With war waging in Europe, events were often forgotten that didn’t involve the latest battle or change of flag over control of the Caribbean and South America. French control of the Caribbean islands under control of Britain had for about a month been secured, with most recently British and Dutch Guyana being occupied by the end of September. Little goods news could be reported in India, where the minute garrison at Pondicherry had quickly been overrun by a dominant British-led Indian force.
Though India was Britain’s one bright highlight of the war, it would not change the fact that the wind was now blowing in a new direction. In Scotland and Ireland clamors for reform and possible independence from England were picking up in volume. Inquires had been sent by both countries into the possibility of French intervention, but the replies were unpromising. Emperor Napoleon II, with advice from generals and admirals did not see the benefit of squandering desperately needed resources away from the main objective. Although military aid was not promised, France would recognize Ireland and Scotland as new nations if they were to declare their independence.
The least of London’s problems right now was the clamor for independence within Ireland and Scotland. Shortly after the battle of Brighton, the Imperial Guard began marching towards London. The only force evenly remotely possible of delaying the triumphant march of Bonaparte forces into London was James Hamilton’s forces which had been reinforced to about 25,000 soldiers after his last trumping at Brighton. On September 14th, Jacques Foch’s Imperial Guard forced Hamilton’s forces into battle outside of Oxford. The forces were about equal with Hamilton having 25,495 compared to Foch’s 24,468, though the battle was lopsided. The end result witnessed 10,974 British losses compared to 3,428 French – the march to London would be unopposed now.
The arrival of the French flag on the outskirts of London began widespread panic within the city, as the better off citizens and government fled to the safety of the north. On October 2nd Marshal Foch reached Buckingham Palace, only to find out that Queen Victoria had fled city a mere three hours before. The war was effectively over, and any additional gains were adding prestige to the position of France in the treaty discussions underway at Brest. One such event that would further the prestige of the nation, but had no outcome on the war was on November 2nd. At the battle of Luneburg, the Hanoverian army ran out of room to escape the massive French army. In a battle that pursued, 5,530 of the 12,000 Hanoverians were killed, the remaining captured.
On November 8th, the Treaty of Brest was signed; it was a humiliating blow to the British nation. Initially French claims were going to be cornered to the Caribbean and South America; however with further embarrassment of the British nation at the battles of Brighton and Oxford, and increased revolutionary activity in Ireland and Scotland, French claims were increased. Britain refused the demands for transfer of ownership over Gibraltar and Ceylon province of India; however with the seizure of London announced at Brest in mid-October, the delegation realized the possibilities of better terms were nigh. Insult to injury would be added a month after the Treaty of Brest was signed when Ireland and Scotland declared their independence from Britain; however they chose to remain cordial to London.
Britain has fallen nearly 120 points since January 1st, 1846, while France gained 50 points.