Third Anglo-Virginian War: Difference between revisions
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The spread of Zoerkerism into Sierra Leone caused social upheaval in the British colony. Miners who had gone to Salvatia for wealth and work were converted and brought their new faith back home. This caused opposition to British rule resulting in the Port Loko riot in which 8 Sierra Leonean were killed. Though the sect represented a insignificante amount of people it was enough to alarm the British and prepare for war.
== First Phase: Invasion of Salvatia ==
The war would begin on 18 April 1874 with the British invasion as they crossed the Salutia River. The British forces were under the command of Major General James Outran. It was compromised of 1,000 white soldiers and 1,650 African auxiliaries. The AEF had only 800 soldiers, but the colony could muster another 2,000 militiamen Walker promised. When Washington received reports of the British invasions he at first dismissed it. Washington was celebrating the birthday of his second-in-command, Lt. Colonel Arthur Douglas, that evening and was by several accounts inebriated. However the next morning, when the mayor of New Jamestown arrived, exhausted and gave gruesome details of the the city's destructions, he wrote back to Virginia and prepared for war.
Prime Minister George Smith had established his second government (Smith II). His popularity and that of the Passionists was waning. However, after Lord Augustus Loftus, British Ambassador to Virginia delivered the declaration of war to
Outran wrote to Washington with the demands of the British government. They were the withdrawal of all AEF soldiers, removal of all Zoerkerist, and the renouncing of Virginian claims to Salvatia. He promised to give Washington time to think despite the numerical advantage the British had. Some scholars have argued that Outran was trying to starve the Virginians out as the British blockaded or that he thought Washington would give into the demands. On 24 May, Outran continued his march taking Amherst and New Elegasthaven by 3 June.
The first and only engagement between Washington and Outran occurred at the Battle of Mansoa River on 8 June. Washington's forces had marched to Charlottesville to engage Outran. Not wishing to hide in the city, Washington went on the offensive. The surprise attack caused the colonial soldiers to break and forced the British into an orderly retreat. Outran saw this as a minor setback in the campaign while Washington celebrated the war ending battle. He wrote to PM Smith promising that the war was nearly at end. The Virginian government took the news too seriously and requested that Washington leave Africa to escort the army for an invasion of New England. The British had not yet blockaded Virginia and Washington was able to sail home. Lt. Colonel Douglas was left in charge.
== Second Phase: The Pilgrimage to Grandchurch ==
Outran called for reinforcements and they arrived on 1 July. Though only an additional 500 British soldiers they had with them the new Clyde Guns. The world's first automatic firearm. It was capable of firing up to 500 rounds per minute if used properly and if it did not malfunction. The British would use them to great effect during the Battle of Charlottesville. Douglas, hoping to repeat Washington's success, left the city to fight on 4 July. The Virginians were devastated by the firepower of the British and were forced to retreat. They would abandon Charlottesville and Victoria the next day and go back to Clarke.
New of the defeat spread like fire across Salvatia and Walker called for a "pilgrimage" to Grandchurch to defend their holy city from the British. Roughly a 1,000 colonist would make up its defense, Both men and woman began to drill and make a barricade. Children were sent to the countryside.
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