He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 352

(352) New France Fights England with Russkaya in the Lead

Between the United States of America and British Canada lies the vast expanse of the Great Lakes.

Among them, Lake Ontario sits furthest to the east.

This lake borders the northwestern edge of New York State, and the inland port of Sacket’s Harbor is located at its eastern end.

Once a city that thrived on trade between the United States and Britain, its exchanges have been completely severed since the recent outbreak of war.

Yet, an unexpected figure has appeared in Sacket’s Harbor.

“General-in-Chief, the number of armed Native Americans is increasing daily along the border.”

This is Jackson, the newly appointed General-in-Chief of the United States Army.

After Hamilton recently dismissed James Wilkinson, Jackson is leading a recruitment drive in preparation for war.

However, recruitment takes time, and naval engagements are expected soon.

Faced with this situation, Jackson has conceived a bolder operation.

His strategy is to advance into Canada by land and destroy British naval bases.

So, what does he need to implement this strategy?

A justification for a direct threat on land.

Jackson asked William Hull, the commander of the Sacket’s Harbor garrison.

“Those guys, they’re allies of the British, right?”

“That’s correct. Those muskets are all British-made Brown Besses [a type of smoothbore musket used by the British Army].”

“Hmm, they look quite good. What kind of guns are we using these days?”

Upstream from Sacket’s Harbor to the north are Wolfe Island and Simcoe Island.

Further north is the city of Kingston, which also prospered through trade with the United States.

Currently, armed Native Americans are active in this vicinity.

This is almost inevitable because the British forces in Canada currently number less than 10,000.

Therefore, they are mainly supplementing their insufficient forces through alliances with Native American tribes.

In particular, as the United States repeatedly expanded westward and oppressed the Native Americans, some resisted and sought refuge in Canada.

Anyway, upon seeing the Native American forces, whose hostile intentions were clear, William Hull reported.

“They are using French [Folly Style] rifles. They have replaced both the Pennsylvania rifle and the Charleville rifle [both types of muskets].”

These are muskets supplied by the Folly armory in Marseille.

Of course, they are not breech-loading rifles, nor even percussion muskets [more advanced types of firearms].

However, as a preliminary measure, muskets used during the French Revolution were transported in large quantities to the New World.

These were items transported before the war began; once the war starts, items produced in the New World will have to replace them.

Unaware of these behind-the-scenes circumstances, Jackson clicked his tongue at the mention of France.

“To rely on France even for weaponry, that’s regrettable.”

“Excuse me? What do you mean by that?”

“I mean it’s regrettable that we have to rely on New France to supply weapons in this war.”

However, the war has already begun.

Furthermore, the United States has not yet developed weaponry manufacturing technology comparable to that of Europe.

With a regretful expression, Jackson gave instructions to Hull.

“Shoot. Drive those Native Americans out completely.”

Instantly, Hull’s eyes widened.

“But, attacking them will be considered an attack on Britain.”

“So, are you saying we should just watch as those Native Americans invade our territory? Besides, don’t you know that the declaration of war has already been made?”

“I am aware, but there haven’t been any battles on land yet, have there?”

This is an era when communication is slow.

It is generally understood that battles begin after the central government makes a decision, a large army is mobilized, and the two armies confront each other.

However, Jackson has fought countless times in so-called guerrilla warfare when fighting the British and Native Americans.

Looking at Hull with a somewhat condescending gaze, Jackson directly ordered the soldiers.

“What are you waiting for! Open fire immediately!”

The soldiers, following the orders of Jackson, a former senator and current commander-in-chief, began firing their guns in unison.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

Watching the Native American soldiers flee from the disorganized gunfire, Jackson burst into laughter.

“Now, Canada will become the territory of our United States of America!”

Furthermore, Jackson was convinced that this would be an opportunity to eliminate British power in the New World.

***

In later history, Britain and the United States, separated by the Atlantic Ocean, are called [Brother Nations].

A civilization built around the Anglo-Saxon dominant culture and Protestantism.

A tradition that has developed through democracy and emphasizes the rule of law.

Above all, English, which they both use, although the vocabulary differs somewhat, is at its core.

But in fact, even brothers can kill each other.

-Whoosh, Bang!

The sea surrounding the southern part of the North American continent and the northern part of the South American continent.

A fleet of battleships is maneuvering in the waters later known as the Gulf of Mexico.

On a ship flying the Union Jack, the British flag, a commander with an earnest appearance shouted.

“Burn all American ships!”

Another officer with a cheerful demeanor, watching the scene from the side, tilted his head.

“Don’t work too hard, Admiral Berry.”

Then, the earnest-looking commander, Edward Berry, turned his head sharply.

“What nonsense are you talking about, Admiral Smith! If we don’t destroy the American merchant ships here now, all the goods those merchant ships are carrying will become tools to kill our soldiers!”

So, Berry is currently carrying out his mission as the commander of the fleet patrolling Jamaica and Bermuda, commonly known as the Caribbean Fleet.

The fact that the United States declared war on Britain has also been conveyed to the British mainland.

However, it is a time when it takes at least six weeks for instructions to arrive from home.

Nevertheless, the instructions Berry received in advance were to blockade the Caribbean Sea in the event of war.

He is faithfully carrying out those instructions.

But Smith, who happened to be in Bermuda to provide support, raised an objection.

Sidney Smith asked Berry with a suspicious look.

“Admiral Edward Berry, don’t you think something is strange?”

“Of course it’s strange! That the American bumpkins dare to challenge our Great British Empire! We must show them overwhelming power!”

“It’s strange that they are waging war like this, knowing our power.”

Suddenly, Sidney Smith smiled strangely with a cheerful face.

“Could it be that someone deliberately instigated this war? Heh heh.”

Instantly, Berry frowned.

Berry knows what Sidney Smith is talking about.

Berry is the very person who received a request from the East India Company and facilitated the French presence in New France.

At that time, there were also voices within Britain expressing concern about France transplanting its population to the New World.

Due to the enormous amount of movement, the East India Company was eventually affected, but Berry knows that the concern is by no means unfounded.

However, if Sidney’s words are true, there are two problems.

One is that New France also becomes an enemy of the British fleet.

However, unlike the United States, which does not have a single proper battleship, New France has at least 10 battleships.

Furthermore, the second problem is even bigger.

New France, or France, may join forces with the United States and fight Britain again.

Just like the nightmare of the American Revolutionary War, when Britain had to give up its colonies.

A pure navy man, unable to handle these political issues, Berry glared.

“Admiral Smith, let me make it clear, you came as reinforcements. I am clearly the commander of the Caribbean Sea defense here.”

“Who said anything? I’m just talking about possibilities.”

“Above all, I will not tolerate engaging the New France fleet without my permission.”

Berry’s gaze turned towards the waters near Jamaica.

“The instructions I received from the home country are to deal with the United States alone.”

In the early 19th century, the United States’ external exports amounted to about 130 million dollars.

This is nothing compared to Britain, but it is a huge scale of trade for a newly established country.

However, most of this volume is originally food, cotton, and tobacco destined for Britain.

Now that the United States and Britain have started a war, where are the alternative trading ships going?

In this era, France, which had an economic scale comparable to Britain and a huge demand for trade, was bound to be the target.

Therefore, the British mainland demanded a coastal blockade in order to prevent France from benefiting.

Berry’s operational area is currently the Caribbean Sea, but it could be expanded to the entire Atlantic Ocean in the future.

This alone is a sufficiently overwhelming task for Berry.

To arbitrarily judge New France as an enemy here?

There is a high possibility that Berry will be summoned back home.

Sidney shrugged.

“Well, Prime Minister Pitt, who has just returned to power, wouldn’t want to increase the number of enemies.”

“It’s fortunate that you have enough common sense to know that.”

“But you know. No matter how I think about it, I don’t think the Halifax fleet would have been defeated so easily by the American bastards.”

Suddenly, Sidney twisted his lips and sneered.

“Perhaps, New France is behind it?”

At that time, a fast ship approached, and someone hurriedly boarded.

-Thud!

John Borlase Warren, the admiral in charge of North America, commanding from the Bermuda headquarters.

“Something terrible has happened, Admiral Berry! An attack by a third country has been reported in Canada!”

Berry’s eyes widened.

Could it be that New France has really moved?

Sidney, in stark contrast to Berry, shouted with an excited face.

“Of course, it’s New France, right? They must have advanced to the Mississippi River area!”

“Excuse me? Uh, it’s true that there was a conflict in the Mississippi River area, but it wasn’t the French.”

“Then who came instead? Spain, perhaps?”

Warren, a veteran admiral, answered with a bewildered face.

“No, the Russian bastards have invaded.”

This time, Sidney’s face mirrored Berry’s.

In a word, they looked dumbfounded.

These are the ones that Britain has never considered important in the New World until now.

Russia has begun to move.

***

Russkaya America, which means Russian America.

“Are you telling us to advance into British Canada? Good heavens!”

The person in charge of commanding this Russkaya America is currently Rezanov, who is staying in the California region.

However, Rezanov is only the highest-ranking person; someone else is in charge of practical affairs.

Alexander Baranov, who oversees Sitka, the Russian fortress in the Alaska region.

So, Rochejacquelein, who came to see Rezanov again, did not want Rezanov to move directly.

“Rezanov, I’m not saying you should fight directly. I’m saying you should give instructions to Baranov.”

“We practically have no army! We’re just a garrison. Rochejacquelein, you’re overestimating us too much!”

“No, I’m not overestimating you. You don’t even know what the war in the New World is.”

Rochejacquelein smiled strangely and told Rezanov.

“This war in the New World must be waged using the locals. Not by fighting directly.”

If it’s about New World experience, Rochejacquelein is by far the most experienced in New France.

Since being exiled during the Vendée Revolt [a counter-revolution in France], Rochejacquelein has fought in Saint-Domingue [now Haiti] and southern Florida.

On the other hand, Rezanov is just an explorer surveying the California area.

With a bleak face, Rezanov looked at the map hanging on the wall and asked.

“Even so, how can we traverse this long distance?”

First of all, it is impossible for Rezanov, who is on the California coast, to go to Canada.

However, even Baranov, who is stationed in Alaska, would find it difficult to traverse western Canada, which is an undeveloped area.

However, Rochejacquelein still told Rezanov with a relaxed attitude.

“You don’t have to traverse it. Just send the commander.”

“What do you mean?”

“The double-headed eagle flag of the Russian Empire will already be flying in western Canada.”

Instantly, Rezanov jumped up at Rochejacquelein’s words.

“The attack has already begun in the name of the Russian Empire.”

Rezanov, trembling all over, shouted as he looked around for a gun.

“Is this your doing? This is a serious act of fraud! I cannot condone it; I will report it to the home country!”

“When are you going to report to the home country? Besides, I think there is someone else who represents Russia in the New World.”

“What?”

Inside the fortress, Russian soldiers aimed their guns all at once.

However, Rochejacquelein smiled without the slightest movement and faced Rezanov.

Because he had obtained permission from someone Rezanov could not possibly resist.

“Princess Alexandra and Duke Philippe Chartres, the prince consort, have already given their permission.”

Only then did Rezanov realize what was happening.

No matter how much Emperor Pavel is called a madman, he is an absolute ruler compared to a mere New World colony developer.

This war is virtually a war determined by the home country.

Furthermore, it is a war in which France is using Russia as a proxy to fight Britain.

“This is a war that will expel our Russia from the New World.”

Rochejacquelein shook his head as he looked at the desperate Rezanov.

“No, it will be a war that will allow us to take root in the New World.”

“Why are you so sure? Does Britain look so weak? You French also ended up losing to Britain!”

“That was during the era of the old royal family.”

In an instant, Rochejacquelein’s eyes flashed.

“[Imperial] France, which has gone through the hell of revolution, does not lose.”

In 1805, Russia joined the ranks of the Anglo-American War.

Still, other countries do not yet know that France is behind it.