1593
In October, we continue in our attempt to expand in the north of America with a trading party sent to the region of Torngat.
We celebrate a Royal Marriage with England (+186 to +200)
Our colony in Chesapeake expands again to 520 colonists and plans are raised to send what we hope will be a final successful expedition in the new year.
1594
The new year passes peacefully and we send another 100 settlers to Chesapeake in April. We still have 119D in treasury. I have other plans for the use of these funds so we keep them aside.
We establish a trading post in Torngat and plans are laid to gather in the other provinces in the region. The trade goes to our own centre of trade in Danzig and is expected to increase our annual income by around 4D.
We decide to return to competing in the Jalisco centre of trade again as we are now down to 4 merchants in the area. Three more merchants are sent in June although the expense uses half our treasury funds available. We succeed in expanding and breaking the Spanish monopoly but are unable to gain our own. A further merchant is sent in July. We lose a merchant later and a further one is sent later in July. We finally gain a monopoly in late August although I feel the cost may have been too great. A merchant is sent to Danzig to regain our monopoly there.
In October we send a trading party to Ungava for the second time.
Meanwhile, our army commanders confirm that their development of matchlocks is continuing apace and that these are expected to be available to our armies within a year. We have increased slightly our investment in land technology and now take a little less to treasury as our immediately colonial demands have been reduced through sending traders instead of colonists.
Turkey declares war on the Mameluks in October and are joined by their allies (Wallachia, Navarra, Crimea, Tunisia, Iraq). The Mameluk allies in the war are just the Russians.
In November we celebrate, as Freidrichstadt is official declared our fourth colonial city. Even though it is smaller than nearby Manhattan, it is already producing higher revenues for the crown.
Our forces in the region are encouraged to look for further provinces in the area but they are unwilling to venture into uncharted lands. More basic training is, presumably, needed for our armies.
A merchant is sent to Jalisco on November as the monopoly is lost again.
1595
Tax income of 48D increases treasury to 138D. For the time being our colonial aspirations will be to claim the few lands around Hudson Bay through traders. At some stage we must reach an agreement with the English and Dutch about regions of control in the New World although these seem more concerned with developing in the East than in building up a major bulwark against Spanish aggression in America.
In April, we send another group of traders to Eskimault. Our attempt in Ungava fails a second time and plans are set to raise a further group to sail in October. Merchants are sent to Tago and Anglia.
In September, a further attack on our monopoly in Jalisco forces us to send a further merchant expedition to the trading centre.
In November, the peasants in Western Prussia rise up again. They settle down after a week and a half of fighting and we take the opportunity to raise a further 1000 infantry and cavalry in the region.
Our attempt to establish a post in Eskimalt fails.
In December, our generals announce that the army is now fully equipped with the new matchlock and now tell us of their plans to develop army logistics. Since this would give our troops training to explore uncharted territory, our king declares that all efforts must be put into developing these skills. However, this is still expected to take almost 15 years to complete even when we direct most of our resources to achieve this.
Merchants are sent to Ile-de-France and to Anglia.
1596
We send another merchant to Anglia and one to Isfahan in March.
In April, the Bishop of Rome issues the Edict of Tolerance. From now on, non-catholic nations are not to be considered as the spawn of the devil. Well bully for him. Remind me to send him a lovely thank you letter for his pains. It is, nonetheless and opportune time for us to improve our poor relations with France and we arrange a Royal Marriage (-147 to –132). Better relations in Europe will certainly do us no harm while Spain stands so strong.
We send another trading party to Eskimalt and a merchant is sent to Jalisco to maintain our control of the trade in the Spanish province. If we cannot fight them with our armies then other peaceful means can be found.
Once again we fail to establish a trading post in Ungava in May.
A Polish force has, in the meantime, sailed through the meditteranean to attack the Brandenburg and English forces in Eastern Pomerania. It seems neither party is keen to finish this war which is the last remnant of the Anglo-Spanish war from 1582.
We arrange a Royal Marriage with Georgia in June.
In July, we attempt once more to expand trade in Isfahan which is giving us 57D per year at the moment.
In October a further trading party is sent to Ungava. Our second attempt in Eskimalt fails in November.
In December our monarch declares that our trading centres will be closed to all foreign merchants. We send three merchants to Danzig to force out the competition.
1597
We send further merchants to force out competition in Danzig and another trading party is sent to Eskimalt to try to gather more trade for our private trade centre.
In April, Austria (France, Hungary, Wurtemberg and Cologne) declares war on Venice (Portugal).
We fail again to claim Ungava for the Prussian crown but will not be put off by these minor setbacks. A further attempt will be made.
In June, we succeed in gaining a monopoly in Jalisco but a day later, Spain closes their doors on us and our merchants are not allowed to trade there. This is cause for war but with France occupied, we are not keen to fight against Spain with our weaker alliance. Still plans must be made to punish the Spanish for this act of impudence.
The king calls a meeting of council to discuss plans. A declaration of war on Spain would almost certainly bring Poland against us on the side of the Spanish and probably also the Palatinat, Kleves and Teutonic Order. On our side we could expect on support from England and Brandenburg while hopeful that Hanover would join in on our side. Without Hanover, we would have no means to attack the Spanish possessions in Germany and would leave England alone to fight in this region. But English forces are strong with almost 29000 men stationed in Calais and a further 123000 in England itself.
On our eastern front, the combined forces of Brandenburg and England stationed in Brandenburg number around 84000 with our 26000 stationed in Western Prussia. Against these are ranged around 67000 Polish in Posen and 6000 in Eastern Pomerania. The plan would aim at a first decisive strike on the Polish capital force the Poles out of the war quickly. We would then turn our attention west to take on the Spanish forces. For this to be effective we would need to use all our experience to keep the Poles tied down in Posen while we besiege their capital. We would also need to dramatically strengthen our forces but with available manpower at 20,000 and funds of 196D, we estimate that it would take just a year before we might be ready to take on this task.
It is in the colonies where we are more exposed. We would expect the Spanish navy to hold control in the region while our isolated provinces, particularly Chesapeake, could be taken. Our trading posts around Florida are probably expendable and, in any case, not worth the risk to defend. For an effective campaign in the area, the English or Dutch maps would be of vital interest to us to allow our troops to move between our provinces and giving us that extra edge over the Spanish who would need to rely on their navy to transport them.
In the end the plan is set for a large build up of forces in Prussia, particularly cannon. We must also try to get hold of the English charts and upgrade our colony in Connecticut to a city. Finally we must make sure that Hanover side with us and efforts must be made to improve our relations with them.
A warship is sent from Manhattan to scour the Spanish province of Santee where we fear Spanish troops may be posted. Our income is diverted to treasury to support the build up for war.
England and Brandenburg appear to get the message as they start raising troops in key provinces. Unfortunately, the Polish war machine is already in action as troops are raised across the border.
In North America, we find the colony of Santee unprotected. Perhaps an easy target for our forces if we make a surprise attack before the Spanish can react. Or could this just be a trap in which we will risk our whole colonial empire.
A thought occurs to me in July after a further 2000 troops are commissioned in Western Prussia. Since the English province of Calais is so vulnerable to Spanish attack, would it be better to have Holland in our war to create a more effective second front for Spain. Their alliance is due to expire in October 1599 so it seems that it may be worth delaying our attack for a further year. This will also give us more time for preparation and our king is in favour of this decision.
In August we write a letter of greeting to the Hanoverian King (+19 to +21). Further efforts will be pursued.
While further troops arrive, we send a trader to Ungava again in October. In November we here of the successful trading post in the northern region of Eskimalt. The increased trade will give us yet more income to prepare for our war with Spain and Poland.
1598
We receive the best news of all in January when Rudolf of Austria is declared Holy Roman Emperor. This will take away one advantage that the Spanish will have had from the loss of their ability to march through neutral German provinces.
More troops and cannon are prepared in Eastern Prussia and another letter is sent to Hanover (+21 to +36).
Our cannon in Western Prussia are moved to Eastern Prussia ready to move, when the time is ripe, for the siege of Warsaw.
In April, we send a further group of settlers to expand our colony in Connecticut. We fail, once more, to set up a trading post in Ungava.
In May there is a Royal alliance with Brandenburg (+120 to +135).
In October, we send a trading party for a further attempt to gain the province of Ungava and our colony in Connecticut expands again in November. Meanwhile, Polish settlers are seen heading to unknown regions. Our desire for capture of the Polish capital gives the added dimension of the need to gain their maps.
We send a further letter to Hanover (+35 to +55) in November. Austria agrees peace with Venice taking the Mediterranean ports of Istria and Illyria.
In December we raise further troops in New Prussia bringing our forces to around 9000 infantry and 1000 cavalry in each of Chesapeake and Manhattan.
1599
Further cannon are cast in Eastern Prussia. Our forces in the region number 5000 infantry and 77 cannon under Friedrich Karl while our troops in Western Prussia under Furstenwalde number 33000 infantry and 6000 cavalry.
In April, we send a colonist to Connecticut but are met, yet again, with failure to set up a trading post in Ungava. Perhaps some things were just not meant to be but we shall try again in October.
In May, Portugal (Venice, Morocco, Tripoli) declares war on Spain (Poland, Teutonic Order, Palatinat, Kleves, Oman). The move could hardly be more timely as our own plans for war will be complete by the end of the year.
In July, the House of Hanover rejects our Royal Marriage proposals. We still have a little work to improve our relations here. We send a letter in August (+50 to +66).
Our final pieces fall into place in October as the Netherlands joins our alliance. We trust that they have some idea of our plans and agree to fight against Spain. We are well aware that they have no great fondness for the Spanish so we can at least rely on this to bring them to our aid. I now set about crafting my special New Year greeting to the Spanish King.
In November, the final portent for our long planned war as the city of Feste Hoffnung is inaugurated in Connecticut. Let us trust that this will signal hope for us in the battles that lie ahead. We now send another trading group to Ungava.
An explorer arrives in court with a warship and, we send him to North America where our ships will be of more value. A further trading party is sent to establish a post in Nuetla.
We place our troops on full alert in November.
1600
One always thinks that the start of a new century is a momentous day which should be marked by some unique event. When the history books are written of the year 1600, perhaps this day will be of particular relevance for it was the day that our envoy to Spain sent King Philip an important New Year greeting.
Having spent weeks crafting this note, I will not go into great detail as to its contents here. I merely pointed out to King Philip that his behaviour was that of a spoilt child who will never let the other children play with his toy things and continually tries to take those precious toys of other children when he gets a little bored with his own. (Of course, the toys in question were the small European states that Spain has trampled upon for the past 50 years but I could have also included those trinkets of colonial power and the states in southern Italy.
In view of the behaviour of the proud Spanish king and his subjects, we proposed to teach Spain a lesson. Unless the king submitted to our demands to cede all Spanish lands north of Nice to Prussia, we would not stop until Prussian forces had taken the Spanish capital and burnt down the monuments to Spanish avarice and pride. Should it come to this ultimate conclusion, we would be unlikely to deal leniently with his highness and we trusted in his better judgement to submit to our demands. If he did not, we would, from that time, be at war.
It seems that King Philip was even a little amused with the tone of the letter and our envoy heard him whisper arrogant claims to his council that Spain would have captured our capital and king by late summer. His words to our envoy were clear. Spain would accept the offer of battle and would destroy Prussia.
Our allies in England, Holland, Hanover and Brandenburg accepted our call to arms and we now have the chance to put our audacious plans to effect.
Ludwiglust took a force of 1000 cavalry across the border into Posen to harass and slow the Polish army. A further force of 1500 infantry under Braunsberg move to attack Posen from the North with 4000 held back in Danzig as reserves. Of the remaining force from Western Prussia, around 18000 infantry are sent north to relieve the siege of Brandenburg-owned Kolberg, while the remaining 5000 are restation in Danzig. A force of 8000 infantry and 5000 cavalry are to remain in Kurland to repel any invasion from the north. Finally, Friedrich Karl takes a force of 5000/-/87 directly to the Polish capital of Warsaw.
The English and Dutch refuse our request to share explorations. Even so, we plan for an attack of Santee in the west with a force of 9000/1000/- from Chesapeake. A further 2000 infantry are raised in Chesapeake. The operational side of things put into place, we must leave the fighting to our commanders.
Two days later, Portugal admit defeat to Spain and our alliance is now alone in the war against the Spanish alliance. Eastern Pomearania falls at last to the Poles and our forces moving in that direction are split with 10000 returning to Danzig with the remainder heading towards the Polish capital. Our allies send their forces west to meet an army of 30000 from Kleves.
Our first combat takes place on 11 January as our cavalry arrive in Posen to face an army of 59000 infantry and 10000 cavalry. They take evasive action but lose 160 in the encounter. In the New world, our forces notice 8000 joint Polish and Spanish forces in Santee and decide to secure our position in Chesapeake rather than take on the risky venture of engaging the Spanish in unfamiliar territory. The need for adequate maps of the region is too imperative and we send a letter to the English to impress on them the importance of this. With their maps we can help them to defend the region, but without them we can expect to be taken on, one by one, by the Spaniards.
Our forces arrive in Eastern Pomerania after the Poles have left. With a weak fortress and insufficient supplies, we order an immediate assault.
On 26th January our siege army arrives at Warsaw and start to bombard the walls of the city.
By late February, our month-long attack breaks into Kolberg and we capture the capital of Eastern Pomerania. Yet again, the English refuse to allow us to protect their colonies in the west. Their churlish behaviour will be the ruin of us all!!!
As our forces return back from Kolberg to defend Prussia, they are attacked by 2000 Polish cavalry retreating from Brandenburg. Most of the Polish are sent retreating into Danzig. Our forces follow them but this manoeuvre may upset our plans to keep the Poles in Posen. For this reason 2000 are sent to Western Prussia to continue harassing the main Polish army.
Our forces in Kurland are attack on 26th February by the armies of the Teutonic Order. The armies number (9800/4787/-) on our side to their (19874/3977/-). After over a week of fighting, 3000 new recruits arrive for us and the enemy are sent retreating to Livonia. Losses on both sides number around 7200 with more enemy cavalry defeated. For now, our concern is more the Polish so we decide not to follow the enemy to Livonia.
More troops are raised in the colonies as we remain unaware of the enemy forces in the region. I make a note to remind me to talk to the English King about strategy and tactics. Their forces from Calais appear to be marching to support the Dutch assault of Holland while seeming to have ignored the Spanish provinces to the south of Calais which threaten the English hold on the territory.
Meanwhile, the Palatinat army arrives in Hanover and is met by a combined Brandenburg-Hanover force. It appears that the Spanish allies of Kleves and Palatinat are becoming annoyingly useful for the Spanish and will hold back any immediate attacks on the main Spanish provinces. But less us not diverge from the main objective in this two stage war. The Poles must be defeated convincingly. Then we might show our allies how to effectively engage in war.
As winter turns to spring I begin to wonder why the other European nations have not chosen to attack Spain. Are we the only ones to see the threat to our nation? The greatest threat from the Spanish remains our colonies and our forces there keep a keen look-out for the French in the knowledge that Roanoke has already fallen. Maybe the English will now share their maps. Once again we raise our eyes to the heavens in despair as they cling to their little secrets while their value is ripped from them. Oh but to have an enemy like the English. They could build up colonies and then we could take them.
The battle with Poland takes a more serious turn as a Polish force of 34000 approaches from the East. We press our forces in Warsaw to increase their bombardment as we fear that the war may turn into a great disaster for us if things do not dramatically turn our way.
Our forces attacking Lithuania engage the Polish army with 8662 infantry against 28991/4878/170. They quickly retreat but the battle causes over 3000 casualties on our side and around 2500 on the Polish side. The number of guns that the Poles have to range against Konigsberg is a serious concern to the court and Georg Friedrich moves his residence to the country estate in Memel along with many other nobles while we continue to manage the war.
On April 17th, we are met by Polish cavalry on Prussian soil. They are heavily outnumbered and are defeated but the loss of the initiative in the battle has cost us dear. What is more, we may soon have to make a tactical retreat from the capital as the forces against us are in danger of overwhelming us. For now we must just hope that we can hold the capital territory for a few months while our guns pound Warsaw to submission.
A weak later a large force arrives and our force of 25979/4495/- is ranged against the main Polish siege force of 26778/4392/170. In spite of our numerical superiority, their guns cause considerable damage and our moral continues to weaken. Were it not for the return of forces from Posen, we would have almost certainly capitulated but, in the end, the Poles are forces to retreat. Polish casualties exceeded 9000 infantry, 1500 cavalry but only 8 guns but I cannot assess fully the total Prussian losses due to the confusion over numbers arriving during the battle. I suspect we suffered a lot more and we are forced to withdraw north to Kurland on 15th May and allow the Polish to enter our capital province. From now on the battle will be one of guerrilla tactics to hamper supplies. Let us hope that the walls of Warsaw fall soon (now –2) otherwise the war is totally lost to us.
News from the western front informs us that our allies are doing well. Brandenburg has captured Bremen and their forces are now moving south to fight the Spanish. Probably a wise move. Hanover are besieging Hessen while the Dutch are trying to take Holland. Perhaps the only bad news is that Spanish forces have laid siege to Bristol although the armies of England on the island should destroy the Spanish forces completely. For our part, the job is, pure and simple. Finish Poland. Our first task to hamper their movement has partly been achieved.
On May 21st we are attacked again in Eastern Prussia by Polish forces arriving from Posen. Their 70000 forces attack our 25000 forces and we are utterly defeated. 13000 Polish are killed but our forces are decimated with over 20000 Prussians lost. The people of Warsaw will have to pay for this, but we may be in no position to enforce this. Our capital is now besieged by a force of 56000.
Finally, on June 27th, we capture Warsaw and demand, for our pains, the surrender of Eastern Pomerania and the full sum of the Polish treasury, a mighty total of 40D. Part one of the war is now over and we move to stage two in the war against Spain.
There still remains for us a temporary problem with the Teutonic Order to the north and after losing so many forces to the Poles, we have insufficient to manage a full invasion of the north. Our forces are sent to Kurland to await reinforcements. Our allies to the west will have to handle matters alone for a little while.
However, in sacking the Polish capital our maps are improved and we have sight of territories in the new world including those containing Polish and Spanish forces to the south of Chesapeake. Our forces are evenly matched but with reinforcements from Manhattan we could capture the Spanish province.
With our new information we offer the English to exchange charts again but they continue to be stubborn. We make the same offer to the Dutch and they accept. The Dutch maps are particulatly interesting as the show us China and a large centre of trade (1281D). We now know 54 provinces that the English do not but they continue to hold their charts to themselves. Well let them keep their precious charts. The southern part of America is now there for the taking if we can get our reinforcements from Manhattan to Chesapeake. A trading party is sent to Roanoke to set up a Prussian flag on the land.
Our Chesapeake forces move on the Spanish in Catawba while the armies of Manhattan move to protect Chesapeake. Our Manhattan forces are attacked by the natives in Delaware and annihilate them. We send a letter of apology to the Netherlands for killing the local people but I think this may actually make it easier for them to build up their colony in the future.
In August we finally come to an agreement with England. In return for their explorations, we will allow them to continue to control the East while we will develop the west and protect their colonies from the Spaniards. They are finally convinced and our map is now more complete. We may even find some useful work for our explorer as there are now a few ports for him to call on in search of new discoveries.
On August 14th, our first battle is fought in the new world in Catawba. Our 10900/980 attack a Spanish force of 2842 infantry. They are routed and only a few escape. Our casualties number around 900. Scharnhorst takes 8000 on to capture Santee from the Spanish.
In September, the Palatinat accepts peace with Brandenburg. In fact this causes us some problems as it restricts our movement to help our allies while Brandenburg fight a separate war against Spain. We offer a white peace to the Palatinate and Kleves but they both reject. Our only war with Spain, it seems, must be in the colonies.
With trade from China up to 5D per month we send further merchants to the region. As war needs are reduced and manpower low, we move investment to Land Technology again.
In October we send a trading party to Catawba.
In December, Russia declares war on the Teutonic Order and their allies join in on each side. This could be the opportunity that we needed to finish the war in the east and allow us to control our new provinces while continuing the battle in the west. But the weather does not suit a siege of Livonia so we shall wait until the Order are otherwise occupied before we act.
1601
Our forces finally move on the Teutonic Order and cross the border.
We lay siege to the Teutonic capital on 3rd February. We acquire a monopoly in Tianjin on the 10th and now have a valuable source of trade income as an alternative to Jalisco to which the Spanish may be welcome. A week later, our trading post in Roanoke is set up and our provinces are increased again in the west. The 5000 Polish in the region simply vanish into thin air. A truly remarkable force we have discovered there from that small group of traders.
On the 16th February, Spain agrees peace with England in return for the payment of small indemnities. The conflict becomes more complicated but one can guess that the English are growing war weary after almost 20 years of conflict. Brandenburg and Poland are also in this position and may be looking for peace now.
Our Chesapeake forces arrive in Powhatan and are attacked by the natives. The indians are annihilated and we send a trading party to claim the land. Our army moves north to Susquehanna and are attacked again by natives who are completely annihilated. On the day that the last natives are destroyed, we hear of our success in setting up a trading post in Catawba.
With no change in the siege in Santee, we increase treasury funds to allow cannon to be cast in Chesapeake. The colonies are now safe from the Spaniards and we have only but to wait for the fall of Santee.
In December, Eastern Pomerania is taken by rebel forces and 6000 infantry from Kurland are moved south to deal with them. The Palatinat offer peace for 48D and we can only assume that they are rather short of money. The envoy fails to explain how they might be able to claim such a sum so we refuse to answer that of his lord and send him away.
Our new cannon arrives in Chesapeake and are sent to the siege at Wilmington. By Christmas, the walls of Livonia have weakened and various breaches have been made (-1). We celebrate a Royal Marrige with Scotland on the day after Christmas.
1602
As our cannon roll towards Santee, they are attacked by natives in Catawba. After a brief demonstration of their effectiveness, the natives scatter to the four winds and the cannon continue towards the siege.
In February, our monarch displays our extra fortification of our province of Memel. A remarkable achievement given that we were not even aware that we had the technology to produce this level of fortification. The king has reason to be proud.
We defeat the Rebel Scum as they attack Danzig from Eastern Pomerania. Our forces then move to recover Eastern Pomerania.
Finally we capture Livonia from the Teutonic order and this little part of the war is over as we collect the 44D from their treasury in compensation for our efforts. Perhaps we should invite them for a war some other time.
Meanwhile, Danish forces have landed in Carolina and move on the Spanish trading post in Savannah holding large flaming torches. I’m not certain if the Spaniards are yet familiar with the this new concept but we shall find out from the Danes when they return.
It seems that the Spanish were not impressed so the Danes burned the trading post. This was after they had killed the local natives so we decide to send a trader to place a Prussian flag in the area. The Catskill region was our earlier choice but this can wait for now. Our Susquehanna trading post fails in May and this now becomes our first priority since it links our provinces in the north to those in the south.
On June 25th, we begin our siege of Kolberg to recover the city from the rebels.
In July our siege force in Santee is attacked by Spanish forces. Our fleet of 8 warships sets sail from Manhattan and attacks 4 Spanish warships off Cape Haterras. The enemy are quickly defeated and retreat south. Spree takes the fleet south and engages again of the coast of Carolina. In the second battle we capture the Spanish maps and further regions are opened to us.
We finally defeat the Spanish armies in Santee on 17th August and our continuation in the war looks now to be risky. With trading posts in the area we have great interest in maintaining peace or risk losing territory that could otherwise be built during peacetime. Spain rejects our offer of a white peace.
We move all income to treasury for investment in the defense of our provinces and increasing our colonial activity. We also need naval equipment manufactories to help improve our investment in naval technology.
In September, we recover the province of Eastern Pomerania from rebels.
Our next group of colonists are sent to settle Catawba.
In December we assault Santee and it is captured. We offer a white peace to Spain but our offer is rejected. Further troops are raised in Manhattan and Chesapeake.
1603
Albrecht Friedrich rises to the throne of Prussia. We built fortifications for Chesapeake.
In April, a group of settlers are sent to Susquehanna. We start to build fortifications for Manhattan in May. In June our attempt to colonise Catawba failed.
In July, Turkey (Wallachia, Navarra, Crimea, Iraq, Tunisia) declares war again on the Mameluks (Russia, Algiers, Moldova).
A further group of settlers are sent to Powhatan in October and Connecticut and Massachussets start building fortifications in November.
1604
In February we establish a colony in Susquehanna and a group of colonists are sent to Roanoke in April. We also celebrate a Royal Marriage with the Netherlands (+154). A further colony is established in Powhatan during June.
In July, we offer the Iroquois to join our alliance and they accept (-18 to +1).
In September, our allies, Brandenburg, accept peace with Spain for 250D indemnities and the province of Bremen.
In October, a group of settlers are sent to Catawba to establish a more permanent presence, our colony at Roanoke is established in December.
1605
The king is killed in a hunting accident and Joachim Freidrich, rises to the throne. He is a more capable monarch but lacks any great diplomatic skills. Our offer of a white peace to Spain (one star) is rejected.
The war with Spain must be continued and our troops in Roanoke board our ships off Cape Hatteras. Another 5000 troops are raised in Chesapeake and Manhattan as our colonies to the south have all been fortified.
The fleet arrives off Florida straits and our troops disembark for Havana.
In April, a group of settlers are sent to the province of Catskill and Havana is taken on April 20th. The Spanish have around 1000 in Moron and our 7660/1064/17 move from Havana to capture to province. They kill the Spanish force to the last man and an assault is made on Matanzas on 21st May. The attack is called of in mid June after we fail to make a break to the defenses.
A scouting party reaches Sebago and is attacked by natives. They are killed down to the last man.
Kleves demands 250D in indemnities for peace at the end of June. On consideration of the matter and, bearing in mind our success against Poland and Teutonic Order, we decide to agree to their peace terms with a small proviso that they would pay us 250D instead.
Our attempt to colonise Catawba fails again in July.
In August we agree to a white peace with both Kleves and the Palatinat but Oman, for some reason feel they still have something to add to the war. I have to admit that I was somewhat baffled by this since they have singularly failed to contribute anything to date apart from perhaps manning the very important patrols off the coast of the gulf of Oman.
A further group of settlers is sent to Catawba in October as our fleet sets sail towards Moron. We pass several Spanish warships, presumably heading north and are attacked by a small Spanish force in Moron in November. All 1000 of the Spaniards fall in the fighting. A further 2000 troops are raised in Chesapeake.
By December, we have finally built up enough funds to build our own naval manufactory in Danzig.
1606
In February our colony in Catskill is established. A small Spanish force has landed in Delaware and we raise a further 5000 troops in Chesapeake and Manhattan. The 1000 Spanish cavalry are cut down by our force of 4000 infantry in Delaware so are forces are returned to Manhattan.
A group of Settlers are sent to Sebago in April as we open a trade company (Random Event 200D, +1 Merchant per year, 500D invested in trade).
In June, a further 10000 troops are borded onto ships from Roanoke as we successfully establish a colony in Catawba.
In August, our fleet in the west encounters 2 Spanish warships and after a long battle, defeat them after destroying one Spanish ship. Our troops disembark to Moron as a Spanish force lands in Havana and recaptures the Trading post. On landing an assault is ordered on Matanzas but we suffer heavy losses without inflicting great damage on the Spanish before the assault is called off.
Our returning fleet (8/0/2) engages in battle with a similar sized Spanish fleet in the Sea of Sargossas. The Spanish retreat without loss. Our fleet returns to Roanoke.
In October, we send a second group of colonists to Roanoke.
Three Spanish transport ships are attacked off the Roanoke coast and forced in retreat. A Spanish force has landed in Santee and is engaged in combat with the existing Danish force.
In December a fresh assault is made on Matanzas and, while more successful than the last, fails again to make a breakthrough, the Spanish defenders are down to less than 3000. Further troops are to be sent from Roanoke to make the conclusive push.
1607
The Spanish force are defeated by the Danes in Santee and retreat towards Catawba. 4000 troops from Roanoke are sent to defend our colony. Another 6000 troops are raised in the colonies. After a shameful display of cowardice 3500 Prussians retreat from 130 Spanish as they hold Catawba.
We send a personal give to Brandenburg (+131 to +167).but fail, in February to colonise Sebago.
A further attempt to take Matanzas fails but we succeed in defeating the Spaniards in Catawba and regain the colony. Another 9000 troops sail towards Moron.
More settlers are sent to Sebago I April as we attack 2 Spanish transports off the coast of Moron. After sinking one, they are joined by 4 warships and a further transport and a further 3 ships arrive later in the battle in which we gain a narrow victory. Since we must continue to be able to protect our troops landing in the region we commission further warships in four of our colonies.
The troops are finally able to disembark in May. Our forces clear the region of Adirondak of natives and return to Connecticut.
While unloading troops, our ships are again attacked by a larger Spanish fleet. In this latest convoy, we have now lost two warships and the replacements being built will still not be sufficient to take on the combined Spanish fleets. The fleet turns towards Roanoke but an ill wind drives them in the opposite direction to be attacked again by the Spanish fleet.
After failing in our attempt to expand Roanoke, the natives rise up against us and are all put to the sword.
We finally capture Matanzas in June and send a (3-star) demand to Spain with our peace offer in return for the province of Moron. They reject us yet again. Our 13000 strong force marches to attack Guatanamo as War exhaustion is now starting to have an affect on our nation.
The 6000 strong Spanish force of Guatanamo is defeated but we fail to break through in an assault on Santiago de Cuba. Meanwhile disaster strikes as our whole colonial fleet is lost at sea. (
any ideas what happened there?). With the current price of warships being over 75D, it will take some time before we are even back to maintaining a small naval force.
We once again offer peace to Spain in return for Moron. They refuse but still accept peace with Netherlands losing Luxembourg, Artois and paying 108D in indemnities.
In October, we send a colonial expedition to Adirondak and, in a change of tact, send a gift to Spain (to –170)
