- Joined
- Nov 8, 2018
- Location
- Palm Coast, Florida
So, a few months back, I made this thread on "What if Napoleon fought Lee". After doing some thinking, I decided to expand this into a book project of mine, looking into an Alt History story with slight scifi elements to make the story happen.
The Premise: At midnight on May 1st, 1863, all Union armies suddenly vanish with their arms (so no rifles or monitors left over). At the same time, Napoleon's Grande Armee from October 1806 (as it was about to start the Prussian Campaign) appears on the outskirts of Washington D.C. It takes some time before either side figures out what is going on. The 2 sides call for a truce...before a note shows up from a mysterious stranger, telling each commander their "objectives" (I know, bear with me, this is the only way this is gonna make sense).
At the realization that THE Napoleon has returned, Europe is in uproar. Napoleon III, reluctantly, gives his uncle his support. Meanwhile, Britain forms a new coalition against the great threat to Europe, bringing along the German states and Prussia and Austria. In addition, Britain gives support to the Confederates.
Anyways, I'm currently trying to map out the conflict, trying to gather an accurate enough OoB for each major combatant and front. I have worked out the forces available to the Confederates at the start of May 1863 (about when Confederate forces were at their peak, in my view), and have most of Napoleon's Grande Armee and subsidiary forces sent to support him, plus the SFE Army in Mexico under Forey and their main army in France. I am currently working on the British army available to join Lee in Virginia as well as to defend Canada.
I've already discuss with other forum users on the other thread I have linked as to what would occur if Lee's Army fought Napoleon's, so don't need to focus on that aspect.
So, I would like to ask you guys some specific questions, regarding this time frame:
1.) How strong were the British, French, and Prusso-Austro-German Armies and navies at this time period?
Specifically looking at the French and British at the time. How strong was their armies, what units did they have where, what were they equipped with, how many guns were assigned to a standard battery and how many men assigned to each unit, etc.? Same for the navy, though not as particularly interested. I presume @Saphroneth as you've done a lot of study on your Trent Affair scenario thread you'd have some comments on this.
2.) How long would it take for then-modern steam ships to travel across the Atlantic to land reinforcements?
2a.) I am having Chinese Gordon move to the CSA to join Lee at the start of 1864. If he started in Hong Kong or Shanghai, how long would it take for him to travel from there to join with Lee?
I am certain as I go along, I will come along more things I need to ask about.
The Premise: At midnight on May 1st, 1863, all Union armies suddenly vanish with their arms (so no rifles or monitors left over). At the same time, Napoleon's Grande Armee from October 1806 (as it was about to start the Prussian Campaign) appears on the outskirts of Washington D.C. It takes some time before either side figures out what is going on. The 2 sides call for a truce...before a note shows up from a mysterious stranger, telling each commander their "objectives" (I know, bear with me, this is the only way this is gonna make sense).
At the realization that THE Napoleon has returned, Europe is in uproar. Napoleon III, reluctantly, gives his uncle his support. Meanwhile, Britain forms a new coalition against the great threat to Europe, bringing along the German states and Prussia and Austria. In addition, Britain gives support to the Confederates.
Anyways, I'm currently trying to map out the conflict, trying to gather an accurate enough OoB for each major combatant and front. I have worked out the forces available to the Confederates at the start of May 1863 (about when Confederate forces were at their peak, in my view), and have most of Napoleon's Grande Armee and subsidiary forces sent to support him, plus the SFE Army in Mexico under Forey and their main army in France. I am currently working on the British army available to join Lee in Virginia as well as to defend Canada.
I've already discuss with other forum users on the other thread I have linked as to what would occur if Lee's Army fought Napoleon's, so don't need to focus on that aspect.
So, I would like to ask you guys some specific questions, regarding this time frame:
1.) How strong were the British, French, and Prusso-Austro-German Armies and navies at this time period?
Specifically looking at the French and British at the time. How strong was their armies, what units did they have where, what were they equipped with, how many guns were assigned to a standard battery and how many men assigned to each unit, etc.? Same for the navy, though not as particularly interested. I presume @Saphroneth as you've done a lot of study on your Trent Affair scenario thread you'd have some comments on this.
2.) How long would it take for then-modern steam ships to travel across the Atlantic to land reinforcements?
2a.) I am having Chinese Gordon move to the CSA to join Lee at the start of 1864. If he started in Hong Kong or Shanghai, how long would it take for him to travel from there to join with Lee?
I am certain as I go along, I will come along more things I need to ask about.