War continues to shake the nations of Europe upon their foundations… At the same time, a plot begins to unfold in the colonies. Ultimately, if one proverb is wroth recalling in these days trouble it is that, “Things are not always what they seem!”
Chapter X
Captain’s Log, James McAlester (of HMS Glory)
Sailing off the Louisiana Coast
March 3 – Yesterday, a storm rolled in from the south, as is common in the West Indies. The gale blew us off our planned course and caused mild havoc upon deck. Crew is busy cleaning up the mess this morning… Despite the disturbance, we are making good time. The coastline we pass now is French.
March 5 - We had a notable encounter this evening. It was around sunset when Harker, John (able-seaman) perceived a ship on the horizon. We determined it to be unequipped for war and accordingly made a quick approach. The vessel, a merchant ship from the seditious colonies of America, offered no resistance. Thus, we boarded the craft and proceeded to collect both intelligence and supplies. In this manner, we learned that the French port at New Orleans has seen an increase in naval traffic… The American captain informed us that the "Mississippi" is closed to foreign shipping. Therefore, the merchant vessel was unable to draw much of a profit, for trade has dried up.
Journal of Jorge Valdez-Delgado (Private of Spanish Army)
Besieging Bordeaux, France
March 4 - … The city is built upon a lazy bend of the river Garonne. This turn in the river divides Bordeaux into two parts. Despite the natural fragmentation of defense in the metropolis, we have had a difficult time coordinating a successful attack… For the moment, the army has settled down into an old form of siege warfare. I am baffled as to why we do not make an assault on the fortifications that keep us aloof of the city. I can only hope that there is a method to the madness of my leaders and Lord.
Clipping from, Le Parisien of March 7 (French Publication)
Disposing of the Old Régime
A large crowd gathered near Avenue Montaigne in Paris by the dawn’s light. The rising sun cast a harsh glow upon the cobble stones, and this dedicated reporter was forced to endure agitating conditions for some time. Eventually, the sun reached a height where its rays no longer assaulted the eyes of spectators. It was around that moment that the Dauphin, looking bedraggled and dejected, was led out onto the stage…
Elevated many feet above the crowd, which had swelled to a considerable size, the stage held a guillotine. The killing machine's blade, which has not been used as often as it was during the reign of Robespierre in the past months, appeared to have been sharpened. Strangely enough, there was very little ceremony in the proceeding moments. The executioner merely thrust the hideous appearing Dauphin forward and shouted, “The would-be King!”
With that, the boy was thrown down upon the guillotine, from which position he uttered a most pitiful cry of remorse as the blade fell. The crowd cheered as the heir’s head was severed from its pedestal. It was surely an event that our ancestors will recall with republican pride...
