Third Anglo-Virginian War: Difference between revisions
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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 the PM Smith, war fever swept across the nation. The new Minister of War, Stephen Fuller, during a speech in Jamestown cried, "10,000 soldiers, 1,000 vessels and 1 month and Africa will be ours." Thousands of young men did enlist for a year of service. Many hoped instead of moving north to attack New England.
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.
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