Pausing to look at his notes, Grant continued.
“General Sheridan is within 30 miles of Salt Lake City. His troops rode the rails until to Cheyenne, in Wyoming Territory; and have encountered light resistance on their march. There are mountain passes between his army and Salt Lake. Sheridan anticipates encountering fierce resistance from the Mormons, as he gets closer to the city.
General Terry rode with Sheridan to Cheyenne and is marching through Wyoming Territory with 5,000 men. So far he has just encountered ruins of destroyed homesteads and small towns. It appears the Sioux and Cheyenne have killed or driven off the settler population, and seem to be retreating towards Montana. He has two Cavalry regiments leading the pursuit.
General George Crook has expelled the British from Seattle. There was some skirmishing south of the settlement, but when the British saw the size of Crooks forces, they reboarded their transports and left. General Crook strung telegraph lines back to Portland, Oregon as he advanced. His most recent telegraph messages arrived minutes ago. Those messages indicated that the day the British evacuated Seattle, USS Monadnock, and her three escorts entered Puget Sound. I will let Admiral Farragut pick up the story.” Grant handed the pointer to Farragut and sat down. Lincoln turned eagerly to Secretary Farragut.
Farragut also walked over to the map and said: “Our naval victories in the battles during the Halifax Campaign have closed the door on British colonization and influence in North America and the Caribbean. Admiral Porter’s chase of the Royal Navy fleet drove it into Admiral Dahlgren’s fleet, and then prevented any escape. The Royal Navy fleet found itself trapped between the hammer and the anvil. Their entire Battleship Squadron was either sunk or captured. The Navy also captured five troop ships and four frigates; including the ironclad HMS Achilles. The Admiralty courts will make a settlement on the prize money, which will be the most lucrative settlement in the history of the Navy.
A significant positive result is that the captured battleships have mostly intact hulls. Those hulls will be useful in the conversion process to turreted ironclads. Cutting down the hulls will result in significant reductions in shipbuilding time. It will also provide us with ready-made ironclad plates.
The only negative was the escape of 10 out of the 15 troop ships into Halifax. The fog prevented any other interdictions. However, they are fully invested by land and bottled up by our naval forces.
I have sent the courier ship back with orders for Admiral Porter. He is to return to his station at Hampton Roads. It is unknown if the Royal Navy will try a gambit in the Caribbean. I suspect with the underseas cable to London that their government already knows of the disaster they just suffered. I think an attack in the Caribbean or at Bermuda is unlikely, but we must prepare for this eventuality.
Captain Kincaid and his escorts intercepted the British flotilla at the mouth of Puget Sound. He ordered the escorts to cut off the troop ships, while USS Monadnock took on the frigate and three sloops of war. Kincaid sank the frigate and two sloops. Details are scarce, but his summary indicates two of troop ships and a sloop were able to escape towards Victoria, British Columbia. The Revenue Cutters were able to capture two of the troopships. One of the cutters RCS Pueblo was sunk battling the remaining sloop. Kincaid’s flotilla with the captured prizes docked in Seattle. The captured troops and naval personnel have been imprisoned on one of the harbor islands, and are at work building their stockade.
In other matters, I am excited to report that the USS Massachusetts has completed her first sea trials. The hull was modified to have a mostly flattened bottom, rounded slightly on both sides. The modification reduced the rolling and the instability in rough seas; which plagued the Royal Navy ships of this size. Captain Powell reports he supervised the removal of the amidships long guns turrets. The positioning of the turret guns created instability when test fired. For replacements, he will install single 11-inch long guns in casements along both of the broadsides. He also reports the successful test firing of the four secondary twin turrets with 6-inch long guns. Powell positioned them two per side fore and aft. The anticipation is that she will be ready for her second sea trials in three or four months.” After that statement, Farragut walked over to his chair and sat down.
Lincoln smiled broadly. “This is momentous news. We will tighten the siege and wait on the Crown Prince to start negotiations.”
Chapter 12
London, England.
Cables from Halifax arrived at the Foreign Office and delivered to Prime Minister Disraeli who summoned the cabinet. The acting Governor of Nova Scotia was General Sir William Fenwick Williams. He had previously been the Vice Governor and ended his retirement following Governor General Chapman’s Capture in Boston. Sir William’s cable tried to soften the blow of the loss of the Royal Navy fleet with the safe arrival ten troopships. Even with the arrival of 7,000 troops, the message itself was devastating. The fate of Admiral Peale was not known.
The cabinet members arrived and sat around the room on easy chairs. Disraeli looked devastated, he stood up as he began: “This disaster is my doing. Tomorrow I will go to the Queen and offer my resignation. Lord Chelmsford warned me, but I refused to listen. He resigned on principle; I must resign in disgrace.” He shook his head and lowered it, then sat down.
Lord Stanley stood up and disagreed with Disraeli. “Mr. Prime Minister, you must not resign. We need a united government when we face Parliament. We must be strong to reject the No Confidence vote we know Gladstone will propose. Crown Prince Frederick has previously offered to mediate between the Crown and the United States. Unity is more important than ever. We cannot let a Gladstone led government give it all away, and set the blame for us.”
Lord Cairn and Sir John Pakington stood up and said: “Hear, Hear, we must be united. It is not your fault alone, we all agreed on the course of action. We stand, or we fall together.” The rest of the Cabinet stood and applauded. Disraeli then stood and spoke: “Thank you, let us now prepare our arguments before Parliament. Gladstone must not be the Prime Minister.”
Cables from the Prussian Consul in Halifax had also arrived at the Prussian Embassy. A courier delivered the dispatch to Crown Prince Frederick and Crown Princess Victoria; who were staying at Windsor Castle while on a diplomatic mission. The Crown Prince invited Lord Stanley to a meeting where he offered to chair a peace conference in Berlin. Frederick also informed Lord Stanley that the United States had also agreed to the conference. After conferring with Disraeli, Lord Stanley agreed. Frederick then cabled Berlin with the announcement of the impending conference.
The next morning Parliament was called into session, and Disraeli read Sir William Fenwick Williams’ letter. He then read the letter from Crown Prince Frederick with his offer to be the mediator between the Crown and the United States, and the United States agreed to the mediation. The immediate disbelief quickly became an uproar. The Liberal minority leader, Lord Gladstone motioned for a No Confidence vote. The motion was seconded, and the roll call vote took place. The Conservatives won, and the motion was defeated.
Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The siege lines tightened, and concentric rings of trench lines moved closer on all three sides. The United States Navy ships choked off all the sea lanes. The British Army was not idle. They continued to reinforce the fortifications within the Citadel, and in the exterior trenches. Rationing was in full effect, and scarcities in critical supplies were beginning to be evident. General’s Chamberlain and Sherman seemed content to wait. Occasional cannon duels would commence then gradually die off. It was pressure relief for both sides.
Early one morning, under a white flag, a squad of United States Cavalry crossed the siege lines. Behind them were three ambulance wagons, driven by Canadian citizens. They rode up to the outer defense works and waited. Shortly after that, a troop of British Cavalry rode out to meet them. After exchanging salutes, the US Cavalry Captain led his British counterpart to the ambulance which contained Admiral Peale, Captain Vansittart, and s
everal other wounded Royal Navy officers. The captain said:
“Compliments from Major General Chamberlain. Here are some of your wounded officers who are well on the road to recovery. We will return others as they can travel. General Chamberlain hopes to be able to meet with your commanders under better circumstances.” He handed the British officer a sealed letter, then with his troop rode back to American lines.
The British officer returned to the Citadel and brought Admiral Peale and the other officers to the hospital for examination. He then rode over to the commandant’s building and was ushered into Sir William’s office.
When asked for his report he stated: “The Americans returned Admiral Peale, Captain Vansittart and six other Royal Navy officers who have recovered enough from their wounds to travel. Their officer made no demands or requests, simply handed me this letter.” Sir William thanked and then dismissed his officer. Once he was alone, he broke the seal and opened the letter, which was simple and direct.
June 6, 1868.
Sir William:
The continuance of this conflict can only end in disaster for your command and the citizens of Halifax. With Your relief fleet destroyed, Halifax is essentially cut off from all aid. United States armies are in control of all of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Continued resistance will only bring ruin to your command and leave the city destroyed.
I am willing to meet with you and your delegation at Chester to discuss the timetable for your evacuation of Halifax and all of eastern Canada. The safe passage and safety of your delegation are guaranteed.
As a sign of good faith, I have returned two Royal Navy senior officers, Admiral Peale and Captain Vansittart. Both of them fought valiantly, and in my discussions with them, I have found them to be men of honor and valor. Six other wounded junior Royal Navy officers have also sufficiently recovered to be released.
I await your reply.
Major General Joshua Chamberlain.
The Cavalry Captain reported to General Chamberlain that the prisoners were released and the letter delivered. Chamberlain smiled, “Now we wait and squeeze them more.”
Sir William rode in his carriage to the hospital to interview Admiral Peale and Captain Vansittart. Both had high praise for General Chamberlain. However, they cautioned that he was a relentless commander, and would storm the gates of Halifax if he did not obtain a negotiated surrender. They also acknowledged that there was no realistic potential for a relief force reaching Halifax.
Chapter 13
July 10, 1868 - Hamburg, Prussia.
A United States Navy flotilla steamed in a line into Hamburg Harbor. The flotilla consisted of the ironclads USS Kalamazoo, USS Agamenticus, USS Stonewall, five sloops of war as escorts and two colliers. Each of the warships saluted the fortifications in turn, and the fortifications returned the compliment in thunderous salutes. USS Kalamazoo docked, and the United States delegation debarked. USS Kalamazoo then joined the other US Naval vessels anchored in the harbor. Soon after that a Prussian Naval delegation, led by Prince Adalbert, boarded each of the warships for a pre-arranged inspection.
The Prince’s delegation, accompanied by Admiral Porter, conducted an extensive tour. The Prussian officers were particularly interested in examining the new turrets and long guns. Prussian naval development was neglected to maintain a strong army. However, with Prince Adalbert at the helm of naval development, the change in attitude was in the air.
Secretary of State Seward and Ambassador Charles Francis Adams led the delegation to the waiting carriages; which conveyed them to the United States Consulate. The delegation met in the drawing room for a strategy meeting; while valets brought their luggage to their rooms. Seward spoke first. “We are negotiating from strength. Our forces have completely invested Halifax and Victoria. Victoria’s only significant military presence is at the Royal Navy Yard, which may have fallen to us already.
Commodore Kincaid’s flotilla, reinforced by the repaired sloops of war and one of the frigates which sank in shallow waters in San Francisco, is blockading the approaches to both Vancouver and Victoria. USS Monadnock has unmatched strength in that theater. The captured Royal Navy troop ships were used to ferry 2,000 of General Crook’s army to Victoria. Crook’s forces have landed and cut off the overland approaches on Vancouver Island.
General Chamberlain has sent the acting governor of Halifax, Sir William Williams an offer to surrender the city. General Sherman has pacified the rest of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and all of Newfoundland. General Ames has done the same in New Brunswick. Chamberlain has tightened the noose on the siege lines and is waiting on Sir William to make the next move.
Commodore Treat has total control of the Bay of Fundy. His flotilla, based in St John’s New Brunswick, patrols the entire coastline between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. He has inserted the cork in the bottle from that side. Admiral Dahlgren has sealed off the Atlantic approaches to Halifax. His ironclads and support vessels are based in Chester and Sambro and patrol the coast in the rotation.” Seeing smiles and nods of approval from the delegation, Seward sat down.
Ambassador Charles Francis Adams looked at Seward who nodded his assent. Adams stood up and began. “Everything the Secretary of State has related is true. However, the President’s desire to occupy the rest of Canada peacefully constrains our options. My years as Ambassador to the United Kingdom has provided me with much insight into their expected behaviors.
The British politicians are a predictable lot. They can be expected to act in a very traditional manner. My expectation is that they understand they cannot defend Halifax or Victoria. They will very grudgingly give them up but will want something in return. If we take a hard line and capture the two cities, we will make an enemy of the United Kingdom for generations to come.
I suspect they will want Bermuda, the Bahamas, and their former Caribbean possessions returned, in exchange for all of Canada. Bermuda and the Bahamas are too strategically located to our east coast to give them up. I suggest we propose a peace treaty that returns Jamaica, Barbados, the other Caribbean islands to them; and recognize their sovereignty to their colonial possessions in Honduras and Guiana. By that means we can be able to resume our normal relations with the United Kingdom while exercising Manifest Destiny in North America.”
Looking over towards Seward, Adams saw a broad smile of approval. The rest of the delegation applauded the proposal, for it provided a very reasonable means for the British to save face during the negotiations without compromising the security of the United States.
July 15, 1868 - Berlin Prussia
The Parliament Building on Leipziger Strass housed the peace conference. Crown Prince Frederick was the chairman of the conference. The German delegation was led by Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck, with Prince Adelbert as his second. The British were led by Lord Stanley, with Lord Cairn as his second. Secretary of State Seward led the Americans and was seconded by Charles Francis Adams.
The Crown Prince spoke first. He recapped the events leading up to the war between the United Kingdom and the United States. He continued with the progress of the war highlighting the American capture of Upper and Lower Canada, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean colonies. He then spoke of the British capture of Seattle, then their sack and eventual defeat in San Francisco; and their expulsion from Seattle. He completed his recitation with the American capture of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, the defeat of the Royal Navy relief fleet, and the investment of Victoria and Halifax.
The Americans spoke next. Seward stood up, thanked Crown Prince Frederick for sponsoring the peace conference; and his clear and concise summation of the events that had brought the conference into being. He piously protested that The British thrust the war upon the United States, which only acted in self-defense. He then reiterated the internationally recognized right of conquest and condemned the British for having wrought the destruction they had sowed. Pacing around the room for effect, he then challenged the British
delegation to dispute the facts as presented.
Lord Stanley representing the British delegation spoke next. He was outraged about the apparent favoritism of the Prussian Government towards the American position and threatened to walk out.
After conferring with Chancellor Bismarck Prince Adelbert who responded: “We are here to seek a peaceful resolution to this conflict. A clear understanding of the facts of the conflict is essential for a resolution to be possible.” Looking directly at Lord Stanley he stated: “Walking out of this conference at this time will only lead to your eventual defeats in Halifax and Victoria and your eventual loss of your other possessions in the America’s. I urge you to stay and negotiate with your American relatives.”
After conferring with Lord Cairn, Lord Stanley agreed to continue the negotiations. Lord Cairn then stood and expressed the British position. “The defense of Halifax and Victoria, while difficult for the United Kingdom, will initiate great hardship for the citizens of Nova Scotia, and a generation or more of conflict for the United States to subjugate our subjects. The majority of the inhabitants are descendants of former American colonists who fled to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in 1783. These citizens will fight on, even after the Americans capture the cities. For the sake of our Canadian citizens, we are prepared to negotiate a surrender of Halifax and Victoria; and the safe evacuation of all citizens who agree to leave. In return we want an indemnity to compensate the evacuated citizens, and the return of Bermuda, the Bahamas, and our Caribbean possessions. There is also the question of the territory owned and administered by the Hudson Bay Company. The company was not a party to this war. Their lands should be inviolate.”
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