Novel Full Chapter 1328 - 1233: Containment
Chapter 1328: Chapter 1233: Containment
Wellesley looked at the map on the table: “I have to redeploy along the Rhine River.
“Who will be sent to Switzerland? General Picton?”
The Duke of York nodded again: “Yes, but mainly the corps consists of Hessians and Thuringians.”
There are 30,000 British soldiers in the Picton Corps, all of whom were retained along the Rhine River at the request of the Duke of York.
Wellesley thought for a moment and said, “Your Highness, please tell General Picton it is best not to take the initiative; the terrain in Switzerland is easy to be ambushed.
“He only needs to set up defensive lines in Basel and intercept the French Army as much as possible when they are ready to withdraw from Switzerland. If Massena is forced to detour through Lausanne, it will delay their entry into the Baden battlefield by a month.”
Basel is facing the river on one side and the mountains on the other, and can receive reinforcements from Freiburg nearby, making it difficult for the French to breach it in a short time.
Instead of risking deep into Switzerland to rescue the Prussians, it is more advantageous to hold Basel firmly.
Massena’s Army should have 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers, and blocking this force in Switzerland would be a huge loss for the already outnumbered French.
The Duke of York evidently thought of this as well, nodding: “I will write to him personally.”
Wellesley complained again: “First Switzerland, now Hanover, the French Army’s diversion tactics are always so effective.
“Look at what we have done on our side—Regent King Joao took nearly four months to only capture three small towns, and the Americans haven’t even set out yet!”
The Duke of York spread his hands: “You know, Joao is unwilling to recruit the Caboclo people. Of course, their threat to the regular Spanish army is also very limited.
“And those Creoles haven’t even been on the battlefield yet, they are already clamoring for tax cuts or more political opportunities.”
The term Creoles refers to the white people who grew up in Brazil. Before the outbreak of war, they were restricted from holding high government posts—which were reserved for pure Portuguese nobles—and now as the main force of the army, they naturally want to take the chance to fight for their rights.
What the Duke didn’t say was that if it weren’t for the Spanish army’s supply line issues, Joao might have been driven back to Macapa, let alone occupying three towns.
“As for the Americans.” The Duke of York continued, “The Marquis of Londonderry set off a month ago to urge those cunning guys.”
Actually, the Americans weren’t stalling deliberately; they truly had poor organizational and mobilization capabilities, especially in underdeveloped western regions.
After the state legislatures of Tennessee and Kentucky issued assembly orders, it took a full four months to organize less than 3,000 militiamen.
In the end, it was General Wayne who brought troops from Virginia to the West, going town-to-town, tallying up to finally collect the 6,000 troops needed to march by the beginning of this year.
Then he waited for the states to send logistical supplies, which is why there hasn’t been a formal battle yet.
But to the British, it looked like they were waiting for the European war to hold up the French Army, seizing the opportunity to reap benefits.
The Marquess of Wellesley furrowed his brow: “I think, if the Americans can’t launch an immediate attack on Saint Louis Louisiana, we should withdraw our support.”
“Yes, the Prime Minister agrees with your view completely.”
…
Several months ago.
North America.
West Bank of the Mississippi River, Obolus.
Napoleon wearily looked at the vast, speckled white plains before him, instinctively tightening his collar, the initial novelty long gone.
To be honest, he somewhat regretted not listening to the Governor’s advice to stay in New Orleans and instead coming here to recruit the army personally.
This godforsaken place is a hundred times more desolate than Elba Island.
He had walked for a full three hours today without encountering a single living soul.
Just then, a sudden strange “Olololo” sound came from the surroundings, and a dozen riders in leather jackets with feathers in their hair and brown-yellow skin came whistling over, blocking his path.
The leading man pointed a flintlock gun at him and said in a deep voice: “You are not from around here. Please show your credentials.”
Napoleon was somewhat surprised that this native spoke French. Despite the strange accent and three grammatical errors in two sentences, he could barely understand.
His attendant came over and whispered: “It’s likely the patrol team of this area, sir.”
He then took out a stamped document from his body and indicated to the Indians: “We’re from the Saint Louis Louisiana Staff Department. This is Major Bonaparte.”
The group of ten or so people opposite, upon hearing the pure French, immediately showed joy, put away their guns, and bowed to Napoleon.
“Pleased to meet you, Major Sir.”
“What brings you here?”
“It’s cold, would you like to go to the town first to warm up…”
The leading man stepped forward, smiling: “We are the patrol team of Geosai Town, I am Rocar, their captain.”
Napoleon tipped his hat to him: “I am here to recruit…”
Before he finished his words, someone came riding from afar, shouting loudly from a distance: “There are stowaways! Seven people, probably armed!”
Rocar immediately became serious, signaling his team members to rush in that direction, nodding to Napoleon at the same time: “You see, we have serious business to attend to, the town is just ahead, you can go ahead first.”
Watching these people skillfully control their horses, accurately maintaining their distance as they galloped through the snow, Napoleon couldn’t help but smile: “These are quite the cavalry.”
He waved to his guards: “Let’s go take a look as well.”
The Governor gave him a good horse, so he quickly caught up with the patrol team, running a dozen more minutes before seeing two carriages hurriedly heading into a pine forest ahead.
Rocar fired a shot into the sky, shouting in broken English: “Stop! Or we will shoot you!”
The people in the carriage didn’t dare resist, quickly disembarking and crouching in a line in the snow. Five men, three women.
An Indian went forward and muttered a few sentences in English, then said loudly: “This is the territory of French Saint Louis Louisiana, you do not have the legal right to enter here. Now, I am authorized by the Governor to arrest you.”
Several minutes later, eight Americans were tied in a string, following behind Rocar’s horse, heading to Geosai Town.
The other Indians drove their carriages and found three flintlock guns inside.
“This is very common.” Rocar pointed at the bound Americans and told Napoleon, “We catch a few almost every day.”
Curious, Napoleon asked: “How will they be handled? Hanged?”
“Why would you think that, Major Sir?” Rocar said matter-of-factly, “We are civilized people. These folks will be tried in court and mostly will be expelled across the river. Oh, they might have to pay some fines as well.”
“Court?” Napoleon said, “There are French people in town?”
Rocar politely corrected: “We count as French too, Major Sir.
“You mean white people, don’t you? No, the town comprises our Cherokee Tribe folk.”
Napoleon was surprised: “Then the court you mentioned earlier… who serves as the judge?”
“Our Clan Leader, Major Sir,” the patrol captain smiled, “He obtained his judge qualification in New Orleans this September.”