Range's Sabbatical (Yeah Right!)
Part 4
During the Colonization, Life Went On Elsewhere.
12 November 1575
In the beginning, Range made sure that the National Ideas were geared toward growing the economy’s growth and expansion.
15 March 1586
• The English offer an alliance. Riga accepts it.
20 August 1592
World News
• Scotland is inherited by England
• The news drove Range nearly insane. He had journeyed with Scotland and made it a great country.
11 November 1598
• France calls Riga to arms against Morocco – but, Riga does not answer (France started the war).
18 September 1611
Range always says the main evil that threatens the common man is its government – on one hand the government protects and provides, but on the other man no one is quite sure of the other hand’s intentions.
He’s often heard to say, “I don’t trust them – but I have to work with them for the betterment of the country.”
• …for the betterment of the country?
• This makes me wonder as well…and, there were other instances of money coming into the coffers.
7 July 1622
England’s colonies in North America.
(photos)
1 September 1658
England owns most of the Eastern Seaboard of North America and a good deal of the territory inland. The Iroquois (a great nation) are being squeezed.
• England calls Riga to arms against the Iroquois.
• Riga answers the call immediately as the Iroquois attacked the English.
• Range leads one cavalry regiment to the new world.
• One regiment, but on 10 February 1659 - They arrived just in the nick of time to assist the English in the battle of Powhaten.
• Powhaten is a victory mainly due to the all out charge of the Riga cavalry as they slammed into the Iroquois’ and stopped their advance on the English’s line that was faltering.
• 1 July 1659 – The war is over.
14 March 1667
Notice the types of troops? The infantry was the first upgrade. It's hard to fight a war with these types of troops. Also, I have a limit of 16 regiments.
Riga - Range's Sabbatical (Yeah sure)
Part 4 – Bahamas – The Forgotten Paradise
Shortly after the Great Chief had died, Range had left these islands. He returned in 1689 to begin building a Temple.
19 July 1690
11 October 1739
• Teutonic Order’s African colonies are under attack by the Mali.
• Arquin has fallen. Riga’s units (3000 made up of Janissary infantry, Spahi cavalry and simple cannons) set off from Rio De Oro to take it back)
• They are led by Colonel Rogi.
• His army although three thousand strong, are little more than criminals. Of their numbers about a third of them are loyal to Riga.
• The fort at Arquin is the only thing that stands between them and victory.
• No sooner had they taken the fort the war was over.
Spring 1742
• Colonel Rogi’s army was still in Rio De Oro when the next war began.
• The Teutonic Order believing that Rogi’s forces would join them if a war started, declared war on the Mali.
• They were sadly mistaken. Riga’s forces had a standing order “we do not start wars” we finish them.
• When they realized their folly, it was too late.
• The war with Mali became a nightmare for the Teutonic Order. Their forces had retreated from the small province of Rio De Oro to defend the larger province of Arquin.
• That left the fort of 1000 men to defend Rio De Oro and, its 1231 people.
• The King of the Mali had kept his warriors from attacking Rogi’s forces. “This is not your war,” the chief warned, “leave and never return.”
• Rogi’s forces watched helplessly as the Mali warriors surrounded the fort.
• The small amount of provisions that Rogi’s troops could gather before the Mali forces raided the storehouses would not last for long.
• There were no transport at the dock to take them to Cape Verde…they had been sunk by a freakish storm. So, they were stranded.
• If relief did not come…or if new transports did not soon, arrive, Rogi’s forces would starve.
• Yet, with his forces facing certain death, Rogi’s concern turned to the poor citizens of Rio De Oro that were inside the fort.
• Accompanied by a (white) flag bearer and a drummer, Colonel Rogi marched up from the peer to where the King of the Mali’s sat on his makeshift throne. “King of the great Mali…I have come to plead for the safe evacuation of the people of Rio De Oro.”
• “What do the people of Rio De Oro mean to me?
• “There are children and woman within that fort that meant you and your people no harm. Is it your custom to kill innocents?”
• The King reared up, fuming, but refrained from answering right away. Thinking of his position, the King then softened. Retaking his seat, he ordered, “Go to them and tell them that the women and children can go free…but the soldiers and the other men will be left behind.”
• The attack on the fort was immediately stopped to allow the Colonel to explain was the Mali king had agreed to and to prepare the exodus.
• A half hour later 700 woman and children, led by Colonel Rogi walked out of the fort with only the clothes on their backs and what little provisions they could carry.
• Rogi’s army what was left of them, after the desertions, formed protective ranks on both sides of the women and children.
• As they moved slowly past the Mali King Colonel Rogi could only hope that the ruler would keep his word and allow the non-combative of the fort to go free.
• When they reached the peer, Colonel Rogi wasted no in time in ordering his officers to begin setting up barricades for defense.
• Two weeks later, the barricades were still in place. The King of the Mali had kept his word so far.
• The food was almost out quarter rations had been the rule of the day for over a week.
• A guard on duty, tired and starving, his eyes blurred could not hardly believe what he saw. “There are ships on the horizon,” he cried.
• Those that could, rushed to the barricades with hope of salvation.
• Colonel Rogi peered out and sighed with relief. “They are ours…transports.”
• When I stepped upon the peer, no one could believe their eyes.
• “Are you and your men and your charges ready to leave this cursed place,” I asked.
• “We are ready…but, who are you?”
• “I’m Range’s daughter Erin.”
The fort at Rio De Oro eventually fell. The records show that 1000 soldiers died there. No where is there a mention of the 500 others that died defending the fort.
The non-combatants were taken back to Riga where they eventually returned to their family and friends.
4 October 1743
The countries of Europe had always been at war with one another. But, now it would appear that the big boys on the block were about to bring their wars to the new world.
The following is the letter Range sent to the King of Riga (months earlier) regarding what he considered a growing threat to their country’s interests.
My King, the one that God ordained to rule the great country of Riga:
As you are aware we are entering a very troubling time. Our trusted ally the English have been exchanging angry words between the King of Castille.
Castille’s allies have already begun to ready themselves for war.
Time will come that we will have to choose whether to remain a ally with England, or cut ties.
I wait for your decree on the actions we shall take.
Your Faithful servant,
Range.
(Range had hoped that the king would decide to end the alliance with England and take France as an ally instead. France had already contacted the King Riga for an alliance.
Even in these times it was common for ally countries to exchange adjutants, usual diplomats or occasionally army officers to live and work with their allied countries to smooth over any friction that might arise between their countries.
During this time, Range had set up shop in the Bahamas. His English adjutant was Major Bonnet.
Major Bonnet:
• Born in London, England on 2 May 1718
• Cousin of Marie Louise Giradot (of Paris)
• His cousin, Marie Louise Giradot seven years later would become the mother of John Andre. (A British major that was hung during the American Revolution as a spy)
• Range didn’t like him as he thought the Major fancied himself too much.
• Some thought that Range judged the man too harshly.
• It has been said that the man was quite likeable. But, Range had his reasons for not trusting him.
That evening the people of the Bahamas threw a celebration that Rica footed much of the bill for.
There were two celebrations going on that night, one outside for the poor and one inside for the rich.
In the main hall, various dignitaries were in attendance. Major Bonnet was in attendance
• While Bonnet was speaking to a lady, he tried to strike up a conversation with Range as he was moving past them.
• “Ah, Range…excuse me sir. I must complement you on this magnificent ball.”
• “You’re welcome,” said Range, holding a dispatch.
• “One day you should come to London so my country could return the favor.”
• “That would be swell,” said Range. “But, first we should consider some upcoming business with Castille…”
• “You must excuse me,” said Range as he made it a point to allow the Major to see the King’s seal on the dispatch, before turning to move away.
• As Range hurried away, both Major Bonnet and the lady watched move.
• They watched with great interest as Range was soon met by two military advisors just outside a small meeting room. The three of them soon entered the room.
• The lady moved closer to the Major to explain, “The room next to theirs is a windowless storeroom. The wall between the two rooms has a small vent that would allow one to listen to all that is being said in either room.”
• Colonel Bonnet nodded, before heading off to the storeroom.
• Less than a minute later, the door to the meeting slowly opened. A servant named Noah (Michael’s descendant) peered into the room and nodded to signal that all was set.
• “Gentlemen,” said Range, loud enough for the Major in the storeroom to hear. “Months ago I sent a letter to the King of Riga.”
• “The King…is fully aware of the problems that such a war would bring?” Captain Benton asked, carefully.
• “Yes…he is. If we side with English we will lose many of provinces. If we choose to stay neural we lose a great and noble ally.”
• “And, his answer?”
• “The King feels as I do…we will stand beside our ally.” Range then began to leave the room, motioning for the officers to talk it up between themselves.
• In the next room, Major Bonnet had been listening to every word that had been and what was to be shared in the next room.
• When he thought he had heard enough, the Major slipped out of the room. He closed the door ever so carefully. When he turned to move away from the room he came face to face with Range who was waiting for him outside the storeroom door
• Major Bonnet was startled and came to full halt.
• Range was furious as he said, “Find out anything?” he asked with a stern look. “Major go back to England and tell your king what you heard…Riga will stand beside our ally England…just as long as the English are in a honest war.”
• “Which means?” Major Bonnet asked, being quite indignant.
• “A war that they didn’t start, nor wanted”
• “Yes, sir.”
• The Riga officers then came out of the room to join Range.
• Range began to leave with them, but stopped to give warning. “And, Major… don’t dare travel to any of our provinces…for the moment you step onto any of our shores you’ll be slapped into irons and I’ll hang you the very next day as a spy…and, no one will ever be the wiser, nor find your body.”
• Thus, the saying proves out - Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. In this case the alliance was close enough…he didn’t need Bonnet. By sending the man packing Range was telling England that he did not trust them.
• Even at this point Range wasn’t finished. “And, Major Bonnet…one more thing…this morning I took the liberty to purchase you passage on the Andre…it’s awaiting for you to board to take you and your belongings back to England. It leaves in an hour…be on it.”
• A few years later England gave a Call to Arms – Riga did not answer the call. England had started a war with Leinster. (Leinster was Range’s first Journey – see “Ireland Forever”.)
• England never again was Riga’s ally…and good riddance!
• Shortly after the severing alliance with England, France became an ally to Riga. But, that was short lived.
• For the next few years, Riga began a military build up. The purpose behind this build up was that if Riga went to war they would be able to retaliate…lose one province…gain a province…strike where the enemy is the weakest…and even the score.
• A strong navy with plenty of transports was key to the plan.
• If war was coming…they would be ready.