[legendsport]

Part III - The Iron Duke takes control

The White House, Washington DC, April 11, 1813: President Madison frowned as he listened to his new Secretary of War.

"We estimate that the British have already shifted approximately 30,000 veterans of the Peninsular War to Upper Canada. Considering what Wellington has done with the handful of troops he had upon his arrival, such a significant rise in manpower could be catastrophic." John Armstrong had been Secretary of War for a mere three months, replacing William Eustis who had borne the brunt of the criticism for the poor performance of American arms in the first six months of the war. Detroit had been lost, two attempts at invading Canada thwarted, and only at sea and on the Great Lakes were there any American victories to celebrate. And even with the naval successes, the British blockade, reinforced by ships released from the blockade of Europe, was now strangling American commerce.

Madison paced the room. "I should never have thought I would wish victory for Bonaparte, but his defeat has put our young nation in a nearly untenable position," Madison said softly. He looked Armstrong in the eye, "Any luck with the New England militias?"

Armstrong shook his head. "They still refuse to budge. Even with Wellington having crossed the Niagara, the fools refuse to raise men for what they call a fool's errand."

Now it was Madison's turn to shake his head. "Even with the 35,000 man Army Congress has approved, we face a difficult summer. It will take time to train the army, time we likely will not have as Wellington will press his advantage."

Armstrong nodded. "I have written Mr. Adams in Massachusetts. As you know he believes the war was a mistake, however as a patriot, he is willing to speak on behalf of the national government."

Madison had been reluctant to call on John Adams. The former president was the foremost Federalist in the nation and much beloved in his native New England. Madison's good friend and predecessor Thomas Jefferson had recently begun corresponding with his own predecessor and had suggested to Madison that enlisting Adams' support in raising men in New England would be a wise move. For though Adams had opposed the war before its start he saw it now as a way to unify a nation which was unraveling under the weight of sectarian differences.

"Adams is an elderly man, and it has been twelve years since his presidency." Madison concluded, "I only hope it is not too late."

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Fort Niagara, New York, April 13, 1813: "Gentlemen, it's time to press our advantage." General Sir Arthur Wellesley told his assembled brigadiers. "The Americans are demoralized, poorly trained and vastly outnumbered. Our main difficulty will be in bringing them to battle."

Since his arrival a mere three months earlier, Wellesley had taken the small, token defensive force that the Earl of Bathurst, the Secretary of War, had posted to Canada while Wellesley's army fought Napoleon's forces in Spain, and - before his own army had arrived from Spain - Wellesley had captured Fort Niagara and secured British control of the Niagara River.

"What is the plan, sir?" asked George Prevost, who had been overall commander before Wellesley's arrival.

"We're marching east. I'm going to cut across New York to the Hudson River valley. From there we can threaten New England, which is as you all know, unhappy with their national government at the moment, or strike southward and capture the city of New York."

Prevost looked skeptical and Wellesley raised his hand before the younger man could speak. "I assure you, I know the capture of New York did not do much for Howe in the late war with the Americans, but I have every confidence the outcome will be different this time."

"What of the rumor that the Americans are raising an army of 35,000 men?" asked George Murray, another of Wellesley's brigadiers.

"That is of no real consequence. I will leave 5,000 men here at Fort Niagara to hold the river. This army is hardened from fighting Napoleon's best in Spain, a hastily scraped-together army of farmers and merchants isn't going to stop them."

His gaze swung his gaze around the room. "And we have one other card to play. The Earl has secured a further 20,000 men, due to arrive in Bermuda in September. From there we can strike anywhere on the Atlantic seaboard or along the Gulf coast." His eyes narrowed. "By the end of this year, I predict this war will be over and we shall be victorious."