IBTCPOTME Novel - Chapter 129
**Chapter 129**
**The Mexican-American War (2)**
February 3, 1846.
“Is that even possible?!”
President James Polk shouted, losing all composure.
The report from Secretary of War William Marcy, who had entered with his aides, was shocking.
“Not 12,000 or 20,000, but 80,000? How is that even possible? How could such a large force be ready and cross the border already?”
The fact that he received the report only after ten days was possible because he had come down to Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, to demonstrate his quick response as “wartime president.”
The United States decided to go to war on January 13th, and the declaration of war was delivered to Mexico on the 19th. This meant that the Mexican Empire had mobilized 80,000 troops and deployed them just five days after receiving the declaration of war from the United States.
James Polk was slightly panicking at this unbelievable news.
“It is presumed that the Mexican Empire had been preparing for war in advance.”
Secretary Marcy could only offer a predictable answer.
“No matter how much conflict there was, is it even possible to prepare for war immediately?”
The conflict with Mexico began about a year ago, but it was ambiguous to call it a conflict. It was just about a single slave.
The incident that broke out in late November of last year was much more serious than the incident a year ago, but it was only a little over two months ago.
War is not something you can just achieve by filling up the numbers, and it is impossible to prepare in just two months.
It would take more than a year of preparation, as James Polk himself had done, to achieve this speed.
‘What if Mexico truly wanted to go to war from the beginning?’
James Polk began to rationalize the situation.
‘They must have prepared for war and systematically stolen our slaves. There is no other explanation!’
Those disgusting Mexican Empire bastards were seizing the opportunity and preparing to start a war. This speed only makes sense if that is the case.
“We are moving our troops south in response. They are not fully prepared yet, but Mississippi…”
Lost in his own thoughts, James Polk interrupted Secretary Marcy and changed the subject.
“You said recruitment in the north was not going well?”
“Yes? Oh, that’s right. There are many volunteers in the south, but the response in the north is quite lukewarm.”
“Just wait a little. I will come up with a solution.”
He couldn’t hear anything else. James Polk was already consumed by his own thoughts.
James Polk’s unique ability to create provocative phrases and his skills in agitation began to work in synergy.
“My fellow citizens! The threat to our nation has become a reality. Reports have come in that the Mexican Empire has crossed our border with a massive army of 80,000 men, just five days after receiving the declaration of war. This is an unprecedented move, and it clearly proves that the Mexican Empire had planned this war in advance and is filled with the intention to violate our security and sovereignty.
This military action is not simply a momentary decision. It was carried out under the organized preparation and intention of the Mexican Empire government, including the plundering of our citizens’ property and the ruthless murder of our patriots who are trying to reclaim their property. We must clearly recognize that all of this is part of a planned strategy.
My fellow citizens, this is a challenge that we must all respond to urgently. At this moment, our freedom, our independence, and the values we have passed down through generations are facing a serious threat. The strongest action we can take in the face of this crisis is to unite. Our combined strength is the only way to crush the ambitions of the wicked Mexican Empire.
Therefore, I appeal to all citizens of the United States. Stand up to protect our land, our families, and our freedom. It is time for us to come together, pool our strength, and show the world our determination and courage. We must fight against the invasion of the wicked Mexican Empire and engage in battle to protect our peace and stability. Our united will will lead us to victory. Fellow citizens of the United States, it is time for you to stand with us. Let us fight together for our freedom and our future!”
It was a ridiculous appeal, first deciding to go to war, first delivering a declaration of war, and then claiming that the enemy attacked first, but James Polk’s desperate agitation had a significant effect on the American public.
Recruitment and war preparations in the northern states, which had been sluggish, began to accelerate rapidly.
Deep down, many people supported expansionism, but they considered this war itself to be “an immoral war to protect slavery” or “a war with insufficient justification, somewhat forced.”
The Mexican Empire’s swift movements and the president’s agitation helped to rationalize this war.
Now, those who were going to war were no longer protectors of slavery or supporters of a forced expansionist war, but patriots defending the nation from the invasion of the Mexican Empire.
***
Arthur Wellesley.
Once a giant who shook all of Europe, causing the downfall of Napoleon, and a war hero of the British Empire, who served as Prime Minister twice, he now stood at the forefront of the anti-Mexican faction in Britain.
“We must intervene in this war, Britain. At the very least, we must prevent Mexico from growing any larger.”
His argument that Mexico, which showed friendly attitudes towards Britain, needed to be checked, initially did not receive much support, but after Mexico won the war against France, Arthur Wellesley gained power in Britain by spending a long time persuading various members of Parliament.
He recalled the time he met Herónimo Iturbide. Ordinary people would have just seen a strong young man, but he saw something different.
‘In the end, I will win. That was the look in his eyes.’
In front of him, who had defeated Napoleon and become Prime Minister of the British Empire, the successor of a newly independent nation had a face and eyes filled with such self-confidence.
He wasn’t too worried at the time. He was barely in his early twenties. Many young people think they are young lions. If they are not ‘real’, their confidence will be thoroughly shattered as they encounter various obstacles. The Prime Minister of the world’s strongest nation was not in a position to be concerned about such a young man.
In 1839, when Mexico faced France’s invasion, Arthur Wellesley thought that the confidence of the young man he had seen before would be broken. However, his prediction was completely wrong.
Mexico deployed ironclad ships that even the British navy would be surprised at, crushing the French fleet, which had the second largest naval power in the world.
‘Investigate all information about Herónimo Iturbide! Don’t miss a single detail!’
Even after serving as Prime Minister of the British Empire and as the leader of the Conservative Party, he ordered an investigation into the background of a foreign crown prince.
1841.
The report, which he had waited for for a whole year, arrived. It was a time of waiting that was too long for him, now aged.
Arthur Wellesley immediately picked up the report.
‘He started his foreign activities at age 15…’
It was an excessively long report. Arthur Wellesley began to shake his hands from the middle.
‘Confiscation of Spanish property, gold mines, various businesses, defense companies, joint-stock companies, war with Spain, immigration companies, railroads…’
His actions were endless.
‘How can one person achieve such feats?’
Cold sweat began to pour down his back, soaking his clothes.
‘How can just one person completely change the fate of a nation?’
As he thought about it, Arthur Wellesley suddenly felt a sense of unease. There was another person like this in the past.
‘The God of War’, Napoleon Bonaparte. Even though he was an enemy, he had felt a thrill when he saw his actions.
Another such monster had appeared in his later years.
After reading the entire report, Arthur Wellesley made up his mind.
‘I must defeat Herónimo Iturbide and Mexico.’
Otherwise, Britain’s hegemony would end within 20 years.
But he was confident.
The British Empire had also crushed the dreams of the once great French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte.
***
“Can’t we go faster?”
“The supply line…”
At that sudden remark, the aide riding beside him was flustered and tried to explain, but General Antonio waved his hand.
“I know. I just said it because I’m frustrated.”
He already knew that the current marching speed was the maximum. This First Army was moving with an incredible amount of supplies.
Food for 80,000, larger and heavier steel cannons, machine guns, not as heavy as cannons but not something people could carry, and engineering equipment for constructing trenches, campsites, and supply depots, all being transported using a vast number of horses and carts.
The fact that there were so many new recruits who had just been drafted and completed a month of abbreviated training was also a factor slowing them down.
They were marching at a speed of 25 km per day, occasionally with a scout appearing briefly, but there hadn’t been a real battle yet.
Two weeks passed, the days of relentless advance turning into weeks.
After marching hundreds of kilometers, a report finally came in from the scouts.
“We have spotted a force of 50,000 United States troops 30 km ahead.”
“50,000?”
The enemy must have also confirmed their forces, but only 50,000?
“They are going to defend the Mississippi River.”
They were not fools after all, thinking they would just hand over the Mississippi River.
‘No, they are fools. They declared war first, were attacked first, and just gave up over 300 km of territory.’
There are rarely such absurd situations in the world.
General Antonio continued straight ahead, and after another day, the Mississippi River was finally visible in the distance.
“It seems like they hastily gathered whatever troops they could after being surprised by the news of our deployment.”
Now, the armies of both nations were facing each other with the Mississippi River as the boundary. The Mexican Imperial Army was on the west side of the Mississippi River, and the United States Army was on the east side.
General Antonio replied, looking at the enemy’s movements through his telescope, “That’s right. They are clearly an unorganized army.”
They were superior in every aspect, from troop numbers to the quality and quantity of their weapons, and even in training.
“They must be setting up camp on the other side of the river, wanting us to come in, but they think we’re fools.”
No matter how superior their army was, attempting a crossing in front of an entrenched enemy army was nothing short of suicide. But the river itself doesn’t always favor the defender.
Especially a river like this, connected to the sea.
“It looks like the first battle of this war will be fought by the navy.”
As the aide said, this operation was planned as a joint operation between the army and navy from the beginning.
“Have them rest and make sure the rear supply lines are secure. Judging from the situation, there doesn’t seem to be anything on the west side of the Mississippi River, but we have also come deep into their territory.”
“Yes!”
Soon, the Empire’s fleet will appear.
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