Louisiana Transition

[Ottoman]

The Spanish have returned to Louisiana, not all parties are happy with these news..

More to come tomorrow.

[Ottoman]

Summer of 1800

Duchy Forces

Fortress- New Orleans
Fort at Baton Rouge
2 Garrison Brigades
1 Polish Cav Brigade
4 Infantry Regiments

Spanish forces
2 Garrison in New Orleans

Newly arrived Spanish regular forces arrive in New Orleans to setup control of the region. Spanish forces quickly establish patrols of the surrounding region to ensure the transition to their rule is smooth. However soon as the Spanish begin patrolling the rural areas near the British North American frontiers, they encounter Choctaw warriors and exchange gunfire with the Native Warriors. For now, the losses are light, but reports of these clashes is worrying.

[Ottoman]

Spring of 1801

Choctaw raids in Louisiana are increasing and more reports of combat between Spanish partols and native warriors are coming in.

Spanish officials in Louisiana believe the Anglo-Americans are pushing the Choctaw to raid their lands.

[Kilani]

The Spanish request the help of Louisianan forces to redeploy to keep the border secure - specifically two of their infantry regiments - and order their two garrison brigades to mobilize and move against the Choctaw in a summer campaign aimed at driving them back in to Dominion territory.

A polite note is sent to the local Anglo-American commander in their western territories, requesting their assistance in dealing with Choctaw bandits.

[Ottoman]

The local Louisiana forces agree to help the Spanish in their efforts to stop the raids in their lands.

[Haneastic]

The Spanish request the help of Louisianan forces to redeploy to keep the border secure - specifically two of their infantry regiments - and order their two garrison brigades to mobilize and move against the Choctaw in a summer campaign aimed at driving them back in to Dominion territory.

A polite note is sent to the local Anglo-American commander in their western territories, requesting their assistance in dealing with Choctaw bandits.

The local Dominion and British commanders nearby are shocked to hear about clashes along the border territory. While the Crown has limited authority in Choctaw lands, they will send word to Georgetown and London and ask for further instructions on how to proceed.

[Kilani]

The Spanish force is order to convene at Natchez and then proceed to the confluence of the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers, burning Choctaw camps and sweeping any Choctaw they find before them in an attempt to bring them to the negotiating table. They are given strict orders not to cross into Anglo-American territory or to fire on or engage any Anglo-Americans.

Forces:
2 Spanish Infantry Brigade
1 Polish (Louisianan) Cavalry Brigade
2 Louisianan Infantry Regiments

[Ottoman]

Summer of 1801

Franco-Louisanan forces join their Spanish counterparts in attacking the Choctaw camps and villages. However the Choctaw put up a bitter fight against the European and local forces. Which causes their counterparts in North American lands to join in the fight as more warrior bands to fight the Franco-Spanish forces. To great annoyance of the Spanish commanders, these forces often hit their supply lines and retreated back to North American frontier with no issue. In fact there some reports of British North American troops merely watching on their side of the line or unconfirmed reports of mixed blood Anglo-American-Choctaws partaking in the attacks

[Kilani]

The Spanish commander is frustrated by the Choctaw hiding in Anglo-American territory, but does not pursue them over the Mississippi or Pearl rivers. Instead, he does his best to burn their camps and drive them out of their hunting grounds - attacking their logistics to ensure they cannot stage in Spanish territory. He also proposes establishing more forts along the Mississippi and Pearl to prevent ease of movement over the Mississippi - or at least limit their crossings and provide garrisons.

[Haneastic]

The local Anglo-American commanders, make clear that any Spanish incursion across the Mississippi or Pearl rivers will be viewed as an act of hostility and treated accordingly.

[Kilani]

The Spanish, in their turn, make it quite clear that they will respect the boundaries and no Spanish forces will cross the Anglo frontier.

[Ottoman]

October 2, 1801

Pearl River incident

Spanish/ Cajun battalion was hot on the trail of Choctaw raider band near the Cajun village of Varnado. They chase the Choctaw to the banks of the Pearl River according to their slightly dated maps it still within Spanish Louisiana lands. They quickly charge the Choctaw and begun firing in attempts to kill them before they cross into North American frontier.

However, at the same time, a company of North American riflemen happen to be in same area as the Spanish, conducting a patrol to insure the Spanish stay on their side of the river. According to their maps, with recent changes to the flow of the Pearl River. They believed they were still within their frontier , the moment they heard the Spanish gunfire not far from their location. They assume they cross the frontier to attack their Choctaw allies. The commanding officer Captain Robert Jackson (older brother of rl Andrew Jackson), orders his men to fire on the Spanish forces to provide cover for the Choctaw.

Under attacked by unknown force the Spanish assume they were being attacked more native warriors who happen to be hiding nearby and they return their fire in direction of the North Americans riflemen. The Spanish fire kill Captain Robert Jackson, which enrages the riflemen to keep firing on the Spanish infantrymen. Meanwhile the Spanish commandeering officer Colonel Diego Vega realizes he is firing upon on North American troops, orders his men to stop firing and call for ceasefire with North Americans. However, the North Americans soldiers who too upset over the death of their beloved Captain and the fact they believe the Spanish were in their lands. Decided to keep on shooting at the Spanish. Forcing the Colonel to order a tactical retreat back to the Spanish fort to report incident to his superiors. Meanwhile the North Americans quickly withdraw back to their fort to report the incident as well.

Spanish losses
10 KIA
4 WIA

Choctaw
15 WIA

North American losses
8 KIA- including Captain Robert Jackson.
10 WIA

Word of the confrontation quickly spreads to Georgetown/ London/Havana/ Madrid by Months end.

Reactions in North American and British Parliament was met outage by the MPs who believe the honor of Crown and Dominions was insulted by actions of the Spanish.

[Kilani]

When news reaches Havana, apologies are immediately tendered to the Dominion, along with a pledge to stand troops down from the border regions to avoid a repeat of the tragic accident. When news reaches Madrid, similar sentiments are conveyed to the court in London, along with offers of recompense to avoid further bloodshed.

[Haneastic]

The local Anglo-Dominion commanders orders their forces on high alert, with increased patrols along the border region. Messages are sent to Georgetown and London requesting additional forces and orders.

It takes time for the news and gravity to move to Georgetown and then London, and a delay as the governments discuss the course of action. After some time a decision is reached, and a formal response to the Spanish Empire is made.

The Kingdom of Great Britain demands the withdrawal of all Spanish forces from the Louisiana territory (existing French forces may remain of course), as well as a pledge to keep the area demilitarized, as well as open access for trade along the Mississippi and the port of New Orleans.

[Kilani]

The Spanish court begins discussions on their own end and respond in late December with a request for clarification and the request of a summit to discuss the precise terms (and length) of demilitarization; they regret the incident, but feel that American action added to the tragedy and are prepared to pledge mutual disarmament along the border. They are prepared to withdraw current active field troops into Texas as a sign of good faith.

With regards to trade, the Spanish are prepared to respect the terms of the treaty that ended the Falklands War and allow trade through the Port of New Orleans.

[Haneastic]

The Spanish court begins discussions on their own end and respond in late December with a request for clarification and the request of a summit to discuss the precise terms (and length) of demilitarization; they regret the incident, but feel that American action added to the tragedy and are prepared to pledge mutual disarmament along the border. They are prepared to withdraw current active field troops into Texas as a sign of good faith.

With regards to trade, the Spanish are prepared to respect the terms of the treaty that ended the Falklands War and allow trade through the Port of New Orleans.

Great Britain responds that no sizable active duty formations exist on their side of the Mississippi save for patrols- the nearest troop formations are at Mobile, outside Choctaw territory. Moreover, the ethnically Franco-Polish troops that previously existed in the territory were more than enough to keep the peace previously. If any sizable Spanish troops formations remain within Louisiana and are not making substantial effort to leave by the end of March, 1802, Britain will view it as an act of hostility.

[Kilani]

The Spanish court begins discussions on their own end and respond in late December with a request for clarification and the request of a summit to discuss the precise terms (and length) of demilitarization; they regret the incident, but feel that American action added to the tragedy and are prepared to pledge mutual disarmament along the border. They are prepared to withdraw current active field troops into Texas as a sign of good faith.

With regards to trade, the Spanish are prepared to respect the terms of the treaty that ended the Falklands War and allow trade through the Port of New Orleans.

Great Britain responds that no sizable active duty formations exist on their side of the Mississippi save for patrols- the nearest troop formations are at Mobile, outside Choctaw territory. Moreover, the ethnically Franco-Polish troops that previously existed in the territory were more than enough to keep the peace previously. If any sizable Spanish troops formations remain within Louisiana and are not making substantial effort to leave by the end of March, 1802, Britain will view it as an act of hostility.

The Spanish indicate they will remove their field troops from the Louisiana territory as a sign of good faith; both Spanish brigades currently operating in the territory and the recently arrived rifle brigade will be moved to Texas territory or Havana.

[Ottoman]

Early 1802

Tensions between both sides remain high, no major troop movements in area are report. Raids are still occuring, but not as much as compare to last year. Due to Spanish efforts to crackdown the Native Tribes and their bases. However on Anglo American side, officials note a number of Scotch-Irish militias( 1 Militia Infantry Regiment) led by Major General Andrew Jackson from Tennessee region arrive to support defense of the region from potential Spanish raids. These frontiersmen were noted to have kentucky rifles and seem hellbent on settling a score against the Spanish for killing of their kinsmen.

[Ottoman]

Event of 1802

The Spanish withdrawal of their forces, does help reduce some tension in the region overall. As well the fact Choctaw has bleed enough and stop their raids for now. However more Scotch-Irish militias were setting up operations nearby the Spanish frontiers in Louisiana.

Meanwhile in North American Parliament, a sizeable majority of MPs demand for more action to deal with issues in Western Frontiers, however cooler heads prevail to prevent a vote to force Imperial Parliament in London to declare war on Spain. As settlement, the North American Parliament authorizes a mapping expedition to better map the regions of the Western Frontier.

[Ottoman]

Mid 1803- Early 1804

Pike's/ Red River  Expedition incidents...

Pike's Expedition

On June 14, 1803, General James Wilkinson, commander of the Western Department, ordered Lieutenant Zebulon Pike, then age 24, to lead an expedition to the western and southern areas of the Western Frontier to map the terrain, contact the Native American peoples, and to find the headwaters of the Red River.Pike left Fort Bellefontaine near St. Louis, Missouri on July 15 with a detachment of 20 soldiers and 50 Osage hostages, freed for return to their people. The expedition followed the Missouri River and the Osage River to the Osage Nation village at the present-day border of Kansas and Missouri. On August 15, Pike returned the hostages and parlayed with the natives.

Striking northwest, the group made for the Pawnee territory on the Republican River in southern Nebraska. At the Pawnee village on September 29, Pike met with the Pawnee tribal council. He conduct new trade talks with the local tribes.

The expeditionary force turned south and struck out across the prairie for the Arkansas River. After reaching it on October 14, the party split in two. One group was led by Lieutenant James Biddle Wilkinson, son of the General. They traveled downstream along the length of the Arkansas to its mouth and back up the Mississippi, safely returning to St. Louis.

Pike led the other, larger group upstream, to the west, toward the headwaters of the Arkansas. Upon traversing the Great Plains, Pike wrote, "This vast plains of the western hemisphere may become in time as celebrated as the sandy deserts of Africa; for I saw in my route, in various places, tracts of many leagues where the wind had thrown up the sand in all the fanciful form of the ocean's rolling wave, and on which not a speck of vegetable matter existed."When Stephen Long led an expedition to the area in 1820, he labeled the area on his map as the "Great American Desert."

Pike in Colorado

On November 15, Pike recorded the first sight of the distant mountain Tava which he called "Grand Peak".[7] It has since been called Pikes Peak in his honor. Pike tried to climb the peak, hoping to get a view of the surrounding area to record on maps, the 14,000-foot summit. Pike's group ascended a lesser summit nearby—likely Mount Miller, which was named for Theodore Miller, one of the soldiers who accompanied Pike. With winter threatening, Pike pressed onward up the Arkansas, and on December 7 the party reached Royal Gorge, a spectacular canyon on the Arkansas at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

Pike next intended to travel to the headwaters of the Red River and head downstream to the Mississippi and relative safety in the lowlands. But, the company had gotten confused in its bearings, and they made several blundering steps trying to find the river. They were not equipped for a mountain expedition, nor for hard winter weather. Heading north, the party found the South Fork of the Platte River and, following it upstream, came to what they thought were the headwaters of the Red. Turning back downstream, they returned to the point at which they had left the Arkansas originally. They had executed a large loop, taking weeks of precious travel time.

Hungry, cold, and exhausted, the party headed south over the mountains. Several men were left behind as they dropped from fatigue, but Pike doggedly pressed on. By January 30, he and the ten men still with him came to the Rio Grande at a point near Alamosa in present-day southern Colorado and then part of the Spanish empire. Pike mistook the Rio Grande for the Red River he had been seeking. Here, he built a fort and attempted to collect the rest of his men, who were strewn across miles of mountains behind him.

On February 26, 1804, in the night Pike and his remaining men were captured at their fort by Spanish soldiers from nearby Santa Fe. Arresting the party as spies, the Spanish collected the rest of his men who had been scattered in the mountains, and marched them all south. The Spanish took them through Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and El Paso to Los Coabos, the state capital of Chihuahua. Along the way, Pike's party was treated with respect and celebrated by the Mexican locals, and Pike made careful notes of the military strength and civilian population.

Local Spanish officials write to their superiors for orders on how to handle the Pike and his men.

Meanwhile another expedition occurs..

Red River Expedition

On April 19, 1803 the now 24-member party (Freeman and his two assistants; Sparks, who commanded the military party, with two officers, seventeen privates, and a servant) pushed off in two flat-bottomed barges and a pirogue from Fort Adams near Natchez, Mississippi, and turned into the Red River to go upstream to the west. The group gradually took on soldiers along the route, in response to rumors of a possible attack by Spanish troops, and soon numbered forty-five. By July 28, the party was 615 miles upriver, near what is now New Boston, Texas, when they heard gunfire in the distance indicating the presence of Spanish troops.

"Hoping to provoke an international confrontation for personal gain," the British North American General James Wilkinson of the Western Frontier had secretly notified Spain of the Freeman expedition and Pike Expedition (he had had separate dealings with them earlier), and they sent two teams of soldiers to intercept the party. The Freeman party was stopped at what has since been called "Spanish Bluff" on the river.[The Spanish commander and Freeman undertook a parlay. The Spanish said they were ordered to fire on any foreign armed troops passing through Spanish territory. In response, Freeman demanded the Spanish provide their objections to the team's passage in writing and name the authority under which they were taking action. The Spanish commander orders the North Americans to surrender, outnumbered and outgunned they comply. He writes to his superiors for further orders.

[Kilani]

The Spanish colonial officials are rather exasperated by the capture of two Anglo-American expeditions in their territory within such a short time. The fact that both have been caught deep in Spanish territory is rather aggravating. Pike, at least, can be (somewhat) excused as becoming lost in the great western mountains. However, the Sparks expedition crossed the dividing line and went straight into Spanish territory. Both groups are ordered sent to New Orleans for now while the Viceroy and Captain-General write messages to the Anglo-Americans requesting clarification on the presence of soldiers in Spanish territory.

Both groups are to be treated with respect and are essentially under "house arrest" for the duration of their stay in Spanish territory and it is made known that they will likely be simply turned over the border (after a thorough questioning and an examination of their maps and charts of the Arkansas and Red Rivers and other western territories). For now, they are simply being held under guard.

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