An Englishman in New York

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

November 1863

Sir

As expected, unable to be resupplied or reinforces the Union forces at New Bern have been destroyed by Gen’l Lee. Union attacks along the Kentucky line, a sign of increasing desperation, are all beaten back. Several more Union ships are lost to the Confederate super beasts.


There seems nothing militarily that the North can do, and there are signs of a massive problem in their economy as planned construction of war materials leave little for normal use. Many areas remain devastated to the point where it is not worth the Confederates raiding again. There are rumours that another ten Yankee ships have been sunk on the high seas by the rampant raider squadrons.

I predict Mr Lincoln has little time left in office.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

December 1863

Sir

It ill behoves me to say so as an army man though and through, but in this modern age neglect your fleet at your peril should be the motto. Sixteen Union ships have been sunk by the armoured monsters of the Confederacy. One wonders how much more the Union can take in what is now an election year.

ON land there is desultory skirmishing and raiding. The North must, I fear, hazard all on one desperate throw but the winter months are not the time to contemplate such actions.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

January 1864

Sir

Little moves in the dead of winter. The Union cause seems gloom mired and as dead as the landscape. I assume with spring will come the coup de grace.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

February 1864

Sir

The Union cause is doomed. Lincoln has called for more troops, but unless he can supply them, and unless he can get his Generals to lose their lethargy there is nothing to save the Union. On the seas the confederacy rules, 8 more ships are known to have been sunk and the remnants of the Union navy cower in ports under shelter of their guns.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

March 1864

Sir

It is merely a matter of time now I fear. The Confederacy is rampant at sea, and the Union seems unable to mount any initiative to take the war to the enemy. It is an amazing turnaround.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

May 1864

Sir

The Lincoln Administration is no more. I gather a meeting of many noteworthies was called and the President was persuaded that his approach to the war had been ruinous. In particular it was clearly indicated that a neglect of affordability and a rampant spending on anything that could be considered worth use in the war had ruined the economy. Additionally the complete focus upon the land war had allowed the Southern forces to develop new fearsome warships and dominate at sea.

There are already talks to end the conflict, the United States is about to be no more.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Marc gto]

EXCELLENT A/R  love the accounts well written

[Roger Neilson II]

Thanks, shame the union commander (whoever he was) - was a total idiot!

Beware fellow aspirants to keeping the Union as a Union - negelct the economy and the naval aspects at your peril.