1864 (Schleswig War) RP (IC)

by **Sjealand** » Thu Sep 22, 2016 8:30 am

OOC: https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopi ... 1&t=389684

The 16th of Januuary 1864, Princes Palais in Schleswig, Duchy of Schleswig (Denmark)
The clacking of boots could be heard on the polished floors of the Prince's Palace. Several Danish officers were hurrying to the office of the Danish supreme commander General Christian Julius De Meza. ''Your excellency, your excellency!'' The General looked up from his piano. ''Well speak your mind Soldier, i have dancing lessons soon.''

''The prussians..'' he was panting ''The prussians have issued an ultimatum. Repeal the November constitution and recall all soldiers from the duchies or face war.'' De Meza rose from the piano. ''It cant be right... the confederations assembly in Frankfurt would never allow that! How long have they given us?

''48 hours Sir'' De Mezas eyes were in shock. He slowly walked towards the soldier. ''48 hours... we wouldnt even be able to gather the entire Rigsdag in 48 hours. The Prussians should know this.. they are planning for war... My god. Send a telegram to the prus..''

''Actually Sir they are already here. They are waiting outside the room. Ill let them in.'' Two Prussian officers entered the room. They bowed and proceeded to shake the generals hand. ''Bonjour général'' one of them opened in French, the diplomatic language of europe. ''We need the reply of your government.'' He frowned at them. ''Prøjsiske Svin, You both know we cant and wont repeal the constitution. The answer is no. Now leave'' The men bowed and promptly turned around, leaving the room as De Meza began running to the telegraph-station of the palace. ''You, i need you to telegram the War-Ministry now! Its an emergency.'' The officer in charge of the telegraph franticly began telegraphing the government in Copenhagen

Royal Theatre of Copenhagen, 2 hours later
People were whispering, the play had been on pause for almost 30 minutes now. This was a scandal, where was everyone. Suddenly the lead actress stepped out on the scene. ''What i am about to tell you is currently being repeated at all public gatherings with telegraphs or close to them. 2 hours ago Prussian officers gave our democratic government an ultimatum. Repeal the constitution and surrender the duchies. With our refusal i have thus now been informed that the Empire of Austria and the Kingdom of Prussia has declared war on Denmark'' A gasp went through the audience, followed by outraged shouts and roars. Men and women cursed the germans in their anger. But as she once again began talking they all became silent. ''We bid them welcome, to once more meet the danish army on the field. On once more like in the three years war, they will recieve a well deserved defeat!'' Ecstasy tore through the audience who began cheering in unison.

Message to all counties, parishes and men of Denmark!
The treacherous Prussians and austrians have declared war on us! His Majesty's Government and Konseilspræsident Ditlev Gothard Monrad order all danish Counties to move their remaining soldiers to the Dannevirke position so as to push back the German advance and secure our sovereignity! We also implore all Priests to tell of this injustice to their church-goers and to convince the young and able-bodied men of their Sockens to sign up for the defene of their king and country!

Signed
His Majesty Christian IX, By the Grace of God, King of Denmark, of the Wends and of the Goths; Duke of Schleswig, Holstein, Stormarn, the Ditmarsh, Lauenburg and Oldenburg.

by **Tracian Empire** » Thu Sep 22, 2016 10:55 am

The Empire of Austria
Kaisertum Österreich
"Viribus Unitis"

The Empire of Austria
Kaisertum Österreich
"Viribus Unitis"

Kriegserklärung!

In the name of His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty, Francis Joseph the First, by the Grace of God Emperor of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, King of Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia, Lodomeria and Illyria; King of Lombardy and of Venice, King of Jerusalem etc., Archduke of Austria; Grand Duke of Tuscany and Cracow, Duke of Lorraine, of Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and of the Bukovina; Grand Prince of Transylvania; Margrave of Moravia; Duke of Upper and Lower Silesia, of Modena, Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, of Auschwitz, Zator and Teschen, Friuli, Ragusa (Dubrovnik) and Zara (Zadar); Princely Count of Habsburg and Tyrol, of Kyburg, Gorizia and Gradisca; Prince of Trent (Trento) and Brixen; Margrave of Upper and Lower Lusatia and in Istria; Count of Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnenberg, etc.; Lord of Trieste, of Cattaro (Kotor), and over the Windic march; Grand Voivode of the Voivodship of Serbia,

The Imperial Government of Austria hereby announces:

For too long, have the German people of Schleswig and Holstein been oppressed by their unjust Danish rulers. For too long have the been stopped from living with their German brothers and sisters, from living in the Confederation of the German People. Like true neighbors, we have been friendly and we have shown lenience to the Kingdom of Denmark for so long. But despite of our repeated attempts to try to find a peaceful solution to this problem, the Danish people have betrayed us again, and again. This is the last drop.

In order to continue their opression of the just German people of Schleswig and Holstein, the Danes have passed a new constitution, that favors their own, and is only a tool to be further used in the opression of the German people by the Kingdom of Denmark, approved without the consent of Schleswig and Holstein, approved without the consent of the German people. This constitution is a clear violation of the London Protocol of 1852 by the Kingdom of Denmark. This, means war.

The Kingdom of Prussia has proposed a Bundesexekution, a resolution that was passed by the Bundestag of the German Confederation. Schleswig and Holstein will be occupied by the forces of the German Confederation. For the protection of the German people, as of this very moment, the Empire of Austria considers itself in a state of war with the Kingdom of Denmark. With God on our side, we will free our brothers and sisters from the Danish oppressors!
So may help us God!

The Empire of Austria
Kaisertum Österreich
"Viribus Unitis"

An meine Völker!
Népeimhez!
Mým národům!
Mojim narodom!

His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty, Francis Joseph the First, by the Grace of God Emperor of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, King of Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia, Lodomeria and Illyria; King of Lombardy and of Venice, King of Jerusalem etc., Archduke of Austria; Grand Duke of Tuscany and Cracow, Duke of Lorraine, of Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and of the Bukovina; Grand Prince of Transylvania; Margrave of Moravia; Duke of Upper and Lower Silesia, of Modena, Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, of Auschwitz, Zator and Teschen, Friuli, Ragusa (Dubrovnik) and Zara (Zadar); Princely Count of Habsburg and Tyrol, of Kyburg, Gorizia and Gradisca; Prince of Trent (Trento) and Brixen; Margrave of Upper and Lower Lusatia and in Istria; Count of Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnenberg, etc.; Lord of Trieste, of Cattaro (Kotor), and over the Windic march; Grand Voivode of the Voivodship of Serbia,

Hereby announces:

To the loyal peoples of my Empire! We are once again in danger! Even if it is my greatest wish to spend my reign in peace and harmony, to protect you, my proud peoples from the burdens and sacrifices of war, the providence has decreed otherwise. The treacherous Danish people have continued their oppression of the people of the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, and have broken all their promises and treaties, backstabbing us and insulting the friendship and the lenience we have showed to them! The dark clouds of war are threatening us yet again. Will the treacherous Italians stay idle? Our old enemies, the Russians? We need to prove the entire world, that our Empire is the most powerful of them all, that this Empire, formed by so many people, is the proudest on Earth. We will not let the enemies stain our honor, or threaten our freedom. God is standing with us, and he will help us in this endeavor! The Crown will stand firmly, supported and protected by its peoples, and together, united and strong, we will aim for victory! God save, and God protect, our Emperor and our Country!

So may help us God!

The time had come, for war. For years, the tensions between Denmark and the German Confederation had risen because of the two German duchies that were part of the Confederation's northern neighbor. Now finally, with the ratification of that constitution that clearly broke the London Protocol, the Germans had a valid and true casus belli to finally free their brothers and sisters from the Danish occupation. For that ideal, and of course, in order to show the world who was the greatest German power, Austria was even going to forget its past problems with Prussia, its greatest ally. The Germans were going to fight together.

But the situation was dark. Although certainly, the Germans hoped that the world will see the truth behind the justice of their war, by there were many others who could intervene. The Swedes, on the side of their Nordic brothers. Russia, although deep into its own problems, could try to fight against Prussia and Austria, its old rivals. Italy might try to gain Trieste from the control of the Empire.. and many other nations could enter the war, one way or another.

But the Confederation was going to fight. And Austria and Prussia would lead it, as equals.

by **Deutsch Preussen** » Thu Sep 22, 2016 4:45 pm

The Kingdom of Prussia
Königreich Preußen
"Gott mit uns"

Landsmänner!

At the behest of His Majesty Wilhem I von Hohenzollern, King of Prussia, the mighty Königreich Preußen affirms its position of support and participation for the state of war declared by Franz Joseph I, Kaiser von Österreich. The treacherous Danes to our north once again spit into the eye of Germany and unlawfully stake their claim to rightful German lands.
The proposed "November Verfassung" lies in direct conflict with treaties outlined following the year of 1852, and lies in direct conflict with the sovreignty of the German Nation and its constituent states. As Prussia prepares itself for conflict, we ask you to support your Armee, your statesmen and your König. With the might of the Prussian people behing the coalition, we find no reason that we should not deliver away our German brothers from the hands of Danish greed and ambition.

Es lebe der König,
Es lebe Preußen!

With Danish inability to prevent and repeal the November Constitution, came the Danish failure to prevent war. Previously humiliated with a loss to the Danish following the First Schleswig War, Prussia could no longer make any further concessions towards the small northern state. And whilst the dream of a Großdeutschland still embered, there was a definitive answer the the Schleswig-Holstein question. They were German, and unto Germany they would be rendered.

With a combined Austro-Prussian force, a swift victory was the intended outcome, however the memory of an historic defeat had not yet faded from memory. Though mighty, hubris could very well be the downfall of the Confederation for a second time, and Prussia was aware that useful allies and expert diplomacy would play as big a key to winning as any army ever could. With men eager and hearts aflame, war once again came to Prussia.

This war however only signaled a small part in the emerging power plays and politics of Europe. Even if this war ended swiftly, intervention during the previous one had shown that European states were capable and willing to exert their power wherever they could in order to maintain or establish balances of power, and if it were to compete on the world stage, Prussia would have to do the same.

by **Austria and Bavaria** » Thu Sep 22, 2016 6:39 pm

Kingdom of Saxony
Königreich Sachsen
"Providentiae Memor"

His Royal Majesty, King John of Saxony was enjoying himself. He was attending a ball celebrating the opening of the Royal Saxony Armory, the recently created complex of factories built to mass-produce the LM63 Rifle. This was all made possible by the industrial boom in Saxony, which had brought considerable economic growth to the Kingdom. However, the King's pleasant thoughts were interrupted by a Lieutenant who approached him, bowed, and handed him a message, saying "Urgent message, from the Foreign Ministry." The King nodded, and opened the telegram. "So it's war then", he murmured to himself. Maintaining his composure, he stood upright, straight as a ramrod, and addressed his guests. "I must give you my sincerest apologies, I must leave to deal with a most pressing matter of state." He then motioned to his son, Crown Prince Albert, his Foreign Minister, Friedrich von Beust, to follow him.

"It would seem the Danes have rejected the demands of Prussia and Austria." The King explained as they rode by carriage to the Parliament building, which was holding an emergency session. "Austria and Prussia have issued declarations of war, and Saxony shall not fail to honor her allies." Prince Albert nodded solemnly, while von Beust retained a stoical expression. Upon entering the parliament, the representatives were already waiting. "My fellow Saxons, war is now upon us, whether we wish it or not, the Danes have violated their solemn word, given to us in treaty, and as such have attacked the entire German Confederation. How can any man's oath be held sacred, so long as an entire nation is allowed to trample on her sacred vows? Already Austria and Prussia have pledged their strength to this mighty struggle. Saxony shall never abandon her German brethren. We shall stand strong, to bear our banners with pride, to fight for our brothers and sisters. Denmark's treachery shall not go unpunished! Honour and Justice demand it! Let Denmark tremble for fear of the vengeance of Germany! Let all the earth know that German Honour shall never be maligned. Let justice be done! Saxony shall triumph!"

The entire parliament rose and cheered loudly. Shortly afterward, Parliament approved, unanimously, the declaration of war, along with a sweeping bill to expand the military by 15,000 men, and to provide further funding into seeking to continue the modernization of the Royal Saxon Army. The next morning, the declaration of war was announced, and the Saxon army began to mobilize for war. Furthermore, the King authorized the shipment of 800 LM63 Rifles to Pro-Bourbon Rebels in Italy, and began sending covert aid to White Polish Rebels in Southern Poland, including medical supplies, 2,000 LM63 Rifles, ammunition, blankets, and bedding. The Saxon Kings had long had great affection for Poland, having been twice elected as King, and reigning as Duke of Warsaw. King Johann hoped that with enough support, the Poles may restore the House of Wettin to the throne of Poland.

by **Soviet Chernarus** » Fri Sep 23, 2016 12:32 pm

Polish Provisional National Government

"All sons of Poland are free and equal citizens without distinction of creed, condition and rank.
-National Manifesto issued by the Provisional Government

Olkusz
South Poland

It would be the Battle of Olkusz that would determine the fate of the army that operated in the Krakowskie region. A messenger had reported that a major shipment of weapons - valuable to the Polish cause - was to be sent from the Saxon government, many who sympathized with the insurgents. The shipment would be involving breech-loading rifles, a weapon that was severely lacking within the army of Polish insurgents and rebels. Medical supplies and other provisions were also accompanying the shipment. Should it arrive, avoiding interception from the Russians, it could prove to be a game-changer for the struggling army in the region. As it was heavily White-leaning, favoring progressive landlords and nobles over the peasantry, it could not mobilize the manpower reserves other regions can offer. Instead, it mostly relied on the szlachta - Polish nobility - to fill their ranks.

This constituted a number of disadvantages. Firstly, they could not reinforce losses as quickly as other armies could. Secondly, after nearly a year of clashes with the Russian Army, their numbers had started to dwindle. The crushing of various uprisings outside Poland would also allow Russian forces to begin concentrating in the region, where their forces could easily match the insurgents. They were on borrowed time.

However, Olkusz - a small city that served as a major transportation hub from Krakow to Warsaw - would offer the benefits of distributing the weapons to badly equipped troops quickly and efficiently. In addition, holding it would disrupt Russian operations in the region, and allow pressured forces to recover and recuperate. It was certainly a risky gamble.

In the early morning of the 22nd of January, in the Year of Our Lord 1864, an insurgent force of 500 men - the largest in the region - was assembled under the command of General Kruszewski. The small force would converge on the small city, surprise the Russian garrison and take it by force. It was to be timed exactly for the arrival of the shipment, to which then it would be distributed rapidly amongst the rebels.

The success of the plan relied on the distraction of the Russian army by other, smaller insurgent forces. In other to achieve this, numerous messengers were sent to inform important detachments and insurgent groups to participate in skirmishes and minor engagements with Russian forces. While they could not hope to win any of them, it would, at the very least, buy time for the objective to be accomplished in Olkusz.

Polish insurgents typically relied on guerrilla warfare, ambushes, assassinations, and other non-conventional methods to fight the Russians. Attacking a city or large town was rare; it usually resulted in heavy casualties, with nothing to pay for it. However, Olkusz, in Kruszewski's mind, would be worth the price that would be paid in blood.

Hoping to have a backup plan in case the operation failed, Kruszewski sent a smaller force of 100 soldiers towards a small village in which the shipment was expected to pass through. Word would be sent immediately after the conclusion of the battle, to which it would either have been successful or a complete failure.

After several hours of preparation prior to January 22nd, the insurgents - a rag-tag group of soldiers with varied uniforms and weapons - received the order from Kruszewski to converge on Olkusz. In a few hours time, the inhabitants of Olkusz would unknowingly find themselves in a brutal battle to decide control over the strategically important city.

by **United Layfet** » Fri Sep 23, 2016 1:44 pm

January 22nd, 1864
USS Lehigh, Off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, Atlantic Ocean

The USS Lehigh was currently on active duty status as part of the American blockade against the rebels, however it was relegated to the back of the fleet in order to hold a private meeting. The President of the United States Abraham Lincoln had assembled several generals and requested them to the Lehigh in order to discuss the growing situation in Europe.

Immediately following the day's normal barrage on the city, the President stepped off the USS Patapsco and onto the Lehigh and was saluted by various Generals that had assembled on the deck some hours earlier. The President returned the salutes before walking to a makeshift podium where he took off his top hat, giving it to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. He looked off ward toward the siege with a particular gaze that read as if he was an instrument of good. He then turned to the 12 Generals who stood on the deck looking at the President with extreme devotion, even though they were completely unaware of why they gathered.

"Hello there." The President said with a particular influx in his voice. "You may or may not be aware but just a couple of days ago, the nations of Europe declared war upon Denmark. A republic like our own, for trying to unify itself. We must submit to our own values and do our best to preserve unity elsewhere. Unfortunately the Union can not hope to compete witht he nations of Europe, so we shall not have war but we can send volunteers. Thus I ask any of you wishing to participate in this glorious case to assemble yourself with your forces to our capitol to depart to Denmark. There you will be under the command of Denmark where you learn and fight in the name of democracy."

With the conclusion of his speech, the President stepped back onto the USS Patapsco leaving the Generals to decided what to do. Stanton went to the podium and yelled "Dismissed" before following the President.

by **Federation of Timelords** » Fri Sep 23, 2016 5:17 pm

As Charles sat alone playing piano, when a messenger boy rushes in and bows quickly. He raises himself up and says, "My liege, the states of Preußen, Österreich und Sachsen have declared war on the Danes. They say that there mission is to liberate our brothers in Schleswig-Holstein." As the messenger finishes, Charles rises from his chair and says, "If there is to be a war than Württemberg isn't going to be left out." Charles called a session of Parliament and implores them to support his war resolution. He says to them, "My fellow Württembergers, we should not stand by and not help our German brothers. The German nations must work together and unite if we are to be strong. We cannot do this if our brothers are under the yoke of Danish rule. I myself will personally lead our army north and face the Danes." The Parliament then burst into thunderous applause. Charles then got to work drafting his Declaration of War to Denmark.

by **Grothmogia** » Fri Sep 23, 2016 6:47 pm

Kingdom of Bavaria
Königreich Bayern
Der Bund

King Maximilian II, or "King Max", as he was known to his people, rode through the streets of Munich, returning to the palace after a morning carriage ride. His policies of modernization and fostering a national identity were beginning to pay large dividends: Munich was a center of culture and learning, the railroads now crisscrossed the country, and the people adored him. All in all, it was a good day. It was about to get decidedly less good.

As he entered the Palace, he found a group of ministers and generals gathering in the entrance.

"What is the meaning of this?" the aging king asked.

"My King, you should read this," his War Minister, Eduard von Lutz, handed him a sheaf of documents.

Retiring to his study along side his ministers, the King began to read the papers.

"These appear to be war declarations from all of the Confederation! Against Denmark of all nations! Have they not learned their lesson from the first war? It is no matter, we must show the Danes once more the strength of Bavarian mettle. Draft a declaration of war and mobilize a few corps to join the rest of the Confederation armies."

"But sir-"

"No buts. We must go along with them. What I am about to say must not leave this chamber: despite the dream of Trias having gone with von der Pfordten, perhaps we can salvage it. Do nothing as of yet, but be prepared."

With that the ministers left the room, each attending to his daily business. Later that day, the drafted declaration arrived at the desk of the King:

The king quickly sent the letter off to the Danish capital of Copenhagen. He had a man to promote.

by **Petrokovia** » Sat Sep 24, 2016 9:31 am

After hearing word of the war in Denmark, the Tsar has begun mobilizing a force of 200,000 men to fight against the Prussians. Word has been sent to Denmark of this mobilization, so they can plan accordingly. The force, when ready, is to be sent to East Prussia for their invasion. Despite the large forces, mobilization proves difficult, hindered by the lack of training and proper equipment for all troops.

In Poland, word of several more skirmishes has broken out, along with a major offensive on Olkusz. The Tsar's forces had been successfully distracted by the previous attacks, leaving a relatively small force in Olkusz. However, these forces would prove to be strong; While unable to outright defeat the Polish forces attacking the city, the Russians would soon turn the fight into a stalemate, drawing the fight out.

by **Tracian Empire** » Sat Sep 24, 2016 10:54 am

The Empire of Austria
Kaisertum Österreich
"Viribus Unitis"

Theme

The situation was becoming more and more complicated, as the dark clouds of war were looming over Europe. The war had started pretty good, with most of the states of the German Confederation also declaring war on the Kingdom of Denmark, following the decision of the Federal Diet. But now, the Russian Empire had decided to help the Kingdom of Denmark, declaring war on Prussia. The tensions were rising. Especially in the last years, due to territorial disputes over the borders of Gallicia-Lodomeria, the anti-Russian opinion in the Austrian Empire had risen dramatically. With the war against Denmark being perceived as a just war, fought for freedom, Russia supporting Denmark only supported the public view that Russia was an evil nation. One that had to be punished.

But the Austrians weren't going to rush to war. An ultimatum was sent to Moscow, delaying an Austrian response that should have been an immediate declaration of war. Russia had to make a choice. Did it really want to support Denmark so much, even if it meant declaring war against the entire German Confederation? That remained to be seen.

But the Austrians weren't going to just stand and watch. A partial mobilization had been announced. A small force, of around 10,000 soldiers, was going to be sent in the larger Confederate force that had to fight Denmark and free Schleswig-Holstein. 100,000 men were going to be mobilized from all across the Empire then, with most of them being sent to reinforce the fortifications in Gallicia-Lodomeria, especially those around the city of Przemyśl. A small force was also going to be sent in Lombardia and Venice, in order to keep the Italians at bay from any kind of hostile thoughts they would harbor.

Was it really worth it? For all of Europe to go at war because of Denmark? But Austria had no other choice. Now, more than ever, it had to prove that it was a Great Power. It was an Empire. The stains on its honor had to be wiped clean. The Empire was going to stand proud against anyone who would wear to defy it.

The Empire of Austria
Kaisertum Österreich
"Viribus Unitis"

Ultimatum!

To whoever it might concern in the Russian Empire,

It has come to our attention, that despite the rightness and justness of the German War against the Kingdom of Denmark, the Russian Empire has decided to declare war to the Kingdom of Prussia. We truly hope that this was a mistake, and that the Russian Empire does not wish to intervene in the war that is fought for the freedom of the German people.

The Kingdom of Prussia is not only a part of the German Confederation, which Austria presides and is a part of, but it is also a close ally of the Austrian Empire, and of all the other German states. Prussia, just like Austria and the rest of the German Confederation, fight for the freedom of the German people in the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein from the Danish oppression. The Russian Empire shouldn't involve itself in a war in which it has nothing to do, in a war of freedom and justice.

The Empire of Austria wishes for friendly relations with the Russian Empire, its old ally against the Ottomans, but we will not stand idle as Russia gets involved in the matters of the German people. The Empire of Russia must forfeit its declaration of war against the Kingdom of Prussia, and stop the mobilization of its armed forces across the borders with Austria and Prussia. If the Russian Empire does not comply to this just requests, the acts of the Russian Empire will be perceived as hostile towards the German Confederation and the Empire of Austria. If this requests will not be accepted and followed, there will be no other way than for the Empire of Austria to consider itself in a state of war against the Russian Empire, and call for a federal execution of the states of the German Confederation against the Russian Empire. Any attacks against one member of the German Confederation will be considered attacks against the entirety of the German Confederation.

We sincerely hope that the Russian Empire will not intervene in this just crusade of the German people. The freedom of the German people must be protected by any means necessary.

May God help us all.

Signed by,
Alexander von Mensdorff-Pouilly, Prince Dietrichstein von Nicolsburg, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Austrian Empire,

In the name of His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty, Francis Joseph the First, by the Grace of God Emperor of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, King of Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia, Lodomeria and Illyria; King of Lombardy and of Venice, King of Jerusalem etc., Archduke of Austria; Grand Duke of Tuscany and Cracow, Duke of Lorraine, of Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and of the Bukovina; Grand Prince of Transylvania; Margrave of Moravia; Duke of Upper and Lower Silesia, of Modena, Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, of Auschwitz, Zator and Teschen, Friuli, Ragusa (Dubrovnik) and Zara (Zadar); Princely Count of Habsburg and Tyrol, of Kyburg, Gorizia and Gradisca; Prince of Trent (Trento) and Brixen; Margrave of Upper and Lower Lusatia and in Istria; Count of Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnenberg, etc.; Lord of Trieste, of Cattaro (Kotor), and over the Windic march; Grand Voivode of the Voivodship of Serbia, etc, etc

The Empire of Austria
Kaisertum Österreich
"Viribus Unitis"

To whoever it might concern in the Kingdom of Saxony

To the most esteemed Kingdom of Saxony. As you might know, the Empire of Austria has been seeking to modernize its armed forces in the last years. An empire as great as ours has a glorious army to fight for it, but the modernity of the equipment of our soldiers has become a problem in the last years. That's why, it has recently come to the attention of the K.u.k. Reichkriegsminister, that the Kingdom of Saxony has developed and produced a new type of rifle that has given incredible results.

That is why, the Empire of Austria would be interested in purchasing a number of LM63 Rifles to test, and a license to produce that type of rifle in our own factories. This is a matter of the highest interest, and the K.u.k. Reichkriegsminister is ready to make a favorable deal for the Kingdom of Saxony. We will eagerly await your response.

Signed by,
Alexander von Mensdorff-Pouilly, Prince Dietrichstein von Nicolsburg, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Austrian Empire,

In the name of His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty, Francis Joseph the First, by the Grace of God Emperor of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, King of Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia, Lodomeria and Illyria; King of Lombardy and of Venice, King of Jerusalem etc., Archduke of Austria; Grand Duke of Tuscany and Cracow, Duke of Lorraine, of Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and of the Bukovina; Grand Prince of Transylvania; Margrave of Moravia; Duke of Upper and Lower Silesia, of Modena, Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, of Auschwitz, Zator and Teschen, Friuli, Ragusa (Dubrovnik) and Zara (Zadar); Princely Count of Habsburg and Tyrol, of Kyburg, Gorizia and Gradisca; Prince of Trent (Trento) and Brixen; Margrave of Upper and Lower Lusatia and in Istria; Count of Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnenberg, etc.; Lord of Trieste, of Cattaro (Kotor), and over the Windic march; Grand Voivode of the Voivodship of Serbia, etc, etc

by **Federation of Timelords** » Sat Sep 24, 2016 1:07 pm

Charles was in the middle of a great banquet, it was a toast to what would hopefully be a short war, when an aide walked over to him and interrupted a story being told to him. The man looked frightened, as if the armies of hell were at the very gates, in a way it was true. He gains the nerve and says to Charles, "Your Majesty, Russia has declared war on the Prussians, the Austrian Empire has sent them an ultimatum, but it is to be believed that the Russians will reject it. If they do so, then the German Confederation will be at war with not just the Danes, but the Russian Empire as well. Not to mention that volunteers from the United States are augmenting Denmark's army." Charles was stunned, never in his worse nightmares could he imagine a more terrifying thought. The aide then said, "Your grace, maybe we should withdraw ourselves from this war? We cannot stand against the might of the Russian bear." Charles rises from his chair and shouted, "Never say such a thing ever again, we are Germans and we stand by our brothers, for I'd prefer to fight along side ten Germans than ten-thousand Russians. We have the honor of knowing that our fight is a just one and we won't cower with our tail between our legs to some Russian barbarians!" Charles could no longer enjoy his banquet, his thoughts were consumed by the possibility of facing the Russians on the field of battle. It was three in the morning and he couldn't sleep, so he penned a letter to all the German kingdoms participating in the war.

by **Trotza** » Sat Sep 24, 2016 2:31 pm

United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway

Förenade konungarikena Sverige och Norge
De forenede Kongeriger Norge og Sverige

by **United Layfet** » Sat Sep 24, 2016 2:36 pm

January 26th, 1864
Washington D.C.

General Luis D. Grains and General John Ashton Carter arrived in Washington D.C. and were on their way to the White House. They were the only two from the group of twelve generals that had gathered on the USS Lehigh that actually wanted to volunteer for the war in Denmark. As soon as they reached the White House, they were escorted by a secretary to the War Room were they stood idly by until the President walked in. He looked disappointed that there were only two of them, but he no time to complain or worry about it with the rebellion and all. He got straight to business with the two generals. "Now, my friends, I'm glad you two have volunteered, and you both shall make preparations to sail for Europe immediately, and hopefully you will get there by late next month, the Navy as supplied you with several transport ships and battleships to make it across the Atlantic safely. Should Denmark's enemies intervene in your course, you must back down. I understand your armies bring up a total of around 1,000?"

"Yes Sir." the two said together.

"Good, as I see it if more join the war, they will be added to your armies. From this point onward, your armies will be reorganized. General Grains will lead the 1st Union Volunteer Regiment and General Carter, you will lead the 2nd. You will both organized into the 1st Union Foreign Volunteer Corps under the command of General Bearth, who will further himself to set his command and your command under that of the Danish." he paused for a moment to see if the Generals were to complain, but nothing came so he continued.

"General Bearth will expect your armies to be assembled in New York in two weeks time. All ready to go. See to it. Dissmissed." President Lincoln then attend to papers on his desk as the two Generals returned to their horses.

"I don't know what to think about this General." Grains said.

"I much don't care about the organization, but I want to lead and learn." Carter returned "if you excuse me, I'll best be going." and before Grains could say anything more. Carter rode southward toward his camp.

by **Soviet Chernarus** » Sat Sep 24, 2016 3:31 pm

Polish Provisional National Government

"All sons of Poland are free and equal citizens without distinction of creed, condition and rank.
-National Manifesto issued by the Provisional Government

Olkusz
Southern Poland

The small force reached the city, attacking from three directions. The Russian garrison, caught unawares, quickly abandoned the outer defenses. The charge of the elite Garibaldi Legion, named after the original Legion (a small group of twenty Italian volunteers that, despite being wiped out by a superior force, has become a national symbol of foreign support for the Polish cause), quickly broke through the surprised Russian line. However, as the force continued inwards, determined Russian resistance quickly stalled the Polish advance. Bloody urban warfare for control of every street, house, and building caused what would have been a swift victory into a grinding stalemate. By the end of the day, fighting had been inconclusive, with both sides regrouping their forces and preparing for another day of fighting.

While Kruszewski was dissatisfied with the progress of the battle, it had not failed yet. He was determined to see his plan through to the end. After a meeting with his officers, he determined that an offensive into the garrison barracks and then a push to the center of the city would suffice to take the city. After that, mopping up the remnants of the garrison would be the general's highest priority.

The civilians of the city, though they, like the Russians, were caught surprised by the attack, generally favored the Polish force. Consisting of a large szlachta minority, some even endeavored to fight against the Russians, using makeshift weaponry. Kruszewski ordered his army to avoid killing any civilians unless absolutely necessary, in order to maintain their goodwill. The general was confident that without any reinforcements, the Russian defense would soon crumble.

As the day ended, the Polish fighters, out of a total of 500 men, had suffered thirty-four killed and another twenty wounded. Under the direct orders of Kruszewski, preparations were to begin on an assault on the barracks, and reserves mobilized to support the push into the city center.

While fighting continued in Olkusz, insurgent forces elsewhere were assembling in accordance with his plans. An integral part of his operations were the establishment of a rough perimeter around the strategic city - the perimeter would serve to stall potential Russian reinforcements and alert the main army of approaching enemies. Already short on manpower, with most being used for the attack on Olkusz, messengers were sent out to known insurgent bands and groups. General Kruszewski, despite being the commander of all forces in the region, had little authority among these bands, and generally allowed them to operate independently.

Despite his best efforts, men would come up woefully short in the time of need. Some messengers were simply intercepted, while some failed to convince leaders to send their men on a potentially suicidal mission. In total, some 150 men were scraped up. Thirty men would be sent to the nearby village of Stawkow; twenty five to Krzykawka; forty to Glanow; twenty to overlook the cliffs of Pieskowa Skala; twenty to the village of Skala and the remaining forty to Golczowice.

Populated mostly by peasants, the villages did not exactly welcome the new arrivals. The strong White presence in Southwestern Poland meant that land reforms and other initiatives undertaken by the Red-dominated government were delayed or even prevented in these areas. Understandably, this attracted quite a lot of hostility amongst the peasants. As they had been mostly unsuccessful in convincing the peasants to refuse support to the Polish rebels, the Russians quickly capitalized on this, with promises of land and wealth for those who refused to support the Whites.

While tensions existed, most peasants ignored the presence of White forces, and vice versa. Many chose to stay neutral, and did not actively fight the Russians or the Whites. However, Kruszewski was aware that these forces could not stay for long; in Red-dominated areas, locals provided the bulk of the provisions and foods, allowing insurgents to continue fighting for extended periods of time. However, this was the exact opposite in White-dominated areas; insurgent groups were usually expected to scrounge their food up from the land, which, in some cases, were lacking. After a few days, should the battle in Olcusz drag out that long, they would be forced to disband or take the food from the peasants by force - something that the general was not keen on doing.

Kraków
Grand Duchy of Cracow
Austria

Some of the most powerful civilian and military leaders within the Polish uprising were assembling in the Austrian-owned city of Krakow. The emergency meeting, called as a result of the Russian declarations of war on Austria and Prussia, would include only three people: the leader of the Polish National Government, Stefan Bobrowski, the commander of the Polish Army, Romuald Traugutt, and the leader of the White faction and a prominent official within the National Government, Karol Majewski.

While the National Government was based in Warsaw, the presence of Russian forces in the area made it dangerous to host a secret meeting which concerned the future of the uprising. It was decided that Krakow was the best location for such a meeting; local authorities would not interfere. Only months ago had the Polish resistance and the Austrian government reached a mutual understanding, in which they agreed to withhold their claims on Austrian territories, in exchange for neutrality in Polish affairs. While they allowed meetings of the National Government on Austrian soil, insurgents and other combatants were typically detained, if they crossed the border into Austria.

Once the three arrivals had met, they exchanged pleasantries and greetings - it wasn't long before the meeting was underway.

"As you all already know," Bobrowski spoke, beginning the meeting with a grim tone, "recently the Russian Empire has issued declarations of war on the nations of Prussia and Austria. They have pledged their full support to the Kingdom of Denmark. Austria, in a futile effort to prevent a conflict with Russia, has issued an ultimatum in response, essentially demanding Alexander II to step down, lest they face war with the Confederation. This meeting is to decide the course of action that will be undertaken by the Polish Provisional National Government."

"In which case, we can expect full support from Prussia and Austria. We have a common enemy, and it will be crucial for us to cooperate against the Russian menace." Traugutt responded.

"Austria and Prussia have benefited too many times at the expense of Poland to be considered trustworthy allies. They hold rightful Polish lands, stolen through their partitions of our country." Majewski, the sole representative for the White faction, said. He was voicing a legitimate concern held by many within the Polish government regarding Prussia and Austria - even Bobrowski harbored his own private suspicions towards the two countries.

"What other choice do we have? I do not consider this to be a true alliance, only one made out of convenience. We have no one else to turn to who would be willing to help us." Traugutt replied calmly.

"It would be the wisest course of action to avoid provoking them. Our diplomats have made significant headway, ensuring Austrian neutrality in Polish affairs and arousing public sympathies across Europe for our causes. In the likely situation of a greater war with Russia, there is no doubt that one of the tsar's highest priorities will be crushing the uprising, thus freeing up forces to fight against Prussia and Austria. Without foreign recognition and support, we cannot hope to ever succeed." Bobrowski stated.

Despite being a member of the opposing faction, Majewski still held a certain respect towards the man. He was tasked with leading the resistance of an entire nation, as well as maintaining a delicate balancing act between both factions. If he favored his own, he would risk alienating the Whites, progressive landlords, and the szlachta. If he favored the Whites, he would risk alienating the Reds, which included peasants and the lower classes. "Very well...so what do you propose we do?"

"I have given a great deal of thought to this prior to the meeting," Traugutt said, "The ideal course of action is military support, both in the form of weapons from Prussia and Austria and their armies, which are superior to ours in terms of training and skill. A combination of our own insurgents, Polish emigrants, and foreign volunteers should be trained by their instructors and advisors, ensuring an elite core in which our entire army can be based upon. For months now, we have relied on our spirit and our tactics to prevail over the Russian forces. Once it is trained up to European standards, we can match the Russians in open battles, expanding our operations and ensuring success for our forces..."

by **Federation of Timelords** » Sat Sep 24, 2016 11:01 pm

As Charles prepared to head off to the secret diet being held in Frankfurt, he'd had been receiving messages from the King of Saxony. The king had mentioned that he'd been covertly supporting the Polish rebellion. So after much deliberation the Saxon king pushed the idea to allow the Poles a seat at the diet. Charles was hesitant at first, he didn't wish to over step his boundaries and anger the two great German powers; eventually he decided that if the Russians were to join this war, they'd need full support from the Polish. If they simply let the Poles fight on their own, they would slow the Russian advance, but would eventually crushed and the Russians would advance on the Germans. So Charles sent out messages to the Prussians and the Austrians asking if the Poles could join the diet. When the two powers responded yes Charles got straight to work drafting a letter to the Polish leaders.

by **Sjealand** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:04 am

Dannevirke, Schleswig City
The sound of boots could be heard across the wall as thousands of soldiers poured in from across the Kingdom. They could be heard merrily singing Danish marches like ''The Brave Infantry-man'' and ''In the night cold and harsh''. From atop the redoubts the Danish war flag still flew bravely red, signifying to the germans that this was danish soil. With the germans yet to even cross the Elbe into Lauenburg and Holstein, the Danish commanders could relax a bit, knowing that they would not be in battle for some time still. This gave them time to better organize the defence of the 27 bastions that spanned the entirety of the wall. About 28.000 soldiers were manning the 15km of the main Dannevirke with 10.000 stationed at the more eastern Mysunde fortifications. The Mysunde region was important because if it fell to the Germans it would allow them to establish a bridgehead over the Schlei and envelop the Dannevirke position.

West of Dannevirke lay the marshlands of the Eider river. If the Danish plans could be met then the Germans would reach the Dannevirke position in the start of the summer or in the spring, which would mean the marshes and rivers would no longer be frozen, which would allow the smaller danish forces to keep a defensive advantage on the narrow Dannevirke position.

The Danish navy which in total numbered 79 ships had sent the Ironclad Rolf Krake which held 4 60-pounder cannons i moving towers, 1 60-pound cannon in the front, 2 60-pounders in the back, 2 8-inch cannons and 2 3-inch cannons. It was ordered to engage german troops trying to assault either position while it lay in the middle of all the positions in the Schlei. Further more the 2 screw-frigates Jylland and Niels Juel as well as the screw-corvette Heimdal were also on their way to the Schlei to support Rolf Krake. The corvette Ørnen, the brig Valkyrien and the paddle-frigate Ægir had been dispatched from Copenhagen to the Elbe river where they were supposed to patrol at its wider points and try to assault any possible german crossings north of neutral Hamburg. The navy's transports were docked on Funen, so that quick ferrying of troops over the little belt was possible, the mine-layers were being escorted by older ships of the line to the island of Rügen where they would try to mine the exit waters of the city of Stralsund so that the weaker Prussian navy could not use it as a base of operations. The rest of the navy was either preparing for the blockade of major Prussian ports or on their way across the Skagerrak towards Hannover which was also to be blockaded.

Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen
''Your Majesty, we have messages from Würtemberg, Hannover, Austria, Saxony and Bavaria'' the king looked up from his desk with a tired and exhausted face. ''Is it demands of my abdication?'' the officer shook his head. ''No Your Majesty declarations of war. Christian broke the pen he was holding. ''Are you telling me, that at any moment now, we could face an army 10 times our own?'' The officer nodded. ''They outgun us 10 to 1 and thats just a minor army they could raise. Their weapons are superior to ours too. However the Emperor of Russia and your friend King Charles of Sweden and Norway has lent their support. As we speak our brothers in the east are surely ammasing their forces in Scania.'' Christian smiled a bit. ''The germans will still outnumber us massively. Our only hope is for the russian forces to deal enough damage for us to get some acceptable terms in the eventual peace process. Fetch my pen and paper, i need to write some letters.''

Danish navy as of 1864
http://www.navalhistory.dk/Danish/Flaad ... e/1864.htm

Map of Denmark for use by all players:
http://i.imgur.com/ub9PXS1.png

by **Saxony-Brandenburg** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 6:21 pm

States-General,Hannover.

As the house comes to session, the speaker walks up to the podium encircled by the mass of men around him. He evens his papers, coughing, before speaking to the crowd.

"Good day to all you fine men of the states. It has come to the attention of all of us, of the soon to be war with the Danes the Prussians have dragged the confederation into." *Quite loud jeering is heard at the mention of the Prussians.* "Settle down, settle down!" *The speaker says, a little annoyed he was interrupted already.* "I hope it is all clear to us fine gentleman, we do not have the power to even let the Prussians share, even a water border with us! Their aggressive expansion to consume most of the north has gone on for too far, and I believe I can speak for all of you when I say I would never like to see one more inch of land go to their dirty, greedy kings in Berlin!" *Various murmuring in agreement is heard throughout the room.* "Now, I have a written statement from the King himself, outlining a petition to, instead of ceding land to the Prussians, to create an independent Schleswig-Holstein as a border state between us and our northern neighbors. Now, I propose for us to have this agenda: We vote on this petition and get it sent to Vienna and any friendly states to be signed, and then, only then, do we vote on the war with the Danes. And we can take liberal time with such declaration, if you get my drift." *Various light laughter is heard throughout the room.*

Within hours of it being brought to session, the Assembly had came up with a petition to be sent to all the major powers in the confederacy, excluding Prussia.

by **Soviet Chernarus** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 3:16 pm

Polish Provisional National Government

"This is the end of Poland."
-Tadeusz Kościuszko, Battle of Maciejowice, 1794

Krakow
Grand Duchy of Cracow
Austria

To: King Charles of Württemberg
From: Stefan Bobrowski of the Polish National Government

It is with great honor and pleasure that I accept, on behalf of the Polish National Government and the people we represent, the invitation to the Frankfurt diet, in order to discuss the coordination of a unified, cohesive command and strategy in the likely event of a Russian intervention in the current conflict over Schleswig-Holstein. While I am aware of our countless historical grievances with our Prussian and Austrian neighbors, the Russian oppressor is far more terrifying and tyrannical. I require no convincing or persuading in that regard; I am also aware of their actions, which have exhibited brutality never before seen in modern Europe, and have continued to inflict pain and suffering upon the Polish people. Many a man have been executed, and entire villages exterminated simply because one of their own was killed by our soldiers. The Russian army should not be viewed as anything but an invading army, who seek the subjugation of our people and the complete destruction of our hopes for independence.

We stand in spite of their pathetic excuses, that invading and killing our people after decades of mistreatment is somehow providing for the welfare of the tsar's subjects. We stand in spite of the humiliating defeat of 1831, where the fire of another uprising - just like our own - was extinguished in the face of oppression and tyranny. We make it clear that thirty years later, we are determined not to make the same mistakes. Today, we stand in spite for the tsar and his government; we bear no hatred nor anger for the Russian people, but for the people that lead them. Despite the legitimate concerns of my advisors and many others within the Polish provisional government regarding cooperation between us, I personally believe that it is the best path, and that our grievances - over time, of course - can be healed. Mutual understanding and cooperation, especially in the face of a common enemy, will ultimately contribute to this, however unlikely it may seem.

Continuing on with my acceptance of your gracious invitation, the Polish delegation that will be sent will include three men:
The first, Władysław Czartoryski, a diplomat in Vienna who has done heroic deeds for the National Government in stirring public sympathies and foreign support for our cause.
The second man in the delegation will be Roman Żuliński, the second-in-command of the Polish Army.
The third, and last man in the delegation will be Agaton Giller, an important colleague who has sacrificed much in the name of his homeland and the war. He is a prominent and influential figure within the Polish National Government.

I hope that this letter will find you in good health, and wish you the best in your future endeavors. My delegation will arrive to Frankfurt shortly before the meeting commences.

Signed,
Stefan Bobrowski
Head of the Central National Committee
Polish Provisional National Government

Konin
Western Poland

As the fighting continued to rage on in Olkusz, insurgent forces were beginning to move towards the important city of Konin; its position along the Warta river and its close proximity to the Prussian border made it the ideal location for smuggling weapons, food, and other provisions to the Polish rebels. It had already been the sight of numerous battles and skirmishes, with it almost constantly changing hands between Russian and Polish forces. Whilst attention had been diverted to Olkusz, Polish rebels would seize Konin, allowing important shipments to be smuggled in, temporarily unhindered by any authorities.

Under the leadership of Edmund Taczanowski, a former Prussian officer turned Polish patriot, a 750-strong force would approach and encircle the city. While considerably larger than the force that had attacked Olkusz, a significant minority consisted of kosynierzy, men armed with war-scythes. A small unit of cavalry also accompanied the group, which was a relatively uncommon sight throughout the insurgent armies. However, its mobility made it suitable for quick ambushes, skirmishes, and cutting down routing or retreating enemies. Taczanowski had plenty of experience in war, having participated in the 1846 and 1848 Polish uprisings, and serving alongside Garibaldi in the Italian Risorgimento.

Unlike the attack on Olkusz, the operation to retake Konin would not assume the form of a multi-pronged offensive into the city. This would divert precious manpower from the plan's primary objectives; the first and foremost being the securing of the city for smuggling purposes. The second was the complete destruction of the Russian force garrisoning the city - an action that would surely invite brutal reprisals for Polish towns and villages. Taczanowski believed that it was necessary, to ensure the city remained in Polish hands.

In the initial stages, the plan would include cutting off the Russian force's only hope of an escape, which was by crossing over the Warta river. A sizable detachment would be sent to overwhelm Russian defenses, while the remaining forces encircled the city and awaited the order to attack. Once the detachment had succeeded, it would defend against possible Russian counterattacks, while the encircling force would attack from the rear. The division of the garrison onto multiple fronts would surely tax their reserves, and force them to commit them to the battle. Once the reserves had been depleted, the Polish forces would launch a final attack to break the Russian garrison, and crush them.

Siedlce
Eastern Poland

An important center for the national uprising in Poland, Siedlce, a town situated in Eastern Poland, had been briefly occupied by rebel forces. However, they were soon repelled by a superior Russian force, and a garrison sent to occupy it and maintain order in the small town. As if to remind residents of the Russian occupation, a plaque, depicting the black double-headed Russian eagle, had been placed on the town hall. It was a common sight in many towns, with the plaque bearing both the Russian and Polish eagle on both sides. It would be flipped over, depending on which force was present in the area.

Anti-Russian sentiments ran high amongst the populace; as a result, brutal measures were often taken by the occupying forces in order to keep order. Executions were exacted as revenge for the killing of a Russian soldier by insurgents in a nearby skirmish; known supporters or sympathizers of insurgents were arrested; brutal reprisals were a common occurrence to keep the citizenry in line.

Of course, the people of Siedlce were not completely innocent either.

In the streets of Siedlce, a crowd had gathered around what seemed to be bloody bodies. Upon closer inspection, it could be seen that they had been heavily mutilated - the grotesque corpses could no longer be discernible as human. While some simply murmured and muttered and moved on, many stayed, shouting various phrases - "Russian sympathizer!" "Scum of the earth!" and other insults directed towards the lifeless bodies.

The perpetrators had long since been gone from the scene; however, the commotion had started to attract unwanted attention, in the form of the Russian garrison. An officer, accompanied by several of his men, approached the crowd, and in broken Polish, demanded to know why they had gathered. It was certainly a suspicious sight; perhaps they could be plotting something against the garrison. It would prove to be no such thing.

Upon seeing the corpses, and hearing the insults (which, while it had become quieter and lesser in number following the sight of the officer, were still very clear to the officer), realization soon dawned on the man's face. He became flushed, demanding anyone with information to step forward, or face serious punishment. No one stepped forward, either unwilling to disparage information that would lead to the capture (and most likely execution) of the perpetrators or simply not knowing anything about the incident.

The decision to arrest all the men in the crowd would prove to be the tipping point; a scuffle with a Polish man and the Russian soldiers resulted. The man was quickly subdued, while the crowd looked on with horror.

As if all the suppressed anger and anti-Russian sentiments of Siedlce had been contained by a dam which had just imploded, the situation quickly deteriorated. The news of the unjustified arrests spread quickly; it was a small town after all. In almost no time, a mob assembled outside of the town hall, watched suspiciously by the garrison soldiers.

However, one sound would rise over the angry shouts and insults of the mob; the deep crack of a rifle. It was over in a second, as the familiar green uniform of a Russian soldier, stained with blood, crumpled to the ground.

by **Deutsch Preussen** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 4:33 pm

The Kingdom of Prussia
Königreich Preußen
"Gott mit uns"

The situation with Denmark was now developing in the manner that most European politics usually had. The Russian plague to the east, as well as the barren wastes of Sweden-Norway to the north had pledged their support to Denmark, which now meant that a war which had been hoped to end swiftly and justly would drag on long into the foreseeable future. Russia's motives were ambiguous at the best of times, though one thing could always be certain. Anything they did was to aid in their goal of dominance over Europe as they slowly spread their disease west. Denmark, then, in this case would be a means to an end given that Russia's casus belli stood on thin ice. Were Prussia in the position of Denmark, Russian intervention would be seen as an insult rather than a grace.

In the end, it did not matter what Russian motives were, only that they conflicted with those of the Confederation and of Prussia. Denmark was the main objective, but now Prussia was forced to split her forces between two fronts. 19 Battalions (15,200 men), 14 Squadrons (3,500 cavalry) and 55 guns now prepared for the march along the Elbe to the Danish border, where they would hold until communications with Austria and the other forces of Germany could be contacted regarding reinforcements. Russia however did not need to be conquered, only held. At least that was the plan for the time being. The remainder of Prussian forces would have to be stretched along her eastern flank from the East Prussian lands to the north and Silesia in the south. Russia's instability in Poland was another matter to take into account however, and if time and strategy permitted could be of use to the confederation.

To the address of His Imperial “Majesty”, Alexander II, Emperor of Russia.

Your call for aggression with Prussia and her peoples is not well received within the Prussian court. Whatever motives drive you, they are wasted on an injust cause and the destruction of Russian and Prussian lives. We warn you solemnly that this conflict of interests is not in the best interests of either nation, nor is it the wise decision to make during this turbulent time. Your nation, whilst large in stature lacks the administrative and military discipline and organisation to drive you to victory against the forces of the German Confederation. The Polish unrest in your lands may seem insignificant as of now, yet that may cease to be the case when aided with Prussian men and Prussian Steel. Perhaps yet there is some time for negotiations to be had, but be warned that if you continue on this course the only thing gained will be the Prussian boot against your neck.

The Cabinet of His Majesty, Wilhelm I von Hohenzollern, König von Preußen

by **Tracian Empire** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 5:08 am

The Empire of Austria
Kaisertum Österreich
"Viribus Unitis"

Theme

The situation was becoming more and more complicated, as now not only Russia, but also Sweden-Norway declared their support for Denmark. Although the situation was still under the control, there were people who were suggesting that this might turn into a continental war.... and the nightmares of the Napoleonic Wars weren't all that much in the past. But it was too late to stop it. This was now a matter of honor for all Germans. The Confederation had to take this to an end. Denmark and its filthy allies had to be punished.

The Common Army was going to mobilize 100000 more men in order to deal with this threat. Of course, due to the lack of an extensive railway system and of a good administration like Prussia, the Austrian mobilization was going to be slow. But at least, it was going to be much faster than the Russian mobilization, which was plagued by insufficient supplies, a corrupt bureaucracy, and huge distances. The quick mobilization of Prussia had managed however to convince certain members of the Austrian Ministry of War, that certain reforms were needed. Based on that conviction, the officers of the Common Army had started to work on a possible administrative reform of the military, that was to be presented to the Emperor upon his return to Vienna. Austria was one of the most powerful European states.. it would be a shame for its military might to be hindered by nonsense.

Once the 200,000 soldiers were going to be mobilized, 25,000 soldiers 5000 cavalry and around 100 artilley pieces were going to be sent through Prussia, to march to the Danish border and to join forces with the Prussians. Permission had been requested to use the Prussian railways for transport, of course, after the Prussians would have moved their own forces. Officers were also told to carefully observe if railways really did have a big impact on the transport of the troops, but that as a small assignment. Nevertheless, most of the rest of the soldiers that were to be mobilized were going to be placed in defensive position in the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria and in the Duchy of Bucovina. The Russians were still going to mobilize for a while, so the Austrians had the advantage here. A response to the ultimatum was going to be waited, but in the meanwhile, contact was going to be made with the Polish rebels by convert Grenzer units.

But the most important thing right now was the Diet of Frankfurt, where the leaders and/or representatives of the Confederation were going to meet to discuss a war strategy. Polish representatives had also been invited, since a war with Russia seemed to be unavoidable, and the Poles had seemingly decided to ask for Austrian and Prussian help after a meting they had in Krakow, after a friendly accord from the Austrians. Emperor Franz Joseph, as the President of the Confederation, was going to preside the meeting..

Frankfurt, Diet of the German Confederation

The represenatives or leaders of the states of the Confederation had been convoked in Frankfurt quickly, as with the war started, the Confederation needed a common strategy. After a few days of waiting, in which either the leaders of the nations of their sent representatives arrived in the city, the Diet started rather quickly, jumping over the usual ceremonies. The Austrian Emperor was the first to speak.

"To my brothers, the leaders and representatives of the states of the German Confederation.", Franz Joseph started to say. "We have gathered here today, because our Confederation is in danger. After our just declaration of war to the treacherous Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Sweden-Norway has threatened us, and the Empire of Russia has declared war on us. It is clear that these greedy monsters will stop at nothing to hurt the German people, that's why we must act. I call for a Bundesexecution against Sweden-Norway and the Empire of Russia, and a common war strategy for the entire Confederation. But firstly, I will give the word to King Charles I of Württemberg, as he is the one who firstly suggested this diet. Let's all hear what he has to say. "

The Empire of Austria
Kaisertum Österreich
"Viribus Unitis"

Ultimatum!

To whoever it might concern in the Kingdom of Sweden-Norway,

It has come to our attention that the Kingdom of Sweden-Norway has recently declared that it will declare war on anyone attacking the Kingdom of Denmark, obviously ignoring the rightness and justness of our war. You claim that we are the imperialists, while the ones you call your Nordic brothers are oppressing the true German people in the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. Such a behavior shall not and will not be tolerated by the member states of the German Confederation, no matter of the costs. You would even go as far as too ally with your former enemy, the Empire of Russia, in order to stop us from liberating our brothers and siblings?

Although it is our dearest wish to keep our friendly relations with the Kingdom of Sweden-Norway, your declarations force us to take action. The Kingdom of Sweden-Norway has to retract its statement and stop any actions that might help or influence the Kingdom of Denmark. If our demands are followed, the German Confederation will be more than happy to consider the possibility of the Kingdom of Sweden-Norway recovering the Grand Duchy of Finland from the Empire of Russia in the case of a German victory in this war, which is anyway certain. But if our just demands will not be followed, the Empire of Austria will have no other choice than to declare war to the Kingdom of Sweden-Norway, and ask for the other member states of the German Confederation to do the same. We hope that you will do what is the best for your country.

May God help us all.

Signed by,
Alexander von Mensdorff-Pouilly, Prince Dietrichstein von Nicolsburg, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Austrian Empire,

In the name of His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty, Francis Joseph the First, by the Grace of God Emperor of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, King of Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia, Lodomeria and Illyria; King of Lombardy and of Venice, King of Jerusalem etc., Archduke of Austria; Grand Duke of Tuscany and Cracow, Duke of Lorraine, of Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and of the Bukovina; Grand Prince of Transylvania; Margrave of Moravia; Duke of Upper and Lower Silesia, of Modena, Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, of Auschwitz, Zator and Teschen, Friuli, Ragusa (Dubrovnik) and Zara (Zadar); Princely Count of Habsburg and Tyrol, of Kyburg, Gorizia and Gradisca; Prince of Trent (Trento) and Brixen; Margrave of Upper and Lower Lusatia and in Istria; Count of Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnenberg, etc.; Lord of Trieste, of Cattaro (Kotor), and over the Windic march; Grand Voivode of the Voivodship of Serbia, etc, etc

by **Federation of Timelords** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 2:17 pm

Charles sat patiently waiting for Franz Joseph to finish, he felt as if his heart was beating faster than a speeding train. He was nervous, not because he'd be addressing a room filled with nations, no that he could handle. What terrified him was the incredible odds that they could be facing and that if his strategy was implemented, it could make or break the war effort. He steeled his resolve telling himself that there's no force on heaven or earth that could stop them on their righteous quest. Once Franz Joseph had finished he got up and addressed the diet.

by **Austria and Bavaria** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 2:34 pm

Kingdom of Saxony
Königreich Sachsen
"Providentiae Memor"

King Johann rose just as King Charles finished. "I second this proposal, but I also have something to add. In the face of the aggression of Russia and the United States, Saxony hereby moves that the States of the German Confederation give diplomatic recognition and material aid to Poland and to the Confederate States of America." King Johann than seated himself, and awaited a response.

Meanwhile, Major Jacob Dassler had just crossed the Polish frontier with a caravan of wagons filled with arms, ammunition, and supplies for the Polish rebels, as well as a letter from the King himself. The Saxon troops hailed the Polish troops as they neared the town, and awaited a response.

by **Grothmogia** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 4:32 pm

Kingdom of Bavaria
Königreich Bayern
Der Bund

The Bavarian delegation arrived at the Frankfurt Diet on schedule, led by the King himself, who made a point of showing the diplomatic skills of his nation. He listened as the Emperor and the other Confederation members seconded the Wurttemberger proposal. He himself rose and began to speak after some of the other delegations had ceased in their proposals.

"Bavaria will lend herself to this cause, however, we cannot deny the possibility that our material support will not be enough. The Confederate States of America is blockaded by the United States Navy, while the Poles, despite their will to fight, have seen many setbacks in recent times. We will need come up with an in-depth plan for breaking the Union blockade of the American South. We should send an ultimatum to the United States of America that they shall cease and desist in their blockades and raiding of commerce coming from unaligned European states and those of the Confederation. I also move that this Diet recognize the Confederate States of America as a legitimate nation. We should also demand that they withdraw from Northern Mexico and cease any and all military or civilian support for the ruffians, vagabonds, and brigands under the control of the so-called Mexican President Benito Juarez. It should be noted that these forces, under Juarez, are opposing the enthronement of Maximilian Ferdinand, a member of the self-same esteemed House of Habsburg, to which the prestigious member of this assembly Franz Joseph of Austria belongs. While being supported by France, this is a golden opportunity to show that the Confederation is not simply confined to Europe. The ultimatum, if accepted, will further our goals and help distract the United States and its considerable military and economic might from interests in Europe, while also helping to ensure the French remain neutral in this broadening conflict by supporting Maximilian. This, I am sure, is something all of us can agree upon.

The King returned to his chair and prepared to hear the Coalition's responses.

In his pocket were two letters, addressed to the Kings of Wurttemberg and Hanover. Both were intended to be delivered by hand to King Charles and King George V. His hope was that they would be favorably received.

by **Federation of Timelords** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:30 pm

Charles, after hearing the Saxon and Bavarian proposals stands and says, "I too am in support of this resolution, I think that we should recognize the Confederate States, but I don't think that we should send them military or financial aide until the war is over in Europe. If we are to move fast and take out the Danes quickly, then we can send arms and money to the Confederates, as to get revenge on the Americans. If there isn't anymore discussion, then I motion for this diet to conclude."

by **Deutsch Preussen** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:31 pm

The Kingdom of Prussia
Königreich Preußen
"Gott mit uns"

The transportation of the existing Prussian troops had begun. Lines such as the Berlin-Hamburg railway was instrumental at a time like this, and progress was pleasantly, and crucially, swift. Before too long most of the Prussian force would be in place, both along the eastern borders, and also along Schleswig. A delay was to be expected however in the arrival of reinforcements. Austria had their own railway systems, but the large administration of their empire meant that they were somewhat lacking. To this end, Prussia would allow transport inside it's lands. But until they arrived, Prussian forces would need to bide their time. It would, unfortunately, allow time for the forces of Sweden-Norway and Russia to advance, but no chances could be taken and victory through superior firepower was a tried and true method.

Oh, how simple life would be if all disputes were settled with blood and iron. But life was complicated, as was war, and so it was that the Confederation had called a Diet to better discuss their overarching strategy. It was a good idea on paper, but the more time that was spent discussing the war, the less time spent winning it. But if there was going to be discussion, Prussia would not be left out.

1864 (Schleswig War) RP (IC)

1864 (Schleswig War) RP (IC)

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