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OOC: I say we should leave it here!
OOC: The following is for the 28/04/00 Real Time
IC:
Second War of Uruguayan Indipendance
II and III Regulars arrived in Colonia last week and, accompanied by the II and III Heavy Cavalry and III Artillery have begun the march to Lacoze. They arrived in Lacoze three days later and found that there were white sheets hanging from the houses. As he marched into the town, the mayor of Lacoze, Francisco Ramirez, greeted General Roca and surrendered his town to the Argentine forces.
After leaving a garrison of 1000 Regulars to occupy the town, Roca decided to march onwards to Montevideo.
A couple of days after leaving the town of Lacoze, a scout returned to him and reported that there was a loyal militia in the area, which was going to try and cut off his advance to buy the Uruguayans some time.
Battle of San Jose de Mayo
From the report onwards, Roca ordered his troops to proceed with care. He moved onto the open fields where he could see the enemy advancing and kept well away of the forested areas, where he could be easily ambushed.
As night fell, Roca set up a fortified camp.
At 2200 hours, covered by dusk, 5,000 Uruguayan militiamen crept to the Argentine camp. When they were 250 yards away, they broke into a charge. The surprised Argentines took long to react to the attack and by the time they were ready, the Uruguayans were in the camp. As they entered the camp, Roca ordered his Cavalry Corps (totalling 16,000) to surround the enemy forces. But in the darkness, they lost their sighting and got lost. The III Cavalry stumbled into a forest and they were ambushed by 2,000 Uruguayan militiamen. From that skirmish, only half the company escaped: 5,000. Over 3,000 had been killed, wounded or captured.
Meanwhile, the II Cavalry outflanked the attacking army in the camp and they were pinned between 20,000 Regulars and 8,500 Cavalry, so they wisely surrendered. Casualties were minimum.
Casualties:
Argentine: 3,800
Uruguayan: 5,900
After the battle, the Argentine regrouped and rounded up the Uruguayan prisoners, totalling 1,000. They were marched back to Lacoze by the II Regulars. Roca decided to wait for them in San Jose de Mayo, but first the city had to be taken.
He positioned his 20 guns around the city and his 12,000 Cavalry and 9,000 Regulars around the city.
At sunrise, the cavalry charged and artillery fire rained in the city. When the cavalry had reached the streets, the surprised populace stood a small chance. But 3,000 Uruguayans strongly entrenched in their homes resisted. From their rooftops, boulders, hot water, musketfire and heavy furniture hailed on the Argentine.
As soon as the infantry arrived, the resistance was quelled and neutralised. But the tired Argentine troops suffered a very high number of wounded: almost 5,000. Only 750 died after the resistance was quelled. Uruguayan casualties amounted to only 1,000 among dead and wounded.
As soon as the battle was over, Roca ordered the occupation of the largest houses to turn into makeshift hospitals and the doctors began their work: they have predicted that the wounded will hold them back one month in the town, and Roca has sent messengers back to Colonia to ask for reinforcements.
Back to Montevideo
In Montevideo things haven't been going well for the occupying army. The civilians resist and small areas of the city are controlled by the Argentine. So far, the Argentine have lost 1,000 men. But 10,000 more regulars have arrived in the port of Montevideo. But they must hold on for six more weeks before victory may come.
OOC: This is for 30/04/00
IC:
Battle of Santa Lucia
At sunrise, the Argentine guns were in postion. The II and III Cavalry Corps we in enveloping positions and the III Regulars was ready. As dawn broke, the Uruguayans were able to perceive the brilliance of the General they were against.
"Abran fuego!"cried Roca. At that moment, 60 artillery pieces volleyed at the loyal town of Santa Lucia. Immediately, a Uruguayan militia was mobilised and they scrambled for the protection of their town.
At hearing the shots, the II Cavalry enclosed from the west accompanied by the III Cavalry enclosing from the east. The III Regulars marched towards the south.
The cavalry soon approached the overextended Uruguayan lines and battled the infantry. Soon, a militia cavalry appeared to repel the attack. Their courage was splendid and their fighting skills excelled those of common militias. The Colonel Ramirez also realised that he couldn't understand their Spanish. However, the appearance of this cavalry surprised the III Cavalry, throwing them back. Meanwhile, the II Cavalry was making excellent time and their drilling was perfect. In an hour they had decimated the defenses to the west and were entering the city.
The III Regulars met a lot of resistance in the town, mainly from women and children. Their bravery was notable. But their inefficiency was not equiparable to the trained armies of Buenos Aires and the western part of the town was soon secure. But chains strung accross the streets prevented the cavalry from charging and bought the Uruguayans in the east time.
At midday, the position of the III Artillery was shifted to the east and a hail of "metralla" (grapeshot) fell on the heads of the resisting forces. The III Cavalry, which took an extremely long time to regroup after the second charge (almost two hours) was ready for a third charge at 1300 hours. After being weakened by the artillery fire, the Uruguayans soon ceded to the superiority of the Argentine were soon defeated. But the Uruguayan cavalry was no-where to be seen, presumed to have fled towards Montevideo.
Result: Argentine victory.
Casualties:
Argentine: 2,500
Uruguay: 3,000
That very night, an Argentine corvette spotted two Swedish vessels leaving the port of Maldonado. The vessels spotted were a medium sized merchantman and a minor steam boat. These were obviously NOT troop transport ships for an invading force. However, the Argentine General Staff in Buenos Aires is on alert.
Three days after the battle of Santa Lucia, the Argentine forces were ready to march unto Montevideo. The idea was to attack from within and without the city so as to confuse the Uruguayans and have a brilliant victory.
The II and III Regulars, II and III Cavalry and III Artillery moved towards Montevideo to attack from the northwest. The IV and VII Regulars in Colonia were marhcing down to attack from the east and the IV and V Artillery (totalling 100 guns) arrived in Montevideo to support the attack.
Battle of Montevideo
Stats before battle:
Artillery:
II, IV and V in Montevideo, totalling 150 guns.
III Artillery north of Montevideo totalling 60 guns.
Cavalry:
I in Montevideo totalling 10,000
II and III north of Montevideo 11,500
Regulars:
VI in Montevideo, totalling 10,000
II and III north of Montevideo totalling 14,000
IV and VII west of Montevideo totalling 18,000
Phase One
0600
All Corps in position to begin the battle.
0610
All 210 guns open fire on the Uruguayan lines.
Orders are issued to the II and III Cavalry to charge from the north and the I Cavalry to charge the eastern Uruguayan position.
The II, III and VI Regulars recieve orders to attack the northern Uruguayan positions.
IV and VII Regulars ordered to attack western Uruguayan positions.
0625
First contact in northern front, the Cavalry manages to split the Uruguayan forces into two groups after 30 minutes of fighting.
0640
IV and VII Regulars attack the Uruguayans at the far western areas of their defensive positions. As this occurs, they are showered with musket fire, but after a fighting, they recieve orders of enclosing the western position and eliminating them, while the cavalry takes on the east.
0730
The II, III and VI Regulars manage to dislodge the Uruguayans from their positions, which retreat 1000 yards to the hilltops. From there, the Argentine are met, not with musket fire, but with real bullets. This managed to fend of the Argentine who took up defensive positions.
1150
The IV and VII Regulars obtain the surrender of the western Uruguayans. The IV stays to guard the 3,000 POWs while the VII recieves orders to combine with the II, III and VI Regulars.
Phase Two
1300
The Uruguayans on the hilltops assault the Argentine positions but fail miserably because they are echeloned by the I, II and III Cavalry. As the remnants of their army retreats back to the hills, the VII Regulars arrives at the site.
1400
The Argentine II, III, VI and VII Regulars assault the Uruguayans atop the hills. Because the ground plays against them, they retreat. But as they retreat they are followed by the anxious Uruguayans. Noticing this, the Regulars continued their retreat, luring the Uruguayans out of their cover. At that moment, the I, II and III Cavalry moved in and soon exterminated the surprised Uruguayan forces in the melée. The Uruguayans would not recover from this blow.
1500
The Argentine prepared for their final assault against the hills. All units were ordered to charge.
1502
First contact between Uruguayans and the cavalry, allows the regulars to continue their march.
1505
The infantry arrives at the site, demonstrating the clear numerical inferiority of the Uruguayans. Nonetheless, they fight on
1645
After suffering very severe losses, the Uruguayan commander surrenders to Roca.
The Battle is over.
Results of the battle: Argentine Brilliant Victory.
Casualties:
Argentine:
Cavalry: 6,000
Infantry: 12,000
Uruguayan:
Cavalry: 8,500
Infantry: 18,000
PRISONERS: 5,000
After the battle, the trimphant forces paraded in the main square protected by the infantry and General Julio Argentino Roca marched into the Houses of Government in Montevideo and arrested the vice-president of Uruguay under the charges of murder, sedition and treason against Argentina. These charges were backed by the Argentine senate after discussing the fact that Uruguay had once been a province of Argentina which had seceded but which had not been recognised by the government of Argentina. The president of Uruguay was not there to be arrested because he has flown to the north where he is organising an army.
After interrogation, the Uruguayan Vice-president, Dr. Alberto Ramirez confessed that the Swedish were supporting them and were selling the loyal factions armaments, which was proved by the captured breach loading rifles and cartridges off the Uruguayans. He also said that the Swedish government had sent part of its regular army under the title of "voluntary forces" to defend the interests of Swedish immigrants in Uruguay, but it is accounted that no Swedish immigrants live in Uruguay.
NEWS FROM ARGENTINA
President Sarmiento Recovers!
After a bad bout of influenza, President Sarmiento has returned to his duties and has already begun to work with renewed energy.
All Argentine ports closed to Swedish ships!
After discovering Swedish regular armies in Uruguay and the threats of invasion recieved from the Swedish government, the senate passed a resolution over all Swedish ships in Argentine territorial waters. It has also been stated that any Swedish ships in Argentine Territorial waters can be boarded and MUST be inspected by the Prefectura Naval. Any illegal equipment (armaments of all sorts and food products) shall be confiscated by the Argentine authorities. Only Swedish ship with a special permission issued by the Argentine Government can enter the ports and these must be inspected before entering Argentine Territorial Waters.
The Population of Buenos Aires stock up!
The Argentine government has bought half of the cereal produce in order to stock it in the case of an invasion by Sweden. This will prevent the case of a famine. On view of this, the population of Buenos Aires is also stocking up and a new weapons factory (privately owned) is producing cheap weapons for the civilian population to arm themselves. At the same time, the Argentine Army is selling the more antiquated military equipment at cheaper values to the civilian population so that they could defend their interests in case of an invasion.
New Steel Mill opens in Tandil!
Due to the close proximity of iron ore in the sierras, a new steel mill has opened in the south of the province of Buenos Aires. With English capitals, this mill will be receiving coal from the mines in Rio Turbio and the iron ore from the vicinity. It is hoped that Railroad and Armaments industries will set up in that area too.
New Textile Mill opens in Esquel!
Due to the huge production of wool in the area, a mill of Argentine capital has established in Chubut. This is expected to encourage settlement in the area due to the new employment.
New Railroad Planned!
The new railroad will run from the new mines in Mendoza to Buenos Aires via Tandil in order to encourage the growth of steel related industries in Buenos Aires.
Facultad de Ingenieria Founded!
The new facultad has incorporated British and German engineers into its ranks of teachers and hopes to exploit the young minds to encourage the further industrialisation of Argentina.
President Sarmiento meets with British Entrepreneurs!
This meeting, concerted with British railroad related industrials, has been done in order to discuss the probability of importing English engineers to work in new railroad related factories in Buenos Aires.
DIPLOMACY
To JAPAN:
We invite your Emperor to Buenos Aires for the signing of new trading agreements between Kyoto-Buenos Aires. We are interested in purchasing modern military equipment if that is available from your country. We are willing to barter them for Argentine coal or other products or purchase it with money.
To ALL NATIONS:
The resolution to ban Swedish ships in Argentine waters is strictly for the Swedish ships. The foreign trade of any other countries is not threatened by this resolution.
OOC: When can we begin to build dreadnoughts?
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05-05-2000 20:57
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