The year 1861 was gradually becoming a nightmare for the United States. Those who remembered the intensity of the War of Independence were no longer alive, but in the 19th century, Americans of all generations shared a broad familiarity with war.
There had been the war with Britain in the 1810s, then the conflicts with Native Americans, which were often closer to massacres than wars, and finally the war with Mexico. A large portion of the population had experience with firearms and did not hesitate to use them.
However, aside from the distant war with Britain, the United States had rarely faced an opponent stronger than itself. Its wars had been fought with overwhelming advantages in size and national power, and the Civil War was no exception. The North held superiority in population, industrial capacity, and even food production, which had recently shifted in its favor.
By every measure, there was no reason for the North to lose to the South. That was precisely why the initial Southern resistance had caused such confusion.
Even so, the North, hardened by repeated wars and real combat experience, did not collapse. It reorganized its forces, established realistic strategic objectives, and attempted to restructure the front lines. Then came an unexpected development. Spain, for reasons unknown, began openly supporting the South.
"We were warned before that Spain had strong interest in the American continent. We should have struck Spain immediately after the war with Mexico ended."
"Our forces were exhausted after that war. Such action would not have been possible."
"What is done is done. But from now on, we must never allow Spain to act freely."
"I agree. Regardless of how this war ends, Spain must pay for what it has done."
From the military to members of Congress and cabinet officials, opinions were unified. Spain would be dealt with after the war. Even Abraham Lincoln did not oppose this view.
Still, most believed Spain's involvement would not affect the overall outcome. It was merely an irritating factor that might prolong the war.
What truly concerned the Union was domestic dissatisfaction. Citizens with voting rights were beginning to question why they should risk their lives for black slaves.
Then came the disaster no one had expected.
France entered the war.
"What was our ambassador in Paris doing?"
"Is this not proof that the State Department has failed?"
"How are we supposed to fight France while already at war with the South?"
Generals and War Department officials erupted in anger, but Lincoln remained composed. Though he did not show it, he had already considered the worst-case scenario, a joint attack by Britain and France.
Even as the situation worsened, he forced himself to think calmly.
"Secretary Seward, France is the only country that has declared war on us, correct?"
"…Spain is expected to act alongside them."
"So they intend to go all the way."
"Spain's forces are limited. The real problem is France."
"No. The most important factor is Britain. What is their position?"
In recent global events, Britain had often allowed France to take the lead in conflicts. Russia had been defeated in this way, and even during the suppression of rebellion in Qing, France had been placed at the forefront.
Determining whether Britain stood behind this situation was critical.
"We instructed Ambassador Adams to assess Britain first. Fortunately, they appear genuinely surprised. Both parties have held emergency meetings, and the cabinet is in disarray. It seems France acted without prior coordination."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes."
"Then for now, only France has entered the war."
Even so, France alone was a formidable burden. Generals began discussing how to respond, many expressing pessimism.
At that moment, something crossed Lincoln's mind.
France's intervention was dangerous, but perhaps not enough to bring despair. If used correctly, it might even resolve one of the North's fundamental weaknesses.
"I will deliver a speech condemning France. Prepare everything."
"Yes, Mr. President."
"The South speaks of defending their homeland. We can do the same."
The ministers understood immediately.
The results exceeded expectations.
"Eighty-six years ago, our forefathers rose to secure independence and true freedom. Today, we fight to prove that this nation stands upon those same principles of liberty and equality.
We do not fight for any single race or group. We fight to protect the true values of this nation. Even now, our brothers, parents, and children dedicate themselves to this cause.
Yet there are those who oppose our mission. France and Spain have declared war upon us. They cloak their actions in fine words, but in truth they are driven by greed.
Citizens, we stand at a crossroads once more. Will we rise, as our ancestors did, to defend freedom, or will we submit to Europe and return to the humiliation of colonial rule?
I declare this clearly. We will not yield. We will devote everything to the mission entrusted to this nation!"
"Lincoln! Lincoln! Lincoln!"
"Fight! Defend our homeland!"
"Kill every last one of those French and Spanish bastards!"
The earlier complaints about fighting for black slaves vanished completely. Lincoln had transformed the nature of the war. It was no longer a civil conflict but a struggle against European interference.
Volunteers surged forward in unprecedented numbers.
"Let me enlist!"
"I will defend my home!"
"Not one of them will set foot on our land!"
Previously, most volunteers had been black citizens and immigrants. Now that had changed. Across the North, the number of volunteers grew so rapidly that administration itself began to falter.
What had seemed like a predictable conflict between the North and South, Spain, and France was now descending into chaos.
With France's full intervention and deployment of troops, global attention turned to the United States.
[Mass enlistment overturns Northern difficulties]
[President Lincoln declares the North can mobilize two million men]
[President Jefferson Davis welcomes France and Spain]
The war was no longer a civil conflict but an international one. Even those who had previously ignored it began to watch closely.
If France or Spain were to lose, the consequences would be humiliating. By now, Spain might already be realizing something had gone wrong after seeing the scale of Northern mobilization. France, perhaps, would soon feel the same.
Yet withdrawal was no longer an option. France, confident in its past dominance, likely believed it could not lose. With the South fighting alongside it, that confidence only grew.
While the world focused on the bloodshed, I moved quietly, securing positions wherever profit could be found.
Selling weapons alone was enough to generate enormous wealth. Spain and the South had already signed contracts. France had also approached us, asking whether we could supply our new rifles.
They had entered the war confidently, but now, seeing the North's overwhelming mobilization, they were beginning to feel uneasy.
The British Empire supported free trade. Where there was demand, there would be supply. If they had money, we would sell. If they lacked money, they could offer concessions instead.
Amid all this, I did not neglect my original purpose. I continued to show Edward every step of the process, steadily training him as my successor.
At first, he seemed uncertain, but he adapted quickly.
When the time came for the final stage, I decided to test him by placing him at the center of a negotiation.
If he faltered, I could step in.
"Your Highness Edward, I am Charles Francis Adams Sr., entrusted with full authority for this agreement."
"A pleasure to meet you. I will be overseeing this negotiation as acting Duke of Canada. I hope we can reach an agreement beneficial to both sides."
Adams glanced at me briefly, then returned his attention to Edward. He clearly understood this was part of training.
After formalities, the discussion began.
"The British Empire is deeply concerned about the expansion of this war. We cannot allow it to spread to Canada."
"That will not happen. The Union is mobilizing fully. We will soon drive them back."
"I have heard of your mobilization. It is impressive. It speaks to the strength of your nation."
"Thank you."
"However, rapid expansion often leads to supply shortages. Soldiers who enlist to defend their homeland deserve proper equipment. We are expanding our production lines…"
The flow was good.
The North already knew our rifles were superior. They would not want them flowing to the South.
"Could we purchase existing shipments as well?"
"Unfortunately, those are committed to Spain."
"…I see."
"However, Spain and France have requested additional orders. Personally, I do not support the South's position on slavery. That is why I approached you first."
Adams immediately nodded.
"We appreciate that greatly."
"Then what about warships as well? With France now involved, maintaining naval superiority will be essential. I would very much like to sell them to you."
Adams paused, calculating.
Not just weapons, but ships.
The implication was clear.
If they did not buy, someone else would.
I watched quietly, satisfied.
He learns quickly.
Just like his father.
***
Secretary William H. Seward thought briefly, but soon concluded that there was no real choice. The Union had hoped to acquire Britain's new rifles and mass-produce them domestically, but manufacturing weapons required dedicated production lines. The problem was that existing armories, including Springfield, were already struggling to meet current demand.
There was a reason why many Union soldiers were still equipped with British Enfield rifles rather than the newly introduced Springfield 1861. Replacing existing production with a newly improved model would take years. If the difference were minor, it could be tolerated, but the change in loading method had a significant impact on actual combat.
Even with intensive training, Union soldiers struggled to fire more than four rounds per minute. The new Killian Enfield, however, could easily fire five rounds per minute with minimal effort, and with training, even ten rounds per minute was possible. The gap in basic combat effectiveness was simply too large.
Moreover, as the war turned into a full-scale conflict, it would become increasingly difficult to deploy well-trained soldiers. New recruits would receive only basic training before being sent to the front. In such conditions, the gap would widen even further.
If one side could fire only one or two shots per minute while the other could fire five or six with little training, the outcome of engagements would become terrifying to imagine.
The key question was Canada's production capacity.
"Your Highness, may I ask how much has been contracted with Spain?"
"I am afraid I cannot disclose the terms of agreements with other nations. However, you can estimate the scale based on known shipments."
Seward had expected that answer. The Union had already calculated the approximate volume of goods flowing to the South through Spain. Since all shipments passed through Canada, tracking transport vessels made estimation relatively straightforward.
"Then let me ask this. If we sign a new contract, how much can you supply?"
"Within a few years, we could produce enough to equip the majority of the Union army with the new rifles."
"…Production has already reached that level?"
"If you also purchase warships, we may offer a slight discount."
Seward had not expected Canada's capacity to grow so quickly. He briefly wondered whether this war might end up strengthening Canada itself. However, refusal was not an option.
If the Union did not buy, France, Spain, or the South would take the supply instead. No matter how strong Canada became, it remained dependent on the British Empire and was unlikely to become a direct enemy of the United States.
Even if it felt uncomfortable, it was better to strengthen a party that could be reasoned with rather than allow France or Spain to grow stronger.
"Very well. We accept your proposal."
"Though it may sound strange coming from someone maintaining neutrality, I sincerely hope the North wins and that barbaric systems like slavery disappear from this world."
"Thank you."
Although the cost was significant, the Union had at least prevented a massive flow of Canadian weapons to the Confederacy. It was not perfect, but it created a fighting chance.
As spring arrived, the North launched a large-scale offensive.
"The enemy is attacking! The Northern army has begun to move!"
"They are trying to gain advantage before French and Spanish reinforcements fully arrive. Our numbers are sufficient, and our weapons are superior. Hold the line and push them back!"
"Reports indicate that some Northern units are also using Canadian weapons."
"What? What are you talking about?"
The South, emboldened by the support of France and Spain, had expanded its forces. What had once been around 300,000 troops had now grown to well over 400,000. Even those who had been skeptical about the war now believed victory was possible.
Although these forces were not concentrated in a single mass, both sides were rapidly increasing troop numbers, leading to large-scale engagements involving tens of thousands.
Up to this point, everything followed expectations.
However, not only American commanders but also European officers observing the war began to realize the true impact of technological advancement.
As in previous wars, both sides initially attempted to fight in traditional line formations, exchanging fire at close range.
But the results were devastating.
"Our casualties are severe. In a single battle, we lost two thousand men."
"What about the North?"
"Similar numbers."
"Damn it. If this continues, we will destroy ourselves before defeating the enemy."
After just one major engagement, commanders on both sides recognized the need to fundamentally change their tactics. Fighting in open fields, where both sides could clearly see each other, only led to mutual destruction.
The need to use terrain for cover and construct defensive positions became evident.
For the French and Spanish forces arriving in America, however, this was an unfamiliar sight.
"These country bumpkins fight like fools."
"What do you mean? Charging without proper formation makes no sense."
"Digging into the ground and waiting for the enemy? Is war in America some kind of excavation project?"
The French army, arriving in the South with confidence, advanced northward with arrogance.
"Within fifteen days, we will open the road to Washington. Let us show them the difference between France and these bums."
Fifteen days later, the same army, after being thoroughly beaten, retreated in full force back to Richmond.
"General, the North is far stronger than expected!"
"Engaging them head-on leads to unacceptable losses!"
"Damn it. When did they become this strong? This is nothing like what we were told."
Something was wrong.
The United States had been described as a second-rate military power, one that had struggled even against Mexico. They had expected large numbers but poor quality.
Yet France, with one of the strongest armies in the world, could not gain the upper hand.
The soldiers themselves were not particularly well trained on either side.
There was only one explanation.
The weapons.
"General, we have confirmed that both the North and South are importing new rifles from Canada."
"…I knew it."
At last, they had found someone to blame.
Unable to accept responsibility, the French command reported that their early defeats were caused by Canada supplying advanced weapons to the North.
Back in France, where they had been waiting for victory,
the reaction was explosive.
At this point, the official position of the British Empire was perfectly clear.
The British Empire was neutral.
Neutrality meant standing in the middle, favoring no side.
Selling weapons to France, Spain, the South, and the North alike did not violate that principle.
Everyone was free to purchase British weapons if they wished.
Of course, not everyone accepted this reasoning.
For France in particular, a close ally of Britain, dissatisfaction grew rapidly.
"Your Highness, this is unacceptable!"
"What exactly is the issue?"
Prime Minister François Guizot had crossed the Channel personally instead of sending a formal protest. The reason was obvious. Public opinion in France had turned sharply negative, and this was a visible political response.
"You are selling large quantities of weapons to the North."
"Ah, that matter. So you chose to come directly rather than go through the Foreign Office."
"Canada falls under your authority, does it not?"
"You misunderstand. Canada was neutral from the beginning and had contracts with both Spain and the North. The North has simply increased its orders."
"But this contradicts your previous assurances. You said Britain would send its navy once France intervened."
"I have never broken my word. We will act. But timing and justification must be carefully arranged."
"But our forces are suffering heavy losses!"
That was hardly my responsibility.
They had rushed forward confidently and paid the price.
"The United States is not a weak opponent. Individually, their soldiers may not match ours, but their technology and industry have nearly caught up with Europe. Their railway networks allow rapid troop movement. In some respects, they may even surpass Russia."
"…Then…"
Guizot's face turned pale.
"So the defeat was due to underestimation. Think of it as a necessary lesson. Once France fights properly, there is no reason to suffer such losses again."
"…Still, public opinion in France is turning against Britain. They believe this war has become difficult because Britain is selling weapons to both sides."
"That would be troublesome. I cannot allow you to bear such criticism."
France still had value. It needed to be weakened, but not destroyed.
Revealing everything had never been the plan. This situation had always been expected.
"Prime Minister, I will introduce you to another ally."
"…Another ally?"
"Of course."
Controversy is best buried under greater controversy.
Even with Spanish support, the North still held a slight advantage. Since we had already supplied large amounts of weapons and ships, the South needed further reinforcement.
"There is no country with reason to join the war…"
"Reasons can be created. Is there not a powerful nation beside France, one that would gladly join if its unification were guaranteed?"
"…Prussia? Is that even possible?"
"For others, no. But I have reliable connections there. If I arrange this, the misunderstanding that Britain has betrayed France will disappear, will it not?"
Guizot nodded without hesitation.
If France weakened while Prussia grew stronger, Britain would be the only power capable of balancing it. That could not be allowed.
If they were to fall into the mud,
then everyone would fall together.
That, after all,
was the spirit of alliance.