The Sun Never Sets (Alt History RP) IC REBOOT

by **St George Territory** » Tue Jul 19, 2022 3:40 pm

To my dear Mitzi,

I won’t lie that the situation is dire, Schliengen is Hell on Earth. Thousands of Frenchmen cross the Rhine daily, it is by God’s grace that we have held out as long. As I gaze along the field, I wonder what those at Metz felt, when they looked at our army, did they know that their end was nigh as I know today? Perhaps he was my Brother, like Michael who fell at Provins, calling out my name as we were pushed from the field under the fire of that French artillery. I pray they dug him a grave. I’ve done horrible things in the name of Bavaria, if I told you even a tenth of it then I fear that there would be no forgiveness, Metz, Provins, the march to and from. The French are the scourge of God, or a judgement for what has occurred, as we endure our Tartarus. If I make it out of this fight I will endeavour to escape the army, we will run to Switzerland, start a farm or an inn at the foothills of the Alps, where there is peace. Grow old and prosper, where there will be no Kings or generals, that is my promise.

Yours forever, Karl

MARCH 15th 1789
SCHLIENGEN, LORDSHIP OF RÖTTELN, DUCHY OF BAVARIA, THE GRAND BAVARIAN ELECTORATE

Karl Bülling balled the letter up and threw it into the campfire, tightening the blanket around him as he gazed into the flames, the opened letter from Maria lay at the poorly constructed table that he had used as his writing desk. She had found another, as the news of the war arrived to the masses, there was shame within the Bavarian nation, von Deroy had been called from further from the front as the Elector signed off on orders, von Raglovich and von Wrede often receiving orders late, or not at all if they were often caught by a French or revolutionary raiding party. Her letter was full of kind and flowery language, but she did not want to become a widow at twenty-two. He couldn’t blame her, he remembered his sister-in-law when he came home, the last time he saw her she was still in black.

The camp was both full and it felt deserted. His friends had been taken out one by one, to which all that remained was von Wildenstein, Fößel and Wutz. Their faces and voices were all that Karl could dream of, Kapfelmann had been hit by a French cannonball, and Meyerhofer, young Meyerhofer, during a rout had been lanced by a cuirassier, forever in a breathless scream. Karl could only wonder if they were the lucky ones, to see the end of war. He couldn’t cry, couldn’t scream, there was a general numbness, or rather an acceptance. The food and other goods coming in to support the army were lessened, his true friend was his pipe, which he lit again. The morale in the camp could be described as abysmal, the Bavarian guns had been halted as Major Fass had been killed himself, and Romberg had disappeared in the night, it was a short search, as Karl found his discarded uniform, they counted him among the dead.

von Wildenstein sat next to him, he received a battlefield promotion to Hauptmann, they all knew it was no honour. “I think I’ll be a painter when I’m out.” He thought out loud, brushing his trousers, which had several patches sewn on. “What about you Karl?”

Without looking at von Wildenstein, Karl answered, “Travel far, far from here, making clocks or a brewery. I hope I’ll live to see it, Ludwig.”

von Wildenstein paused at his name, it had been a while since he had heard it himself, “That’d be nice.” The fire crackled, in combination with the sound of distant cannons going off, it was an everyday event. What was not was where it landed, hitting the von Hohenheim estate, they had gotten close, Ludwig pushed Karl down as he glanced up at the building, it's once fine facade but a recent memory as its ugly skeleton was brought forward, the screams of the men hit again broke out, as men rushed out of their tents carrying their muskets, to which Ludwig and Karl wordlessly joined them.

The fighting was brutal out in the field, the men who were out there were being pushed closer and closer to Schliengen, being cut down the entire way, the Kufurstgarde regiments awaited the call, standing in their ranks, silently. When enough time had passed, those in the field routed back behind Karl’s regiment, there was panic in their eyes, but he didn’t have time to think on it as Ludwig unsheathed his sabre and yelled out his command, the rabble moved forward, arms shouldered, they were dead men walking. It shocked Karl seeing these new Frenchmen, whenever he did, their shakos, their arms, their sense of purpose, he tried to brew some thought in his head as he looked out and saw the plumes of smoke shoot out from the French side, he halted and fell to his knees, like some others, the regiment moved forward, Karl was deaf, but he could see Ludwig looking back shouting commands, his eyes were remorseful, pitying Karl who laid down, alongside several other men.

Looking to the sky he wondered if this was it, the end? He felt little pain, save for a dull throbbing in his side, with a shaky hand he pulled out his Grandfather’s rosary, unsure of what to do, he decided to try and stay awake, pray maybe? His faith the past month had been shaken, the Bishop of Rome had ensured that, a call for war? Karl thought of peace, if that was the end, then he could feel a faint smile across his face, he would be with Kapfelmann and Meyerhofer sooner or later.

by **Of the Quendi** » Wed Jul 20, 2022 6:59 am

Bangalore, the Sultanate of Mysore
March 21-22, 1791

"Onward, Men! Onward!" Shouted Lieutenant Mackenzie gesturing wildly. With a roar the Madras Pioneers sprang to live, rushing forward with their scaling ladders to cross the ditch. Suddenly the night came alive as hundreds of men stormed forward. Lieutenant Mackenzie, leading the charge, hurried forward down into the ditch right in front of the breech in the fort that was the target of the pioneers. For a moment, the lieutenant knew not how long it lasted, the fort remained quiet and dark as if ignorant of the attempt made upon it, with all the sound and movement coming from the British side. Then one of its towers came alive with musket fire. A sepoy next to Lieutenant Mackenzie screamed, let go of his ladder and fell, while elsewhere other men screamed and bled and died. Grabbing hold of the ladder so that it would not be dropped by the sepoy's comrades Lieutenant Mackenzie made another wild gesture. "Onward damn you! Do you want the grenadiers to have all the glory!" He ordered.

Almost as on cue a barrage of angry musket fire erupted from the British line and a hailstorm of bullets struck the offending tower of the Fort of Bangalore. A moment later canon fire and clouds of smoke joined the ruckus. Under this cover the Madras Pioneers continued their advance. Lieutenant Mackenzie saw many of his men fall, but few ladders was allowed to be dropped as new men stepped forth to carry them forward; and still the British advanced. A blast of wind knocked the lieutenants hat off and on the breach now appeared defenders firing muskets into the ranks of the pioneers; and still the British advanced. Now several cannons on the walls of the fort answered the fire, yet their elevation didn't allow them to shoot into the ditch; and still the British advanced.

The pioneers reached the breach and mounted their ladders while the outnumbered defenders was pushed back. "Up!" Roared Mackenzie. "Up! Up! Up!" He shouted to his men who needed no encouragement; they knew their profession and rapidly scaled the ladders. The Fort of Bangalore had been breeched. Triumphantly Lieutenant Mackenzie led his men into the fort. The defenders had fallen back but reinforcements was rushing towards them from every direction and in great numbers. Already the numerical superiority of the pioneers was in danger of being lost and they had advanced scarcely thirty steps into the fort. A huge Rajput was shouting orders and the defenders seemed determined to hold their fort. Lieutenant Mackenzie allowed himself to turn away from the enemy for a moment and look out over the city. He smiled. Battalion after battalion was arrayed out there and already a company of grenadiers was coming up the ladders. Only a miracle could now save Bangalore for Tipu Sultan. The lieutenant turned back towards the enemy. "Hold them!" He ordered as the Rajput advanced with his troops. It looked like it was going to be a long night.

~*~

It was past midnight when Buhadur Khan Sahib, looking dirty and tired, commander of the fort presented his sword to a freshly groomed and immaculately attired Lord Cornwallis. Lieutenant Mackenzie stood guard as it happened, even if the regiment surgeon would have rather he had stayed in bed nursing the stab wound to his left arm, but the lieutenant would not hear of it. The Mysoreans had put up a respectable fight and Lieutenant Mackenzie would not be rob of the opportunity to witness the surrender.

Cornwallis took Buhadur Khan Sahib's sword with a polite, if not terribly low, bow, a few words was exchanged via a translator and then Buhadur Khan Sahib, who struck Lieutenant Mackenzie as rather more in need of medical attention than he himself was, retired. Cornwallis allowed the enemy commander to clear the fort's main square before raising the sword over his head and received the cheers of his troops.

General Sir William Medows approached Cornwallis with a smile. "Congratulations, my lord, a great victory." Lieutenant Mackenzie heard the general say. "Indeed Sir William." Replied Cornwallis. "I dare say if this will not rouse our Indian allies against Tipu, then nothing shall." His Britannic Majesty's Governor-General of Fort James declared. "With or without our erstwhile allies after tonight I dare say we shall soon make ourselves master of Tipu Sultan's realm." Sir William suggested. Cornwallis smiled again. "Indeed. As long as the French remain acquiescent." The Governor-General tentatively agreed.

Sir William seemed surprised at these word. "You doubt that? What else would they do, they are not at war with us?" He said. "Not yet, you mean." Cornwallis replied. "They too might be ... Roused was it? If they allow Tipu Sultan to fall, they will loose their most important ally while demonstrating to every other ally or potential ally on this entire subcontinent that they don't have the strength to honor their alliances against the United Kingdoms and the His Britannic Majesty's Honorable East India Company." Said Cornwallis. "Then again." He added. "If they move against us they may just by their defeat prove this very fact." The Governor-General mused. Lieutenant Mackenzie nodded privately, in full agreement with his general about the French chances. Lord Cornwallis padded Sir William on the shoulder. "Well, Sir William, as you say with or without our allies, or Tipu's for that matter, victory shall soon enough be ours. We will repair Bangalore, establish and administration and install a garrison; but then it's time to march on Seringpatnam." Cornwallis declared.

by **Stollberg-Stolberg** » Wed Jul 20, 2022 11:18 am

Residenzschloss Dresden
March the 20th 1791

A drizzle started to fall on the city that was the Capital of an aspiring nation that tried its best to be a political and cultural center, looking out of a window was König Christian. With him in the room was the Head of the Navy, and the Head of the Sächsische Karibik Kompanie, Klaus von Thum. Von Thum was a small and thin man in his 40s. If there was one thing on his mind then it was profit, the SKK, was almost nothing more than the extension of the government in the Caribbean, unlike its former self, a company with the ability to do what it wanted if it did not cause a diplomatic incident with any other significant power, and that it did. Long days were worked to get everything right again, and because of that the freedom of the company was now heavily restricted, it couldn't even wage war on its own, something it did to gain Bonaire, now it was a parliamentary vote, and the signature of the King.

"My Lord, it is extremely important that the company gains more freedom, profits were down by a quarter from last year, and territory to build sugar plantations won't join itself. I would like to have the freedom to wage war and more independent diplomacy from the nation restored to sign contracts with the locals furthermore..."

"Silence please." said the raspy voice of the King "Do you hear the rain tap on the window? If yes then you feel how I feel every time you come to me, it is getting close to every second week, if I hadn't owed you so much for your work then I would throw you out of the room, furthermore, I don't know why you come running to me instead of the Volksratsparlament. You need to convince them first if you want to achieve anything, Herr Fuchs may be passive but he will at least hear you out." the room was silent while the drizzle developed into the rain.

There on the other side of the Elbe was the Building of the Volksratsparlament, standing there just mocking his authority. While the current leader was acceptable enough, his predecessor was not, a liberal trying to get away from the approval phase of the king for any law, luckily he was taken care of in the last election. Who were they to judge the royal blood which ruled for hundreds if not even existed for a thousand years! "My Lord." a deep voice from behind him said "Have you read through the documents I delivered?" apparently it was quite obvious that he drifted away mumbling. The voice came from the Leader of the Naval Forces, an older man with a thick large beard, and a steady expression of superiority, "Do you mean the ones about the expansion into Porlamar Herr Dachen?" the King said, "Yes, those were the ones I meant. They also mentioned the expansion of the Navy, and possible cooperation with the one of the Bund." he replied. "Well, I read through them and I do not think that we can expand the Navy by 6 Ships, 1 Ship of the line, a third rate ship must be enough for now, as you know we need the money for a defensive line near the bavarian border, first I don't trust them as far as I can throw them, and second of all the French have been doing shenanigans, as far as I know, now please leave my office, for I must write a couple of letters now."

To the prestigious head of the Port-au-Prince Dockyards,

The Kingdom of Saxony would like to order one of your quality third-rate ships with 70 Guns as the Capital Ship for our Colonial fleet in the Caribean, it should have a moderate amount of decorations like carved parrots and be partially painted in black and yellow. We would love to improve relations with the French Republic and this ship shall be the first of many purchases made in the name of acceptance and friendship.

With well regards,
signed, the King Christian Heinrich the 3rd of Wettin

To the great and prestigious Frederick William II,

I, King Christian Heinrich the 3rd of Wettin, of Saxony would like to discuss a couple of things of which to improve the relations between our two States. I would like to present the possibility of a joint naval exercise which would be a benefit to both nations' naval forces. May I suggest a meeting between us and our Navy men in Dresden? All commodities will be provided for your comfort.

With well regards to the good King,
signed King Christian Heinrich the 3rd of Wettin.

"That should be it, August? Could you take this to the King's Postmaster?" he said to his loyal butler, "Thank you very much." with that August left.

New Colonies: Caiman Islands
March the 22th 1791

In the hot sun of the Caribean, Construction Works have been undertaken by the SKK on the uninhabited Islands, now, after 2 Weeks the first Wooden Fort was almost constructed and now a Saxon Flag arrived from the Mainland, alongside other vital supplies, to put on the Flagpole. While others were working on extending the port or the Walls, a couple of Soldiers escorted the Flag to the Poll, waiting for the Representative of the SKK to appear and hold a speech. Inside the Fort, the Representative called Janek Ingerhaus was leaning over a bunch of maps and letters from his superiors, some mentioning other expansion plans in the Caribean, some giving quotas for population expansion. It was not something easy but the company needed the expansion according to its leader for the profit, and the nation. "Well." he thought "Let us start." as he stepped out of the fort.

Preparing for an announcement the flag was raised while the company anthem "Die Karibik Sachsens" was played, and the Colonial Guards stationed on the Island made a formation in the form of a corridor. The anthem stopped.

"In this new era, we are inclined to put ourselves out there. To expand, learn, thrive, and create. We hope to be, and I must say that this fort will be the great start that our people will do in the new world, starting new lives, finding opportunities, and creating new things never seen before. Now I must keep it brief, this fort will grow into a village, a town, and then a city, there will be, and currently are being constructed several other forts to hold on to our rich land, but this point was chosen to be home for the first civilian settlers, may God help us as we protect this important asset of the Kingdom of Saxony!"

A ring of Hurra's could be heard as the representative bowed and announced the start of the festivities by opening a bottle of local Saxon alcohol from Grenada, then he left, and the Colonial Guards under the command of Premierlieutenant Johann von Sollstedt celebrated deep into the night.

by **Antimersia** » Thu Jul 21, 2022 9:23 am

March 22nd, 1791
The city of Roma

“We were aware that this was going to be a possibility, if not an eventuality, your Holiness.” The Doge of Venice, Ludovico Manin said in a dismissive tone. The Pope, Pius VI, was pacing in the meeting chamber as he and the Doge impatiently awaited the arrival of the King of Naples, Ferdinand I. “Please stop your pacing it is beginning to become an annoyance.”

“I will not stop until that would be tyrant walks into this room. I and Popes before myself, for generations have had very positive relations with the Hapsburg Monarchy. And I warned you both that moving on Tuscany so soon would be a danger to that, and to this Triumvirate.” The Pope spewed, rage and fear driving his words.

“And yet we asked you repeatedly what you meant by ‘too soon’. Only to receive no proper answer. We have a standing army, that is on track to double in size by July at the latest. We have reached an agreement of alliance with the Sultanate in Iberia. We are in as strong of a position, as Rome has been since the old Empire fell. Tell us what we should have been waiting for, if anything at all.” The Doge replies, growing mildly annoyed in tone.

“We should have waited at least until our new soldiers were ready to battle. Further we should have waited until France made a move of their own! Leopold might not have risked a war of two fronts over Tuscany. Yet here we are, moving prematurely, risking weakening ourselves and Austria, when France is liable to launch an assault of their own at any moment!” The Pope explains, sounding as if he has come up with his reasoning on the spot.

Just then the doors to the chamber opens, and Ferdinand I steps in, wearing General’s fatigues. His leather boots tap the tile floor loudly with each step. He looks at his fellow Triumvirate members smugly. “I hope you know that your winging can be heard down the hall. Please lower your voices, this is a time of war. Our thoughts must not be privy to those not within this room.”

“My yelling is justified, Ferdinand.” The Pope retorts. “This war is ill timed.”

“All war is ill timed, Pius. When the aggressor, it is never the right time to charge forth. It is only ever a worse time for your opponent. And when could be a worse time for Austria than on the apparent eve of yet another war with France?” Ferdinand I replies with a smirk.

“You act as if war with Austria was your goal, Ferdinand. And not simply the reclamation of Tuscany.” The Doge interjects.

“My goal? Heavens no, that would be insane. But, it would be a lie to suggest that we didn’t all know good and well that Austria would be a co-combatant in any war we waged to reclaim our lands. We all knew this day would come. And this letter from the Duke of Tuscany is proof. He asks for time to consider. He lies through his quill. He simply wants time to move to Vienna and beg Leopold to defend his land. Which the Emperor will with almost no doubt acquiesce to.” Ferdinand explains.

“Then what is our plan? Because in case you had forgotten, we share a border with Austria. And they command more troops than we do.” Ludovico asks.

“First, will be our activating of our recent alliance with the Sultanate in Iberia. We shall request that they send troops to aid in battle against the Austrians, as well as offering ships to fortify our numbers in the Venetian waters, as well as the Tuscan. Then, we shall declare a naval blockade. We have the numbers, and the skills to enforce near total naval supremacy against the formidable yet small Austrian navy, and the paltry Tuscan navy. Our third step will be to pull every available soldier from their current post, and move them to the open field. We shall leave five battalions within the City of Venice to battle the eventual siege there. These men will likely be lost. But Venice is a very defensively stout city. The siege there will consume considerable time and resources from the Austrians, even if the loss of the city is all but certain. The remaining forty five battalions, from La Legione, Le spade di Cristo, and Le Lance di Venezia, shall coalesce to meet the Austrians in battle. Our goal will be to stop their advance near the city of Bologna, but no further south than the city of San Marino. The eight battalions currently in place to invade Tuscany, shall remain as such. And they shall push forward with as much speed and force as they can muster. We must secure the coast of Tuscany, and take Firenze as soon as physically possible. This will allow further advantages, to let the forces of the Sultanate enter the fray of the battle without much if any resistance. And then, we shall activate our new forces earlier than originally planned. Adding additional forces to the battle that should be able to overwhelm the Austrian forces. An addition fifty eight thousand soldiers entering a battle will be a great boon for us in this war. I shall lead these new troops into battle myself. General Michele Carrascosa shall lead the main forces to Bologna. And Lidio Oliveri shall lead the forces into Tuscany. Is any further instruction or explanation needed, gentlemen?” Ferdinand stood there proudly, feeling as if he has just lectured the two men meant to be his equal. Both shake their heads silently, accepting Ferdinand’s control over the conflict. “Excellent. Then the orders shall be given. And preparations shall begin immediately. The forces along the Tuscan border shall begin their invasion On the final day of March. And not a moment later.”

Ferdinand I’s words were taken as law. The orders were delivered across the Triumvirate states and soldier formations began to move as soon as they received them. Moving south with the goal of creating a defensive line near the City of Bologna within the Papal states. The call to arms missive was sent to The Sultan Abdullah IV Ibn Abbad. Informing him of Ferdinand’s proposed strategy and request for troops and ships to fight this war. The blockade of the Tuscan coast, as well as the Venetian coast would begin on the thirty first of March as well, provided all ships would arrive in time. The western fleet of the Roman navy covering the coast of Tuscany, and the eastern fleet blockading the coast of Venice. This war will be a gamble and hard fought. But hopes within the Triumvirate, for victory, remain high.

by **Imperialisium** » Fri Jul 22, 2022 4:50 pm

The Eighth Russo-Turkish War
March 14th, 1791-Ongoing

The European Front
March 25th-April 15th

The last week of March passed with the armies of the Russian and Ottoman Empires engaging in a series of maneuvers hinging South-West. Sulina, invested by a 2,000 strong contingent of Moldavian soldiers backed by a battalion of Russian Grenadiers, remained encircled. Its garrison of five hundred refusing surrender in the belief that they'd be relieved by the main Ottoman forces coming from the South. Suvorov, in the meantime moved his main force South.
Suvorov, advancing around Lake Razim and Golovita arrived just north of Constanta on the morning of March 27th. There, the leaders of the city declared it open, allowing Suvorov to enter and seized the Ottoman squadron of seven Frigates and two Sloops without the firing of a single Musketball. The Ottoman sailors and officers were allowed the honor of marching Southward under their own colors as a result.

In the meantime, Yusuf Ziya Pasha's army swung South by South-East. Alarmed at the straight show Suvorov's army was marching, while sending couriers to notify the northward moving Ottoman reinforcements coming from Rumelia as to the Russian movements. Field Marshall Prozorovsky did not relent in his pursuit of Yusuf Ziya Pasha's army and followed on a slightly Western route. Moving in two columns with the Russian infantry and foot artillery pursuing directly behind while the cavalry and horse artillery swung wide. Cutting Ziya Pasha's direct supply lines.

The Ottoman officers were not amiss to this development and knowing Suvorov was a day's march away abruptly turned and about faced. Fighting the action of March 29th at Targusor. An indecisive action with the Ottomans left flank turned by the Russian cavalry column coming in from the South-West. Forcing Yusuf Ziya Pasha to move sharply back and South-East in a wide arc, harassed the entire time by Russian horse artillery and Cossacks, until they reached the safety of Medgidia directly West of Constanta. For the Russians these small-scale harassment actions incurred negligible losses while the Ottomans marked a cumulative loss of 103 men and 19 horses.

The Sultan in Constantinople, Selim III, was furious at the lack of decisive action of Ziya Pasha and realizing that his Northern armies would likely be unable to eject Russia from the Dobruja and pacify the rebellious Orthodox hospodar vassal states of Wallachia and Moldova (Moldavia). Ordered a mobilization of Rumelia, Edirne Eyalet, and the Western Anatolian provinces which would be shipped across to ports north to join the war effort. Knowing full well such a mobilization would net an additional thirty thousand able bodied men. Selim also ordered the mobilization of the Imperial Artillery and that the Janissaries moving northwards, already on the march since the beginning of the conflict, would muster at Dobrich with other Ottoman reinforcements. Ziya Pasha was meant to fight a delaying action to contain the twin Russian armies until a decisive advantage ratio of nearly 3 to 1 could be had to commit a sustained offensive. But for all this preparation, Selim did not commit the Nezim-i-Cedid, the small New Order style army (in contemporary European organization and doctrine) mustered at Constantinople. A formation which drew harsh criticism from the Janissaries and conservative Muslim court.

April

The end of March saw little action. The Janissaries arrived in Dobrich and were joined by several thousand other Ottoman Muslim provincial forces and accounted for a force of twenty-seven thousand men. Six thousand of which were the Yayma Cavalry and Sipahi regiments. Supported by forty guns of mixed 6 and 12 pounder caliber. The Russians likewise moved to mirror the Ottomans and received reinforcements in the form of four batteries of twelve Licorne's and twenty-two Mortars, while eight batteries of 3ib field guns arrived alongside an additional four regiments of Foot and two of Imperial Russian Jagers.

Prozorovsky and Suvorov, however, had a plan hatched on April 1st. Suvorov would take an army of thirty thousand including the newly arrived Artillery units in a sharp rapid march West. To secure Silistra and Ruse. Knowing full well that securing the vital crossings of the Danube there would likely be what the Wallachian Hospodar needed in order to be convinced to take aggressive action against his overlord, the Sultan.

On April 2nd Suvorov began his march, screened by Prozorovsky's own lines, and crossed the Danube at Cernavoda. Moving West and then South Suvorov made for Silistra. By then Yusuf Ziya Pasha, alerted by his scouts on the far North-west of his own lines at Russian columns being seen crossing the Danube, realized the danger sent a dispatch to Dobrich and the Janissary commander, Laz Aziz Pasha. Ziya Pasha would dispatch twenty thousand men and a dozen guns in support. Seeking to defeat a smaller Russian force before wheeling back to push Prozorovsky out of Dobruja and bring Wallachia to heel. Laz Aziz, shared more than his counterpart's optimism and immediately set off from Dobrich.

The Battles of Silistra.
April 5th-8th

The Ottomans under Laz Aziz arrived in Silistra from the South during the night of April 4th. While the Russians moving from the northern bank of the Danube arranged themselves across the river in the fields before Silistra. While the Ottoman reinforcements from Ziya Pasha were still a half day's march away from the East. Laz Aziz, unaware of the Russian reinforcements, opened what would become the three-day battle of Silistra on Mid-morning, at 10:00 AM on April 5th.

The Russian forces had arranged themselves from the banks of the Danube, through the village of Calarasi, to the Lake Calarasi, and then sharply west across the flat plain. Suvorov taking up position behind the lake at the juncture of four roads. While his extreme right flank tapered to the North to provide a short interior line for his reserves to the North of the lake or East of the lake the ability to march should the Ottomans make a strong flanking move.

The Ottomans had likewise moved with three Brigades pointing East and Six pointed North. While three more swung wide on their own extreme left in a flanking march.

Ottomans Open the Battle

At 10:00 fifty Ottoman field artillery pieces open fire on the Russian lines to the West of Lake Calarasi. The Russians answer in kind with all guns except the Licorne. The Ottoman provincial infantry led by Albanian musketeers advanced in battalion mass rank and file without harassment. The Russian guns firing a counter battery action with their superior range and skill. It was just outside of Musket range when the Russian 3ib battalion guns, loaded with grapeshot, opened fire in deadly salvos. Slicing through with violent, explosive, red plumes through the Ottoman ranks. Causing a waver among the Ottoman soldiery as their officers for the front blocks sought order and to urge their men forward. The Russian Mortars joined the deadly barrage with their own shells. The Ottoman first wave had been repulsed as they fell back across the field. The Russian Licorne gunners, using the fire of their field gun comrades to calculate the positions of the Ottoman guns, opened fire. Their howitzer shells arcing high before detonating above the heads of the Ottoman artillery. Man and horse were killed or maimed by the shrapnel. Causing panic throughout the Ottoman artillery train.

Laz Aziz ordered a direct assault supported by two thousand Janissaries and thirty-six guns on Calarasi in response at 10:45 AM. The Ottoman infantry supported by a core of the elite Janissaries, advanced rapidly under their own fire support which disordered the Russian positions long enough to close the distance. The Ottomans and Russians exchanged musket fire at three hundred yards as the Russian 3ib battalion guns added weight to the defender's fire. The Russian Light Infantry (Jagers), using the buildings of Calarasi village, providing fire from top down into the oncoming Ottomans. But the Janissaries true to their historical determination merely drew blades and charged. The Russians at the last moment counter charged with bayonet.

1100 AM, First Calarasi

The Melee of Calarasi quickly devolved into a disordered brawl as the Janissaries broke through the Russian line by weight of numbers. Encouraged by this the provincial infantry joined in the fray. Even braving point blank grape shot fire to come to grips with the Russian front rankers. The fight within and without Calarasi became swiftly a fight between individual companies, platoons, and sections. Ottoman soldiers traded shots from balconies and houses with their Russian Jagers in opposite buildings. Bayonet, sabre, and sword stormed wooden homes and farmhouses. A barn located on the southern end of the village traded hands four times in the span of thirty minutes between an Albanian Musketeer company and the 4th Company, 2nd Battalion, of the 13th Line of Foot. All throughout, Russian artillerists with their trademark tenacity did not abandon their guns. Merely defended around them while other crews fired. A particularly brazen crew even wheeling their own 3-pounder around and firing grapeshot at point blank range through a cottage that Ottoman Janissaries were using as an improvised fort. Laz Aziz through another thousand Janissaries into the fray. Intent to force a bulge in Suvorov's lines for the noon arrival of his far left hook.

Suvorov sent in the Pavlovsk Grenadiers while units on the right noticed the Ottoman left flank's march to flank his army. The Cossacks went west.

1130 Hours, Pavlovsk Grenadiers enter Calarasi.

Calarasi was a quaint village, much like home, with its wooden buildings and squat barns. At least it had been. Half the buildings burned, the other half were the scenes of miniature siege and counter-siege. A Russian column ejected an Ottoman company from one set of buildings. While an Ottoman battalion stormed another. All throughout the small cramped dirt and grassy alleys and small dirt plaza of the village was the groans and bloody remains of the dying and deceased.

-Anonymous Pavlovsk Grenadier

The Grenadiers, drums beating, quickened their pace as they broke into sections and engaged of their own officers' initiatives. A wave of green and blue color facings slamming into the red and white colors of the Ottoman troops. Musket fire at point blank range burst skulls like crushed apples. Bayonets punctured torsos like a hot knife sawing through freshly baked bread. It was a sordid affair. But the momentum of the Grenadiers carried the enemy from the village and back into the fields beyond. Something the Russian line and light infantry delighted in as they drew up in firing lines to deliver vengeful volleys.

Noon, Flank Counter-March

The Russian far right, the Ottoman far left, resembled a child's game. A pair of kids swapping hands on top of the other until one could do so no further. As each regiment and battalion of the Russian and Ottoman armies sought to out flank the other in an extending battle of occasional musket fire. At 1220 the Ottomans swiftly formed an oblique column and moved to charge the end of the Russian flank as it was out of line. In their own maneuvering. The Russian battalions before them retreated swiftly, forming a swift hook. The Ottoman commanders following their orders began the envelopment. Exposing their backs to the oncoming Cossack charge that arrived at 12:40.

The Cossacks approach was a rising dust cloud as they picked up speed. Arriving to slam into the flanks and rear of individual Ottoman sections. Routing them immediately as the Russian infantry beat a sudden counter march. Moving West the hook became its own oblique formation as the Russians detached fourteen hundred Ottoman soldiers. Swiftly annihilating the beleaguered Ottoman infantry. The Ottomans realizing that they now were going to be enveloped began to pull back Southwards and took a Cossack charge as they did so. The three Brigades sent to flank Suvorov fell back in a rout towards Silistra.

Suvorov's Hinge, 1300-1500 Hours

Suvorov's ordered his right flank to move in an arc to strike the Ottoman left flank and their fleeing troops. Moving into pursuit as soon as the courier arrived. While the Russian artillery, having focused down the Ottoman guns with eleven enemy pieces knocked out or abandoned, began to concentrate their fire in the wake of a Russian frontal advance. The Russian center began to move from their positions to the immediate west of Lake Calarasi in a southward motion. Supported by 3 pounder battalion guns that leap frogged positions to keep up with the march of the infantry. The Ottomans where attrition before the Russians initiated a rapid advance to within one hundred yards before delivering their first musket volley. Weathering the first Ottoman volley delivered at range the Russians moved engage in a musket duel. Supported by their own superior firepower and reload speed. The Ottomans attacking Calarasi were also in a precarious position and Laz Aziz ordered the recall.

It was during these events that news of the approaching Russians on the left of Laz Aziz lines prompted him to action. He would have superiority in interior lines but would be disadvantaged heavily in firepower across three fronts. At the urging of his staff, Laz Aziz ordered the Sipahi cavalry to charge to check the Russian advance and allow the retreat from Calarasi and the main force into Silistra. To momentarily split Suvorov's army before his left wing could come into line.

The Sipahi, mustered under their banners and elaborate feathered helms, mirror armor, and tall lances moved forward. Suvorov ordered the licornes and battalion guns to break the Sipahi charge once it was on full tilt. Infantry to brace.

The Sipahi charge, over a thousand horsemen, gained momentum as they moved across the battlefield. The Ottoman infantry falling back to allow channels for the horsemen to maneuver and fan out. The Russian guns fell silent as their gunners hurriedly reloaded. When Laz Aziz realized what was about to occur, he could only begin to lament. The Russian infantry's first two ranks knelt and readied their muskets. The next two ranks readied their own to fire. While entire Russian Jager companies in close order levelled their own muskets to fire by section. As the Sipahi broke into full charge. The Licorne and 3 pounders fired their grape shot. Over a hundred riders fell with almost as many horses joining them. The charge continued as the horsemen could not hear a recall even if it sounded. The Russian massed infantry opened fire as the artillery delivered their second salvo. A third of the Sipahi's died from that salvo and the charge was disordered. The Russians did not stop firing until the shout to hold fire went up and the smoke began to clear from their eyes. Not a single rider had made it to the Russian lines. Of the over one thousand Sipahi that had taken part in the mass charge to check the Russians approximately nine hundred and four were killed, maimed, or would die of their wounds. The rest fled to Silistra.

Both armies broke off engagements which signaled the end of the first day for the battle of Silistra. Russian losses amounted to just under four hundred casualties. The Ottomans suffered at least three thousand.

April 6th, Silistra

The arrival of Yusuf Ziya's reinforcements was delayed by the action of Suvorov on the morning of April 6th. In the pre-dawn hours Suvorov had begun ferrying artillery and infantry across the Danube to the islands in the middle of the river adjacent Silistra. Shelling the Ottomans as they arrived from the East while Jagers and Grenadiers had taken the small Bulgarian village of Ostrov. Laz Aziz ordered the arriving Ottomans to storm the village and eject the Russians from the other side while he sallied from Silistra to the northern banks of the Danube once more. Observing that the Russians had withdrawn to have Calarasi be their right flank on the northern shore and the main Russian army now strung out across the West. Fourteen thousand Ottoman troops including much of the Janissary corps moved out from Silistra into battle order. Janissary politics influencing Laz Aziz to make a concentrated attack while the Russians were ejected from Ostrov.

Of course, this played into Suvorov's scheme. For the entire Russian army had not drawn to the west. The Horse artillery and the entire Russian cavalry had moved West in the middle of the night as quietly as possible. Retaining only a few squadrons which maneuvered in circular movements to give the illusion of massed cavalry in reserve beyond the village and low hills beyond Calarasi. Thusly, as the Russians were forced out of Ostrov slowly, but surely, by overwhelming Ottoman reinforcements. The decisive engagement would be North of the Danube. The Russian defenders around Calarasi opened fire first this time. But allowed the Ottoman artillery and infantry to return fire and advance rapidly.

That was when Suvorov's trap was sprung. From the West. Amid the din and bursts of deafening artillery fire. The Horse artillery arrived, unlimbered their guns, and opened fire across the rear of the Ottoman army. The Russian cavalry, more than three thousand strong comprised of Cuirassier companies, Lancer and Dragoon battalions, and Cossack regiments, swung in a single large cavalcade.

The Janissary Corp's Mortal Wound

Whether it was confidence or politics that doomed the majority of the Janissary Corps to their fate in the fields North of Silistra, none could be certain, but one could measure it to be a bit of both. Laz Aziz at the center of his army could only look in surprise as the Russian cavalry thundered into the rear of his army. Believing Suvorov's army was entirely before them the shock of three thousand horsemen thundering into their ranks broke the back of the Ottoman army on impact. The Russian infantry before them, with Suvorov himself arriving to dismount and take up the Regimental banner of the 13th Line of Foot, led the Russian advance from Calarasi. The Ottomans broke before them in a shattering rout. Laz Aziz himself, a true warrior of honor that Suvorov would note in his own journal, would die with blade drawn and crescent banners about him and his guard. Even as they were shot and hewn where they stood.

Today, I am the cause of an honorable man's death, and despite him being a mortal enemy of my own Lord and Land, I bear no hatred for he who stood with his men to the last.

-Suvorov, War Journal Entry April 6th, 1791.

Bereft of their leader and shattered the Ottomans fled back to Silistra with the Russians in pursuit. The rate of advance so quick that they were soon slowed by the number of Ottoman troops surrendering. Others crammed the bridge or made to swim across. Those who swam swiftly set upon by the carbines of the Russian dragoons. Many a body would be carried by the Danube for many miles...

The Russians themselves drove across the bridge with the Pavlovsk Grenadiers being the first to enter the city centre from the bridge. Forcing their way through a hurried and disorganized defense of the bridge. Just as the Russian Jagers and Grenadiers and Ostrov began their retreat in their boats back to the safety of the islands where the artillery had been set up to shell away at the enemy. The oncoming Ottoman vanguard would be met with musketball and 3 pounder roundshot as they finally tried to enter Silistra. Where they had hoped to find ally, they found the green uniforms of the Russian infantry. The Ottomans fell back to Ostrov.

Russian losses amounted to approximately one hundred and ninety men, mainly those defending Ostrov, while the Ottoman reinforcements witnessed a catastrophe. Nine thousand Ottoman troops were killed or wounded with another five thousand captured or otherwise missing in action. Laz Aziz army which composed of many of the best Ottoman infantry was destroyed as an organized force.

April 7th, Half-Hearted Conclusion

April 7th was a day of skirmishing and a half-hearted Ottoman attempt to retake Silistra from the Russians. Ottoman artillery engaged in a short duel with their Russian counterparts. While an assault column attempted to breach the city twice to no avail. Further, as couriers of Suvorov and the Ottoman reinforcements began to reach their respective comrades. Orders changed drastically. Yusuf Ziya Pasha ordered an immediate withdrawal to Dobrich. Selim III locked himself in his chambers without wishing to see anyone. While the Janissaries vowed revenge against Suvorov and the Orthodox enemy. Ziya Pasha ordered his intended reinforcements to make for Ruse. While the garrison at Ruse was to cross the Danube to Giurgiu and take the Orthodox Hospodar, Constantine Ypsilantis, hostage as a potential bargaining chip with the Russians.

On the morning of April 8th the Ottomans left the vicinity of Silistra.

Actions April 9th-15th

Surrender of Sulina, April 10th

On April 10th the Russian Grenadiers reinforcing the Moldovan besiegers of Sulina Fortress approached under white banners bearing the banners and personal sword of Laz Aziz. Proclaiming his defeat and that the garrison of Sulina had held out as long as honor and duty demanded. The Sulina garrison, which itself was primarily provincial forces under Muslim officers, complied. Surrendering the fortress and the hamlet under its guns. As per arrangements by the terms given by Suvorov and Prozorovsky the Sulina garrison officers would be allowed to march with honor to Constantinople. While the christian soldiery were absolved of their oaths by an attendant Orthodox Priest and allowed to return home or join the forces of the Moldovans and Romanians.

Dardanelles Campaign
Mid-March through Late April

The Naval War between Russia and the Ottomans was one of maneuver and guesswork for the entire month of March following the surprise assault and capture of Tenedos by Russian Marines under Commodore Senyavin. The Ottomans, spurred by action due to Russia's advances in the Dobruja were looking for an easy victory to shore up their position. The destruction of Senyavin's squadron was given a priority to the Ottoman Admiralty as a result. On the direct order of Selim III, the Ottoman Navy was to send a fleet under Seydi Ali Pasha, The Kapudan Pasha and commander of the Ottoman Navy defending Constantinople. The goal was to destroy Senyavin's squadron and recapture Tenedos. Thus, keeping the Russians bottled up in the Black Sea.

Three weeks of maneuvering and tacking by the Russians and Ottomans would follow. Senyavin's squadron of ten third rate ships of the line avoiding direct confrontation with Seydi Ali's 10 Third rates, 5 fifth rate frigates, 2 brigs, and 3 sloops of war. Until April 8th-9th and the naval actions off Lemnos occurred at dawn and into the morning.

The Battle of Lemnos
April 18th-19th

To lure the Ottoman navy into the Aegean Sea, the Russian Commodore, Dmitry Senyavin, undertook numerous maneuvers with his fleet often reducing the number of ships that he had positioned in the vicinity of the entrance to the Dardanelles. On 28th of March, Senyavin sent Captain Greig in command of three battleships to the island of Lemnos, approximately 41 miles west of the Dardanelles. Greig and his squadron was then brought back quickly when Senyavin falsely suspected that the Ottoman navy was entering the Aegean Sea. On 2nd of April, Greig was sent back to Lemnos this time with his full force of four battleships. Russian marines were temporarily landed on Lemnos, but by April 5th June Greig and his squadron had returned to Tenedos.

Finally on 2nd of April, Seyid Ali, the Kapudan Pasha or Grand Admiral of the Ottoman navy, left the Dardanelles with a taskforce of 16 ships including 8 battleships and 5 frigates. After tacking into the wind all day Seyid Ali anchored his fleet near Imbros, approximately 12 miles North-Northwest of the Dardanelles. Over the course of the following days, Senyavin and his Russian fleet attempted to work their way up to the Turks but were prevented in doing so by light winds and a strong adverse current. The Ottoman fleet also kept underway during this time always keeping an escape route back to the Dardanelles open. On 4th of April, Seyid Ali’s task force was joined by four additional ships, 2 battleships and 2 frigates.

On 7th of April, Senyavin decided to try and approach the Ottoman fleet by sailing to the west side Lemnos where there was less current. When Senyavin made that move, Seyid Ali and his entire taskforce bore down on Tenedos, bombarding the fortifications and a brig in the harbor. A failed attempt was also made to put a land force on the north side of island. After four hours of bombardment, the Ottoman fleet disengaged and drew off to a position between Tenedos and the Asiatic shore. Over the course of the next two days the Ottoman fleet returned to Tenedos two times to bombard the fortifications and land their marines. At 8:00 am on 13th of April, Seyid Ali’s taskforce sighted Senyavin and the Russian fleet approaching from the north. The Turks ceased their bombardment of Tenedos and took their only course of escape fleeing west toward Lemnos.

Upon reaching Tenedos, Senyavin used the next two days to reprovision his fleet and to hunt down and destroy Turkish small craft remaining in the vicinity. Aware that the Ottoman task force had taken a western course when it sailed from Tenedos, Senyavin and the Russian fleet of 10 battleships departed their naval base on 16th of April in a northerly direction continuing to block the access to the Dardanelles. At the end of the day, the Russian fleet had reached a point six miles north of Lemnos. Early the next morning, Senyavin sighted Seyid Ali’s taskforce to the west of Lemnos and immediately moved to attack.

When Senyavin caught up with the Ottoman taskforce between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM on the morning of 18th April, the Ottomans had their battleships aligned in a straight row heading north. Senyavin arranged his battleships in two parallel rows of five ships each and approached the Turks in a perpendicular manner from the east, striking the Turkish flagships in the middle of the column. The Ottoman immediately opened fire and badly damaged a lead Russian ship, the Rafail. The remaining Russian battleships paired up and turned to the north to engage the Turks in a broadside manner. Senyavin sailed to the head of the column with two battleships and quickly put a leading Turkish frigate out of action. This caused the battleship following the frigate and the entire Turkish column to heave to and slow. The two fleets then engaged in battle until mid-morning when the Turks began to break away with the Russians in pursuit.

At Noon the winds died down and Senyavin broke off the engagement. The Ottoman taskforce began to gather east of the Mount Athos peninsula while the Russians maintained their position to the east of the Turkish fleet. Later that evening, a light breeze came up and the Ottoman taskforce continued on a northerly course toward the island of Thasos. During that time, the Turkish frigate Sadd al-bahr fell behind and was captured by the Russians without additional fighting.

On the morning of the April 19th, most of the Ottoman taskforce was near Thasos. Two Ottoman battleships and a sloop were seen straggling behind the fleet and were quickly set upon by the Russians. The Russians drove the three ships up the gulf west of Mount Athos and forced the Turks to run the ships aground and set them on fire.

During this time, the Russian fleet concentrated back near Lemnos and then made its way back to their beleaguered naval base on Tenedos where they helped defeat the Turkish marines who had been attempting to capture the base without success for over nine days. The Ottoman fleet meanwhile made its way back to the safety of the Dardanelles losing two additional ships near Samothrace in the process from catastrophic damage suffered during the engagement two days prior.

The Tsar's Dispatches

News of the happenings in Italy and Europe, a renewed war between France and Bavaria, had alarmed the Tsar; while he was busy liberating the Orthodox peoples of the Balkans no less! As a result dispatches were sent to Prussia, Saxony, and Austria. Re-affirming Russian aid against France.

My Fellow Sovereigns,
The recent conflicts in Europe between Christian brothers brings me ill feeling and remorse. However, let it be known that Russia shall stand by her brethren in the interest of preserving civilized society and indeed our most divinely inspired civilization. I urge a meeting of ambassadors at a place of mutual agreement as to legislate a closer bond between our sovereign states.

Alexander, Emperor of All-Russia

Opening of the Caucasus Front
Battle of Arpachai, April 22nd
News of war traveled slow from Constantinople, Saint Petersburg, and the lands of the Caucasus. As a result, the first engagement between the Russians and Ottomans did not occur until April 21st when the Ottomans seized the initiative and crossed the border with twenty-thousand men under Yusuf Pasha. Crossing into the lands of what once was the ancient Kingdom of Armenia. There, they were met by a 7,000 man force under Count Ivan Gudovich on the banks of the Akhurian River.

The Ottomans launched an all-out attack at the significantly outnumbered Gudovich but was repulsed by their disciplined and coordinated fire. Losing cohesion, the Ottomans withdrew from Armenia back towards Erzurum with several hundred casualties to the negligible losses of the Russian regulars under Gudovich.

The Austro-Triumvirate War

Opening Imperial and Royal Maneuvers April 1st-April 3rd
On April 1st, the dispatch via courier rider reached Venice, Rome, and Naples. But by then, the Austrian armies were already moving. In the pre-dawn hours, the main Austrian Army of approximately forty thousand men moved out from Vicenza in the direction of Ferrara. Crossing the border into the Triumvirate in the late evening and arriving to enter Ferrara on April 2nd. The Army of Istria under Field Marshal Jakob Marchese crossed the border from Austrian Italy into the Triumvirate around the same time. With the lead elements of the Istrian army arriving on the shores of the Venetian Lagoon by noon. There, the Austrians under the banner of truce demanded the surrender of the Venetian Garrison. While Jakob Marchese seized ferries and boats to ferry his troops across should the Venetians refuse. The infantry and artillery will be having arrived by the late afternoon.

The Austrians in Ferrara would send scouts in the forms of Hussars further South as the Austrians would continue their advance towards Bologna. While another detachment of Hussars of company strength would move towards to scout in the direction of vicinity of Forli and Ravenna.

French Diplomacy

In India the French were rebuffed by all except for Hyderabad who requested a formal envoy meeting to discuss long term treaties in an effort to repel other European colonial powers. While also assisting in their own local conflicts with their northern Nizams and southern states that ring the state of Hyderabad. Something which the weakened Mughal Emperors could not stop or interfere with.

In Europe the Iberian catholic kingdoms, having a long history with France, accented to the quarter of French troops. Navarre and Aragon accepted without pause. While the Portuguese merely wished to affirm their alliance. But to surprise in Paris the Kingdom of Leon requested a French military presence. Under the circumstance that the French help train and reform the Leonese military along their lines along with access to cannons of the Valliere and Gribeauval systems.

Switzerland naturally rebuffed the French by simply replying that they were neutral in the wars of Europe and merely requested that if the French want to interfere in Swiss politics, it would be only to protect its neutrality from another aggressor.

In Italy the Kingdom of Sardinia affirmed that would seek mutual defensive protections against the Triumvirate while the rest of the Italian states were silent for the months of March and April. No doubt biding their time to see where the cards fell.

by **The V O I D** » Sun Jul 24, 2022 9:01 pm

Cordoba
Cordoba Province
The Emirate of Cordoba

ath-Thulāthāʾ, 25 Rajab, 1205 H
(Tuesday, 30 March, 1791 Common Era)

Abdullah was in his palace when the messenger had arrived, informing the Sultan of the urgency of the Triumvirate's message. Once that had occurred, the Sultan had summoned his Grand Vizier and his top Generals for the Royal Army, whom were now seated around a table in one of his palace's dining halls.

“It seems that the time is at hand,” the Sultan murmured, “once we have forced the Austrians into a peace, the French can be cowed as well. That is the hope, at any rate.”

“Your Majesty, forgive me for overstepping - but is Rajab not one of the sacred months? We cannot instigate a fight,” General Ilyes Al-Amin spoke up hesitantly.

“You forget that the All-Merciful forgives fighting during the sacred months in response to aggression,” Abdullah chided, “and are the Austrians not acting aggressively to our allies, and by extension, ourselves? Surely, Allah will understand our plight and in his most infinite mercy ensure that all who fight will be forgiven. This is a jihad - not just in the spiritual or moral sense, as we will surely be tested, but in the physical sense of war as well. Against unbelievers... true, they are People of the Book, but nonetheless, unbelievers all the same; and are we not also assisting People of the Book in their war against such similar foes? The All-Knowing will surely guide us to victory in our endeavor, and forgive us this trespass... and even so, by the time you are ready to lead the Army to battle, the month will be over, and a month will exist wherein you can and will be able to fight this war.”

“...I will not fail you in my service, Your Majesty,” General Al-Amin bowed his head in acknowledgement.

“Good,” Abdullah nodded, gesturing to the scribe writing down the contents of this meeting, before turning to a different General - Abdelkader Alfarsi, “and while General Al-Amin brings forth our first wave of ten thousand troops, I assign this task to you, General Alfarsi: go to our major chokepoints and fortresses among the mountain passes in the north and northeast and survey them. Bring forth with you thirty thousand men and assign them as you see fit. It is important that we do not leave our backs open when we fight this war, and are prepared to go on the offense when the time comes.”

The Sultan paused for a moment, as General Alfarsi nodded, face determined.

“As for the rest of the Royal Army, I suppose I shall assign General Al-Amin a second wave of ten thousand and a third of five thousand, for a total of twenty-five thousand. The remainder will stay here, to protect the heartland; we shall place the Imperial Armies on high alert, and if need be, the rest of the Royal Army can be dispatched to assist them,” Abdullah continued, “but for now, as they protect the heartland, we shall prepare a call to arms for when the next month begins. Those of you Generals not assigned an offensive or defensive task will oversee the remainder of the Royal Army and all such concerns of the Imperial Army if a Sidi contacts us for such purposes, as well as the training of new soldiers - volunteers of the Imperial Armies or conscripts to the Royal Army alike.”

“It will be as you command, Your Majesty,” the Grand Vizier answered for the Generals.

“Very good,” Abdullah said with an authoritative nod, “and Ibrahim? Please, send the Roman messenger back along with one of our own, notifying the Romans that we are preparing to send forth General Al-Amin with our first wave of support in the next few days, and request safe harbor in or near Rome for the Royal Army to go forth and help our allies in this conflict. Inform them that General Al-Amin will retain full command of the Royal Army, but will have orders to cooperate in planning and execution of battle plans with the Roman Generals.”

“As you command,” the Grand Vizier and General Al-Amin both said at the same time.

The Sultan stood abruptly, nodding in dismissal at them, before rubbing his forehead. Hopefully, the war was over quickly.

by **Stollberg-Stolberg** » Mon Jul 25, 2022 10:09 am

Residenzschloss Dresden
April the 22 1791

Who knew that April would be so stressful and busy? First on the agenda was the weak Duchy of Saxe-Weimar ruled by our relatives from the Wettin Line. They would not stand a chance against the French in case of War, plus expansion was always great. Further Legitimizing our claim was that the Dynasty was basically the same, so the Volksratsältester and the King had decided that there was a vital need to unite both Nations, if not by Peace then by "Aggressive Negotiations", but now King Christian needed to write a letter though there was one single problem, the approach in which the message would be written. There were several equally valid options and the option to write a threat, but a concerned letter and writing style was picked. There was also the relieving letter of the Zar since the first day the French fought the Bavarians fear was sensible in the Air and any safety was great, this meant tho that a reply had to be written. Another great thing was that the Austrian and the Bund were involved, a great thing for us as we would not have to worry to choose a side.

Now to write the letters:

To the great Alexander I, Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia,
I King Christian Heinrich the 3rd applaud your great effort to help secure the future of Europe. We would be delighted and relieved to join your meeting of the ambassadors. We would suggest the meeting take place in Görlitz due to the Location on the Oder River which was always an East/West Divider, with this Location we could put aside these Geographic features for the greater European good.
-With kind regards King Christian Heinrich the 3rd

To our dear relatives in Saxe-Weimar,
As you may have noticed, the French Threat has come closer to the border of both of our nations and due to that, we will give you the proposal to unite our nations into one. We have the Bund, the Austrian, and even the Russians on our side, so if you join us, then we will be secure and will not have to worry about any possible invasions, you will even retain certain control over your territory with some changes, and retain some amount of autonomy. We hope that you agree as any other answers may hold dire, unforeseen consequences.
Hope you will think about joining the Kingdom of Saxony.
With kind regards, King Christian Heinrich the 3rd.

"This does seem like a threat, don't you think?" the elderly but wise Herr Horst Fuchs while reading the letter to Saxe-Weimar "I mean unforeseen consequences, dire ones? We need to have more careful wording, also this letter is awfully vague.", replying to this judgemental wording the King replied, "Shush, as long as it gets results it works, I do not care if it is vague, in all actuality it should be a bit vague so that we can change certain things, I will send both letters now and I will hope for the best, hopefully, Görlitz will be chosen for the meeting." With that August was called and the letters put into delivery, Herr Fuchs could not but shake his head at the wording of the King, while the King felt accomplished for what he wrote.

New Colonies: Northern Virgin Islands
April the 12 1791

"Excellent, Excellent." said a tall man with a gigantic mustache, "It was a great idea to make agreements with the natives, soon, all of these unclaimed Islands will be under our control, Herr Treu!" he continued. The young man beside him looked confused as his colleague twisted his mustache with an evil grin. The expansion in the Antilles had been successful so far with the Forts in the Caiman Islands receiving 200 Civilians from the old Land as of the last couple of ships, though it was still crowded there and most certainly lacked all the required Houses, but it was getting to liveable conditions. 'Why did the Kingdom of Saxony even need colonies?' but this process was interrupted by his Superior talking about exactly that "These new Islands will be perfect for the Creation of even more Coffee and Sugar Plantations, look at the soil, that is some good soil!" while taking a handful of it and inspecting it more closely, "Freiherr von Amsdorf, why did we make this contract with the Natives again?" he was asked, "Don't be an Idiot, this is prime Land, any European Power would love this Land here. These contracts are just to buy us some time and legitimize building forts here."

Von Amsdorf knew most of the things which were going on in the SKK, and he knew that in a short amount of time the SKK could receive land from Saxon Citizens, most importantly, land already colonized by Saxon Merchants and Businessmen, and while the Volksrat and King would bicker about how to challenge the situation at the very least a couple of Islands would join them. What a dream! Even if the Situation got resolved, as long as they did not start a War or any Incident nobody would mind a bit of valuable Land for the Nation? With the all so expanding population came the benefit of enlarging the armed forces from the local pool too, as there would undoubtedly never come more troops from the mainland, at least for a longer time being since the French started the War with the Bavarians or the Bavarians with the French? Anyway, this made the Government antsy and paranoid so any involvement here would be unlikely, or would it? Only time could tell.

by **Antimersia** » Mon Jul 25, 2022 3:34 pm

April 1791

The Sultan of Cordoba has honored the alliances between himself and the Triumvirate of Rome. It would be some time before his troops could arrive to truly engages in the war effort. But by the time they arrived, They would be met with clear landings along the Tuscan coast. Upon the final day of March, the invasion of the Grand Duchy began. Eight battalions, broken into two groups began their movements into the Tuscan lands. In two days of Marching the southern five battalions, led by Lidio Oliveri, pushed through and took the town of Grisseto. They will focus on establishing control over the coastal cities. Finding little resistance along the path so far. Within a further week of marching, the goal of General Oliveri is to reach the city of Massa at the end of the Tuscan Coast. Fully cutting the Grand Duchy off from any ability to flee or receive supplies by sea.

In Venezia, the demand to surrender was given, and promptly refused. The roughly five thousand Venetian troops of Le Lance di Venezia that remained in the city would not give up the fight, even in the face of rather overwhelming odds. They would not fight to the last man, but even still they had no intentions of refusing to fight altogether. They did their best to fortify the likely landing spots for invading boats. Including having their few available sharpshooters take up posts on the rooftops of buildings to try and pick of people as they approach. Further, the bridges connecting the northern half of the city to the southern crossing the Grand Canal, are lined with barrels of gunpowder, set to be destroyed should the Venetian forces be pushed back. They are certain the moment the refusal to surrender is received, the battle shall commence. And they are ready.

Meanwhile, a second group of five battalions, four of which are made up of infantry and one of cavalry, begin their march towards Florence. They advance to the city of Arezzo, storming through the streets and establishing control over the city within three days. They will use the city to rest and resupply before making their final march towards Firenze. There is hope that the Grand Duke remains within the walls of Firenze, and that with his capture there might be more peaceful resolution to this conflict, in the wake of the Austrian declaration of war. Yet that hope is thin, as the Grand Duke has likely not been in Tuscany since the Triumvirate’s first letter reached his hands.

On the eastern side of Italy, the many battalions of the Roman forces coalesce in the city of San Marino. General Michele Carrascosa organizes the nearly forty five thousand troops that he shall lead as they slowly arrive in and around the city. By the thirteenth of April, the final battalions from Sicily arrive in the city and the general is able to explain the battle strategy to his lieutenants. It is explained to them as such. A single cavalry regiment shall ride ahead and scout the location and direction of movements for the Austrian forces, using mountains and forests for cover to prevent being seen to the best of their abilities. Meanwhile, the General details a divide and conquer tactic that he believes gives the men the best chance at victory over the larger force. Fourteen battalions shall detach from the main force into two separate groups. Both consisting of five infantry battalions, one cavalry battalions, and three artillery battalions. Each army group of seven battalions shall move out in an attempt to march past the Austrian main forces. Both groups will be spread out wide from the main formation, with the intention of making the Austrians believe that Rome is attempting to avoid or flank them. Then, the remaining thirty one battalions, shall advance behind them in an arrow formation. The aim being to pierce between the Austrian forces as they regroup to face the assault from each side. Hopefully separating and encircling the Austrian forces into two, disconnected and smaller groups. From which they shall receive fire from all sides.

The plan is set, and the march begins. The scouting regiment leaving the city of San Marino on the twenty-fourth of April, and the rest of the forces beginning their march on the following day. The drums set the tone of the march, and the flags of the Triumvirate fly high as the Austo-Triumvirate war is set to begin in earnest.

April 23rd, 1791
San Marino, The Triumvirate of Rome

Private Americo Corsca, a young boy of only seventeen, sits on the side of the cobblestone street. Resting just a few feet in front of a winery. In one hand he holds a bottle, in the other a piece of parchment. The parchment is slightly worn, with a crease made through the center. Americo, or Ami as those who know him call him, has reread what he wrote so many times that he could likely speak the words from memory. And yet he reads them over and over, being sure he never forgets them. Until recently, he was a member of Le Lance di Venezia, stationed in a small fishing village along the Adriatic sea. The bottle he is drinking from contains, ironically, Tuscan red wine. It is the final night before marching orders are set to be given. And many troops have been given this final night to enjoy themselves, knowing what is to come.

The letter in his hand, is one written to his mother. He wasn’t afforded the chance to say goodbye before he needed to leave. And so he tried to write it out for her, but no matter how many times he wrote it, or reads it over, it never seems right. A son’s final goodbye to his mother should be in person. It makes him sick to his stomach that he might not be able to give her that peace of a final goodbye. Or, it might be the wine. Whichever it is, he drops the bottle into the street. Giving the rats something to enjoy along with the soldiers. He stands, shakily, and walks to the church in the city. Inside is his superior officer, Lieutenant Balto Marese. An older and gruff man, Lieutenant Marese has the years behind him to be a General. But simply doesn’t carry the drive to become one. Ami walks up and stands at attention, waiting to be acknowledged.

“Can I help you Private?” Lt. Marese asks, seemingly disinterested in speaking with him.

“Yessir, I hope it is not too late. But I have a letter I wish to be sent home.” Ami responds, his voice shaky.

“It’s not too late until the march starts, son. But are you sure you’re of sound mind? Letter written drunk are rarely ones you want anyone seeing.” Lt. Marese replies, extending his hand to take the letter from Ami.

“I wrote it a couple days ago sir. Just been afraid to send it.” Ami answered.

“Understood. I’ll make sure it gets where it’s headed. You get some rest Private. Long march tomorrow. Dismissed.”

“Yessir, thank you sir.”

by **Of the Quendi** » Thu Jul 28, 2022 7:13 am

St James's Palace, London
March 25, 1791

Henry Benedict Thomas Edward Maria Clement Francis Xavier, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland and Defender of the Faith was in the chapel that his father had established in his grandmother's honor in St James's Palace, praying. Henry IX had all his life been a man of deep devotion and piety but ever since he had unexpectedly been called to reign as king he had increasingly felt called to devote himself to the Lord, seeking guidance and support in his immense task to rule.

"Ave Maria, Gratia Plena,
Dominos Tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen"

So the kneeling sovereign prayed before a grand altar and a reredos of marble and gilded timber, with exquisite carvings and sculptural work and paintings in quiet solitude. Over and over he recited the Ave Maria while gazing up upon the central figure of the reredos, an exquisite Pietà of Mary cradling the dead body of Christ. A depiction of boundless grief not yet appeased by the triumph of the resurrection and the assumption. A mother mourning her son. Somehow the imagery always brought peace to Henry and for each time he recited the Ave Maria he felt a little closer to God's Grace; and a little further removed from the burdensome tribulations of a kingship he had never wanted nor desires but which the Almighty in his boundless wisdom had nevertheless called him to endure.

Lost to the temporal state of the world the king did not hear that someone was approaching him. Father Giuseppe, not one keen to interrupt anyone in prayer approached the altar of the chapel slowly and softly. The sight of the king so fervently praying did the soul good and Father Giuseppe was impressed with the king's latin. Spoken clearly and with perfect pronunciation and articulation the Jesuit had to admit that he could teach his sovereign nothing about latin.

When he was but a few feet from the King Father Giuseppe, reluctantly cleared his voice in a low cough. No reaction came from the monarch whose recitations didn't miss a beat. "Your Majesty" Father Giuseppe had to interrupt. This time the king did miss a beat. He then completed the Ave Maria he was praying, made the sign of the cross and sighed. Father Giuseppe was stepping forward to help the king up from his knees but His Majesty rose quickly and quietly by himself. The king turned and Father Giuseppe bowed while reaching for the king's hand. "Your Majesty", he said while the king withheld his hand. Henry IX was known to dislike having priests kiss his hand.

"Padre. How good it is to see you again." Said the king calmly and clearly. In Italian. With nary an accent. "I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness for the interruption. I am afraid affairs of state calls, Viscount Dillon is arriving at any moment." Father Giuseppe replied in the same language, more than a little surprised by the king's proficiency. Where had the frail old man with the uneasy speaking patterns gone? The king sighed. "There always are Padre. There always are. News from France I expect? Have the ministry determined upon a response to the altercation; upon the Rhine?" The king inquired. Father Giuseppe shook his head. "Not that I am aware Your Majesty. To the best of my knowledge the ministry still awaits more information about exactly what has happened between France and Bavaria." He replied.

The king nodded ponderously, then a thought occurred to him and his brow furrowed. "Naples then. Have my wayward nephew by marriage at last responded to our offers?" The king asked, apparently not too keen on the offer in question. "Not ... exactly. Your Majesty." Said Father Giuseppe cautiously. The king looked at him and raised an eyebrow in mild annoyance. "You speak in riddles sir." He declared coldly, now speaking in English. Father Giuseppe gave a reverential nod "I do not mean to Your Majesty. But it is ... A delicate matter." He replied, in the same language.

The king gestured. "Well speak Padre. Even if what you say will pain me clearly I need to know it and delayed pain is no less painful. But delayed knowledge may arrive too late to be of use. Speak!" The king ordered. Father Giuseppe nodded. "News have arrived Your Majesty. News from Italy. It seems the King of Naples have issued an ultimatum to the Grand Duke of Tuscany demanding he submit to Naples. The Grand Duke refused and called upon his father for assistance. The Emperor is about to go to war with Naples, and indeed may have done so already, Your Majesty." Declared the Jesuit priest.

At first the king stood still and motionless as if he had not heard or understood a word Father Giuseppe had just said. Only his face turning pale revealed that he had. "I ... I see." Said the king softly. "And ... And the Bishop ... The Bishop of Rome?" He asked. Father Giuseppe, watching the confidence and strength seep out of the king in a most alarming fashion as Henry IX seemed to age before his very eyes. "I am given to understand that His Holiness has objected vocally to this outrage." Declared Father Giuseppe, eager to spare his sovereign's sensibilities. "However ..." The unfortunate priest continued. "However?" The king demanded. Father Giuseppe shrugged helplessly. "Your Majesty. I am afraid that Pius VI will do what he is told, as is unfortunately his habit. When Ferdinand IV turned against my order and expelled us from his kingdom Pius VI said nothing but supported the action and extended it to his own state. When the regicides moved against the Church in France, Pius VI paid greater heed to Ferdinand's political aspirations than the plight of christians in France. In this latest matter I am afraid the Bishop of Rome shall once again prove himself the willing slave of his unjust master." Said Father Giuseppe with gusto.

The king glared at him coldly. "You will not speak thus of His Holiness Padre." Barked the king. "His Holiness is as much a victim of Naples as anyone. Oh, if only my brother ... Well it is too late for that now I suppose. But I will not hear disparaging talk of the Vicar of Christ, Padre. Understand?" Declared the king, striding past Father Giuseppe down the aisle of the chapel, apparently invigorated with anger. Father Giuseppe followed besides his sovereign. "Charles should have never allowed the Papal States to be absorbed." the King mumbled to himself.

At the entrance to the chapel Father Giuseppe and the king came across Viscount Dillon. The viscount bowed deeply before the king. "Your Majesty. I see that you have been informed?" The viscount inquired. "We have indeed, my lord." Said the king, now employing the pluralis majestatis he so famously detested and so doggedly insisted upon. "And We are most displeased. Most displeased!" Declared the king haughtily. The viscount bowed again, even deeper, before His Majesty's ire. "Your Majesty. If it be your will to answer this outrage with force of arms ..." The viscount said, being cut off before he could say anymore by the king's terse; "It is." The viscount nodded. "Then on behalf of the ministry I would suggest that we convene Council to receive an order from Your Majesty to that effect; so that we may then ask Parliament to approve of war." Said the viscount.

The king nodded. "We concur. We will ask parliament to go to war with Naples and with Venice. Not however with the Papal States." Declared the king. The viscount and the Jesuit exchanged a glance. "Sire." The viscount began. "I do not believe such a distinction can be drawn ..." He insisted, but the king merely waved his hand. "Such a distinction is being drawn good sir." Declared the king matter-of-factly with the sort of imperious majesty that had characterized his brother but which he himself had never before shown. "Should the Successor of the Prince of the Apostles seek a war with Us, We shall not shy away from it, but nor will We draw first blood against the Bishop of Rome." Dillon bowed once again, not about to argue with this assertive and imperious monarch. "And the Amir?" He asked.

The king looked surprised. "The Amir? Of al-Andalus? What of him?" The sovereign asked confused. Father Giuseppe lowered his head. "Forgive me Your Majesty, I did not have time to inform Your Majesty that it seems likely that the Amir will join with Naples." Said Father Giuseppe. The viscount nodded. "A good deal more than likely I am afraid Your Majesty." He replied. The king grimaced. "Pius allies himself with Mohammedans on the bidding of his intolerable master? Is their no limits to the low he would sink for some ... Some ... Some ... Second rate prince!" The king angrily declared shaking his head in fury and disappointment. "Very well ... If the ministry ... That is to say; if Mr. Pitt, feels it is prudent, war with the Amir as well." Declared the king, leaving the chapel with his Foreign Secretary and Father Giuseppe in tow.

Palace of Westminster, London
March 30, 1791

On March 30 the House of Commons considered the following message from the King:

HENRY R.

His Majesty has given directions for laying before the House of Commons, copies of several papers which have been received from Father Giuseppe, late the representative of His Majesty to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and from Mr. Thomas Bartholomew Weld, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of His Majesty to the Holy See, by His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs pertaining to the state of affairs on the Italian peninsula in general and in the Kingdom of Naples in particular. These papers make clear that the King of Naples has, unlawfully and maliciously, determined, and, it is believed, with the aid and abettance of his Mohammedan the Amir of Cordoba, determined to seize, by force of arms, the lands of the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

His Majesty has further given directions for laying before the House of Commons, copies of several papers which have been received from Lord Elgin, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of His Majesty to the Court of His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty Leopold II by the Grace of God, Emperor of the Romans, King of Germany etc., and from Lord Hervey, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of His Majesty to the Court of His Imperial Highness Ferdinand III, by the Grace of God Grand Duke of Tuscany and Archduke of Austria; and likewise a copy of an Order made by His Majesty in Council, in consequence of the accounts of the atrocious acts committed by the King of Naples and the Doge of Venice in their horrific predations upon their neighbors.

In the present situation of affairs, His Majesty thinks it indispensably necessary to make a further augmentation of his forces by land and sea; and relies on the known affection and zeal of the House of Commons to enable His Majesty to take the most effectual measures in the present important conjuncture for maintaining the security and order in Italy, for entering into alliances with His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty, His Imperial Highness and all other peace loving princes and states in Europe in general and Italy in particular and to aid them to the best of his ability in their righteous struggle against the depredations of His Majesty the King of Naples and Sicily and His Serene Highness the Doge of Venice, for opposing the aggrandizement and ambition on the part of Naples, which would be at all times dangerous to the general interests of Europe, but are particularly so in the present uncertain and disconcerting time; and finally, to issue to Naples and Venice and their ally the Amir the most vehement protestations and a declaration to the effect that if they shall not seize their unlawful depredations a state of war shall exist between their states and His Majesty's United Kingdoms until such a time as they have been reduced to circumstances no longer permitting them to threaten their neighbors or the peace and stability of Europe in general and Italy in particular.

H. R.

When the King's message had been read to the House by the Speaker, Mr. Henry Addington, to general murmurs of approval not only from the government benches but form much, perhaps even most, of the opposition, the First Lord of the Treasury Mr. Pitt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the leader of His Majesty's government rose to address the House.

Mr. William Pitt the Younger, son of the late Earl of Chatham was then in his thirty second year and lead his second ministry, having first served at the age of just twenty four when he had briefly led a ministry in the aftermath of the American Revolutionary War under the late Charles III, before resigning having lost the favor of that fickle Sovereign only to return to power when in 1788 the king died and was replaced so surprisingly by his brother the Duke of York. Henry IX, having never expected to inherit the throne, even less to do so at an advanced age had turned then, to William Pitt and invested him with more power than any minister yet. More than Ailesbury or Marlborough or even Mr. Pitt the Elder.

Who then was William Pitt the Younger, the schoolboy turned minister, the man who ruled the finances of the United Kingdoms? A bachelor with an awkward social manner and a suspicious preference for the company of young men to that of young women. A drunkard with a love of port. A solitary and colorless individual who liked no one and had no sense of humor, who struggled greatly not to display a sense of superiority towards his peers. Yet an orator in the mold of his father and an able administrator who enjoyed the full confidence of his master the King. This was the man who stepped forward to the lectern to address the House of Commons that day on a grave matter of war and peace.

"Mr. Speaker.

I shall now submit to the House some observations on the many important objects which arise out of the communication of His Majesty's message and out of the present situation facing this country. And in proceeding to the consideration of that message, the attention of the House should, in the first instance, be strongly directed to that calamitous event, to that dreadful outrage against every principle of international law, of justice, and of humanity.

I speak, of course, of the King of Naples and Sicily's decision to attempt to seize by force of arms, his own or those of the Amir or the Doge, the state of his own nephew by marriage, for indeed the Neapolitan queen is the Emperor's sister and thus the aunt of his son the brave and noble Grand Duke. By what right does Naples, and with it Venice and the Amir, claim the lands of this good and honorable prince you may ask? By no right but the one by which a highwayman may rob a man of his coin or a woman of her virtue. I do not doubt that the news of this outrage shall be greeted with one general sentiment of indignation and abhorrence in every part of these islands, and most undoubtably produce the same effect in every civilized country.

At the same time I am aware, that I should better consult not only my own feelings, but those of the House, if considerations of duty would permit me momentarily to draw a veil over this whole sordid affair and turn to the all those events and circumstances that has led up to it and of which Father Giuseppe and Mr. Weld has informed His Majesty. Only in considering the full scope of the lawless behavior of the Neapolitan king can we understand this latest outrage.

Permit me therefore to draw the attention of the House to the state of affairs in the Kingdom of Naples as they have been since the death of Charles VII and the accession of Ferdinand IV twenty years past. Since his accession the King has shown himself discontent with the scope and reach of his dominions. Though the Neapolitan and Sicilian kingdoms are fair and prosperous the king was unsatisfied and in avarice spoke boldly and often of his desire to expand his empire and strengthen his own authority over it. The state to which the king came into possession upon the untimely death of his father was not known for neither its army nor its fleet yet this potentate wasted little time to institute a great program of re-armament. To what ends we now know. Further the King of Naples sought ever to suborn his nominal equals, His Holiness the Bishop of Rome and His Serene Highness the Doge of Venice to assert over them dominion and mastery by pitting them against each other when he ought more wisely to have labored to reconcile them, thereby doing immense damage to his own prestige and honor, while earning much antipathy from those who may have been sympathetic to one or the other party when he might instead have won the admiration of all for reconciling His Holiness and His Serene Highness. Sadly, divide and conquer, that ancient creed of tyrants and despots, it seems is as close as a guiding principle as this mercurial prince possesses. Though this state of affairs was greeted with much and justified consternation by the House and by His Majesty's government it was tolerated as a matter only for the states in the Triumvirate to resolve amongst themselves and His Majesty's government did not feel compelled to act against Naples.

The House knows well that four years ago in France arose circumstances most grievous and disheartening to civilized peoples and states culminating in the brutal and savage murder of that honorable and just prince Louis Quartorze, and the dispossession of his family from their rightful possessions in that state. I have spoken often and at length of the state of affairs in France as it was in no small part due to the atrocities in Paris that I was given His Majesty's commission to form a ministry so for the present I shall draw a veil over the whole of this transaction and say simply that at the beginning of this year, Naples sought to ally itself with France and having apparently made so outrageous an offer to that friendless state so as to receive a refusal, sought then to turn to our very state. I known many in the House to be aware of the proclamation that Naples made in name of His Holiness and the harm that was by this shameful missive done in His Majesty's United Kingdoms in general and in Ireland in particular and the sentiments to which it gave rise there and elsewhere. Nevertheless when His Majesty's government lately did receive, from His Serene Highness the Doge of Venice, a missive requesting an alliance against France, it was the reply of the ministry that it was willing to consider such proposals as may have been of interest to Naples. Did we not doubt Naples then, having so lately offered to France precisely the opposite? Certainly we did, yet at the time it was the hope of the ministry, every man of it, that the fickle militancy of Naples may be tempered and brought to just use, that Naples might yet prove an honorable and worthy prince with whom His Majesty's government could have cordial relations. As of this moment the reply which the ministry offered in His Majesty's name has gone unanswered. Awaiting a response from Venice the ministry was inclined to optimism and was hopeful that the great armament Naples had assembled might yet serve the cause of justice.

Alas before the House are now the copies of the papers sent by Father Giuseppe and Mr. Weld. Papers that makes abundantly clear that Naples will seek to seize the state of Ferdinand III of Tuscany. Soon, if indeed it has not already occurred, Neapolitan bandits and brigands, joined, we must fear, in arms with Mohammedan raiders, will like a swarm of locusts descend upon that gentle and pacific state, ravaging its cities and plundering its riches for the greed of Naples. But Tuscany, while it may lack the savage militancy of Naples, is not so weak a state as to be overrun by undisciplined hordes and nor so friendless as to be defenseless. We have learned, from Lord Elgin, that Tuscany's father, His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty has already commenced mobilizing of his great and splendid armies to the rescue and liberation of Tuscany. It is altogether proper and fitting that he should do so, and indeed honor and the interests of the nation compels me to rise today before the House to urge it to give assent to His Majesty's call to war against Naples, against Venice and against the Amir. To those who will say that His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty dispatched troops when war may have yet been avoided, to those who may even claim that it is Naples not Tuscany who is the aggrieved party, I say that Father Giuseppe's papers make clear that the mobilization of Naples was conducted long before His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty ever thought the safety of his son compromised. Mr. Weld has written that Naples has for a long time expected the aid and abettance of the Amir in their shameful enterprise. These are not the acts of an aggrieved state unlawfully set upon, but the calculated malice of a king who has never made secret of his desire to expand the Neapolitan yoke which his father placed upon Venice and Rome to every free and independent state in the Italian Kingdom, and indeed if given half the chance, beyond. Gentlemen I rise today to recommend to the House that it give its whole hearted assent to His Majesty's message, that it declare with unity of purpose in one voice its desire to wage war against Naples, against Venice and against the Amir, to enter into alliances with His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty, with Tuscany and with all those princes and republics of Italy that must now tremble in fear that they too may one day be subjected to the boundless avarice of Naples, and to make further augmentation to His Majesty's forces on land and sea to better prepare them for war.

Perhaps some may wonder at my words to the House today. It was not long ago that I rose before the House to speak of the danger to peace and stability in Europe should the Tsar's invasion of Turkey continue for much longer and with much more success. In the past year I spoke to the House of the necessity of placing in the Baltic Sea a fleet of sufficient might and power as to deter the Tsar from carrying the struggle hen then waged against his Finnish subjects into Swedish lands. And many a time I have addressed this House on the danger of the regicides in France and the need to curtail their ambition and revolutionary excess. You may ask then, what is our policy, that it may change so rapidly as the King of Naples' mind? What common goals and aspirations could possibly possess the ministry to warn one day of France, the next of the Tsar and then ask the House to grant its assent to war with Naples and the Amir? To those who wonder I shall answer; His Majesty's United Kingdoms owe their present happiness and prosperity, which has never been equalled in the annals of mankind, to the existence of a just and stable order or balance on the continent of Europe, that permits for commerce and industry to thrive and bring its blessings to millions. Such an order is dependent on the restraint of the impulses of the powerful and the defense of a just and durable peace.

When the ministry reproach the Tsar, France or now Naples it is because they threaten that stability and that peace and seek to claim with might what is not theirs by right. Having spoken often enough of my hope that a just and satisfactory solution may yet be reached between the Tsar and the Turk, if at least His Majesty's United Kingdoms makes clear to both parties its desire for an honorable settlement, and having lately addressed the House on the events upon the Rhine in which conflicting reports have been unable to assign blame for the outbreak of hostilities let me turn then to Naples, the only threat to peace and stability which I at this juncture would recommend to the House to wage war upon. Their depredations are more pronounced, more grave and more unjust than any perpetrated thus far by France or the Tsar. For the Tsar may rightfully express concern with the treatment of Christians in Turkey and France may yet be proven innocent in the outbreak of hostilities upon the Rhine. But of Naples no such arguments can be made. Naples has sought to seize Tuscany and has done so without any justification. Naples has no claims upon Tuscany, and Tuscany has offered no insult to Naples. Naples, being not ignorant of this state of affairs, have not even attempted to produce a proper casus belli with which to defend its ambitions. Naples, having subjected Venice and Rome to its caprice now seeks to go further still. Should they succeed in Tuscany no doubt emboldened it will continue. How soon before the Neapolitan war machine would roll into Lucca, into Parma and into Modena, I ask the House. Would even they satisfy Naples if he might there succeed or should Genoa and Sardinia soon follow thereafter, I wonder. If Naples will not permit the freedom and liberty of his wife's nephew why should he show restraint towards those states and princedoms which may not rely on familial relations as a shield against the threat of invasion and subjugation. Indeed in the whole of that great and prosperous kingdom of Italy is there anywhere a state that need not fear to be left prostrate and starving before the feet of Naples then I know not of it. This is the malice and the avarice to which I rise today to beg the House denounce in the strongest terms by giving your assent to His Majesty's message. Thank you."

Mr. Pitt sat down and received from the House a standing ovation that lasted for quite some time, so stirred had the house been by the catalogue of Neapolitan crimes and so resolved, it seemed was the will of the Commons to war. Now rose from across the chamber Charles James Fox, an intractable foe off Mr. Pitt and leader of the opposition to his ministry. A notorious libertine and rake, prone to gambling, fond of women, charming and witty and Mr. Pitt's opposite in all except his penchant for drinking immoderately. Once a friend of Charles III but later his bitter adversary in the question of the Americas and out of power since he was a known sympathizer of the French Revolution, as he had once been of the American one. He had favored intervening on the Finnish side in its rebellion against Russia and opposed action against Russia with regards to Turkey. He now stepped forth to address the House:

"I have been asked by my friends on this occasion to follow the First Lord of the Treasury because it is fitting there should be a response to the striking words which he has addressed to the House. I have also been asked to do so in order to say immediately that I support the motion. When lately the ministry has seen fit to vilify France it has been necessary that it be said to the House that murder is always regrettable but the death of a king is a tragedy only if the king is just and good, and to remind the ministry that a greater evil than the restoration of the Bourbons to the world in general and Britain in particular can hardly happen.

But of this, and of the Tsar, I shall not now speak; but solely of Naples and the proposal put to the House by Mr. Pitt. I would remark that I have often spoken against Naples. When Naples, while yet a young man to his throne, saw fit to expel the Jesuits, I told the House that toleration in religion was one of the great rights of man, and a man ought never to be deprived of what was his natural right. I warned the House that Naples, having no respect for his so-called partners, his vassals in all but name, Venice and Rome, sought to impose upon his people his will in a fashion that ought be considered most odious by any Briton possessed of a natural and just love of freedom. That the House has now heard, by way of Father Giuseppe and Mr. Weld that Naples, being not content with having imposed tyranny upon his own people and upon Venice and Rome should seek to extend his persecution to Tuscany and, I do not doubt, if unchecked soon beyond that state, ought make the House join me in giving full throated assent to His Majesty's message.

..."

The House continued to debate for much of the day His Majesty's message and the motion put before it by the First Lord of the Treasury. Many spoke in favor of the motion and only few against it and when, in the evening, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Henry Addington, called for a vote on the motion. The result was 491 in favor to 67 against; so much had the Commons been moved by the oratory of the First Lord of the Treasury to back the policy of the ministry. The motion thus went to the House of Lords.

Palace of Westminster, London
April 3, 1791

On April 3 the House of Lords considered the resolution passed by the House of Commons, regarding His Majesty's Order-in-Council, on March 30. His Grace Henry Charles Edward Fitz-Charles Stuart, Duke of Albemarle, natural son of His Majesty King Charles III and friend of Mr. Charles James Fox, was among those who rose to speak on the motion:

"My Lords; it has been observed already by many of my right honorable colleagues representing the ministry that the actions of Ferdinand of Naples against his own relation Ferdinand of Tuscany amounts to the most naked aggression that the House has seen since the War of the Austrian Succession. The House has heard, from the ministry, that His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty is minded to defend the rights of his son Tuscany and there can be little doubt, and certainly not from those herein present with knowledge and experience in military matters, that His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty possesses the means to do so against Naples. The House has heard from sources best described as dubious, that the Amir, for reasons known perhaps only to himself and Allah, has felt compelled to side with Naples in this sordid affair."

The Duke of Albemarle paused for a moment to allow laughter to greet his last remarks about the Amir before continuing his speech.

"These are the facts as the ministry has presented to the House. These are the actions in response to which His Majesty has issued an Order-in-Council and asked parliament for its assent to take action. These are the crimes for which the Commons has seen fit to approve a motion put before it by the First Lord of the Treasury Mr. Pitt the Younger, to authorize His Majesty's government to wage war against Naples, Venice and the Amir. This is the matter that is now put before the House to consider.

For my own part I have considered the matter carefully. I share, with Mr. Fox, with the Viscount Granholm and the Earl of Barnet a very great aversion to the overbearing imperiousness to which Naples has so often exhibited in its domestic and foreign policies. Yet I can only concur with His Grace the Duke of Devonshire's remark that there is little in His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty's behavior that may be considered liberal since he came into possession of his great state and none in that of his brother the late Joseph II when it was in his care. As for Ferdinand of Tuscany I readily confess myself ignorant of the state of affairs in Tuscany beyond that which is generally known and on which the ministry has informed this House, and the matters that there transpired when that state was yet held by the now Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty and of which I have on prior occasions commended before the House. Regardless it should however not surprise me to learn if Tuscany is as alien a place to a free British subject as Russia, Turkey or the lands of the Amir. When I rise today to recommend to the House that joins with the Commons to give assent to His Majesty's government's proposition to wage war upon Naples, Venice and the Amir I do so because I share, with Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox, a deep an abiding disgust with the conduct of Naples, not due to any great affinity for a state half a continent away. What, after all, is Tuscany to most of us here but a distant land ruled by a prince that may be a grandnephew of His Majesty, how much less must it not be to the great majority of our people. No, not for Tuscany do I endorse this cause of action, but against Naples, against its avarice and imperiousness, its contempt of peace, its boundless thirst for blood and its lust for conquest. Against this infamy I rise today and declare my support for the motion of the Commons and to urge my fellow peers to join me in doing so and proving to all who would doubt it that the wisdom of the Lords is every bit as great, if not indeed greater, as that which may reside in the Commons."

The speech of His Grace Albemarle was received with polite and supportive applause from the great majority of the Lords. Then spoke The Right Honorable James Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan; who declared that it was praiseworthy and admirable that His Majesty's government should come to the defense of a small state beset upon by a stronger adversary. Lucan thought Naples scandalous in its treatment of its peaceful neighbors and regarded His Majesty's government's decision to establish alliances against Naples with the Holy Roman Empire, with Tuscany and with other peace loving states as commendable. The Most Honorable Marques of Wharton replied that he thought it imprudent merely for principle's sake to declare war on Naples when neither the interests of His Majesty's United Kingdoms, nor the glory of the crown did require it, and he wondered if perhaps the beneficiary of such a war might not prove to be the revolutionaries in France, whom, Wharton felt, constituted a more immediate threat to British life, liberty and law. The Right Reverend Harold Knightly, Lord Bishop of Bristol, spoke next and inquired why the decision to wage war on Naples and Venice and the Amir was not accompanied with one about the Pope. Bristol made clear that as a churchman he was no supporter of war but he felt that if the House was determined to go to war that it would be fitting to include the third, and in his estimation the worse of the three, part of the Triumvirate and that shielding the so-called Pope was unbecoming of His Majesty's United Kingdoms, and Bristol inquired if perhaps Papists in the House was unwilling to acknowledge the culpability of Pius VI in the abominable assault on the dignity of Tuscany. This prompted His Grace the Most Reverend and Right Honorable Richard Plunkett, Lord Archbishop of Armagh to rise. Though the catholic bishops of Ireland had had the right to sit and speak in the House of Lords alongside their peers from the Church of England and the Kirk of Scotland, it had always been a rare occurrence, and not only because they lived and worked in faraway Ireland where they sat in the Irish House of Lords. Yet the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, who was in London attempting to establish a Catholic college at Oxford for Irish students, did not care for the insinuations of the Bishop of Bristol and felt he could not ignore them:

"My Lords,

I rise to address the remarks made by the Right Reverend Lord Bishop of Bristol pertaining to the perceived unwillingness of the Catholic faithful in these His Majesty's United Kingdoms to speak out against excesses and injustices perpetrated by those who claim to speak for the Catholic Church. Being subjected to such innuendo and insinuating remarks are regrettably an all too common experience for many of my fellow Catholics, yet I must lament that such unworthy commentary should be heard in this very House where the best and brightest of His Majesty's United Kingdoms deliberate on matters of state of the gravest import. The remarks by the Right Reverend Lord Bishop of Bristol are unworthy of the House.

For my own part I have absolute confidence that His Majesty's recommendation that war be waged only against Venice, Naples and the Amir are grounded in serious and deliberate considerations of the state of affairs in those states and in the Papal States, and I can assure the House that if my fellow Catholics has advised His Majesty in exempting, for the moment, the Bishop of Rome from the general declaration issued to his distasteful allies, then that is news to me. Indeed it seems a reasonable enough recommendation when one considers the copies of the papers which has been submitted to the House from Father Giuseppe and Mr. Weld in which both, independently of one another, confesses themselves doubting the sincerity of His Holiness' desire for war. The fact that both of these men are themselves Catholic cannot impugn their motives. Father Giuseppe is a Jesuit who once resided in the Papal States but had to flee it when Naples imposed the expulsion of that holy order on His Holiness and Mr. Weld is a great benefactor of this very order in His Majesty's United Kingdoms. Neither men can credibly be accused of being anything but loyal and devoted servants of His Majesty.

Turning therefore to another matter, which my Right Reverend friend the Lord Bishop of Bristol appears to have forgotten but which is germane to our considerations, permit me, for a moment, to dwell upon some events that not too long ago transpired in Naples, in Venice and in Rome which should demonstrate, I trust, the foolhardiness of attempting to lay the blame for the present lamentable state of affairs in the misfortunate Italian peninsula at the feet of the Catholic faithful in His Majesty's United Kingdoms. I speak of course of the foundation of the state now known to its supporters as the Triumvirate. Thirty six years ago Charles III of Naples intervened in a war between the Papal States and the Republic of Venice on the side of the former, and having prevailed against the latter he forced both of the two once great and sovereign states to submit to vassalage under authority of his crown. It was then the view of every Catholic peer in this House, that such a state was an abominable creation. My predecessor rose and nary an Irish Catholic did not rise with him and demanded the abolition of that distasteful construct. It was however felt by many of the protestant lords of the House that to do so was unnecessary and undesirable. It was the view of many that even if the independence of Venice was desirable that of Rome was not and neither could justify much, if any, meaningful action from His Majesty's government. Had the view of the Catholic minority then prevailed the unfortunate circumstances in which we now find ourselves would not have come to pass. Yet, and unfortunately not for the first nor last time, accusations of "popery" and rampant anti-catholic sentiments prevailed upon the House not to act when it had been prudent to prevent the formation of the Neapolitan hegemony over unfortunate Italy. We now reap the consequences of these actions.

In conclusion let me say that I share with my Right Reverend friend the Lord Bishop of Bristol the aversion to war that is every churchman's God-given right and I shall not cast my vote in favor of war against Naples or Venice, nor even the Amir, nor will I speak in favor of it. Yet should the House join with the House of Commons in giving its assent to His Majesty's Order-in-Council and should as a result of this war break out between the Papal States and His Majesty's United Kingdoms I will stand as a loyal British subject of His Majesty with my King and with my country. The accusation of dual loyalty and servility to Rome which has so often slanderously been laid at the feet of the Catholic faithful of these kingdoms is a false slander as has been proven time and time again. When William III landed on these shores who did with more fierce resolve resist him than did the Catholics? And yet was that very William III, however much a protestant, not aided in his war by the Pope of the day Innocent XI? How many times since then has Catholics not risen in arms against foreign adversaries rallying under Papal banners. How often have it not been us who have most fiercely backed opposition to the Triumvirate against vocal objections from others. So I rise today to say to the House that I do not believe there is a man in this chamber, of any faith or creed, who is not a god fearing Briton and a loyal subject of His Majesty with the will and determination to do his duty to King and Country."

With this the Archbishop sat down to a tepid applause from his Irish co-religionists who, perhaps, wondered if they where really ready to do their duty against the Bishop of Rome. But as the Irish Catholics noted that the Whiggish Ulstermen sat motionless without applauding the Catholics broke out in rapturous applause to shame their enemies. And in this they where joined by the Tories of England and Scotland, including a great many Bishops of the Church of England. The debate continued long thereafter before the vote was called by the Lord High Chancellor, His Grace James Fitz-James Stuart, Duke of Berwick. A clear majority voted to give assent though not by the same margin as in the Commons. All but three of the churchmen presented voted against.

The Foreign Office, London
April 4, 1791

Theobald Dillon, 12th Viscount Dillon and His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs was sitting in his opulent office in the grand building that housed the Foreign Office, considering the foreign correspondence that was the inevitable consequence of His Majesty's Order-in-Council to which both Houses of Parliament had now given assent. On his desk before his the viscount had four documents. A declaration to be issued to the Triumvirate, or rather to Venice and Naples, and to the Amir by His Majesty's ambassadors in those states to the effect that a state of war should exist between their states and His Majesty's United Kingdoms as of May 1. In many ways the easier of the correspondences even if it was by far the most momentous. It was an odd thing, the viscount thought, how much easier war is than peace.

The other documents required so much more consideration. A letter to the Emperor, another to his son the Grand Duke and a third to be sent to the lesser states of Italy. Those required far more attention. Lord Elgin believed the Austrians had committed sixty thousand men to their war against the Triumvirate. Dillon was inclined to think this sufficient to beat them. What great battle had Naples ever won, let alone what wars of any consequence? Leopold II was a crafty and able sovereign. Yet sixty thousand men was not enough to win a quick victory; and speed was of paramount importance. After all a drawn out war might tempt France to get involved and then matters would be come altogether more complicated. Pitt had therefore decided, with the support of Dillon and the rest of the ministry, that a sizable financial subsidy should be offered to the Emperor in exchange for increasing his commitment to something that could secure a more rapid victory. But from that decision arose of course the question of how sizable. As both First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer that decision had of course been Mr. Pitt's. But Dillon had to sell it. It shouldn't be too difficult. If the Emperor had indeed mobilized sixty thousand men then he needed to finance a mere twenty thousand more himself for the United Kingdoms to finance an additional forty thousand. If that was not a good deal Dillon didn't know what was. It was certainly an offer the Emperor would have never received if the United Kingdoms had been at war with France.

The letter to Tuscany, in the end, turned out to be quite a simple affair as well. After some considerations the viscount had decided to simply ask them for the use of their ports and offer them a financial subsidy of their own. Nothing remotely controversial in that after Dillon had decided not to ask for any more expansive demands. The admiralty had wanted de facto control over Elba and various ports on the Tuscan coast but they would have to settle for a simple permission to use the docks. If that was insufficient they would have to take some ports from the Amir and the Triumvirate.

That left the declaration to the Italian states. Quite apart from the fact that the Princess of Wales was the daughter of the King of Sardinia making it domestically fraught to engage with that state in a manner that might displease Princess Mary Elizabeth Charlotte, her loving spouse or doting father-in-law, the complexities of Italian politics, the competing interests and differing British relations with the different states made it a difficult letter to write. The more of them that could be convinced to join the Emperor the better (especially since they might also serve to restrain the Emperor after the war was won) yet it would not do to weaken them in the face of possible French aggression (Sardinia after all was also closely related to the Bourbons) either, and the ability of the United Kingdoms to pay financial subsidies was not unlimited. Especially not to states whose military capacity made those of Naples appear Caesarian or Alexandrine in nature.

To His Majesty Ferdinand IV of Naples and Sicily, to His Serene Highness Monsignor Ludovico Manin, Doge of Venice and to His Majesty, Abdullah IV ibn Abbad, Sultan and Amir al-Umara of the Emirate of Cordoba,

In consequence of the actions taken by the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily, the Republic of Venice and the Emirate of Cordoba actions the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Gran Duchy of Tuscany, and of other indignities and actions resulting from this it is my solemn duty, on behalf of His Britannic Majesty Henry IX, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith etc. to declare that a state of war shall exist between His Britannic Majesty's United Kingdoms and your respective states from the beginning of the month of May and until such a time as His Britannic Majesty's government is satisfied that the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily, the Republic of Venice and the Emirate of Cordoba no longer represent a threat to sovereignty and integrity of Tuscany, the interests and values of His Britannic Majesty's United Kingdoms and the peace and stability of Europe. His Britannic Majesty's ambassadors in your respective states are, from the time they deliver these missives and until the time they vacate your states, instructed to make themselves available should there be any points of clarity that need to be elucidated upon.

Signed,
Theobald Dillon, 12th Viscount Dillon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
On behalf of
His Britannic Majesty Henry IX, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, Ireland and France, Defender of the Faith etc.

To His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty Leopold II by the Grace of God Emperor of the Romans etc, and his government.

On behalf of His Britannic Majesty's government to inform Your Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty that effective May 1 His Britannic Majesty finds himself at war with the Republic of Venice, the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily and the Emirate of Cordoba, having received with the utmost disgust the news of these states' decision to seek the overthrow of Your Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty's son from his lawful throne. Aware of Your Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty's most sensible and justified decision to invade the lands of the so-called Triumvirate it is the desire of His Britannic Majesty to enter into an alliance with Your Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty, and His Britannic Majesty's ambassador to Your Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty's court, Lord Elgin, is ready to discuss at any time with Your Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty's ministers the particular terms of such an alliance. I have however the pleasure of informing Your Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty that His Britannic Majesty will, after May 1, dispatch a great fleet, the reformed Mediterranean Fleet, into the Tyrrhenian Sea to harry and destroy the ability of the enemy to wage war or conduct commerce in that sea, to assail him at every point along his coastline and to reduce him to circumstances rendering him unable to retaliate. His Britannic Majesty's having no great army in his employ, can however not presently deploy large armies to the worthy goal of salvaging Tuscany and suppressing Naples and must rely on noble allies, chief among them Your Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty towards that goal. As a token of His Britannic Majesty's commitment to the cause I am however pleased to inform Your Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty that if Your Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty will commit to put into the field against Venice and Naples at least 120,000 troops of that splendid Imperial Army which is without peer or competitor for the duration of the conflict, His Britannic Majesty will undertake to provide funding for 40,000 troops. Furthermore His Britannic Majesty assures Your Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty that the entrance of the Emirate of Cordoba into this shameless assault on Tuscany need not much concern Your Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty. The Mediterranean Fleet will see to it that few if any Mohammedans ever set foot upon Italian soil.

I have the honor of being your most humble servant,
Theobald Dillon, 12th Viscount Dillon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
On behalf of
His Britannic Majesty Henry IX, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, Ireland and France, Defender of the Faith etc.

To His Imperial Highness Ferdinand III, by the Grace of God, Grand Duke of Tuscany,

Having learned of the plight that has befallen Your Imperial Highness, and being gravely outraged by it, His Britannic Majesty has instructed me to inform Your Imperial Highness that a state of war shall from May 1 exist between His Britannic Majesty and His Majesty the King of Naples and Sicily, His Serene Highness the Doge of Venice and His Majesty the Amir of Cordoba, and to further assure Your Imperial Highness that His Britannic Majesty is firmly resolved to persist in this war until such a time as Your Imperial Highness is safe and secure in your rightful domains and the threat from Naples, Venice and the Amir has been ended.

His Britannic Majesty has ordered the deployment of a grand Mediterranean Fleet to enter the Tyrrheanian Sea and there to inflict the greatest possible harm upon the enemy, to attack his navy and his commerce, his ports and his colonies. Preparations are under way for the commissioning of this great fleet which will be ready by May 1. As His Britannic Majesty lately relinquished the island of Menorca to the King of Aragon in consequence of the Peace of Paris his Britannic Majesty however finds himself without a port in the Mediterranean for his fleet to dock at and I ask therefore that preparations be at once undertaken in all Tuscan ports for the arrival of the Mediterranean Fleet. Furthermore I have the honor of informing Your Imperial Highness that His Britannic Majesty has seen fit to grant Your Imperial Highness a financial subsidy of 100,000 pounds sterling per year for the duration of the war to use for the strengthening of Your Imperial Highness's armies, fortresses and fleets.

Sincerely yours,
Theobald Dillon, 12th Viscount Dillon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
On behalf of
His Britannic Majesty Henry IX, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, Ireland and France, Defender of the Faith etc.

To his Majesty Victor Amadeus III, by the Grace of God, King of Sardinia; to his Serene Highness the Doge of Genoa, to his Highness Ferdinand, Duke of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla; to his Highness Ercole III, Duke of Modena and Reggio; and to all other princes and republics of the Kingdom of Italy and beyond,

In consequence of the attempt made by the King of Naples and Sicily and his allies to seize the state from His Imperial Highness Ferdinand III, by the Grace of God, Grand Duke of Tuscany it is my duty to inform Your Majesties and Highnesses, the great Princes and Republics of the Italian Kingdom that His Britannic Majesty, being deeply offended by the unlawful and unjust conduct of Naples and his allies has determined that a state of war shall exist between His Britannic Majesty on the one hand and Naples, Venice and the Amir of Cordoba on the other from May 1 and until such a time as the threat posed by these states are no more and Tuscany is secure in his rights and privileges. His Britannic Majesty intends to ally with His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty in this endeavor and is confident that it shall be crowned with success. It is therefore the wish of His Britannic Majesty that this message should be issued to all the great Princes and Republics in Italy that if they should regard with contempt the behavior of Naples and wish to move against him they shall find in His Britannic Majesty an implacable and devoted ally. His Britannic Majesty urges the Princes and Republics to ally with one another, with His Britannic Majesty and with His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty to end the reign of terror lately visited upon the Italian peninsula by the avarice of Naples. Any Prince or Republic willing to enter into such an alliance shall receive of His Britannic Majesty guarantees for life and liberty against any foe; shall received a sizable financial subsidy to fund its armies; shall receive the full and unconditional assistance in all things related to the coming war by the Mediterranean Fleet His Britannic Majesty has commissioned from his Royal Navy to enter the Tyrrhenian Sea and there destroy the navies and the commerce of Naples, Venice and the Amir; and shall receive all additional support that it may require to prevail against Naples and his allies.

Sincerely yours,
Theobald Dillon, 12th Viscount Dillon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
On behalf of
His Britannic Majesty Henry IX, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, Ireland and France, Defender of the Faith etc.

by **Segmentia** » Thu Jul 28, 2022 4:37 pm

Early morning, March 11th, 1791
Beinheim, France
Headquarters of Général de brigade Bonaparte, commander of the Left Wing of the Armée du Rhin

The rain came down in sheets, obscuring visibility quite a bit. From the front door of the farm house that was acting as his headquarters, Napoleon couldn’t even see across the Rhine, a distance of roughly a mile, and from the looks of it the rain was only going to get worse as the day went on. Turning, he walked back into the house proper, moving to the kitchen where several of his officers were seated around a table, reading over a few reports and orders. Fighting had been sporadic at the various crossings of the Rhine over the past week, the Bavarian aggression at Saint-Louis being returned in kind. The Directors and Council had taken it as a clear declaration of war by the Bavarians, and now there was the Second Bavarian War. It was yet to be seen if it would be another coalition, however.

Gauthier D'Aboville had issued his orders, and the Armée du Rhin was to go on the offensive. Easier said than done, of course, thanks to the Rhine river and the commanding heights on the other side of it. It would be a bloody business to force a crossing, and reports indicated fierce fighting in Weil am Rhein, which had been stormed and taken as the brigades in Saint-Louis had beaten back the Bavarian attack. Bridges up and down the Rhine had become killing fields for any potential crossing, and French troops had scrambled to gather as many boats as they could, even as the Bavarians sought to destroy as many as they could, anything to reduce where and how the French could cross. Indeed the bridges that crossed the Rhine here in the left wings area were guarded well, overlooked by Bavarian artillery that Napoleon's own guns had frustratingly been unable to drive off.

But the rain…the rain changed things.

Stepping up to the table and picking up one of the dispatches, Napoleon read it over, more as a distraction than anything else.

“We’re crossing today.” He said, almost nonchalantly, as if discussing a walk in a park. His officers looked up at him, astonished. Then they began to speak, all in a rush.

‘But the Rain!’

‘We haven’t got orders to cross!’

‘The Bavarian guns!’

‘We won’t be able to move our cannon in this mud!’

Napoleon held up a hand for silence, smiling. “Gentlemen, the rain is the exact reason we are going today! Have you seen how bad visibility is? I can’t even see the Rhine from the door. And those Bavarian guns won’t be able to target us until we are across the river and in the ranks of their infantry, and they won’t risk that. We force a break in their line around the bridgehead, then Dumas, you can take a squadron of cavalry and make a charge on their guns.”

The officers looked around at each other, but it was the towering Dumas who stood from his seat first. “If not today, then when? I shall ready the horses.” He nodded to Napoleon and left the room.

“Léger, your infantry will cross the bridge first, and you’ll break the Bavarians. Duclos, I want your light infantry companies rowing across the river in whatever boats we have. You’ll harass the flanks. All the other brigades should be ready in column. Once we secure the other side, we march for Stuttgart.” Napoleon laid out his plan, again stunning his officers. It was his hope, and expectation, that upon hearing that one of their cities was under threat, the Bavarians would be forced to shift forces, weakening their defences on the Rhine, and perhaps allowing more breakthroughs to occur.

The other officers slowly processed the plan, and dismissed themselves to make preparations, until it was just Napoleon left in the kitchen. Yes, today was the day. He could feel it. “Lalande? Prepare a dispatch for Marshal de Vimeur, inform him that we’ve forced a crossing into Bavarian territory and are marching on Stuttgart, and ask that he send additional brigades here to secure our flank.” Napoleon dictated to his aide, looking up and out the window as a crack of thunder shook the sky.

By ten in the morning Léger’s infantry had crossed the bridge and engaged the Bavarian infantry. Thanks to the rain the battle had come down to bayonet work, and the ground was littered with Bavarian and French dead, splattered with mud and blood. Dumas and a squadron of his cavalry had managed to charge the Bavarian guns, driving off the gunners but not before they inflicted their own blows on the French cavalry, and also spiked their guns.

By noon, French brigades were crossing the bridge with the artillery being the first to cross as they would need as much of a headstart as they could get thanks to the mud, the infantry able to simply march around them.

By the afternoon of March 13th, there were light skirmishes by the town of Ettlingen as Bavarian forces moved north to the larger town of Karlsruhe, expecting the French to attack them there. Napoleon deployed two brigades of his infantry to pin the force there as he continued to press his men towards Stuttgart.

However this was not the only French movement on the 13th. As the rain subsided on the night of the 12th, Général de division Adam Philippe, in command of the French right wing, forced a bloody crossing around Mulhouse, along with a breakout attack from the captured town of Weil am Rhein. Both were costly, and the breakout attack itself was beaten back, but his division had secured their crossings under heavy Bavarian musket and cannon fire. Their local forces getting stretched thin, the Bavarians retreated in order back to Schliengen, but a surge of fresh French troops kept up regular attacks on the town and camp into the dusk on the 13th, and picking up early on the 14th, with French artillery driving their Bavarian counterparts off the field.

The Bavarians themselves attempted several counter-attacks, but this only helped to whittle their numbers. By the 16th their position became untenable, especially as news reached the Bavarian commanders of a French army making for Stuttgart.

On his march in the north, Napoleon pushed his men forward. He decided to ignore the large town of Pforzheim and head straight for Stuttgart.

With the Bavarian army in a generally organized withdrawal to reform, elements of the Right Wing and Center of the army were also marching through the Bavarian countryside.

Outside of Stuttgart, Napoleon's tired and weary division was held at bay by the local defenders, and then fresh Bavarian troops as they marched in from across the rest of Bavaria, Stuttgart being the designated city to gather the army in full, by orders of the king, who had now assumed control of the army.

By March 22nd the Armée du Rhin had, following the retreating Bavarian army, encircled the city of Stuttgart and most of the Bavarian army, and the King, who had been unable or unwilling to flee when he still had a chance. Three breakout attempts were made but repulsed.

On March 27th the Bavarian king was given the choice to speak terms of surrender, to be negotiated by Directors Jean-Pierre Carrel and Gauthier D'Aboville, who had travelled from Paris to observe and oversee the army. With little other option, and with the French poised to storm the city, the Bavarian King accepted.

On March 30th, the Treaty of Stuttgart was agreed upon by all parties. It’s primary stipulations being;

Karl Theodor, Elector and King of Bavaria, will oversee the transition of the Bavarian government into a constitutional monarchy.

Bavaria will claim responsibility for the war to the European nations.

Karl Theodor, after overseeing the government transition, will abdicate the throne. His family will retain its hereditary position.

Other stipulations within the document essentially made Bavaria part puppet, part protectorate state of France. In times of war its army could be seconded to command under the French army, it would pay tributes to France, a regiment of French soldiers would guard its royals, and various other stipulations and agreements.

Not wishing to see the destruction of his army, nor the razing of Stuttgart, Karl Theodor accepted, and he and his army were allowed to march out from Stuttgart with full honors.

Général de brigade Bonaparte, in recognition of his actions, was appointed to the command of the French garrison force that would be established in Bavaria until the treaty was carried out, and also to take full inventory of Bavarian weapons and munition stocks.

by **Of the Quendi** » Sat Jul 30, 2022 8:04 am

St James's Palace, London
April 7, 1791

Henry IX shook his head in sadness. "We ... Would have not thought ... Thought it possible ... So suddenly ... Without warning ... Bavaria ... Fallen ... How can it be?" The king bemoaned the disastrous news from Stuttgart. Before him Mr. Pitt sat upright in his chair stoic and calm in face of his king's lament and the decidedly unfortunate news from the continent. "Your Majesty." Said the First Lord of the Treasury. "I must declare the conduct of the Elector in this regard to be greatly unsatisfactory. To offer so little resistance, to sign so quickly so harsh a treaty, when a determined resistance might have forestalled a French victory, when there might have been allies ready and willing to act in concert with Bavaria. No I do declare it most intolerable." The First Lord glumly said making little attempt to conceal his displeasure.

The king nodded rather apathetically. "We ... Do not doubt that you are right ... Mr. Pitt. Yet We do not understand ... Twas but three weeks ago ... We had no cause to doubt ... To doubt the resolve ... of Germany. Now ... Bavaria conquered ... Prostrate ... Broken. How can it be?" The king asked despondently.

Viscount Dillon, who did not regularly attend the weekly audiences the King held with his most trusted minister and had therefore kept a low profile standing near the window of His Majesty's study, took this as his cue and stepped towards the small table at which Mr. Pitt sat at attention before the sovereign. "Your Majesty." The Foreign Secretary said with a polite bow. "On March 11 and 12 it appears the French crossed the Rhine, catching the Bavarians of guard. Rather than, as one might expect, to consolidate a foothold on the right bank and begin sieging Rastatt or the other fortresses guarding the Rhine the French effected a bold march on Stuttgart where it seems the Elector and much of his army became encircled and thereafter surrendered." The viscount explained. "Details are as of yet scarce and contradictory but it appears that a brigadier general Buonaparte quite overwhelmed the Bavarians, being the cause of this ... Calamity." Said the viscount.

The king looked more confused than enlightened by this brief and, even to the viscount himself, rather incomprehensible report. "A brigadier defeated Bavaria in three weeks?" The king said; apparently so surprised as to pronounce his bafflement quite clearly. The Viscount shrugged, before thinking this rude before his sovereign. "I ... Suppose one could put it like that Your Majesty." He said, exchanging a glance with stoical Pitt.

"Begging Your Majesty's indulgence; the question of how is one of lesser import now as we are presented with the reality of the fact that Bavaria has fallen." Mr. Pitt politely insisted. The king nodded slowly. "Yes ... Of course." He said ponderously. "So ... What do you ... Do you propose ... That we ... We ought to do ... Now ... Mr. Pitt?" The king asked. "Should we ... Should we perhaps ... Consider ... Consider ... Adjusting our ... Our ... Italian policy?" His Majesty added.

Viscount Dillon gazed at the First Lord of the Treasury wondering what would be his response to a question that Dillon himself, and a great many others in the ministry and in parliament was no doubt considering. But however displeased and surprised he may have been by the news from Bavaria Mr. Pitt shook his head firmly. "That, I believe, would be unwise Your Majesty. When we determined that it was proper for Your Majesty's United Kingdoms to offer support to Tuscany we did so not merely because it was right, nor simply because we thought Naples a danger and a threat to peace and stability in Europe. These would have been causes that may have been ignored in the face of the threat of the revolution. No, war with Naples became a necessity when the Emperor decided, for his own realm, upon such a cause of action." Declared the First Lord of the Treasury. "I shall readily admit that I had hoped for more from Bavaria but there has never been any doubt in my mind that Bavaria alone would not defeat France. Only a great coalition of German Princes together may achieve such a monumental undertaken; and the Emperor is the indispensable leader of such a coalition. Even if Berlin would be ready to form a coalition, without the Imperial Army I would consider the result very much in doubt. Very well, once the Emperor committed himself to wage war in Italy it became an imperative for Your Majesty's government to do everything in its power to see to it that that war was brought to a swift and successful conclusion so that the Imperial Army may be turned against France and made into the nucleus around which a great coalition army can be assembled." Said the First Lord of the Treasury.

The King (and the Viscount) nodded ponderously at this. "Well ... Said ... Mr. Pitt" The King declared with a growing confidence. "We ... Should have not liked to alter ... our policy in ... Italy." He continued. "But in the meantime ... Surely we must take some action ... We must ... We must condemn the French ... For this ... Vile treaty. We must ... Demand ... That they rescind it ... That they preserve the crown ... Of the Elector." The king, always the first to protest the deposition of his fellow monarchs. Mr. Pitt shook his head again. "For the time being I do not believe it would be wise to protest too fiercely against the French. While I have unshakable confidence in the ability of the Royal Navy to keep these islands safe from the French while destroying the fleets of Naples and the Amir; if the French declares war on the Emperor now, while he is distracted in Italy, and with this Buonaparte stationed in Munich then I would fear for the safety of the House of Austria. For the sake of our ally we must bide our time and strengthen our own state. I intend to use the motion passed by Parliament on the war with Naples and the Amir to justify a great armament on land and sea, on these island, on the continent and in all of our colonies beyond the Sea. We shall build new dockyards, we shall commission more troops, we shall train more militia, we shall recommission every ship that was paid off since the last war that may yet serve. We shall commission East Indiamen if needs be. And when, with God's help, this Neapolitan business is swiftly concluded, we shall be ready to give the French a lesson they are not like soon to forget."

A moment's silence followed this speech by Mr. Pitt. Both the King and Viscount Dillon seemed a little taken back by the determination and resolve that had, if but for a moment, replaced the First Lord of the Treasury's stoic demeanor. Here was the man who had stood up to Charles III and had come to dominate government under Henry IX that hid under the image of an alcoholized bureaucrat and beancounter. "Bravo sir." Dillon allowed himself to say, forgetting for a moment he was in the presence of his king. But Henry IX did not object. "Yes, quite." Said the King. "We would not wish to endanger Austria ... Her Majesty would never forgive Us." The King spoke with a soft smile at the mention of his Habsburg queen. "Yet nor can we simply accept this treaty ... It is ... Intolerable" The King insisted. "We must protest ... We must insist ... On more honorable terms ... For Bavaria ... The Empire and; the world." Declared the king.

Mr. Pitt pondered this for a moment before making a curt nod. "As of yet we know not the fine print of this document and we must consider its details before we issue any objections. But if it is what we are lead to believe I concur; that we must demand the convocation of a conference to negotiate a less one-sided and more rounded consideration of the terms of a peace between France and Bavaria." The First Lord of the Treasury, turning to Dillon. "My lord. Please draft a formal complaint to the directorate and have His Majesty's ambassador to France, Lord Gower, deliver it." The First Lord of the Treasury ordered.

To the ruling Government of France,

His Britannic Majesty's government protests the decision of France to sign with the Elector of Bavaria a one-sided treaty concluding the lamentable state of war that lately existed between France and Bavaria. This bilateral treaty, imposed upon the Elector under threat of force, represents an intolerable imposition upon the rights of the German Princes in general and His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty in particular, an abominable assault upon the sovereignty and dignity of the Elector's person and a direct threat to the European balance of power.

His Britannic Majesty's government is recognizant of, and delighted by, the fact that the war between Bavaria and France had been concluded. His Britannic Majesty's government is further recognizant of the fact that the war had concluded in France's favor and acknowledges that any peace treaty ought to reflect this fact. Finally His Britannic Majesty's government notes and is greatly pleased that peace reigns between His Britannic Majesty's United Kingdoms and France and hopes that this state shall continue.

Therefore His Britannic Majesty's government proposed the convocation of a conference to renegotiate a more palatable peace between France and Bavaria that, while recognizing the triumph of French arms and treating its reasonable demands with all due deference, may provide for a more mutually satisfactory and therefore durable peace. As a basis for such a peace His Britannic Majesty proposes that the Elector be permitted to retain his throne and his electoral dignity in Bavaria and in the Palatinate and that France limits its influence to Swabia and Franconia (and that it there restore the free cities, princes, estates and knights, lately dispossessed in the War of the Bavarian Sucession). As such a proposal would render France the master of both banks of the Rhine, provide it with security against invasion, and keep Bavaria too weak to threaten her, His Britannic Majesty's government hopes that this should provide an acceptable basis for further discussion and would find it difficult to regard the refusal to enter into talks on such a basis as anything other than the most blatant disregard for the peace presently existing between His Britannic Majesty's United Kingdoms and France.

Sincerely yours,
Theobald Dillon, 12th Viscount Dillon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
On behalf of
His Britannic Majesty Henry IX, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, Ireland and France, Defender of the Faith etc.

by **Parcia** » Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:12 am

New York Naval Yard
John Paul Jones

His mind drifted back to the night at the Green Dragon and smiled slightly. Sadly though, he never captained the America, as she had gone to the French to Replace La Magnifique.

In fact he had only commanded a few armed merchantmen and Revenue service cutters in the years since, the direct intervention of his few friends in the Navy and, though he considered this to just be rumor, President Washington.

That had changed however, as he had gotten a letter not too soon after that night that had changed his life.

"Please take this as I, George Washington, president of these United States, do wholly and urgently give my letter and word of recommendation towards the awarding the commissioning of the noted Naval captain and respected Sailor John Paul Jones, former captain of the ships Ranger and Bonhomme Richard and famous for his daring raids along the English coast during our war for independence against the English crown, the command of one of the thus two unnamed and uncommisioned ships of substantial size so he may further serve our young nation in preserving the happiness and liberty that it's citizens enjoy.

George Washington
President of the
United States"

He carried that letter with him as he entered the yard and found himself, in full military regalia, challenged by the two Marines guarding the way. His temper flared but Molly's words came to his mind.

Lord above he loved that woman.

He presented the letter alongside the letter of recent re commissioning into the Navy and the two looked him up and down before turning to holler for an officer who, upon seeing him, snapped to attention and saluted. “Captain Jones, sir, we were told by the rider to expect you this Wednesday.”

He nodded. “I’d like to see the ship in question if you’d like.” The man, a younger lad wearing the gorget of a commissioned lieutenant, stammered for a moment before nodding and leaving to find the dockyard foramen.

He turned to the two now very alert marines and leveled a questioning gaze upon them. “You two, you saw a man obviously dressed as a captain of America’s navy, with a letter of marque and commissioning, and you still withheld access to the yard holding his ship to be?”

The two men swallowed and seemed to cower ever so slightly at the rough tone he took with them and for a moment longer held his scowl before dropping it entirely. “At ease, very good gentleman, very good. I expect nothing less out of you green jackets and look forward to you men serving on my vessel in the future, tell me, what regiment are you men of?”

The taller of the two spoke. “Corporal Mathew Mathers, 1st Battalion, United States Marine Corps, sir.” Jones nodded. “Are you men posted here to guard this yard or are you awaiting deployment aboard a ship?” “We were told the entire company was awaiting orders for posting sir, t-the word among the men is that Congress recommissioned the big ship that’s been stored here for a few years now.”

As the young officer returned with someone he guessed to be a yard foreman he straightened and extended his hand to the two from where it had rested from his coat pocket. Shaking the hand of the young marines the two looked perplexed as they both found a piece of Spanish silver in each. “Spend it well gents, it’s actually worth a few continentals.”

The man called out to him and he recognized a similar Scottish accent to his, though he sounded much more weathered then he figured he did. “Captain Jones, good to see you again sir” Jones tilted his head and raised his brow, “We know each other?”

The Foremen took his hand and smiled. “James Hyde, foramen of the yard here. I worked at Portsmouth. I handed the Ranger over to you...well, as a simple rigger back then.” Jones shook the man’s hand and smiled. “Well then, Mr. Hyde, good to see you again. Tell me, Congress says there just may be a vessel here for me?”

Hyde motioned for him and the Marine officer to follow as they made their way to the far end of the yard, exchanging mostly small talk about their various exploits and various naval ideas and adventures.

They turned a corner around a large warehouse and she came into view. She was…large. Larger than anything he’d ever set foot on personally. She was three masted, with a large conventional sail plan. Two purpose gun decks with its top deck fitted for it as well, though it would take a week for the guns he ordered to arrive in any meaningful number.

She had been kept well though, and as the two men boarded her via the ramp leading up the side of the hull he could already see the tell tale signs of a “Yankee Built” warship. Hexagonal riders, reinforced cross beams and that now signature heavy planking with layered live and white oak. She was considerably well planked as well, nearly a full time and a half in terms of what he had seen on the Constitution and Constellation during their short visits to Boston some time ago.

Hyde walked him through her entirety, from deck to deck, his quarters, store rooms, everything. Eventually arriving back at the helm he took it and stared over its empty deck, with bits of rigging and tools about. For a moment, just a moment, he felt the salt on his face and the wind in his hair as he gave commands. That moment past and he rather reluctantly let go of the ships wheel and turned to Hyde. “Good sir, when can she be put to sea.” The foreman went quiet. “Captain Jones I’m not sure exactly, I know Congress gave her to you, but she’s lacking a crew, guns, or funding for the last bits of fitting out…” Jones held up a hand and stopped him. “I have an order of naval cannon arriving shortly, and can recruit crews and secure funds and provisions.”

The man paused and for a moment the air was pregnant with tension. “4 weeks, we can put her to sea in 4-5 weeks, but we’d need to get working tomorrow.” Jones nodded. “Tomorrow then.”

Southern Georgia
Just north of the border with German Florida.

The pair of Timucuan natives moved as quickly as possible. They were running from something and doing so fast. Jacob kept up with him best he could, the Pennsylvania rifle held low and the dark form of Gypsy hunched down beside him as he ducked and weaved. Normally he’d have almost no luck tracing a party of the southern natives like this, but they weren't hunting or ranging, they were running.

Then he heard it. A shot. A woman's scream, and German cursing.

He turned to the rest of the platoon and nodded to them. He was the only mixed race man in the 12 man element, and it only had 4 white men total with the rest being recruited natives similar to himself. They were 3rd Platoon, of 1st Company, Marion’s Rangers.

They moved quietly and quickly, fanning out around the intruding party as they surrounded the women he heard cry out. It looked to be a half dozen white men, one on horseback, chasing a pair of native women who seemed to be carrying bundles of something.

The white men, who he figured to be Germans given the language they spoke, began to harass and threaten the women as they ripped the bundles from their hands. He heard the cries of an infant and turned to look at his Sergeant, one of the few white men who gave him a grim shake of his head. They were close to the border, on the American side, but close enough it could be considered an error. Still, they didn't look to be Colonial troops, none sans the mounted man wore a uniform.

He guessed the rider to be one of the colonial constables? Armed with a saber and pistol, but no carbine or lance.

The cries of the women and the children ripped him from his thoughts and glanced over to his sergeant. The man again shook his head more forcefully this time as the younger Jacob scowled and shouldered his rifle. Realizing the young man was likely to shoot regardless of his orders and not wanting anyone to survive who could run to the German governor in Florida.

He raised his hand and the entire band of Rangers shouldered their rifles and waited for his command to fire. Jacob did not and took aim on the man closest to the women as he drew a pistol on her and her wounded sister. Aiming center mass and just above the waste, he emptied his lung and fired. They were within 100 yards, and he was a crack shot in his own right.

The man fell with a bright red mist as the .50 ball hit him nearly center in the chest. A torrent of fire followed, not the even, staggered fire of men in line, but rapidly aimed fire as the 12 men aimed to put two balls into each man.

They all dropped, either dead or gravely wounded and even the rider seemed to take a shot but the rider seemed only wounded and turned his charger tail and tried to run. Giving his companion a command in Seminole, the wolf dog shot out and rapidly ran down the rider as he made for the tree line and clamped her jaws down around one of his ankles and wrenching him free of his mount.

Jacob ran from his cover, tomahawk at the ready but found no real need as she had out right torn the man's shreds by the time he got there and he called her off. It was grizzly, with bits of his face and throat everywhere. He did always maintain she was more wolf than dog.

He returned to the platoon as they rendered aid to the women. One looked like she took a pistol shot to the arm and both looked beaten and malnourished. His concern over them was diverted as his Sergeant stomped over and grabbed him by the shoulder.

“Boy what were you thinking? Do you know who these men are, who that man on the horse was?!” Jacob wretched him self free and turned to call Gypsy to heel as she had bounded over to defend her master.

“What does it matter, we aren’t saying anything and as far as I’m concerned these men were bandits with a local constable in their pocket!” The Sergeant’s face fell and he spoke in a low tone. “These were German Colonials, that man your mongrel tore apart was an officer. It doesn't matter if we were on our side of the border, we just fired upon the troops of German Florida.”

Jacob fell silent as it dawned on him.

What did he just do?

by **Imperialisium** » Thu Aug 04, 2022 3:35 pm

The Habsburg Empire
April-May
The centre of Habsburg power was of course the Imperial Court in Vienna. In the decadent halls of Schonbrunn Palace. With tis gilt interiors and marble pillars. Fountains and artistic facades. The seat of power of the patriarch of one of Europe's most powerful, and longest reigning, Imperial & Royal Houses. The war in Italy had thrown the Habsburg state into one of tedious logistics work. The wheels of state turning as the multi-ethnic and diverse realms of the Habsburgs churned at separate paces. To say the Empire which the Habsburgs ruled was a conglomerate of various disparate states would be an understatement. Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation, Archduke of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, et cetera. All of these titles came with their own legal systems, duties, finances, and administrators. What passed in Hungary could be denied in Austria or Bohemia. Conscription in the Netherlands could be met with hostility if tried in Croatia. It was all a juggling act and the emperor, despite being a trained statesman in the art of bureaucracy and expectant decision making for one raised to receiving the Imperial Crown, Leopold II could only leverage all his talents into keeping it together. Which is fortunate for the empire that his family had ruled since the time of Friedrich III during the early 15th century. Needless to say, and to not further extend reaching the point of the Courts responsiveness to global affairs, the matter of Italy and British assistance was received most welcome.

The Emperor, with a rare unanimous agreement from the representatives of his various polities that he was liege toward, penned an official response in his own hand.

To His Most Generous Britannic Majesty, Long May He Reign,

I, Leopold, second of my name of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine; Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation et al; accept your most generous offer to aid in financing troops in the field. These funds will be put to immediate use in resolving the arduous and regretfully bloody affair of what is now certainly 'The Italian Question'. The Court of Vienna truly appreciates the generosity of what many here are now calling their 'British Brothers in Arms' against such an unjust assault on the peace of Northern Italy. In response to this generosity, I have sent word to the Governor-General of the Imperial Port Possessions in the Netherlands to allow British warships, troops, and shipping through unmolested and docking costs waived In Gratus. If there is more that my office is able to provide for Britain and friends of His Britannic Majesty, I can only express urgency in informing me immediately.

Respectfully,

Leopold

The letter for the Grand Duke of Tuscany, however, would only arrive late after extensive detour. Arriving in the fading days of April, as Ferdinand evaded the Neapolitan armies before rejoining with Austrian forces at newly recaptured Arezzo. A response would of course be immediately penned.

To His Britannic Majesty,

I cannot fathom the feelings of warmth that your Nation has given to Tuscany and the plight of the Grand Duchy. Even now Neapolitan Armies plunder our countryside and leave it in devastation with their passage. I reside in shelter at Arezzo. Recaptured by the forces of my father. Now, we seek to recapture the infeoffed Florentine Republic but to so far, no avail. As a result, I urge caution for your fleet, for the Neapolitans may turn whatever guns remain on the old forts along the coast upon His Majesty's Ships. But, be assured that our victory is inevitable and that the armies of the Emperor stand at the borders of the Latin Plains. Should the financial assistance be received either by land or sea it will be put to use immediately in the arming and reinforcing of the Tuscan nation, and the benefit of its people.

Respectfully,
Ferdinand

The Austro-Triumvirate War
April
(devved with Antimersia)

The Austro-Triumvirate War officially kicked off with the Battle of Forli (April 14th). The Triumvirate Army advancing along the Bologna-Forli road which followed the northern side of the Apennines. Separating the Po Valley and Lombardy from the Latin Plains and Ancient Campania. The Imperial & Royal Army fell upon the Triumvirate in surprise near the town of Forli during the late afternoon hours of April the 14th. Throwing back the Triumvirate vanguard in a series of clashes near the town with heavy losses suffered by the Triumvirate. The Imperials gave chase with the last contact between the Triumvirate rearguard and the Imperial vanguard battalions occurring just after eight in the evening. Triumvirate casualties at Forli amounted to 4,272 to the Imperial 1,881.

The Triumvirate would then fall back to San Marino were, despite the existence of some old Medieval fortifications they would be woefully inept in a modern battle. The Triumvirate would be forced to give battle and there the Austrian Grenadiers breached the defenses with a determined bayonet charge. Imperial Artillery broke rallying Triumvirate battalions and despite the apparent confusion the Triumvirate forces were able to conduct an organized retreat to the South to Perugia. Triumvirate losses amounted to 3,507 while the Imperials counted 2,445 invalids.

Concurrently, the surrender of Venice on the second day of the war reached Vienna and Rome nearly within the same hour. The Venetian garrison being allowed to leave with their colors and personal arms by galley or barge. The smaller Imperial Army of Istria then moved behind the larger Army of Lombardy. D'Marchese seeking to make for Tuscany and passed through Bologna unopposed. Countermarching around the Florentine garrison to make a surprised and sudden recapture of Arezzo. The small Triumvirate garrison retreating without firing a single musket ball, and as a result the Austrians let them retreat into the hinterland unmolested. This now posed a particular problem for the Triumvirate forces in Tuscany. They were at risk of being cut off with the Florentine garrison now directly cut from their own communication lines to Rome. But they put up a determined defense.

The First Battle of Florence occurred on April 19th and was a defiant defense. The Triumvirate forces using a steep hill to the west of Florence to threaten the Imperial flank and force a general engagement. A position which try as D'Marchese might to force the former to concede the hill, they would not. The Triumvirate forces ultimately denying the entrance to Florence by the Austrians. D'Marchese would mount a second attempt on April 22nd but to no avail. Once again, the Florentine garrison repelled the oncoming Austrian columns and in order to cut his losses in what was becoming an expensive affair. The Imperials would move to continue cutting off the Triumvirate forces in Tuscany. A strategy seemingly most sound with his counterpart Archduke Ferdinand Karl's victory at Perugia.

The Battles of Perugia and Terli
April 23rd-28th

The Battle of Perugia proved to be a harsh defeat for the Triumvirate. Losing just over 7,000 men dead or wounded to the Imperials 3,200. Triumvirate heavy cavalry squadrons conducted daring flanking assaults were repelled with significant losses in men and horses throughout the mid-morning hours of April 23rd. While Hungarian Hussars and Cheveaulegers managed to flank and assail the Triumvirate artillery. Causing the wholesale loss of no less than four batteries of 6 and 12 pounder guns. Things would go bad to worse for the Triumvirate when the Imperial Cuirassiers conducted their own charge which caught the determined 7th Light out of position. Demolishing a whole battalion of veteran light infantry then routing an oncoming line infantry battalion in a single charge before noon. The tenacious Chasseurs of the Triumvirate would manage to anchor a temporary line of battle in the wake of these events. But they too would be worn down and despite their undoubtedly heroic efforts in holding onto the extreme right flank of the Neapolitan line they would be forced to retire in haste in the wake of roundshot volleys and three to one odd against the Imperial's German Fusiliers and Jagers. But not all was in vain for the Triumvirate. For a sharp wheeling motion did manage to turn the opposite flank, the Imperial right giving way in a quick retreat to woods to the North-west of Perugia. Wheeling as the last Triumvirate efforts on the centre and left were launched. Forcing Archduke Ferdinand Karl to commit the Emperor's Own regiment to hold the weakening left. Throwing back three Cuirassier charges, two bayonet charges, and four firefight attempts to break through into the Imperial rear. Which, the Emperor's Own would then be forced in the afternoon hours to counter-march to the right. The exhausted men storming into the woods to the North of Perugia to reinforce the barely holding on battalions of Fusiliers and Grenadiers in the wake of eight Triumvirate line battalions, two light battalions, and a company of heavy cavalry overseen by the Neapolitan general himself. Only with this effort did the Triumvirate relent. With their last action of a circuitous heavy cavalry charge to raid the Imperial supply lines stopped by an ambush of Imperial Feldjagers in the woods and outer farms of Perugia along the North-South road.

This battle would cause a delay in the Imperial timetables of more than four days with the follow-on battle of Terli being a tired slugging match as the Imperial army cracked open the road to Rome. Both armies receiving cantonment reinforcements for several regiments would fight a grueling all-day affair in the hills and low valleys around Terli, and within the city itself as the fighting moved through the streets and houses. Until finally, realizing that it was retreat into the Latin Plains or risk rout. The Triumvirate forces sounded the retreat. Leaving Ferdinand Karl in control of Terli and a battlefield littered with over 15,000 Triumvirate dead and wounded, and just over 10,000 Imperial casualties.

The Saxe-Weimar Response

The response for the thinly veiled if not obvious threat of military annexation by the Kingdom of Saxony served to rile the rulers of Saxe-Weimar. Sure, they were of relation by blood to the sovereign of Saxony. But they had ruled these lands for generations and could not fathom such an open and blatant land grab. Even worse was the wording! The condescension that they would be allowed like some school yard child to retain a fraction of their rights. The response was a curt no and a dispatch to the Imperial Diet over the matter. Seeking to broker a resolution with the Holy Roman Emperor in Vienna before an incident could be struck.

Code: Select all: To Our Relatives, Your threat brings us no small sense of sorrow. The malice which has gripped you worries us so. But it is with great remorse and stout defiance over what is rightfully our land and rights that the government of Saxe-Weimar reject your offer.

by **Antimersia** » Tue Aug 09, 2022 11:38 am

April, 1791

The Austo-Triumvirate war has been a bloody affair on both sides. But much more so for the Triumvirate of Rome. News of the results of the battles came in to the hands of each of the three members of the Triumvirate, all three staging themselves at Rome for the duration of the conflict. The news felt bleak in some regards yet held glimmers of hope among others. Rome had hoped to make a full stop of any advance by the Austrian forces at San Marino. But even the illustrious city has fallen. And now, with further defeats along the path to Roma, there appears to be only a single battle left before the forces are required to make a stand at the capitol city. And while this seems bleak, there are still rays of hope left on the horizon through which the nation of three states hold onto dearly. Firstly, were the brave victories of Firenze. An army, outnumbers, and by all outward accounts outmatched, managed to take the Tuscan Capitol city, and hold it against two powerful Austrian advances. One victory, was merely a technical, tactical halting of the Austrian forces advance. The second, was a valiant and proper defeat of the forces in combat. It was proof that Triumvirate forces can defeat the Austrians in the field of battle, and it would be held as the gold standard by which all further skirmishes would aspire.

The Roman loses are heavy. Heavier than the adversaries of Austria. But Austria has faced significant losses of their own. The Triumvirate moved to replenish their forces with a few thousand reserve cantons being called into duty. It was not much, but the added fresh manpower will always be of importance to worn down unit facing a force that has similarly been in near constant activity for over a month. Similarly, it was decided that the newly trained troops, fifty eight thousand strong, would be called into action slightly early. It was planned that they would be deployed in mid June. Do to the near dire nature of this conflict’s current status, mid May is now when they will be deployed. There will be some deficiencies in their training. But it is believed that one month of training will not be the deciding factor in a battle when the troops they are facing are already battle tested. Aiming for a conclusion of their training by may 15th, and a full deployment by May 20th, the troops shall march north to do battle and attempt to overwhelm whatever Austrian forces remain.

In Firenze, supplies are starting to get low by the end of the month. Two battles, both victories, have allowed spirits to remain high despite the gradually dwindling resources. Tuscany is flush with food, like wheat. So food is not an issue, yet. But much longer with supply lines being blocked by Austrian forces, and that will change. Gunpowder and ammunition however are dwindling. Another full scale battle from an Austrian assault may very well deplete the Firenze forces. Hopes of Cordoban arrival, thusly, increases by the day.

Roma, The Papal States, The Triumvirate of Rome
April 29th, 1791

The Doge of Venice, His Holiness the Pope, and the King of Naples meet together, discussing the state of the conflict against Tuscany and Austria. Tensions are high. Despite the public faces they put on, trying to calm the public and assuage them of the current state of things. It is simply known among the three of them that the effort is not favorable to them at this time. And is not likely to change drastically in the near future.

“We must come to the table now before we lose more ground!” Ludovico Manin, Doge of Venice, roars at his fellow heads of state.

“If we come to the table now, we look weak and scared. Even more so if we are to be the initiators. It is out of the question.” King Ferdinand I of Naples replies, stalwart.

“Your lands are not entirely occupied, Ferdinand. You speak without care for the people under military rule.” Manin argues.

“And you simply wish to be freed from MY dominion. You have wanted this since you were elected, as has every Doge before you since the Triumvirate was formed by my Father. Your weakness and fear will not drive us to capitulation while fight still remains within us.” Ferdinand snaps.

“Ferdinand, if we continue, we risk total capitulation regardless. We might lose ourselves to Austrian rule. Ludovico is simply suggesting we meet with the Emperor and discuss terms that might be favorable to both parties. Or at the very least one that is the least punitive to us as can be arranged.” The Pope pleads.

“We claimed the land that the Emperor’s son held his Dukedom within. Do you think that any result short of our total elimination of Austrian forces would result in anything beyond grave losses in our land, finances, and prestige? If you do then you are mad.” Ferdinand retorts.

“And total elimination of Austrian forces would be a folly to presume is likely. Even if we manage to decimate their forces that are in Italy, they have the funds and power to raise thrice that number and come to defeat us once again. We ultimately agreed to this war as we all agreed that the proliferation of The Triumvirate was in our best interests. But we no longer agree on this point. Any further posturing is not based in the best interest of our nation. But merely your Imperial ambitions.” Manin scolds.

“We have an entire army, raising to face to face the Austrians. We will soon dwarf their numbers. Unlike the cowards you had guarding your city, Naples will fight to the last man to defend it’s land. Including land held by false Dukes. We will not end this fight until Tuscany is ours, or until there is no man to fight the Austrian invasion.” Ferdinand says, his voice calming but sounding almost sinister.

“You would truly depose your own daughter, from a marriage you arranged, from the lands granted to her through her marriage, for your own ambitions?” Pope Pius VI asks, shocked at Ferdinand’s way of speaking. “We spoke of giving the duke and his duchess a place in our parliament. Now you speak of deposing them like their titles mean nothing.”

“Their titles do mean nothing when they take up arms against their rightful rulers. I will lead the slaughter of all of Austria if I must, or die trying. Every man woman and child of Italy will raise a musket. Italy belongs to Rome. And I will not bequeath our rightful land to Germanic rulers. Nor will I allow anyone to undermine my defense of our gre-” Before Ferdinand could finish, his words, as well as all the sounds in the room are drowned out by the explosion of powder from a pistol. The flintlock discharges, and the room stays silent, wondering what just occurred. Ferdinand’s jacket begins to soak with blood through a hole formed in his gut. He looks at the man who shot him, Pius Vi, his Holiness is holding the discharged weapon. Smoke bellowing out of the barrel still as the scared and shaking ruler of the Papal States slowly lowers the pistol. The King of Naples, falling to his back, and perishing there on the floor. The guards hesitate, being loyal to the Bishop of Rome first and foremost. But still feeling like the murder of a member of the Triumvirate must be dealt with. They move to arrest Pope Pius VI. But the Doge step in.

“I vote in favor of the removal of the King of Naples, do you vote with me, your Holiness.” The Doge said, somewhat forsaking his Protestant values for the sake of taking common ground with the Pope and solving the sudden issue of a lack of order among their ranks.

“I… I- uh yes. I vote in favor as well.” The Pope sheepishly replies.

“Splendid. Then his removal, by force, is within the jurisdiction of Triumvirate law. Stand down gentlemen.” Manin orders. The guards seem to want to disobey, there is clear conflict in their eyes and stances. Yet they follow the order. Standing down and returning to their post at the door. “Now then Pius, while I agree that Ferdinand was a detriment and would have gotten us killed, his people will not be pleased with his death. We need to contact his heir, Francisco, and establish an order of events that implicate neither of us, and can allow the two of us, with far more level heads, to lead the Triumvirate into some form of Peace with Austria. Can you handle that?”

The Pope seems disturbed by his own actions. So much so that he can barely speak. “Yes… I agree. We have troops training in the city. Call it a stray bullet.”

“Good, that is a good idea. We shall have to sacrifice one of our men to the crowds for this. But one man is nothing compared to the good of this nation.” Manin explains.

And so the pair set their plan in motion. A single infantryman was unduly blamed for the death of the King of Naples. He was hanged, and his name became mud. Meanwhile Francisco I was informed of this news. And while he is considered the new King of Naples, being only 14 years, old his mother Maria Carolina has stepped forward to be his Regent in these times of strife within the Triumvirate. Maria Carolina, Queen Regent begins preparations to travel to Rome. Her arrival set to occur on the 5th of May. Meanwhile, Ludovico Manin and Pope Pius VI prepare correspondence for the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Proposing to meet in Florence, to discuss possible peace. And informing him of the suddenly and unfortunate death of the King of Naples, and including formal notice of the Queen’s regency of the Heir Francisco. To be sent by the end of April, hoping to reach the forces of Austria at Terli before they continue their march.

by **Of the Quendi** » Wed Aug 10, 2022 4:36 am

10 Downing Street, London
April 19, 1791

William Pitt the Younger, First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer was enjoying his second bottle of port of the day in his study, awaiting the arrival of the lords commissioners of the treasury. The austere alcoholic was in a fine mood. News of the fall of Venice to the Imperial Army and the arrival of a most satisfactory letter from the Emperor the day before had put to shame all those who had questioned the wisdom of the war and in his address to the ministry earlier in the day Mr. Pitt had received full support for his Italian policy. Now he was scribbling down notes for the speech he intended to give in the Commons on the fall of Venice, all the while reviewing Britain's financial commitments.

The First Lord of the Treasury was not blind to the irony of the fact that he, a man who had been sacked by Charles III for his stubborn refusal to allow the British debt, soaring ever since that misguided American adventure, to continue to increase, was now increasing spending to hitherto unknown heights. On his desk Mr. Pitt had two signed promissory notes for his Austrian and Tuscan allies. To the Grand Duke, 30,000 pounds, a quarter of the total sum promised him to pay for the defense of that realm. To the Emperor and astonishing 200,000 pounds sterling in payment for just a single month of warfare. Wars were expensive indeed, Mr. Pitt thought as he took a very healthy gulp of his glass of port.

Yet the subsidy to the allies was a trifle next to the expenditures Mr. Pitt had on the morning received the support of his cabinet to initiate at home. Near twenty million pounds each for the Royal Navy and for the Army. Ten times what it had been a few years ago. For the benefit of Naples? Of course not. The French assault on Bavaria had made abundantly clear the need for His Majesty's United Kingdoms to arm themselves for a much greater and more important war to come.

A knock on the door to his study interrupted Mr. Pitt's musings. The Downing Street butler entered the study. "The Lords Commissioners, sir." Said the self-effacing man. Mr. Pitt nodded; "Send them in." He said.

Henry Dundas, the Home Secretary and, more relevant to his role as Lord Commissioner of the Treasury; Treasurer of the Navy, entered first.. At forty nine years of age the Scotsman was much the senior of the commission and the only one not to be a personal friend of Mr. Pitt's. Nevertheless the First Lord of the Treasury relied greatly on Dundas to advise him on military matters; and Dundas's advice was usually to focus on the High Seas and leave the continent to others. For Dundas British naval supremacy was crucial to the safety of the state with European matters a secondary concern. As such he had been a great sceptic of what he had privately called; "the Italian adventure". He had however received the news of the fall of Venice with great enthusiasm, knowing that it was the Most Serene Republic that was the more potent of the Triumvirates parts at sea, and that her defeat was likely to strengthen Britain's naval influence in the Mediterranean.

Dundas was followed by his adversary, William Grenville, recently made Baron Grenville. A cousin, contemporary and supporter of Mr. Pitt, Grenville held the offices of Paymaster of His Majesty's Armed Forces and Master-General of Ordnance and was an enthusiastic supporter of the war effort believing that Britain ought to commit itself to war on the continent not just the high seas. This was perhaps unsurprising given his responsibilities for the army and the artillery, yet his argument that the British Empire could not be maintained in the face of a single power dominating the continent was not without resonance

Henry Addington, the Speaker of the House of Commons came next. Two years older than Pitt and Grenville, Addington was the son of William Pitt the Elder's physician and as such was a "Pittite" born and raised, having fought alongside Pitt since the 1784 election when the Pittites won, only to be barred from office the year thereafter by Charles III. When in 1788 Henry IX had restored the Pittites to power Pitt had appointed Addington as Speaker of the House of Commons, responsible for spearheading the agenda of the Pitt ministry in that chamber, a task he had thus far carried out with a combination of steadfast loyalty to the ministry and to Pitt himself and undeniable competence and skill.

Finally the Earl of Chatham, Mr. Pitt's elder brother and their father's principal heir, John Pitt, entered. As Comptroller of the Navy and therefore president of the navy board, Lord Chatham was his younger brother's principal advisor on matters related to the navy despite being a general of the army and never having served in the Royal Navy. Though he respected Lord Howe greatly Mr. Pitt felt he was more the Navy's man in the ministry than the ministry's man in the Navy and thus relied on his brother and the navy board to keep the admiralty in line. To further elevate the status of his brother, Mr. Pitt had named him Second Lord of the Treasury and his de facto deputy.

"Gentlemen." Mr. Pitt greeted the four Lords Commissioners. "Please be seated." He ordered as the four men took their seats in the study and called for various beverages. The First Lord of the Treasury looked around at his four senior advisors, for that was in effect what the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury had become, a ministry within the ministry, whose loyalty and competence was more reliable than the outer ministry, with its two many prominent names and inflated egos. "I have just finished preparing the promissory notes giving His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty and the Grand Duke of Tuscany drawing rights from the Bank of England in the amount of 230,000 pounds." Mr. Pitt began. "As I trust that these efforts will guarantee the financial basis for our allies to continue and win the war on land; I thought we might discuss the situation at sea. John; will you please appraise us of the situation as you see it?" Mr. Pitt asked.

The Earl of Chatham cleared his throat. "Yes." He replied. "The Navy Board has made every effort to prepare the new Mediterranean Fleet. Victuals had been provisioned or are being provisioned in a timely fashion and appointments of officers has been made. I have spoken with Lord Howe and Lord Hood and I have every confidence that by May the Mediterranean Fleet shall be ready and make for an impressive armada, fully able to assert British interests in the Tyrrheanian Sea." Said the Earl of Chatham.

"Excellent." His younger brother replied. "If there is nothing further regarding the immediate concerns for the preparation of the Mediterranean Fleet than perhaps we may turn towards the future of the defense of these United Kingdoms." Said the First Lord of the Treasury, taking another large sip of his port. "As Parliament has approved of the increased spending bill for the defense of the realm I think it prudent how best to strengthen His Majesty's armed forces. Starting with the Royal Navy; please continue John." Demanded Mr. Pitt.

The Earl of Chatham nodded politely. "At the present 140 ships-of-the-line is available for use by the Royal Navy though many are decommissioned. With the departure of the Mediterranean Fleet our defenses of the Channel will be weakened significantly. The return of the Baltic Fleet will do much to offset this, but with the increase in defense spending we must recommission our battleships. With the full recommissioning of all of our ships-of-the-line these United Kingdoms will command the largest navy in its history and even sizable commitments far from home waters will not leave us vulnerable to any continental adversary. In terms of frigates we have as many as we could possible desire. I do however, and here I am of a mind with both Lord Howe and, I believe, Mr. Dundas ..." Chatham said, looking over at Henry Dundas for a confirming nod before continuing; " ... Perceive three weaknesses of the Royal Navy two of which may be solved and one remedied, by this increase in funding." Chatham said.

"Firstly; though battleships and frigates are the vessels of the greatest import to the waging of war at sea we ought not to discount the importance of unrated vessels when it comes to commerce raiding, convoy escorts, coastal defense and a range of other tasks for which larger warships ought not be assigned. Regrettably of unrated vessels we have few and had we not so many frigates that might scour the seas for enemy vessels I would consider this a serious threat to British commerce. I have conferred with Sir John Hensley, the Surveyor, and we believe the construction of new unrated vessels should be a priority." Said the Earl of Chatham.

The commission pondered this message for a moment. "Unrated vessels?" Addington asked dubiously. "It may not be an easy sell to the Commons, especially when considering how many rated vessels we have convinced them to fund lately." Said the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Mr. Pitt turned too Dundas. "You concur with this desire for unrated vessels?" He asked. Dundas, without hesitation or reservation, nodded affirmingly. "I do sir. We need gunboats to guard our shores and brigs to preserve our commerce and raid the enemy's." Said the Treasurer of the Navy. "In the present circumstances, if we are not minded to use frigates for convoy service I dare say the combined naval power of the Triumvirate and Cordoba may well be sufficient to constitute a threat to at least some of our trade." Dundas said.

Mr. Pitt nodded. He turned to Addington. "Then that is how we sell it. Nothing frightens the Commons quite so much as the idea of an East Indiaman being captured or sugar, tobacco and cotton shortages. I will address the Commons on this very problem and propose unrated vessels as the solution. Set a date for a debate as soon as possible, I want my spending package fully approved by both houses in this session." The First Lord declared, receiving a respectful nod for a reply. "It shall be done sir." Addington said.

"Continue, John." Mr. Pitt said. The Earl of Chatham continued; "The second issue I would like to raise is related to the former. The state of our dockyards. Currently we barely have capacity for the refitting and maintenance of our current ships, let alone constructing new vessels. I propose a significant expansion and modernization of our dockyards, perhaps even the establishment of new ones." Said the Earl of Chatham; with Dundas exclaiming; "Hear, here." Mr. Pitt smiled. "I expect we can make that happen." He, somewhat noncommittally declared.

"Finally." The Earl of Chatham continued when it became clear his brother, and the other Lords Commissioners, had nothing further to say on dockyard expansion. "There is the issue of recruitment. The navy is already short staffed, everywhere there is vacancies and not enough men. Volunteers make up a lamentably small amount of our sailors, with pressed men outnumbering them by a lot. Apart from the lack of willingness the pressed men display, which is ruinous enough to discipline and morale aboard a ship, I need hardly point out the dangers of ships manned by too many pressed men. We need to find a way to increase recruitment, preferably by volunteers, though how to do so is, I readily confess, beyond me." Said the Earl of Chatham.

Grenville sighed. "The army suffers from the same issue of recruitment." He opined. "We simply cannot convince people of the desirability of joining His Majesty's Armed Forces. That on these islands with their sixteen million souls only a quarter of a million man is prepared to die for King and Country is intolerable indeed. Yet I too must confess myself unable to envision a solution to the problem. Unless of course we start paying sailors and soldiers more." A polite laughter greeted Grenville's last words, with even the unsociable Pitt smiling at the notion of increasing the pay of the sailors and the soldiers. "A very novel solution My Lord. Clearly we need to think creatively about how to solve this issue of recruitment, but perhaps not that creatively." Mr. Pitt replied warmly.

As the mirth had died down, and everyone had gotten some fresh refreshment, Dundas revisited the subject. "The Cornwallis brothers has conscripted Indians into the service of the ships of the East India Company." He said. The Earl of Chatham nodded. "Aye, and the Royal Navy regularly conscripts foreigners of all sorts. A solution of some sort I suppose but not sufficient nor entirely desirable I think."

"In the Americas we made liberal use of German mercenaries." Grenville spoke ponderously. "Perhaps the army could commission German defectors from the armies of Bavaria and her vassal states. Their unseemly displays against France notwithstanding Germans make for excellent soldiers and they are more at ease with the service than Englishmen." Suggested the Paymaster and Master-General.

For a moment the Lords Commissioners considered the idea in silence. Then Mr. Pitt spoke. "I want you all to think more about this matter of recruitment. The employment of foreigners, whether Indians or Germans or ... Or even West Indian slaves, is certainly worth considering but it is not done with that alone. Gentlemen, war with France is coming, as certainly as winter follows autumn. If there was ever doubt this humiliation of Bavaria has proven it clearly. Even if the French agrees to a more honorable peace to be mediated by our government it will be but a delay before the inevitable." The First Lord of the Treasury declared. "We must prepare ourselves, and these recruitment shortages must be dealt with, decisively." Mr. Pitt glared at his Lords Commissioners, his useful dour austerity replaced by determination. "We will speak much more about the army and the militia at a later day. Today I want to focus on the navy." Said Mr. Pitt, inviting the Lords Commissioners to discuss, in greater details, the plans for the strengthening of the Royal Navy.

by **St George Territory** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 5:19 pm

OOC: Just wanted to write something to give Karl a send off.

AUGUST 22nd 1857
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The elderly man sat alone on the park bench, a copy of the New Yorker Staats-zeitung neatly folded beside him, the birds gathered by him expecting their regular meal of breadcrumbs, but today was a sad anniversary for the elderly man, the death of his brother Michael. Karl sat in mourning, leaned back and enjoyed the summer weather, which was soon to be overtaken by fall. For the most part it had been a good life, enduring hardship after hardship, but surviving on the way to where he was, fighting in the war had scarred him deeply, from sabres and bullets and missing two fingers on his left hand, in spite of that he made a life for himself. He married a woman from Colmar in France, and made his way to America, to start anew. Carrying the several chests of goods that contained his life, such as letters and medals.

Some nights he remembered his comrades, but on the anniversary of Provins, his thoughts were always of his brother Michael who he imagined watched over him always. Every Sunday lighting a candle at the Irish church he went to, as he confessed his sins to the priest in his broken English. It calmed him knowing that he was free in this land of opportunity, away from the old country. It was here that he flourished, his son was to take over the family business, his daughters were married, but took time to visit, this picture of the peace that he so yearned for in his youth, obtained through the blood of so many.

He tried to never think of it, but the invasive thought would always pop up again, whenever he reread his correspondence, especially the letter from the Emperor Bonaparte himself, or most likely one of his many secretaries. Or that French corporal, who spared him on the field, there continued letters long after the fighting was done, it was odd at the time that such a hated foe to him could become a beloved friend. His Legion d’honneur, or his Royal order of St. George, that he guarded in secret, until his daughter had found them during her last visit, it felt like a past life to Karl.

On that park bench Karl sat, contemplating it all, a life well lived, a life deserved from the sacrifices of so many other men? What would Meyerhofer have grown up to be? Karl could only wonder what any of those men could have grown up to become, but in the end it was him that made it through the fight and left, married Eléa and left for a new life, to leave the pain behind; so why did it always follow him? He imagined it could be so easy, but the truth of the matter was that living was the hardest, through so many battles and campaigns, the heat of the Sultan’s prized university still licked him, or the taking of St. Peter’s Basilica, and the further conquest of Naples.

Michael would’ve loved it all, he smiled and took out a small paper bag and fed the birds, who happily ate. Glancing down at his pocket watch he sighed, it was time to go home, his daughter Colette was stopping by with the grandkids. He got up with the aid of a walking stick, his left hand grasped on the newspaper, he made the trek home. Under the shade of trees Karl made his way down the street, leaving the square and on to Bowery, exchanging hellos with many other Germans who inhabited New York City, all the way to 357 Bowery, his apartment building. He paused for a moment before entering, enjoying one last moment of the outside sun as he entered.

He lived on the first floor, which made it easier for him to get around in his advanced age. He opened the door and was immediately struck by the blessed smell of a well cooked meal and the sounds of a full home, with his children out of the home. It was a good feeling, making his way past the living room, where his chess game with Gallois sat unfinished and into the kitchen, full of life.

“Opa!” Called out little Emilia as she ran to hug Karl’s leg.

Karl smiled as he rubbed her head, “Good to see you showed up.”

She laughed and hugged tighter as his Daughters and Son stood up to greet him, an idyllic scene, undeserved for a man such as himself, surely not, Karl thought to himself, a closed smile on his face as he sat down at the table, full of food prepared careful by Eléa, but also a few of his momentos. Karl looked at the bits of coloured ribbons and scrap metal, the mark of a true man, or was it the mark of a survivor? “Papa, we never knew you had these, where are they from?” Ludwig asked, touching his Legion d’honneur.

“It’s from a time far ago. I was a different man… times were different.” Karl responded, gazing out the window to the busy street below.

“When Bavaria fought France, I’m surprised they would award you.” Ludwig said.

“They are a very forgiving bunch.” Karl smiled at Eléa and chuckled. “Provins to Schliengen, we were allies after that, I marched with their armies, there were some tough fights there.” He kept gazing at the medal- but, something was off, the scene felt fuzzy, a warmth had disappeared from the room.

“Did you make it out of Schliengen?” The words stabbed at Karl, something was off.

"Karl!"

“Of course, I’m here now Ludwig, are you feeling alright son?” His voice felt shaky even to himself, the scene felt alien, the faces of his family, less clear.

“When that French musket ball hit you in the liver?” The voice asked, less and less recognizable, in its monotone voice.

"Karl, are you alive?"

“It… merely grazed me.” Karl’s voice withered away, unsure, the scene faded, it was a mirage, as he felt rain hit his face.

MARCH 15th 1789
SCHLIENGEN, LORDSHIP OF RÖTTELN, DUCHY OF BAVARIA, THE GRAND BAVARIAN ELECTORATE

“Karl, for the love of God, are you there- please answer me.” von Wildenstein’s voice came clearer, he was still on that field.

His senses came back all at once… it was a light rain, his weak arms laid in the mud as all he could taste was metallic, he spit what he could out as he tried not to think of the excruciating pain that infested his gut. “Karl, I’m… sorry, I can’t stay here, we need to push back, they’re too str-”

Karl spoke with the little strength he could muster, “Did we win?” He looked up to Ludwig, his last friend on this field. He could see the pity in his eyes, they spoke volumes. He glanced around and attempted a smile.

“We routed them Karl, good work, we’ll have a drink soon in your honour, my treat.” A tear falling from his eyes.

“I’d like to see that sir.” Karl smiled, as Ludwig ran away with the other Bavarians, fleeing the coming French line. The noises had quieted down, an end of life.

Thus passed another soldier in one more cruel war.

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