Dawn of Steam: First Light

by Jeffrey Cook

  Sir James gestured, dropping the ruined remnants of the tree, and first, men peeled off from the edges of the trees to reinforce the group with him, and I led a second group forward to reinforce them while the rifles afforded them what cover they could. A few men fell, both in the lead group, and mine, but many lives were spared, in part, by the simple fact that the Spaniards put most of their efforts into trying to do something, anything, to halt Sir James himself. While I do not doubt that the suit will need considerable repairs when all of this is done, he did not even slow, crashing forward steadily, seeming to be doing his best to continue to be the focus.

  We caught up with the main group as Sir James tore through the first layer of wire and wooden fortification, slowing only slightly. Sir James and his men provided enough distraction to let more and more of our rifles advance to positions closer to the fort, hiding behind the cover Sir James left behind. The more rifles that reached cover, of course, the more dangerous it became for any of the Spanish troops to stick their head up long enough to draw accurate lines of fire. I am also quickly learning one of the primary differences between fighting among Englishmen and the Americans. The Englishmen I have observed have the greater discipline and training, to be certain. They are prepared for a wider variety of circumstance and adapt more quickly to change in them, as well as learning the commands and structure expected by their officers better. But the Americans depend daily upon their rifles, not just in war time, at least in many of these cases. When you find the huntsmen among them, they are a thing to be treasured, because to a greater degree than any unit I have ever seen, and exceeded only by Eddy's marksmanship, they tend to hit what they fire upon.

  With less loss than I'd have thought we'd have suffered by now, we reached the gates. They did hold Sir James, at first at least, but even his initial charge rocked them mightily. There was sounds of chaos from inside the fortification as men rushed to reinforce the gates in a bid to hold them. With the commotion, more men advanced in a new rush, and more rifles took up position with Eddy and his sharpshooters. They continued to clear men from the walls, making special note to remove any cannoneers they were able to pick off, leaving musket fire as the primary obstacle for our men to navigate, and the fallen trees remained as points of fortification in the midst of the battlefield, a place troops could mass while others came forward, then move to join the group nearest the walls.

  Sir James alone served as battering ram, hammering upon the walls time and again. Eventually, the bar began to splinter and broke enough to begin to push open, and the most vicious part of the battle began. Each side turned their weight towards the gates, the Spanish trying to keep them closed, Sir James and the Americans trying to force them open. All the while, men with bayonets on both sides jabbed them through the opening, trying to force the other side back.

  Somewhere amidst the chaos, I became aware of movement from a different section of the walls, Spanish muskets firing elsewhere than into our mass. Letting myself briefly become distracted, I saw a winged form moving towards the walls under light fire from the few Spaniards who had seen what I had. When she came close enough, Miss Bowe dropped from the ornithopter and onto the walls, engaging the men with muskets at close range with her knives. After she dispatched two of them, she disappeared over the wall and out of my sight, and I quickly returned my focus to trying to direct some part of the chaos at the doors.

  Who would ultimately win the conflict was never in much doubt. It took some time, but with Sir James on our side of the conflict, we had a decided advantage in strength. The doors opened further and further, despite all efforts by the defenders, and as they did, the fighting at the gap grew worse. As soon as it had opened enough for Sir James to see clearly inside, however, he put a quick end to it. Lifting one arm, he unleashed a rocket into the midst of the opposition, the explosion scattering men and forcing others into panicked retreat. The doors quickly opened, and we began a mad rush to take and hold position in the midst of the Spanish. There was no room for lines or organization now, and bayonets quickly became the tool of most use as everything became about close quarters combat. In this, the Spanish had a greater advantage, with more of their men so armed, but we had Sir James at the front, tossing Spaniards aside like ragdolls. Likewise, we had momentum.

  I realized, in time, we seemed to have one other advantage. I could hear Sir James calling out commands, of course, and Eddy was able to make himself heard over the chaos now and then as well, though we were too far from the rifles to glean anything more from this than that he still lived. But I saw no signs of the highest ranking of New Spain's officers. There was no one rallying their men or changing their instructions, no one directing from the walls or fortified outposts. We would eventually find them, their command staffs, and their guards, all with various knife wounds – Miss Bowe's contribution to the battle, in her own fashion. I do not know how much of this was her own initiative and how much worked out with Sir James ahead of time. She was not welcome at the meetings for determining out strategy, at the insistence of some of our own people. However, once she had committed to help with this effort, despite her reservations, I know I had seen her and Sir James conversing quietly on a number of occasions, usually seeming quite grim in these conversations.

  Without this direction, with the Americans in the fort, and Sir James especially showing no sign of slowing, surrender was eventually inevitable. When enough of their men had fled, and someone took enough initiative to take over, a white flag was waved. Confused fighting continued a short time longer, but the Spanish had little fight left to them by then, and Sir James was eager to call an end. The fortress was quickly surrendered to his command.

  Even now, he is working on selecting a command staff and making arrangements to have the fortress fully manned and operational again as soon as possible. Eddy has set himself to drilling and training the rifles, while Miss Bowe has returned to the dirigible and chaperoned company now that the fighting is over.

  August 14th, 1815

  30º20'N 087º18'W

  Dear Sir,

  We have taken the westernmost fort in Florida, the old Royal Navy Redoubt, now called Bateria de San Antonio, and held the ground against Spanish reprisal. Scouts and spies have also been deployed to try to determine the strength of the Spanish ships and how many pirate vessels are in their waters.

  We have also received reinforcement at last from the farms and colonies that surround us, and we have somewhat recovered from the injuries sustained during the primary battle which led to renewed hostilities.

  For now, the reports are that Spain is moving less towards attempting to retake that which is lost, and are looking more to their own defense, reinforcing the other forts and borders of their port towns nearest the land we have seized. There is also already talk among some of the locals of their hopes to expand the conflict, and that England might attempt to take Florida as we once did much of the French west and south. If England is to take best advantage of this period of chaos, then we must have reinforcements quickly from the mother country, and more men with military commission and charisma so as to inspire the colonies to fight for their own defense first, and then possible expansion into enemy land.

  We have enough men, for now, to be fairly certain to hold what we have taken, and establish our new borders once new leadership arrives, but there is already considerable division among the locals. Some would very much like to see New Spain conquered, at least in Florida, for the opportunities it would create. Others argue that following all the lives lost in the Napoleonic Wars, there is almost unlimited land in America, far more than could be needed, given the toll taken upon America's working population. This division, among many others, is all the more reason that able leadership is needed as soon as possible, for if left to the locals, I fear significant chaos could quickly ensue.

  While we have done all we can here, we will have to be away soon if we are to make the next step in our journey before winter hits. Once true winter hits, travel
as ambitious as what lies ahead of us in the north will become virtually impossible. I am uncertain if these men would hold their own and retain this territory without aid or new inspiration once Sir James has moved on. I can only hope that new reinforcements arrive before we are delayed too long here. Other than this concern, our own company will soon be entirely healed and ready to move on, but we shall remain until the last possible minute for the good of England.

  In any case, I am more and more convinced by the day that when he sets his mind to the task, Sir James can accomplish anything, whether it is socially, mechanically, or in times of war, for he has certainly pulled some farmers, former slaves, and former soldiers together with only a few days of notice, and taken a major hold within Florida with it.

  Yours,

  Gregory Conan Watts

  From the journals of Gregory Conan Watts,

  August 16th, 1815

  New Orleans

  29º57N 090º04'W

  Miss Coltrane's entreaties were not for nothing, and we have been reinforced heavily by men from the North and from the farms of Virginia and the Carolinas. Many others did not send men, or very few, but dedicated significant resources to the effort in other ways. Her brother may have won the first battle of this new conflict, but Miss Coltrane's efforts in particular have made it sustainable. Building materials and money, along with learned workers, are being channeled to the region around New Orleans and the far north of Florida.

  Mr. Franzini's contacts have also proven worth the money they were paid, and he has been able to confirm for us the presence of no less than fifteen vessels of the sort most often encountered along the Barbary Coast, most often employed by the pirates there. While the first report seemed far-fetched, the same reports came from multiple sources. When English forces arrive, they will have their own people confirm these reports, no doubt. If accurate, it would be an egregious enough offense to merit significant resources being put towards breaking any alliance between the Spanish and pirate fleets. There has already been considerable talk about funding a naval effort to put an end to the white slave trade and the vicious pirate attacks off the Barbary Coast, but following the war, the resources have not yet been made available. If these pirates and slavers have allied with a national enemy, then surely those resources will be found.

  We also received particularly welcome news. While somewhat delayed by a need for repairs in Philadelphia, after making the significant trans-Atlantic flight, a Col. Bartholomew York is leading a military deployment intended to relieve us. We have been passed on official orders through this channel that when we receive news the Colonel is away from Philadelphia, we may leave the city and our command, and he will take over the effort. In the short gap in between, local officers from Virginia with wartime experience can handle the details and keeping people directed. Though we are all reluctant to leave before the Colonel has actually arrived, it is also agreed that we must make haste on our own journey. What we do next will inspire all of England, and our deadlines are understood by those who appreciate the scope of the tasks set before us. As such, we are making preparations to leave, though there is every intent to wait until there is a report of the sighting of Colonel York's dirigible, to make sure that there is no additional problems with his arrival.

  Turning about on her own former stance on the issue of the local war, Miss Bowe has once again elected to disagree with the orders we've been given, and has urged Sir James to stay to see the conflict through until some resolution is reached with New Spain. That would almost certainly put us impossibly behind in the tasks we've been set to, which she acknowledges being well aware of. Sir James has assured her that others can handle this task as readily as we can, and from what we have been able to learn, Colonel York is a man of exemplary loyalty and has a distinguished service record. The city will be in good hands under his leadership.

  August 22nd, 1815

  Louisiana Territory

  31º51'N 088º59'W

  My Dearest Cordelia,

  We are away from the war effort in Florida. Men from the North and the surrounding regions have reinforced our position sufficient that we believe we can be back to our mission. A dirigible containing a full load of troops and an officer of excellent credentials was verified to have landed in New Orleans before we left Florida, and his troops are even now being deployed to take the position we have been holding.

  The first days in which men were arriving without having taken part in the previous conflict, it was almost as if they expected a carnival air to the meeting, and many, I suspect, came as much for opportunity to meet Sir James and Eddy as any real fascination currently with the taking of Florida's westernmost fort. Even so, the recent compact between England and France has somewhat eased tempers through some of this land, and the people are not so on edge with one another as in times previous, but some tension remains. Still, Sir James has managed to soothe much of it.

  We are now bound for the northernmost reaches of the colonies to try to find the northern passage by which the Atlantic and Pacific oceans are joined past New York. This is a big portion of our current rush. Should we miss the opportunity to explore in the summer months, the waterways will be too icy to give us any hope of finding what we are looking for. Miss Bowe believes, with the current temperatures dropping rapidly, that we are already too late, but assures us the passage does exist. Sir James remains optimistic that even though we waited until Colonel York actually set down in New Orleans, we might still have time to accomplish our goal.

  Though it was an impressive campaign, most of my fellows are quite glad to once more be aboard the ship, despite the tensions which remain. The card games have resumed. Additionally, Mr. Franzini has been now permitted to join the games on some occasions, but he is required to leave his jacket behind, even though they play for no stakes. He seemed somewhat offended by this at first, but has decided to let his offense go for being at least allowed to take part in the only social occasion which draws any group of us. Miss Penn, present as Miss Bowe's chaperone, seemed less than comfortable with her former partner being permitted at all, but Franzini at least sits far from Miss Bowe – and thus from her.

  I am preparing the pictures of the conflict to be dropped off in New York, in the hopes that the northern reaches of the colonies can be inspired to aid more quickly with the new war effort than England will be able. I can certainly imagine that with the quick travel of news up the coast, many people will be quite excited to see some images for themselves. In the meanwhile, Miss Coltrane in particular has been most eager to reach New York, for with the compact between England and France, she is particularly eager to see if news of the advances in fashion and the like have yet reached the most civilized city of the Americas. Miss Wright is equally excited by such possibilities, though I am unsure she will be able to put the news to so good a use as her cousin. Still, it is good to have enthusiasm of any sort aboard the ship.

  In the meanwhile, it is unseasonably cold as we travel north. The Southern reaches of the colonies are warm places, especially so when surrounded in such tight quarters as war occasions, but having been only this year to New York, I do not at all recall it being so cold. There has even been some suspicion that if this has been the case for a time, there may be some difficulty with feeding the people in the cities this winter. Time shall tell, but for now, we are about other and grander affairs.

  I will apologize that I have no more romantic tale to tell this time of our travels, for we have seen few people save for soldiers, and most everyone aboard in their own fashion has been mostly glad to talk quietly, play cards, and sleep when they are able. Still, a great venture lies ahead of us still, though it feels almost like cheating to be performing this surveying aboard one of our airships when most such voyages previous have been done by sailing ship. But then all such attempts have also failed, so perhaps it is for the best. In any case, most of the land we are traveling to is unoccupied, so we should not run into a great deal of difficulty when setting
about our explorations, and soon our sailing ships shall know the route we have traveled and what we have seen. While cartography is not my strongest suit, it seems I am to be the mission's mapmaker as well, so I am finding myself quickly trying to learn the art. I shall have to study further when we are in New York. At least my maps will have sextant readings, so others may follow, as I've been studying with the first mate.

  Love, always,

  Gregory Conan Watts

  New York

  and the Northwest Notion

  From the journals of Gregory Conan Watts,

  August 27th, 1815

  New York

  40º 47'N 073º 58'W

  We were hailed as quite the heroes upon our return to New York. Apparently the news of our activities has reached these shores, as has news of the dangers posed by New Spain to the Southern Colonies. Already there is some talk of war with New Spain to eliminate this threat. Florida might be seized so that the Spanish have less port space, and the colonies can guard only the front along the Texas border instead of needing worry so much about assault from multiple directions. While the colonies are far apart still, even here, everyone knows the importance of keeping New Orleans secure as a critical point in the Mississippi River trade route.

  If this is to be their course, I do not know how long it would take them to assemble an army, for the state of this nation's armies is quite in disarray. Everywhere has its local militias, and the Americans do have some access to the military advances provided by Oxford's technology. They do also have a number of American veterans who have combat experience from the Napoleonic Wars, but many of their fighting men also lost their lives to that conflict. The North also does not have the slaves and former slaves to draw upon in any great number, as the South does. We can only hope that the presence of numerous men who have at least some experience in battle will hopefully make up for lack of sheer numbers.