The Fox of France - Chapter 478 (Patreon)

Chapter 478: Siege

The safety of New York, in some respects, is even more crucial than that of Washington. This city is the true essence of the Northern United States. Therefore, when the British forces, under the leadership of General Arthur Wellesley, besieged New York, the United States truly felt immense pressure. Even when the state militias from the South attempted to relieve New York but were roundly defeated by the British, the Southern call for revenge significantly diminished.

However, with France's entry into the war and the news of the North Atlantic naval battle's outcome, the entire United States breathed a sigh of relief. President Jefferson, who had already sent envoys to gauge the British stance, promptly recalled the envoys preparing to depart upon receiving this news.

At the same time, President Jefferson halted the American forces' relief efforts. In the war room, pointing at the map, President Jefferson told his generals, "The British have surrounded New York, and it appears to be in grave danger. However, since the enemy cannot blockade New York's ports, they won't be able to take New York in the short term. Therefore, we shouldn't rush to relieve New York. As long as the French launch their offensive, everything will turn out fine."

In Louisiana, France didn't have a large-scale army, just a security force of about ten thousand dispersed throughout the vast region, making their presence almost negligible. (In fact, in two gold mining areas, there was a direct Ministry of Truth's twenty thousand-strong gold force with better numbers and equipment, equally inconspicuous.) In previous years, French-speaking Louisianans, Americans, and Canadians had numerous frictions, mainly involving militias from all three sides rather than regular forces.

However, expanding the army in Louisiana was relatively straightforward for the French. Firstly, the French already had a significant stockpile of weapons in Louisiana, and the local residents possessed a large number of advanced weapons, some of which were far superior to the regular French military's. For instance, the civilian rifles, from various perspectives, were better than the military rifles issued to the French army. After all, civilians purchasing guns needed them to protect against everything from brown bears to Americans and Canadians, so they demanded high-performance rifles. Military rifles, being government procurements, prioritized cost-effectiveness, or more bluntly, price. Thus, French civilian rifles were undeniably superior in performance to military ones.

As for combat personnel, Louisiana had no shortage. Many French settlers in Louisiana had served in the French military. Nowadays, it was impossible for the French military to distribute lands to veterans within France, as there was no longer enough land available. However, Louisiana still had ample land to distribute to these veterans, leading many to settle there after their service, especially those from the Foreign Legion who joined with the promise of becoming landowners in Louisiana.

Thus, France had no difficulty recruiting for its army in Louisiana. Additionally, although the regular French military presence in Louisiana was small, militia organizations were abundant, mostly led by retired soldiers. According to French law, these militia organizations had a reserve nature, allowing the French government to conscript them at a reasonable cost in the event of war.

Given time, France could easily raise tens or even over a hundred thousand troops in Louisiana.

Hence, the situation indeed was such that, should the French initiate an attack, everything would improve for the United States.

But for the British, especially General Arthur Wellesley's corps, the mere fact of France entering the war immediately made him feel his rear was unstable.

A large part of the Canadian colonies was seized from the French during the Seven Years' War. These areas' population still primarily spoke French, whose loyalty to the United Kingdom was highly questionable. In fact, after France re-entered Louisiana, these people had not been shy about flirting with the Louisianans. They demanded high autonomy and the establishment of their own national guard. (What exactly do they want?)

After the war with the Americans, due to religious conflicts, they staunchly supported the United Kingdom, fighting the Americans vigorously. However, once France joined, it became very uncertain which side they would take.

Especially since their demands for high autonomy and their own national guard, though legally invalid, had become a reality. It was difficult to predict whether these "French-speaking British" would collude with the "German-speaking French" to stab the "English-speaking British" in the back.

And tragically for General Arthur Wellesley's corps, their logistical supply line had to pass through the "French-speaking British" areas. General Wellesley now faced a dilemma.

First, he could continue the siege of New York, employing a strategy of attacking the reinforcements to continue depleting the American forces. At least until the French fully mobilized their forces in Louisiana, this seemed like a relatively safe approach.

However, this "safety" assumed the "French-speaking British" remained loyal to the United Kingdom. If they were not, then trouble would

ensue. At a critical moment, a sudden betrayal or just cutting off the corps' supplies would leave General Wellesley's forces in a dire situation, likely leading to their annihilation.

Of course, he could also choose to retreat, which would be relatively safer. But this would also signal to the "French-speaking British," "We don't trust you, we think you are the enemy." This action might provoke them into thinking it was preparation for a purge, as the retreat would have to pass near their areas.

However, General Wellesley did not hesitate; he immediately decided, "Retreat."

In Canada, everyone knew that the loyalty of the "French-speaking British" to the United Kingdom was not to be trusted. As for whether this action would provoke them into rebellion, General Wellesley thought, if they weren't planning to rebel, this wouldn't incite them; if they did rebel, it was likely premeditated, and this action would not be the sole cause. How could he risk the fate of his troops in such a gamble?

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