So the European Intervention in Mexico's begun also....
Okay, this can officially go any way at all. Good luck, Machiavellian!
Okay, this can officially go any way at all. Good luck, Machiavellian!
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This looks like it is going to be a very interesting war. Just to clarify I have it aright is the situation is Columbia at war with USA and Mexico, the USA also being at war with the CSA, and Mexico also being at war with France + Spain? And do you have a treaty with the CSA or was that window-dressing?
As a comlpete aside I do like the phrase "villainous war" up near the top.
As a comlpete aside I do like the phrase "villainous war" up near the top.
Fighting, fighting, everywhere!
Some very interesting developments shall lie ahead.
Some very interesting developments shall lie ahead.
Machiavellian said:
Conservative parties attract few or no immigrants, and in non-American countries often drive people away. This is true almost regardless of your other advantages (unless you're the USA).
Conservative parties also introduce various ideological changes, such as Traditionalism, that lower your Plurality. A lower Plurality significantly reduces your nation's ability to attract immigrants.
So, if you're wanting more miners, lumberjacks, and factory workers, I regret to tell you that the Unionist Party is shooting you in the foot.
Great to hear that people are still reading. Thanks for the info LM+, I had suspicions it was the Unionist Party working against me, but it seems that my population and the events such as traditionalism and Authoritism may keep them in power for some time, though maybe this bungled war will change things (being anti-military isn't really helping either).
The CSA-Columbia alliance is not window dressing and does indeed exist. Actually, let me give a quick run down.
Columbia is guaranteeing the CSA's independence.
Columbia and the CSA are in a military alliance. They are both at war with the United States of America.
Columbia is also at war with Mexico and El Salvador.
France and its allies Spain, Portugal, Sardinia-Piedmont, and Greece are at war with Mexico (el salvador dishonored the alliance)
Also, while I didn't get up to that date in the update on Feb 1st the UK also decides to intervene in Mexico and puts them at war with Mexico.
So Technically, Columbia is in two different wars and Mexico is in three different wars. Since I have a feeling some borders will be changing in this conflict, I've decided to call it the North American Border War, though I am sure in the USA it's probably just called the Civil War. Hope that answered some questions.
Also, just to make sure, can everyone see the pictures all right?
Lastly, if you can see the map, my one hope lies in the fact that all the US forces are either along the Mexican border or in the North, hopefully the CSA can exploit that and perhaps draw some troops away.
The CSA-Columbia alliance is not window dressing and does indeed exist. Actually, let me give a quick run down.
Columbia is guaranteeing the CSA's independence.
Columbia and the CSA are in a military alliance. They are both at war with the United States of America.
Columbia is also at war with Mexico and El Salvador.
France and its allies Spain, Portugal, Sardinia-Piedmont, and Greece are at war with Mexico (el salvador dishonored the alliance)
Also, while I didn't get up to that date in the update on Feb 1st the UK also decides to intervene in Mexico and puts them at war with Mexico.
So Technically, Columbia is in two different wars and Mexico is in three different wars. Since I have a feeling some borders will be changing in this conflict, I've decided to call it the North American Border War, though I am sure in the USA it's probably just called the Civil War. Hope that answered some questions.
Also, just to make sure, can everyone see the pictures all right?
Lastly, if you can see the map, my one hope lies in the fact that all the US forces are either along the Mexican border or in the North, hopefully the CSA can exploit that and perhaps draw some troops away.
I mean, chaos busting out all over! This surely must help you as you fight the US. Why do I feel like we will be seeing Deseret before all this is over? And the Europeans coming in after you have already gained so much from Mexico seems to make that conflict pretty much settled. Now, just sit back and wait for the US to implode from within.
And the Europeans coming in after you have already gained so much from Mexico seems to make that conflict pretty much settled. Now, just sit back and wait for the US to implode from within.
Crikey! You really have to feel sorry for the Mexicans. I can see the pictures fine - they make a nice addition. Mmm, I wonder if you could try for a union collapse?
The North American Border War
Part I
"The struggle of today, is not altogether for today--it is for a vast future also." -- Abraham Lincoln
Part I
"The struggle of today, is not altogether for today--it is for a vast future also." -- Abraham Lincoln
Bad news continued for the Democratic Republic of Columbia when the last pocket of resistance in Spokane was overpowered by General Joseph Hooker's forces. With the fall of Olympia, Trail, and Seattle earlier in the month, Spokane's fall brought the total number of major cities occupied by the United States to four. Further north, Nelson was coming under siege as Union forces battered the thin line of Partisans and volunteers with cannon, hoping to break their morale before moving infantry forward.
If Columbia could be said to be under siege, then Mexico was on the verge of complete collapse. On February 1st, after convincing Queen Victoria in a lengthy private meeting, Prime Minister Lord Palmerson of Great Britain declared war on Mexico. Many suspected that Palmerson would fail to convince the queen of this action, as it was well known that Victoria and her husband truly disliked the man. Lord Palmerson, a man whose sole desire was to further improve Britain's power in the world made no pretense of intervention, giving little real reason for Britain's involvement, other than "securing the Kingdom's interests in the region from rebels and radicals alike". Had the United States not been at war, it seems likely they would have objected, but Lincoln's attention was soley focused on maintaining the Union.
Even as Britain made their declaration of war further south, Colonel Cadwell bravely led his mostly volunteer division out of the protection of Fort Vancouver towards Seattle. This bold action was no doubt inspired by tales of Sheridian's brutality. All ready many of rumors had begun about the "Orge of Olympia" from the unbelievable - he drank the blood of Cree and Metis citizens, to the unnervingly likely - he was holding military trials, hanging those who he suspected of formenting revolt. Whatever his other qualities, Colonel Sheridan was a keen commander and learned of the march. Rather than hold his ground at Seattle, he moved the bulk of his force further north, engaging Cadwell at the small town of Van Zandt, near the frozen lake Whatcom. The weather was terrible for combat, with freezing winds affecting both sides performance. Yet using the town to shield his smaller numbers, Cadwell fought a bitter battle over the course of the week, forcing Sheridian to fall back to a small farm fifty miles north of Seattle itself. It was here that Sheridian, brilliantly utilizing his Cavalry began to turn the tide. Yet for most of February, the clash of armies continued evenly matched, with casualties mounting on both sides.
As February began another stage of Lincolns war against Columbia opened as troops poured across the Mexican border to overthrow the occupation authority over Los Angeles and Phoenix. While the United States caught few if any of Columbia's soldiers and citizens in this move, it did unhinge Columbia's whole strategy against Mexico. After hearing the news a week later, President Silver suffered a minor stroke, his second during his term, though this was not publicized and only his Vice President and family knew of the two incidents.
On February 25th, General Hooker captured Vernon, seen by many as the barrier of defense. Fear and outrage once more began to grip Columbia. In Parliament divisions within the Unionist party began once again, with Young Columbia Party representives oddly enough coming to the defense of Unionist's who spoke in favor of defiance against US aggression. Elliot West, a Unionist representitive from Vernon led many in attacks against the Prime Ministers government and the President for bringing about this disastrous war. Elliot nearly pushed forward an issue of Impeachment, though relented, perhaps fearing that such an action would only further harm to the country.
Rep. Elliot West, leading member of the Unionist divide.
The war continued to go poorly for Columbia. On the 26th of February, Colonel Cadwell retreated from the battle with Sheridian, fearing the idea of being surrounded now that Vernon had fallen in the North. Returning to the garrison of Fort Vancouver, he could do nothing to prevent the capture of Nelson on March 8th to General Hooker's unopposed army. New reports also indicated that General Hooker was no saint either, as tales of his love for drink and women spread. Some said that he had transformed Spokane into a giant brothel, forcing local women to whore themselves out to him and his officers. U.S. Brutality soon became known to the whole sectors of the population, as articles describing it littered the papers still running. Hatred for the United States and it's president only increased when Columbia intercepted a letter that was supposedly bound for General Hooker HQ's in Spokane.
Intercepted letter from President Lincoln to General Hooker
In the United States, many claimed that this letter was a forgery, though Lincoln never denied writing it. In Columbia many began to fear that the war would be lost and they would be subjected to a monstrous dictatorship under General Hooker and Philip Sheridian. Yet not everything reported in the Columbia papers was bad news, for reports of Confederate advances along the Mason-Dixon line began pouring in. Charleston, part of the Pro-Union Western Virginia had been captured by General Robert E. Lee and as one Mississippi paper said, Noble CSA forces were engaged in pitched battles with the Yankee's over several key regions in Kentucky, hinting that Lexington would not long be in the Union's clutches.
Yet despite the promising boasts coming out of the CSA, the United States was making gains in the west, where their forces had poured out of U.S. Texas to occupy Shreveport and threaten New Orleans. Unfortunately for the U.S.A., despite orders to the contrary, General Duran took it upon himself to exploit this opening. Riding furiously into San Antonio, his cavalry sped straight down the wide central street firing upon the unprepared garrison. Marshalling his men to battle, General Duran's confidence and the surprise attack unnerved the local garrison commander, forcing the immediate surrender of San Antonio.
In Charleston, South Carolina the Inauguration of CSA President Jefferson Davis, the former Senator of Mississippi, occured on the ninth of March. While his speech was brief and to the point, he signaled that the Confederacy wished not open warfare with the United States, merely to be left alone. Yet all knew that peace would not be quick in coming.
The Columbia Liberty published an account from a Southern lady who attended the Inauguration of Jefferson Davis.
Having a President to rally behind, the CSA seemed more detirmined then ever, increasing their advance even as Columbia lost more territory in the north. On April 4th, even while the 3rd Cavalry was winning the battle of Blackcreek in Sonora versus Mexican General Zaragoza, another string of important cities fell to General Joe Hooker's army of the Cumberland. Despite some brave resistance from partisans, they were unable to prevent the capture of Merritt and Donald from the far more experienced troops.
With city after city falling, many were ready to sue for peace however humiliating the terms may have been, yet the calls for peace halted somewhat when news arrived on the 10th that the troops training in the North were finally ready enough to fight for the freedom of Columbia. Even as President Jefferson gave a speech in Richmond, rumored to be the new home of the Confederacy's Capitol, many in Columbia were looking ahead towards the end of April where their own Independence day loomed praying for the tide to turn.
Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America.
"We feel that our cause is just and holy; we protest solemnly in the face of mankind that we desire peace at any sacrifice save that of honour and independence; we ask no conquest, no aggrandizement, no concession of any kind from the states with which we were lately confederated; all we ask is to be let alone; that those who never held power over us shall not now attempt our subjugation by arms." -- from a speech given in April of 1861.
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I'm excited about this.
What are your war aims against the United States (besides bare survival)? If I were you, I would be looking at Oregon, western Idaho, and if you really beat them, Northern California (to complete your holdings of the west coast of North America).
Then you can take So Cal and Baja from the Mexicans, and you'll have yourself a fine country.
What are your war aims against the United States (besides bare survival)? If I were you, I would be looking at Oregon, western Idaho, and if you really beat them, Northern California (to complete your holdings of the west coast of North America).
Then you can take So Cal and Baja from the Mexicans, and you'll have yourself a fine country.
Hmmm - well that didn't go near as well as I thought it would. Perhaps I am being to hasty, though it appears haste is a needed quality in some areas. But were the CSA to have more success as the war drags on, I would think it still offers a chance to get out alive. I still think a major US fracture could occur. That may be your best bet.
Perhaps I am being to hasty, though it appears haste is a needed quality in some areas. But were the CSA to have more success as the war drags on, I would think it still offers a chance to get out alive. I still think a major US fracture could occur. That may be your best bet.
I haven't played ahead yet, but after posting this I think I'll have a good three hours to get some more play time in. The fact that the Union doesn't really have any troops on the border with the CSA may come back to haunt them. I am hoping that Hooker's army of the Cumberland gets called back, or at least some relief is given. Though I may be able to turn things around now that a large number of the troops I had training are prepared to fight. Actually being able to send some forces against the occupiers will be nice. I was really scrambling to get those forces built. I usually hate mobilization, instead choosing to convert directly and redistribute later. I'm sure the fact that nearly half my population is now soldiers will make this war costly, not only in life, but also in the debt I will soon be acrewing. (though I raised my taxes really high, in hopes that some revolts might slow down the US - actually happened in Spokane. )
If I do somehow manage to turn the tide, I think I would like to seize the lands of Oregon, Portland in particular. It is rightfully part of Columbia. Depending on what happens in this war, i'll need to reaccess. Ultimately if I do survive, I'd like to kick Russia off the Continent and strip the U.S. of access to the west coast. I did want to take L.A. and San Diego from Mexico in this war, but the USA is being a pain in the south as well. Maybe i'll just try to strip them of Texas and create a new ally. I'm off to play ahead. I'll try to update this weekend.
If I do somehow manage to turn the tide, I think I would like to seize the lands of Oregon, Portland in particular. It is rightfully part of Columbia. Depending on what happens in this war, i'll need to reaccess. Ultimately if I do survive, I'd like to kick Russia off the Continent and strip the U.S. of access to the west coast. I did want to take L.A. and San Diego from Mexico in this war, but the USA is being a pain in the south as well. Maybe i'll just try to strip them of Texas and create a new ally. I'm off to play ahead. I'll try to update this weekend.
I'm just catching up with this excellent AAR. You do seem to have gotten yourself into some 'interesting' times. I haven't played Victoria, but I suspect were I in your position I'd have had a stroke when the US declared war.
Pity the Columbians weren't able to convince the Lincoln administration that they wanted to sell the Mexican territory and not keep it. Lincoln now faces longer odds than in our timeline, with the massive resources of the US limited by poor AI generals.
Hmmmm. I'll be very interested to see how this comes out. Good luck!
Pity the Columbians weren't able to convince the Lincoln administration that they wanted to sell the Mexican territory and not keep it. Lincoln now faces longer odds than in our timeline, with the massive resources of the US limited by poor AI generals.
Hmmmm. I'll be very interested to see how this comes out. Good luck!
Boy, did I miss a lot! This is an excellent AAR. I love 19th century America, antebellum especially, and it's fun how you bring it to life, with many individual countries. An interesting balance of power we have here. Don't let my own AAR distract you...I'm anxious for a continuance. And I'll deal with CatKnight later...
And I'll deal with CatKnight later...
The North American Border War
Part II
Lay on, Macduff,
And damn’d be him that first cries, “Hold, enough!”
-- Macbeth, William Shakespeare.
Part II
Lay on, Macduff,
And damn’d be him that first cries, “Hold, enough!”
-- Macbeth, William Shakespeare.
With a serviceable army finally ready to take the field, Colonel Cadwell's volunteers would have some support in the monumental task of freeing lower Columbia from U.S. military occupation. With over seventy thousand men in uniform, over all command of the newly assembled home army was given to Brigadier General Jason Harper. A precise and orderly man who graduated top of his class at the Gray Military Academy. While not possessed of great imagination, it was felt that his organizational skills would be well matched for the task at hand. With a large majority of Cree in the cavalry, Brigadier Harper decided to divide the army into two task forces, one for infantry and artillery, who were mostly Anglo volunteers and another of fast striking cavalry. Brigadier General Harper selected the young Colonel Dynadin Latre to command the Cavalry. Like General Duran, Dynadin had mixed French ancestry, helping to form the Columbian stereotype that the French were good with naturally skilled in that field. Yet Colonel Latre was in many ways far different from Duran and Harper. Unlike his superiors, who were men of principle and regulations, Dynadin Latre was of a new breed of officers, spawned from lawless wild north, cocksure and ballsy. He believed firmly in striking when the iron is hot and not letting up. Unlike many high-ranking officers, Brigadier Harper recognized that these qualities might be useful and decided to risk appointing Latre over a safer, more conservative choice.
Even as the army was marching south to test their mettle against the U.S. military, Columbia's navy was being put to the test in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. While Admiral Fitz-James of Columbia fought admirably, ultimately he was forced to order a retreat and limp back to port. The reason for this was not only the skill of U.S. Captain Farragut, but in addition to the Man-o-war's, Farragut commanded the formidable Ironside USS Hartford. This new form of warship was unable to be matched by the wooden ships of Columbia and sent waves of worry throughout Columbia's government, for all in Columbia knew that the navy was key to Columbia's future.
On the morning of April 23rd, Columbia's independence day, Vice President Abraham Near spoke before a crowd in the Capitol's centennial square. President Silver was still battling health issues and while the next election was a good two years away, Declan Silver intended for Near to run in his place, thus the Unionist Party felt it advantageous to expose Near in favorable moments to the press. Casting off his image as a grump, the bearded Abraham Near spoke with an eloquence that moved not only the crowd, but thanks to the press, the nation.
Excerpt from Abraham Near's 1861 Independence day speech
Even as Vice President Near was giving his stirring speech, the forces of Columbia were finally striking back at the USA. In an encounter along the western bank of the Okanogan river, Colonel Latre engaged in battle against Twenty-three thousand infantry under Lt. Hamilton, a favorite of General Joe Hooker. Lt. Hamilton had set up pickets and sought to use minor trenches to give his men advantage over the Cavalry commanded by Latre. However, despite Latre's reputation,, the young Colonel decided on the side of caution, choosing to merely pin Hamilton and his men down, until infantry arrived from the north to flood out the trenches and allow his cavalry to cut down any retreat. With the aid of two infantry units, Latre captured Lt. Hamilton and forced the surrender of his surviving men on May 22nd, paving the way for the liberation of the strategicly positioned city of Vernon of the 1st of June.
Meanwhile further South General Duran was seeking to aid the CSA by striking into U.S. Texas. Coordinating his attacks with Major-General Rupert, General Duran hoped to bring about a military government supportive of Columbia in both Mexican and Union controled Texas. With San Antonio already won, Duran struck at U.S. Texas' capital Houston, even as Rupert sought to occupy the important city of Dallas on Mexico's side of the border. Despite a crushing victory over the United States army in Houston on the 2nd of June, Duran found the task of properly occupying the region would take far more time. Major-General Rupert on the other hand found the the people of Dallas friendly towards his occupation, going so far as to inform him of an advancing United States army of roughly forty thousand men. With just over twenty thousand under him, Rupert met the enemy at an abandoned fort along old river creek. The first guns began to fire on June 4th, with Rupert and his men valiantly trying to hold their ground. Angered by the ferocity with which the Columbians were fighting and the mounting losses of his own army, by the second week of continious combat the US Commander Canby instructed his men to give no quarter. The battle of old river creek would become the grave of thousands, an example of the tooth and nail conflicts of this bitter war.
On June 8th, Colonel Latre swooped down upon Spokane, encountering a single dragoon division of 10,000 men left behind to garrison the city. Knowing that General Hooker was intending to strike at Brigadier General Harper's Headquarters at Ainsworth, Latre threw caution to the wind and joining his men in a Cree battle yell, smashed through the U.S. lines. Out numbered and out commanded, the dragoons were quickly defeated, most fleeing east to Idaho or fighting to the end, as few wished to become captives after the dreadful treatment of Columbia's population under General Hooker and Colonel Sheridian.
Yet despite Latre's quick victory in Spokane, on June 28th Brigadier General Harper found himself in dire straits. With a mere twelve thousand men and cannon, due to dispatching forces to secure Vernon and Spokane, he saw little chance to defeat General Joe Hooker who sought to crush his opponent with an overwhelming force fifty-four thousand strong. Digging in along an small wood and utilizing his artillery to its utmost, Jason Harper prayed that Dynadin Latre would be able to reinforce him in time.
Brigadier General Harper of the Home Army and Major-General Hooker of the USA's Army of the Cumberland
While many may have felt that Columbia was in this war alone, the truth of the matter was that armys across the continent were fighting. Not only CSA allies in the South, but French, Spanish and British in Mexico as well. By July the Confederate successes were a mixed bag, with victories in Bowling green, Wheeling and Lexington, but also with crushing defeats Norfolk and Vicksburg. In addition, even as the Confederates advanced deep into Kentucky, they were losing the west to men like Major-General's Benjamin Butler and Oliver Howard, though the former often had his hands full coordinating against the Columbians throughout US and Mexican Texas.
On July 10th, even as General Duran was finally finishing up the occupation of Houston and its surrounding area, one of the leading forces in the Mexican government offered a treaty to Columbia's officials in San Diego. In its simplest form, it forced Columbia' recognition of the Juarez liberal faction in Mexico, though granted Columbia administration and rights over the regions around Los Angeles, San Diego, Gueguelenango, and Corpus Christi. However, for reasons General Duran could never understand and much to his fury, President Silver and his administration safetly back in Victoria declined to sign the peace. Fuming, General Duran could only continue to fight on, knowing fully that he did not dictate the peace. Unfortunately things were becoming desperate in Texas and the south. The United States had overrun San Antonio once more and were putting massive pressure on Major-General Rupert, who was desperately trying to hold his position at old river creek. With dwindling supplies and growing casualties, Duran led his men bravely back into San Antonio and quite possibly death.
With the progress in Mexico and Texas collapsing, good news was needed in the North. Fortunately for Columbia a fair share was supplied. After freeing Spokane from U.S. occupation, Colonel Latre swung up north to force Joseph Hooker to turn his army around, relieving pressure on Harper and the artillery. With guns pounding from the north at what was now his flank and cavalry sweeping along his front to the south, Major-General Hooker was unable to cope with the new front opened against him when Colonel Cadwell brought the other two divisions of Harper's artillery and infantry into the conflict on July 17th. Having marched night and day from the small town of Kelowna, Cadwell arrived just in time. By August fifth, a large majority of the Army of the Cumberland was either killed or captured. Brigadier General Harper had managed to save Ainsworth with the aid of his officers and as an added boon captured Joseph Hooker.
Following the battle, more good news rolled in as word came from Richmond that the state of Kentucky had decided to secede from the Union and join the Confederate States of America in their struggle against Lincoln. By early August, cities such as Donald, Kimberly and Nelson were freed from U.S. occupation and while the remains of General Hooker's force sought to regroup in Trail and Colonel Sheridian held on firmly to the cities of western Oregon, it began to appear that perhaps the war could be won.
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It's a grim enough struggle for a certainty, but let's hope the faint light of victory is not just a mirage of the Mexican desert. I wonder, would a screen-shot be in the offing anytime soon?
Machiavellian said:
please don't wait too long for your next update, or i won't have any fingernails left!
:wacko: (may not anyway.)
Made it just by the skin of your teeth, it seems. And still skinning...
Keep up the pressure and surely the combined weight against the US will help you bring it down. Let's hope.
Keep up the pressure and surely the combined weight against the US will help you bring it down. Let's hope.