supplied via the Mississippi river by Admiral Foote and by foraging.

Taylor rests in northern Arkansas. Van Dorn is resting in Pine Bluff, AR.

 

[hzn5pk]

January 12 – January 18, 1862

Lord Lyons arrives in London on January 17. At once, he meets with Palmerston and Russell. Lyons states that the official USA response is no response. Palmerston is immediately outraged stating that no response is more of an insult than a worded response denying the requests. The discussion next reverts to what should the next British response be in this game of international poker. Palmerston, who is an outspoken supporter of the CSA states that he would like to formally recognize the CSA. Russell counters that backing the CSA in its current reduced state will not be good for prestige to back a loser that is morally corrupt with slavery. Lyons states that he believes Lincoln when he says that the USA will not start any hostilities. Palmerston counters and says that it is not Lincoln that he is worried about. He also states that Britain is prepared to fight the USA and is more than able to keep the CSA propped up. Besides, this is the portion of the CSA that he cares about the most, the cotton growing section. With Britain’s aid, the CSA will have to be indebted to Britain to constantly provide protection. It will work out in Britain’s favor.

Russell agrees with Lyons in that the Trent affair is not that big of a deal. It and the CSA are not worth going to war with the USA over. Cooler heads need to prevail on both sides of the ocean. If Britain backs the CSA, who says that in the future, other countries will not back separatist movements within the British Empire for their own good.

The matter is debated at a cabinet meeting on the 18th. Economics and the readiness of the Navy and Army are discussed. The state of the Royal Navy has been ramping up. Although Palmerston boasts that the Royal Navy is ready for an engagement with the USA, he wants preparation stepped up another gear for both Atlantic and Pacific operations. He also wants more troops sent to Canada, he wants 10000 troops a month to be heading to Canada. Others in his Cabinet see this as a bad move, stating that it is better to let the Yankees roll over Canada, they cannot match them, and play hell with the American coastline with the Royal Navy. These critics are overruled. The economics is that Britain will need to replace Yankee foodstuffs with imports from other countries as well as developing other countries for future need.

The conclusion of the meeting is that Lyons will travel to Mobile then to Montgomery with an offer for CSA recognition. It states that the CSA needs to address slavery for the CSA to be recognized and protected; it also gives Britain exclusive trade rights and privileges not offered to other nations. In exchange, not only will Britain provide recognition, Britain will also ensure that the US navy will not blockade ports in Georgia or the Gulf of Mexico. Britain will lift any such blockade of these ports. At this time, the Royal Navy will not engage in any activity with the Union outside of keeping said ports open from blockade. In such way, Britain hopes that it will not be seen as the aggressor and the direct declaration of war will come from the USA.

Also on the 18th, Adams is asked to leave London. No declaration of war is given. The mission of Lyons to the CSA is also not mentioned to Adams.

In the USA, the first of Lincoln’s measures are introduced in the House. They are the Homestead Act, Morrill Land Grant College Act, and the Continental Railroad Act to provide funding for the central and southern transcontinental railroads. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution which forbids secession but protects slavery in loyal states to the USA is also passed.

Lincoln receives the final Deseret state constitution and letters from Brigham Young He will submit it to Congress as well for the admission of Deseret as a state and the restructuring of territories.

Military activity
Memphis is able to repel Forrest, although it causes a stir. McDowell is able to retreat pall mall into Memphis. He mainly hugs the Mississippi coast line where he is supplied and protected by Foote. The unorganized retreat of McDowell causes some units to surrender to Polk; Foote is also able to emergency transport some troops from McDowell back to Memphis for defense of the city. Polk tries, but is unable to get around McDowell to aid Forrest in capturing Memphis and encircling McDowell. Polk is just as unorganized in his pursuit as McDowell is in retreat. Key Union regiments serve as a rear guard and hinder Polk’s advance. McDowell enters Memphis with 13000 demoralized troops, he has lost a total of 7000 due to fighting, wounded, or prisoner. Another 1000 troops were lost to fend off both Forrest and Polk by the Memphis garrison. Casualties for Polk and Forrest are high as well, losing 5000 troops.

The activity to defend Memphis and McDowell is all that Foote can do. In doing so, the garrison at Helena is isolated. Foote isolates the garrison to ensure that the Confederates cannot transport troops across the Mississippi (Richard Taylor’s command) to block McDowell’s retreat. While the main plan to capture Memphis from the north for Taylor is thwarted, he quickly moves south and meets up with Van Dorn to siege Helena. The Confederate naval forces on the Mississippi are able to shell Helena as well.

In reaction to McDowell’s defeat, Thomas leaves 8000 troops in Chattanooga and starts out for Decatur, AL and then Corinth, MS.
Nathaniel Lyon also advances from Florence, SC and captures Charleston as Grant is still threatening Augusta, GA.

 

[Free Lancer]

looking very good so far.

 

[hzn5pk]

If anyone has any suggestions or comments, I am open.

 

[hzn5pk]

January 19 – January 25, 1862

Foreign Affairs

The resolution to up the anti in the stand off with the USA and recognize a CSA void of slavery is debated and passed in Parliament. Lord Lyon’s sets out for Mobile on board the HMS Warrior and other accompanying ships on January 20th. These are to be a show of force to both the USA and CSA, hopefully it will help convince the CSA that the British Empire is serious about offering protection.

Before leaving, Lord Lyons talks with Russell. Lyons states that the southerners are even more stiff necked than the northerners in America. He doubts that the CSA will go along with the freedom of slaves, and also that the government of the CSA cannot make that decision for the states; it has to be a state by state basis. Lyons states that it is only prudent for the Royal Navy to deploy forward to Bermuda, Halifax, and the West Indies, but strengthening Canada is lunacy, it will only add more prisoners for the North.

Across the sea, Lincoln in a cabinet meeting goes over the situation with Britain. He wants to ensure that the USA is ready for a conflict with Britain, and what else can be done. He asks the question that if the British do recognize the CSA in words only, does that necessarily mean that we are at war with Britain. Lincoln states that he does not want to be at war with Britain, he wants the British to be the aggressors, to fire the first shot. Lincoln states that he will not declare war on the British if they recognize the CSA. He also states though that it is only prudent to prepare as such and that if the will of the people through a vote in Congress is for a war with the British, then so be it.

Next he talks with Gideon Welles about the navy. The Union navy has increased in size, each month more ships are added. The USA navy is redeployed to protect the East Coast. The only southern ports that are blockaded are Savannah and Brunswick, Georgia to support Lyon and Grant. Welles states that a conflict with Britain will be costly for the navy. He states that the British will not be able to 100% blockade the USA, but the USA navy will suffer. Some port cities may also be fired upon; he cannot ensure the safety of all cities. Lincoln asks if new factories can be built in the cities of Boston, New York and Baltimore away from the ocean. It will take time. Lincoln states that a survey should be done new factories and worker housing should be built out of range of British ships. This would take at least two years to complete. Lincoln at least wants a survey started on the item by the Department of the Interior.

Lincoln also asks what the end game is for the British. Taking Canada looks easy; conquering the CSA is within sight. Wherever the British land in our territory including the Pacific, in time, we will be able in time to drive them off. If the USA does go to war with the British, how do we get them to the peace table and how long will it take. The British are like us, we can take reversals without giving up. No one has a clear answer as to how to bring the British to the peace table once a war has started. To this, Lincoln states perhaps the best answer would be to show that British that the USA would survive and thrive even though we are at war. A further plan with Welles and Stanton is developed that would help in this regard. The USA is well supplied; the importation of war material, supplies, and needed raw material has left the USA with a large stockpile of goods.

If a war breaks out with the British, it looks like the USA would be on its own for the most part. The Prussians and Austrians state that they do not want to be involved in a conflict. The Russians will give support; they have offered to sell ships to the USA. Lincoln and Seward accept the offer to buy older Russian ships; this is mainly to keep the Russians interested. The Russians also state that they would be a trading partner for the Americans. If Britain and France try to close American markets, the Russians state that their ports would be open for trade and that Europe could be supplied with American goods through Russia. The Prussians and the Austrians do state that they would resist efforts by foreign nations to restrict trade to their ports. Lincoln states that he will advocate to lower import tariffs for Russia now and for any other nation that actively supports free trade of American goods should a conflict with Britain evolve.

Faster steam ships are being built which can outrun warships. The payload is less, but they are faster, more maneuverable, and cannot be seen at night. The Union is beginning to copy CSA designs of these blockade runners. Some of them are already operating for the Union as they were captured with southern ports, they are being used to transport gold from California.

Lincolns domestic programs are out of committee and are debated on the house floor with a vote expected next week.

Military action

Richard Taylor is impressive in an assault that captures the Helena garrison and 4000 Union troops. The confederates loose 1000 in the process.

Lincoln is stressed about the Mississippi campaign but is reassured by Scott. Scott states that within a couple of months, the reverse will be corrected just as in Virginia last fall after Heintzelman’s and Franklin’s defeats. He states that pressure from the rest of the forces must go on so that the CSA will pay for transferring troops. Scott, from looking at the maps, sees that this might actually present a trap. If Confederate forces go into western Tennessee, they can be engulfed by Union forces in all directions. Scott actually hopes that this happens. He notifies McClellan to be ready to transfer Fitz John Porter at moments notice for action in Tennessee. Scott also states that Missouri has also been weakened.

The Union transfers 2000 troops from Kansas City to Jefferson City. Four thousand are then transferred from Jefferson to Memphis. 2000 troops are transferred from St. Louis to Nashville. The strength in Missouri is now 2000 in KC, 6000 in Jeff City and 6000 in SL. The troops will reach their Tennessee destinations next week.

McDowell is replaced in Memphis with George Meade. McDowell transferred to St. Louis as well. He did good to get his troops back to safety, but Scott does not a leader who has suffered defeat to lead forces. Scott does say that he may use McDowell for other purposes in Missouri.
Polk reorganizes his army in northern Mississippi. He can drive towards Nashville in western Tennessee, but such a move will leave Mississippi open and might leave him trapped as Meade will reorganize and come south again and Thomas is moving west. Davis urges him to begin moving into western Tennessee towards Nashville to bring Tennessee back to the CSA.
Thomas is halfway to Decatur, AL as he slows his pace.

In South Carolina, both Grant and Lyon are ready to open campaigning in Georgia. The CSA strengthens both Augusta and Savannah by retreating from Charleston and sending troops from Atlanta.

 

[hzn5pk]

January 26 – February 1, 1862

Talks occurred in Palmerston’s cabinet meeting and in Parliament of why Britain did not declare a naval war on the USA outright. Debate on why Britain did not just flex her naval might and go to war with the USA without recognizing the CSA. This is what Palmerston wanted, but he was in the minority. Recognizing a CSA without slavery was the option that fit the crime of the Trent offense and failure to apologize by the USA. Even without a formal recognition, the British are increasing their military support of the CSA. The British begin a program where they will deliver arms in exchange for cotton and other goods from the CSA. This includes the transfer of old naval ships to the CSA and river going ships. A second item that was discussed, is how much of the CSA will the British fight for. The motion the Lyons went with was as long as one state remained and disavowed slavery and met the other demands, the British would recognize and give formal military aid to keep its independence risking war with the USA.

Lincoln’s domestic measures are passed by a floor vote in The House of Representatives. They will go over to the Senate next.

New recruits join both the USA and CSA. USA recruitment level is still high due to high bounties and the string of victories brought on by the Eastern armies.

Meade is content to defend Memphis.

Polk begins a march into NE Mississippi to Corinth to block Thomas. Taylor is transferred across the Mississippi to counter Meade. The Confederate Mississippi battle fleet heads north to occupy the larger Union fleet as transports ferry Taylor’s men across the river. The naval battle is a Union victory but the South is able to transfer troops without contention and the CSA does not loose too many ships in the engagement. Van Dorn at Helena will advance to Little Rock and then back into Missouri.
Thomas reaches Decatur, AL.

Lyon starts out from Charleston and marches to the Savannah River into Georgia. Grant crosses the river to the north as well and fights a pitched battle against Hardee. The manpower advantage and the fact that Grant had been planning this move for weeks assist in the Union victory outside of Augusta, GA.

In the far West, the southern Mormon legion of 1500 men set out from St. George, Deseret to the Colorado River. From there they will be ferried to Fort Yuma to join the California cavalry regiments of the California Column. This will enable a regiment of California of 1200 infantry to remain in southern California based around San Bernardino.

The CSA is also making plans to advance up the Rio Grande river to secure the eastern portion of the New Mexico Territory.

 

[hzn5pk]

February 2 – February 8, 1862

The naval force with the HMS Warrior reaches Bermuda on February 7th. After resupplying, a fast frigate with Lord Lyons aboard will make Mobile in two weeks. The news of the offer is also given to a CSA blockade runner which will head for Brunswick, GA.

Washington learns of the expulsion of Adams from London. Welles immediately places the US Navy on higher alert. Lincoln is worried about the vulnerability of the Pacific coast. It is recommended that gold shipments in California use the overland route through Nevada, Deseret, and the Nebraska territory. There is adequate protection of the gold for wagon caravans. A second strategy that is recommended is to fight a delaying battle in California and Oregon that is to concede the coast but fight inland, to protect the mines. It is to defend Sacramento and the San Joaquin Valley and temporarily give up San Francisco. The orders are given to the Pacific command by telegraph to Nevada and then overland. Butler
Lincoln’s domestic policies are now in a Senate committee after being passed by the House.

The Union troop dispositions are 4000 each to the five northern commands and to Grant and Lyon.

Meade is still recuperating in Memphis. He is strengthened by another 4000 troops.

Thomas makes final plans in Decatur to advance upon Corinth. He is also strengthened by 4000.

Logan sets out from Nashville with 20000 troops, leaving Nashville with 2000. He will connect up with Thomas and Meade to plug up the Union defenses in western Tennessee and drive into northern Mississippi. The goal for all three commands in Tennessee is not let Taylor, Polk, or their cavalry slip past them. It will be to contain first and drive when Grant and Lyon reach the scene.

Grant consolidates in Augusta after Hardee evacuates to avoid being encircled.

Lyon is across the Savannah River and will make a concentrated effort on the city next week.

In Kansas, another 4000 troops are added. These are garrisoned at Fort Scott to protect the railroad effort in the coming months. The Atchison to Topeka portion of the southern railroad will be starting in March as will the Central railroad in Iowa to the Missouri river at what will be Council Bluffs.

In the Far West, the plans to drive into the CSA territory of Arizona will also start in March from Fort Yuma while defenses of New Mexico are being shored up.

In the CSA

Polk is almost to Corinth, he will reach Corinth before Union counter parts.
Taylor is in northern Mississippi blocking any effort by Meade.

Van Dorn sets out from Little Rock to Rolla, MO

The situation in Georgia is bleak. Augusta is lost. Bragg has orders to fall back from Savannah to avoid being trapped.

In the Far West, General Sibley resumes the campaign in New Mexico up the Rio Grande, the going is slow.

 

[hzn5pk]

February 9 – February 15, 1862

On February 15, a blockade runner reaches Brunswick, GA with a letter to and offer to the CSA. Lord Lyons will be following in a week into Mobile, AL.

Lincoln’s domestic policies are out of the Senate committee and will be voted on the Senate floor next week.

Meade is in Memphis with 24000 troops; Logan is in Columbia, TN with 20000 and Thomas leaving 4000 troops behind in Decatur starts out cautiously with 20000 to link up with Logan before assaulting Corinth.

Grant is in Augusta with 50000 while Lyon assaults Savannah with 69000 in a pitched battle with Bragg. Lyon is victorious but is unable to surround Savannah and capture Bragg.

For the CSA
Van Dorn will reach Rolla next week with 20000
Taylor is in northwestern Mississippi with 20000
Polk reaches Corinth with 24000, he is reinforced to 28000.
A.S. Johnston consolidates 20000 troops in Atlanta, William Hardee is in Milledgeville with another 20000, and Bragg is retreating towards Brunswick, with a third force of 20000

 

[hzn5pk]

February 16 – February 22, 1862

The British offer is debated in the CSA Congress and in state legislatures before Lord Lyons arrives. The CSA is in a pinch. Even with Polk’s victory of the Union army advance down the Mississippi and Taylor recapturing Helena, AR, there appears to be no stopping Lyon and Grant. It is only a matter of time before more strength is brought to bear on the CSA. The loss of Virginia and Tennessee will make industry and armament harder. It would only be logical to free the slaves, grant Britain special cotton trade status and evict the Yankees. Alignment with Britain might only be temporary, but it was needed as was French recognition in the last war for independence.

The fire eaters say that accepting British demands and freeing the slaves is no different than what would be under the Yankees in Washington. London would replace Washington as rulers of the CSA. They say that this is even worse than the Yankees in that the Yankees initially would have protected slavery as it is doing in the border states and upper south.

This is countered again by the moderates in that accepting the British terms, the South would be freeing the slaves on their own terms. The blacks could be free, but they would still have to respect the laws of the states and the laws of the states and government could restrict that freedom. This and the sight of the fleet that had sailed to Mobile convinced many of the representatives that Britain will back her word. The freeing of the slaves would translate to southern independence for the Confederates.

This was echoed by representatives from South Carolina and Georgia. South Carolina which is under Yankee occupation and Georgia which is conceding mile by mile to the Yankees were in full agreement with the British terms. They would rather have the slaves free and the Yankees gone than keeping slaves and Yankees. This view tempers that of the fire eaters from Alabama and other parts of the CSA that have not come under the Yankee boot of occupation. Freedom for the blacks would be on southern terms. Others made the argument to give the blacks limited freedom now to enlist in the army and readdress it more formally after independence from the USA is won. In the end, the CSA government (House, Senate, and President) passed and signed bills accepting the British terms, ultimately though the slavery question though would be up to the individual states. The states of South Carolina (exile government in Montgomery), Georgia and Alabama both passed the freedom of slaves after military service and the general question addressed after independence won.The other state legislatures have yet to debate the proposal.

When Lord Lyons reached Montgomery, he was greeted with reluctant acceptance to the terms from the CSA government and the state governments of Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The other states would need to pass the freedom of the slaves in their legislatures. The CSA federal government stated that the servitude of blacks would be up to the individual states to determine, but that it would encourage them to free the slaves as condition of military service. Already, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina have agreed to free their slaves under the condition of military service. The CSA Federal government did state that future states coming into the CSA would have slavery restricted in places that it did not occur now (echoing the USA). The trade status of cotton to England was passed without much debate. The trade agreement was for five years though.

Lord Lyons was welcomed and greeted with this news. Personally, he hoped that the CSA would reject the offer or argue and debate it long enough for Union advances to make it harder to enforce. The CSA though seeing the handwriting on the wall agreed to the terms when Lyons arrived in Montgomery. The CSA agreed to the British terms. Lyons was instructed to notify the fleet in Mobile of the acceptance, the fleet with the HMS Warrior was to sail out to lift the blockade of Brunswick, GA after refitting upon getting the go ahead from Lyons. The fleet that sailed with Lyons into Mobile Bay also had its effect of impressing the Confederates in Montgomery and in Georgia. It will still be a couple of weeks before contact with the Union fleet enforcing a blockade of Brunswick, GA.

Another point to the British proposal was that acceptance to free slaves was one thing, timing was another. The British proposal simply stated that the CSA denounce slavery and begin the process of freeing the slaves in a prudent manner. It did not have to be immediate. This aided the passing of the measure by the CSA Congress, President Davis, and the three legislatures that have debated the resolution. The process of using military service for emancipation came out of debate as to the best way to free the slaves. The compromise was to free slaves who would serve the country first. The rest of the slavery solution to freeing the slaves could be answered after independence. This acceptance was enough for Lyons as instructed by Russell and especially Palmerston to grant diplomatic recognition to the Confederate States of America and to lift any blockade of its ports by foreign powers upon the agreement of the terms by the CSA government, not necessarily the implementation of the terms.

Prior to passing the trade and slavery legislation for England, the CSA accepted a constitution for the state of Calhoun to be the ninth state of the CSA. It would enter as a slave state, that status would now have to be debated.

In the USA,
The Senate passed the Homestead Act opening up the West, the Morrill Land Grants providing for Universities to the states, the railroad act for the north, central, and southern transcontinental railroads to be built (plans for 1862 were to start the central and south railroads), and the 13th amendment that made secession unconstitutional but protected slavery in the states where it existed. Congress could create territories and admit future states without slavery. The proposed amendment would now have to be passed by 75% state legislatures to amend the US Constitution. There was some debate about the eight states that have seceded, since the USA still recognizes them, they count for the passage of amendments, so 26 states are needed to pass the amendment, only one of the non seceding states cannot pass the amendment.

The Senate also passed the house bill that recognized Deseret as the 35th state. The borders would be the current southern border to the 49th parallel and the east-West border were the 109 and 115 meridians respectively. Deseret was essentially a large rectangle of the Rocky Mountains. The bill as the House bill defined the remaining territories of the USA. Nevada was enlarged at the expense of Deseret and New Mexico. New Mexico was halved and the US Territory of Arizona was created. Washington territory gave up land to Nevada and Oregon. The final measure stated that a ¾ majority vote was needed to amend the territorial boundaries further when these territories would become states. (Note: The OTL states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming are divided up between the surrounding territories. Also North Dakota, South Dakota, eastern Montana and NE Wyoming make up the territory of Dakota. Nevada is given the NW corner of Idaho, Oregon is given central Idaho and Washington is given northern Idaho as eastern Idaho is now part of Deseret)

In a successful transmission to Salt Lake City, Lincoln congratulates Brigham Young on the admission of Deseret and once again tells him to populate the northern region.

Lyon consolidates forces in Savannah and will support Grant as Grant prepares to assault Milledgeville, GA, Thomas and Logan meet up at Pittsburgh Landing and Savannah, TN. This has sealed the door and will protect western and central Tennessee. They are supported by Meade in preparation to advance on Corinth.

There is pressure from Congress as to why there are large amounts of forces on the border with Canada when they can be used in Mississippi, Georgia, and Missouri to route the rebels out. Scott says to Lincoln that these forces are as a precaution and as a show of force to prevent hostilities. Why would Britain start a fight when they know that they cannot hold Canada. Scott states that the lack of preparation effected the outcome of campaigns in the last war to conquer Canada. He did not want it to be the same if fighting breaks out again. If relation are restored with Britain and the threat of war subsides, the troops can be used to down South. Already, Porters forces in Michigan and Sedgewick's forces in western New York are prepared to re-deploy at a moments notice. McClellan has been working on this. The troops have not been idle, they have drilled and trained, and have prepared for the terrain that they will face.

Van Dorn reaches Rolla, MO.


(I was thinking of transferring A.S. Johnston to combine with Polk and strike Logan before Thomas came up similar to a IOTL Shiloh. I was also thinking of Johnston heading north to strike Chattanooga. But it made the most sense to combine him with Hardee to oppose Grant in Georgia as Mississippi is protected by Polk and Taylor and their is no current threat to Atlanta from the north. )

 

[KG "Cagey"]

Lesser lights upon the stage

Given all of your work I wanted to comment. I enjoyed the read and offer thanks and praise for the enjoyment of reading your TL.

Below is mere commentary not a smackdown.

First, with my hometown of Rolla, MO where Lyon's body finally caught a train [his remains came to the Rolla RR head via wagon post-Wilson's Creek]... I AM A HUGE FAN OF LYON! I have an autographed copy of Chris Philips bio of Nathaniel Lyon, Damned Yankee.

My favorite old wargame VG CW had two ATL counters: Stonewall Jackson and N Lyon as living to promotions and army command [think TJ Jackson instead of Hood getting AoTenn in 1864]

I wish to mention a casual misstep in many TLs.

McDowell is replaced in Memphis with George Meade.

People ought not be casually butterflied to early prominence and name- dropped everywhere.
I read a TL earlier today with Rick Santorum picked as VP for 2004 Election.
It simply did not fit.
In a similar vein, Meade got command of the Penns. Reserve Division in 1861, he led them through the Spring 7Days fights, Antetiam, Fredricksbrg, promoted to Corps for Chancellorsville and then got AoP after Reynolds turned it down. Reynolds as well would never be given a large command in Jan 1862 as you have given Meade.

A TL is cool to have Lyon and Grant promoted early and leading the Union. But in the best TLs, less than stellar and less prominent generals need to remain on the "stage."

David Hunter, Dixon Miles, Samuel Heintzelman all commanded divisions at original OTL Bull Run, but their [or Bull Sumner's] army seniority status often ignored in TLs. Less lights like these should not ALL be replaced by successful stars in the first Spring of the war [Mead, etc]. Even the South had to stumble through Huger, Polk, Gideon Pillow, the drunk Crittenden and G W Smith. Far too many TLs ditch all the lesser lights too a-historically quick

 

[hzn5pk]

KG,

Commentary is great and I do not mind a smack down. I know that I am not getting everything right. I have the Union putting over 100,000 troops on the northern border when they could have brought even more to bear on the Confederacy, this probably would not happen, they would be used to squash the Confederacy and then sent up North. You are right, some more duds have to be sprinkled in. I also have a larger navy and two major railroad projects, that may be a little much, too much wishful thinking.

I just thought that Scott would want to go with a steady man like Meade after the defeat of McDowell. Scott and not Stanton has a more direct hand in picking the generals. But you are right, not all of the picks of generals are going to be right. It is easy when you are sitting behind a computer 150 years later to pick the generals. Not only did I skip over those that you stated, but I also skipped Sumner, Wadsworth, and Keyes in the East not to mention Pope, Buell, Rosecrans and Curtis in the West. Perhaps they are junior officers in some of the commands. I just like Meade because he is not boastful like McClellan or Pope or an idiot out of his league like Burnside and Hooker. He was solid, that and I needed a PA man since I made William Franklin subordinate to Grant. I would not mind having Sumner, Wadsworth or Keyes in command. Another general that I like is Israel Richardson, I might have him succeed McDowell in a rewrite, Scott liked Richardson. I see what you mean, and I also laugh at Civil War time lines that have Sheridan or McPherson coming on at the beginning.

I also do not have any generals bighting the dust, I do not mention any that do. For the South, I envision Davis stacking his forces with his cronies after Virginia is out of the CSA.

I have lived in Kansas City for the past eight years. I am currently on the Kansas side. What I like is the fact that there is still something to the border war. The Kansas-Missouri rivalry is one in which blood was spilled. I used to live in Ohio and Michigan and though that they had a college sports rivalry, but Kansas-Missouri tops that. In this timeline, I have Harney not being replaced and trying to heal the emotion in Missouri that Lyon and Fremont created. I also have the Union not making Missouri as much of a priority. Harney seemed to be a better person in charge of occupation duty.

I have family that lives south of Springfield, right next to the Wilson's Creek battlefield.

I have a question that i have been thinking on. What do you perceive the relationship between Lyon and Grant? I have them coordinating and working together. They have different characters and leadership styles, but they are drivers who want the war over and see that using the North's manpower is a way to victory sooner. They have different political ideologies, but I have them getting along good as campaigning partners. Do you have any thoughts?

 

[hzn5pk]

February 23 – March 1, 1862 - A New Hope (for the CSA)

Mississippi, Florida and Louisiana back the resolution to free slaves that volunteer or are conscripted into military service. The new recruits will form in March and April and will be ready for service in May. The motion is still in debate or yet to be received in Arkansas, Calhoun, and Texas.

The formidable British fleet including the HMS Warrior and HMS Black Prince leaves Mobile for Brunswick, GA. As it leaves, a message is sent through the lines to General Lyon in Savannah announcing that the British recognize the CSA and that Union activity in Confederate waters have to cease or USA ships will be engaged by the Royal Navy. N. Lyon immediately forwards this to Washington. Lyon also calls for a meeting with Grant to explain that the war may be changing a bit. Lyon is superior to Grant in rank, but Lyon has often conferred with Grant in the campaigning in the Carolinas and now in Georgia. Although the two have different political views as Lyon is a bit more radical than Grant, they have the same view on how the war should be fought as vigorously as possible by the North and have made a terrific team of mutual support. They form a great one-two punch. They talk about this as well as Grant’s upcoming assault on Milledgeville and if that should be postponed for Lyon to strike Brunswick. It is agreed that Milledgeville should be first as it will give a better support to Lyon in the next assault on Brunswick. The plan should proceed. The strategy of one army advances while one supports and then visa verse that conquered South Carolina will be continued in Georgia.

Washington is a buzz after receiving the warning message. This move by Britain was anticipated and the navy has upped its readiness ever since diplomatic relations were broken. Lincoln does not call for a declaration of war yet, but he does ready Congress that any firing on an American ship by a British ship will be a signal that hostilities have begun. Congress authorizes him to use retaliatory force in the event of Britain firing upon the flag be it in ship to ship action or ship to shore by the British. The forces along the northern border are ready to move. They are trained and plans have been made for their advance into Canada. Naval forces along the coast of Georgia are to stay their ground. They are not to fire on a British ship unless fired upon. Word to California via telegraph to Nevada and then overland to Sacramento is sent to heighten awareness, Farragut and Butler are still a few more weeks out. California is considered the top weak point in activity against Britain.

Two other weak points in the USA’s armor are the Panama railroad and the US navy installations at Key West. With the deployment of US navy’s main fleets to protect the USA eastern seaboard and the split up of the Gulf fleet with the larger ships to the Pacific and smaller ships to aid Grant and Lyon in Georgia, the Gulf of Mexico is safe haven for the CSA and there is no challenge to the British in the Caribbean. The USA wants to lure the British into American waters for a fight. With this redeployment, the railroad in Panama and the Key West installations are extremely vulnerable.

The Calhoun state government organizes in Muskogee. Representatives of the five original civilized tribes and the other added tribes are present. They state that they must stick together. That yes loyalties and to the CSA and USA can be had, but the tribes must stick together and recognize the integrity of their land. So if members want to fight with the USA, it is permitted as long as it is not against the homeland of what is now Calhoun. The USA does not recognize Calhoun, it is still territory belonging to the USA. Lincoln states that the USA will deal with this matter when the time is right.

The railroads in Kansas and Iowa were set to be started in March. This has been moved back to April 1. In the month of February, the work battalions were ferried to Jefferson City, Saint Louis, and Memphis to build fortifications ringing these cities and the river to their rear.
Van Dorn rests in Rolla, MO. He plans on striking either St. Louis or Jefferson City.

Thomas and Logan with 12000 troops from Memphis battle and defeat Polk in front of Corinth. This drives Polk back into fortifications that are being built around Corrinth. Union losses are 4000 to Confederate 2000.
Taylor moves from Clarksdale, MS to Holly Springs to threaten Memphis again. The ruse does not work. The Yankees have been working feverishly in the past few weeks to make Memphis a fortified stronghold.

Lyon forwarded 20000 troops to Grant who uses them to bolster his command to 70000 and Lyon is down to 41000 as 8000 troops are transferred to Augusta under William Franklin. Grant attacks A.S. Johnston and Hardee in front of Millidgeville. The Confederates put up a good, stiff fight but are obliged to retreat into their works at Millidgeville. Grant’s battle at Milledgeville is similar to the fight at Corinth as the Confederates choose to fight a delay in front in order for works to be built in their rear. Similar to Corinth, Union losses are 4000 to Confederate 2000.

New regiments are added to North and South. Canada as well has been seeing 10000 British troops per month for December, January, February, and March. The problem is that these troops are spread out and do not match the six Union commands and state militias that are along the borders. The British troop shipments per month do not even match the number of USA troops added along the border per month.

New troop dispositions are available
28000 new troops in the East – 4000 to Sherman, 4000 to Reynolds, 4000 to Hancock, 4000 to Northern Michigan under Israel Richardson, Scott is elated that he has at least one fighting dick in this war. 2000 to Sedgwick, 2000 to Porter and 8000 to Lyon in Savannah.

24000 new troops in the West – 4000 to Memphis, 8000 to Thomas, TN, 8000 to McDowell in St. Louis, 4000 to Chattanooga now under Erasmus Keyes.
8000 in Trans Miss – 4000 to Jeff City and 4000 to Kansas split 2000 to Fort Riley and 2000 to Fort Hays. Kansas is now protected from raiders to begin the railroad work in April.

The Confederates add 24000 – 4000 to Brunswick, 4000 to Milledgeville, 4000 to Atlanta, 4000 to Corinth, 4000 to NW Mississippi, and 4000 to Rolla.

 

[hzn5pk]

The Empire Strikes Back

March 2 – March 8, 1862 - The Empire Strikes Back

Major Troop dispositions after battles and troops additions from previous week.

Union Northern Command – Winfield Scott from Washington
40000 troops William Sherman in Calais, ME based from Bangor, ME.
32000 troops John Reynolds in and based from Island Pond, NY
32000 troops Winfield Scott Hancock in and based from Rouses Point, NY
26000 troops John Sedgwick in and based from Wellesley Island, NY. Supplied via Lake Ontario and Saint Lawrence River.
38000 troops Fitz John Porter in and based from Port Huron, MI
4000 troops Israel “Scott’s Fighting Dick” Richardson in and based from Sault Sainte Marie, MI.
8000 troops Phillip Kearney in and based from Duluth, MN

Union Georgia Command – Nathaniel Lyon from Savannah
48000 troops Nathaniel Lyon in Savannah, GA based from Savannah, GA.
9000 troops William Franklin in Augusta, GA based from Augusta, GA.
66000 troops Ulysses S Grant, near Milledgeville, GA based from Augusta, GA
12000 troops Erasmus Keyes, Chattanooga, TN

Union Mississippi Command – George Thomas, HQ near Corinth, MS
56000 troops George Thomas near Corinth, MS base is Savannah, TN
4000 troops garrisoned in Decatur, AL
16000 troops George Meade in and based from Memphis, TN

Union Missouri Command – William Harney from St. Louis
10000 in St Louis under Irwin McDowell and 10000 in Jefferson City under Newton Curtis.
Kansas Command – Greenville Dodge
2000 in Kansas City, Topeka, Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley, Fort Hays, 4000 in Fort Scott

New Mexico Command – Edward Canby
Has US army regulars and volunteers from Colorado and New Mexico. The California Column and Mormon Legion South are advancing from Fort Yuma in Arizona Territory. They are also under Canby’s command. Canby in defending northern New Mexico rivers of the Rio Grande and the Pecos. Lost battle of Valverde to CSA in February.

Pacific Command – Edwin Vose Sumner
Main concern is the defense of the California gold mines and San Joaquin Valley. Has minor forces positioned at the Presidio in San Francisco, Alcatraz island, Las Angeles, and San Diego. Has Major forces located at Mare Island, Sacramento, Stockton (Mormon Legion West), San Bernardino (1200 California Infantry that did not go with California Legion), Eureka. Oregon and Washington are manned OTL.

Confederate forces are:
20000 under Braxton Bragg in Brunswick, GA
42000 under AS Johnston and William Hardee in Milledgeville
4000 in Atlanta
30000 troops under Leonidas Polk in Corinth, MS
24000 troops under Richard Taylor in NE Mississippi
28000 troops under Earl Van Dorn in Rolla, Missouri
4000 troops in Springfield, MO

Stand Watie in defense of Calhoun with militia. General Henry Sibley and John Baylor in New Mexico. Sibley is on offensive up the Rio Grande River. Won a battle in February at Valverde, while Baylor is retreating in Arizona from California and Mormon troops which set out from Yuma.

Canada has 50000 British regulars with additional Canadian militia. The British regulars are 5000 troops in Halifax, Windsor, Kingston, Sherbrook, Quebec, and Niagara. With 10000 at St. Johns and Montreal. The Canadian defense policy is to defend Halifax and the St Lawrence. Canadian militia is being used heavily for defense of OTL Ontario and Quebec and somewhat for Nova Scotia. The British are relying upon their skill, leadership, and better weapons than their American counterparts amassed along the border. The Americans have made no secrets that they have amassed more troops in the previous months.

The British also have 10000 troops on Bermuda and 20000 troops in the West Indies. With an overpowering naval presence around Bermuda, it is a Gibraltar in the Atlantic. The British are able to escort 30000 troops per month to North America. Their plans are to separate troops into the Canadian, the Gulf, and the Pacific theaters.

The British Naval force with the HMS Warrior and Black Prince reach and engage the smaller and weaker Union naval presence in Brunswick, GA. The HMS Black Prince sends a warning shot over the USS Ethan Allen. Similarly, The HMS Warrior moves to engage with the USS Tahoma, and like wise sends warning shots. The outclassed and outgunned American ships stand their ground. The British ships next send shots into the American ships. After putting up a feable fight for a little while, the American ships strike their colors as they are out of the action, The USS Ethan Allen actually sinks and the Tahoma is scuttled. The USS Sagamore and other ships flee to Savannah.

Upon hearing the news in on the Georgia coast on his advance to Brunswick, Lyon sends word to Washington that the USA has been fired upon by Britain. Congress declares war. Scott sends the notice for the northern armies to start advancing. The main commands in the north advance some across the border with no real engagement. Sherman crosses the St. Croix river, Porter is over the St. Clair river and captures Sarnia. Sedgwick advances to Hill Island. Richardson captures Sault Saint Marie, Canada. These initial moves are mainly to secure bridgeheads over the rivers. The capture of Sault Saint Marie enables iron ore shipments to flow down the lakes. The opening moves for the USA are to secure bridgeheads. The main forces for Sherman and Porter are still in American soil.

Davis is overjoyed upon hearing that Britain is in the battle. He pays Lord Lyons a cordial visit. Part of the discussions with Lord Lyons are military matters. Davis speaks of the possibility of joint military actions in the future. Lord Lyons who sees the war as a waste jokingly agrees with Davis. Lyons thinks to himself that if Britain wants to battle the USA in the future, it will be from the CSA as Lyons does not think that Britain can hold Canada from the Yankee hordes.

In Georgia,
Lyon leaves 4000 troops in Savannah and marches upon Brunswick with 44000. He battles and defeats Bragg. Bragg retreats south and then west to avoid being encircled. Bragg took heavier casualties in the battle.
Franklin advances with 12000 from Augusta and captures Athens, GA.
Keyes advances from Memphis with another 12000 to Dalton, GA
Grants works around Milledgeville but does not bring about an engagement. He sets in for a siege. Johnston is not totally isolated, retreat to Macon or Atlanta is still open.

In Mississippi,
Similar to Grant, Thomas works his way around Polk. Polk’s only line of retreat is to Iuka, MS. There is no major engagement. Polk is ready to retreat to Tupelo though.

In Missouri,
Van Dorn leaves 4000 troops in Rolla and advances to Jefferson city with 24000. He is repulsed in attacking the heavily defended garrison of 10000 with river boats as well. He looses 4000 troops before calling off the attack.

 

[hzn5pk]

March 9 – March 15, 1862

From the previous week:
Texas, Arkansas, and Calhoun approve freedom for slaves who enter military service.

In further discussions between Davis and Lord Lyons. Lyons does predict that a military alliance will form between the CSA and Britain and that British forces will be fighting alongside the CSA to repel the USA from CSA soil. One item that Davis wants is more river gunboats to match and overpower the USA on the Mississippi. Lyons sends the request back to London. Lyons also states that it may be prudent to move the CSA capital from Montgomery to New Orleans or Mobile so that the British fleet can offer protection. New Orleans seems like the better city.

President Lincoln issues another call for volunteers. The American press is all up in arms on the British firing on American ships. Popular support remains strong with military action against Britain. These increased volunteers will be ready in may.

Naval action
The British fleet operating off the Georgia coast heads back to Bermuda to refit. News that the shooting war with the USA has reached Bermuda and the West Indies. Bermuda is easily defended from American naval probe.The British make final preparations for moves against the USA from Bermuda and the West Indies.

The USA begins to steamroll in Canada

Sherman’s force engages and defeats British forces in and around St. John. He is over the Saint John River. He is able to brush aside and defeat Nova Scotia militia and the 10000 British troops defending St John. Sherman is able to steamroll through to St. John and get across the river. The British have to either retreat towards Halifax or become entrapped in St. John. American casualties are light, the British loose 1000 due to fighting and being captured. The 9000 remaining retreat to Moncton.

John Reynolds reaches Sherbrook, battles and with a force that is six times that of the British, easily defeats the British force taking lighter casualties himself. Of a force of 5000, the British loose 2000 compared to light casualties for Reynolds.

Winfield Hancock advances to the south shore of the St. Lawrence opposite of Montreal, fights and defeats British forces along the way. He has secured the rail bridge to Montreal as well as has forces across the St. Lawrence. He has Montreal surrounded and 10000 British troops trapped. The Saint Lawrence is blocked from Montreal upriver.

John Sedgwick is able to throw a pontoon bridge up over the night and advance to the north side of the St Lawrence. He is in position to strike either Kingston or Ottawa.

Porter reaches London; British forces are still facing militia units in Detroit and along Niagara. These forces have put on a successful feint as the British forces in Windsor and Niagara do not even recognize that Porter in their rear and will soon entrap the 10000 troops.

Richardson hands over both sides of Sault Sainte Marie to Michigan militia troops. He is able to be transported for future operations.

JEB Stuart starts out from Duluth with his cavalry force towards Fort Geary, 383 miles away. Kearney stays in Duluth. Stuart makes 80 miles a week.

In Georgia,
Lyon consolidates forces in Brunswick, GA.
Bragg retreats westward in southern Georgia.
Franklin in Athens readies for next move while Keyes advances further from Dalton, GA to Rome, GA.

With Keyes and Franklin to the North, Grant extends line south to cut off Macon to Milledgeville. Atlanta is only outlet of retreat for A.S. Johnston.

In Mississippi, Polk retreats to Tupelo to avoid being trapped inside Corinth. Thomas takes Corinth.

Van Dorn is still demonstrating around Jefferson City.

 

[hzn5pk]

March 16 – March 22, 1862 The Empire Really Strikes Back

Naval action
The HMS Warrior, HMS Black Prince and accompanying fleet engage US Naval forces outside of Hampton Roads. Two smaller US ironclads; the USS George Washington (first set of ironclad ships in 1861) and USS Merrimack are involved against the HMS Warrior and HMS Black Prince. It is the first engagement of ironclad steamships against each other.

Four naval battles take place in the Chesapeake:
The First Battle of the Chesapeake Capes was a Royal Navy victory. The US navy was formed in an arc from Cape Charles blocking the entrance to the Chesapeake. The four ironclads dueled inconclusively. The smaller American ironclads were more maneuverable and avoided direct, point blank range. As the ironclads faced off, other ships of the US Navy and the Royal Navy battled. The US Navy could not hold the line. Holes were made in the US naval line allowing British ships to come in around the US ships. After being flanked, the US navy had to retire north up the Chesapeake thus exposing Hampton roads.

The Warrior and Black Prince engaged Fort Monroe as other British ships shelled the Gasport naval shipyard. Damage was total; the naval yard was a burning wreck of its former self. The naval yard which had escaped major damage as first the Confederates took it over and then being reclaimed by the Union in 1861 is now out of action with civilian casualties.

Fresh British ships then entered the Chesapeake as damaged ships left for Bermuda. The fresh RN ships and undamaged ships including the Warrior and Black Prince then engaged the US Navy a second time in the bay at the mouth of the Potomac. Once again the US navy is formed in a battle line and once again the Royal Navy is able to bring more fire power against the USA line. The US Navy is forced to split into two groups. One with the USS George Washington to defend Baltimore harbor withdraws North and the second with the USS Merrimack withdraws up the Potomac some.

Annapolis was left open and the Royal navy ignored the Potomac fleet in its path northward up the Chesapeake. The US Naval Academy is exposed and shelled with total damage similar to Gasport Naval ship yard. The cadets had long evacuated the academy so there was minimal loss of life.

The third battle was in Baltimore Harbor. This time the US Navy and Fort McHenry were successful in not letting the British Fleet get into the inner harbor and shell the city. Fort McHenry did take a similar night bombardment as it did in the War of 1812. The large American Flag flying over the fort held as did the US Navy forcing the Royal Navy to retire down the Chesapeake to avoid being bottled up.

The fourth battle was after the Royal Navy passed the Potomac entrance on its exit from the bay and both the pursuing Baltimore squadron and the Potomac squadron engaged the Royal Navy rear guard as the Warrior and Black Prince lead the charge to exit the Chesapeake. The USS Merrimack was able to ram and sink a wooden British ship. This was the last casualty of engagement.

Several US ships were sunk or badly damaged including the USS Cumberland, USS Congress, and USS Minnesota, all sunk. The Gasport naval ship yard and the US Naval Academy along with port facilities in Annapolis are burning wrecks. Several British ships were damaged as well and only one ship was sunk to the ramming of the USS Merrimack.

The US navy would have to review its tactics in the coming weeks. It is clear that the US Navy does not have the strength to match the Royal Navy in battles of the line where one fleet faces off against another. The US navy is better on ship to ship engagements and the defense of a harbor where the fleet and coastal forts and guns can work together like in front of Baltimore. Gasport could have been saved if the US Navy had not engaged the Royal Navy in a battle of fleets but came in for close support of Hampton roads with the coastal guns and Ft. Monroe. By foregoing fleet on fleet battles with the British, the US navy will protect installations and conserve its strength.

The main worry now for Giddeon Welles is the defense of New York harbor and the coasts of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Long Island.

As the US Navy and Royal Navy are battling off the coast, the Royal Navy is able to land troops from the West Indies and capture US naval installations on Key West. 5000 British troops land at Key West. 5000 more British troops land in Panama (Columbia) and are able to secure the railroad connecting the oceans. This now opens the Pacific for more direct British troop movements to the Pacific Coast.

In Canada
Sherman marches, battles and defeats the British force in Moncton, Sherman is able to seal off Nova Scotia as the British have to flee north. This opens the road to Halifax. The British loose another 1000 to minimal losses to Sherman. Another force detaches from Sherman’s main body and captures Fredericton along with a regiment of Maine militia. Sherman has 4000 troops at St. John, 4000 troops in Moncton and 2000 troops in Fredericton with 4000 Maine militia. This leaves 30000 troops to assault Halifax.

Reynolds reaches the St. Lawrence opposite Quebec. The British force looses another 1000 troops in the retreat and evacuation across the river.

Hancock continues the siege of Montreal.

Sedgwick is able to fight, win, and capture Kingston and its important ironworks in tact. The British loose 1000 due to capture and casualty in and around Kingston. The remaining 4000 British force retreats along Lake Ontario towards Toronto.

Porter reaches Lake Ontario at Oakville. He is able to defend the line against a desperate attack from British troops coming North from Niagara and West from Windsor. He has trapped 10000 British troops. New York and Michigan militia units are able to secure Windsor, Niagara, and London.
Richardson has landed in the Georgian Bay at Collingwood, Ontario.

Toronto is defenseless to Porter and Richardson as the British are bottled up in Hamilton.

In Georgia
A.S. Johnston is forced to retreat to Atlanta in order to avoid being encircled by Grant. Braxton Bragg reaches Albany, GA.
Grant captures Milledgeville with 50000 troops and a detached force of 12000 under C.F. Smith captures Macon Georgia. Erasmus Keyes is in Rome and William Franklin is in Athens with 12000 each.
Lyon leaves 4000 troops in Brunswick and starts out in pursuit of Bragg with 40000.

In Mississippi, George Thomas consolidates 48000 troops in Corinth as John Logan captures Iuka with 8000 troops.

Polk is still in Tupelo and Taylor defends NW Mississippi

Ineffective around Jefferson City, Van Dorn relocates back to Rolla with 20000. He detaches 4000 troops to Jonesboro and another 4000 to Fort Smith. His total command is now 16000 in Rolla, 4000 in Springfield, 4000 in rout to Fort Smith, AR, and 4000 in Jonesboro, AR.

In similar shadow moves, the Union transfers 2000 men from Jefferson City to Kansas City and 4000 from St. Louis to New Madrid leaving 8000 in Jefferson City and 6000 in St Louis.

 

[Free Lancer]

So far so good for the US, but given Situation for the US can’t afford to make any major mistakes in the war.
Good update

 

[Silver]

Lots of questions for this ATL of yoursa - Silver

Liked reading this ATL of yours. Also, I would like to know if the Union would start producing and using Gatling Guns, breech-loading rifles, and iron-clad monitors in greater numbers than in the OTL due to having to fight the Confederates and the British? If so, will the style of warfare in this ATL American Civil War resemble more like WW1 trench warfare; with the Union using innovative tactics to break the deadlock - such as say a more successful Battle of the Crater for the Union (using a gigantic mine or several of them ) that is more competently though out and led? How will British intervention the American Civil War affect the OTL French intervention into Mexico? Will this result in the Union eventually having to fight the French and at the same occupy and annex all of the Mexican northern border states (including the entire Baja peninsula)? Will future Union military operations against both the Confederates and the British result in splitting what is left of the Confederacy in half? Will there be more Union military activity in the Southwest, especially in Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, and Oklahoma to capture those western areas of the Confederacy - as well as Union military operations in capturing Louisiana and Florida - thus leaving the hard core/Deep South parts of the Confederacy for the final phase of Union military operations in this American Civil War? How will the Confederate plan to free African-American slaves through military service affect those African-American slaves already under Union custody (especially if there are plans to raise Colored Regiments for the Union) as well as affect US President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation Act? Will there be more numbers of rehabilitated Confederate troops/regiments (especially those from the Upper South and the West) fighting for the Union, and are thus used against military operations against the British? Please kindly let me know your answers to each of my questions. Anyway, I hope to hear from you very soon. Please keep up the good work. Thank you.