Historys Lost Wars: The War of 1839

duration: 24:30
Video CAMERA POV pans across an idyllic landscape to rest on a large fortification by a field and river. Inside the Fortification, a small garrison on soldiers performs mundane duties. Dissolve to: Illustration of Peace Ceremony. Dissolve to Historic Map of Europe. Dissolve to: Illustration of Frontier Explorers. Dissolve to Historic Map of North America Soldiers are alert, but relaxed. Most go about duties efficiently, a few play games.

William Hanff Jr. 2004 2110 10th St., NW Washington, DC 20001 FMrell@aol.com (202) 462-7360 Audio

March 16,

A Baroque classical piece of music builds throughout the opening narration.

Narrator: For most of the 19th Century, North America and Europe had political stability and continued economic and technological growth. On one side of the Atlantic, the Concert of Europe held political powers in balance, on the other side Manifest Destiny and rapid growth saw an expansion of the United States. With few exceptions, the strife of one continent did not spill over to the other. Natural sound effects of reenactors as they patrol and keep watch.

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Outside the fortification, a line of soldiers, marches determinedly toward the fort. As the soldiers march past the CAMERA POV.

Music picks up pace. Narrator: There were, however, exceptions. Americas unresolved issues with Great Britain led to the War of 1812, and various European powers cast an opportunistic eye toward North America during both the Mexican-American War and the U.S. Civil War. Natural sound effects of reenactors as they march.

Some of the marching soldiers are pulling carts with small cannon.

Music continues to build. cadence can now be heard. CU of Prussian flag being carried by the advancing soldiers. CU of British flag being carried by another regiment of advancing soldiers. CU of Early US flag. CAMERA ZOOM OUT to reveal the soldiers manning the fortifications have spotted the advancing troops, and are frantically running to prepare for battle. On the ramparts several soldiers take position.

A drum

Natural sound of marching soldiers, horses and carts.

Narrator: Less well known were a chain of events beginning in the Fall of 1837, embroiling both the shifting alliances of Europe, and the fledgling nation states of North America. An international banking crisis on two continents, an obscure disagreement over territorial holdings in vast stretches of empty land, an overreliance on mercenary soldiers, and the rise of military technology combined in surprising ways to create one of histories most forgotten wars.

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A line of soldiers marches over a hill. CAMERA ZOOM OUT to reveal the gate of the fortifications. Several soldiers frantically dash to close the different layers of gates. Intercut CU of advancing soldiers, guns, feet, heads. Dissolve to: Historic Maps of Europe and North America.

Narrator: So convoluted were some of the causes of this war, that it had at least three different official names. To the British Empire, at the height of imperial power, it was known as The Northwest Pacific-American War. To the Russian Tsar as well as the German Kaisers, it was known as the Wars of Lower Alaska. Music continues to build. The drum cadence begins to crescendo.

Narrator: To the fledgling Americans, it was called The Aroowstook War, The Bank Within the forth the final two doors War, The Prussian Invasion, and the are slammed closed. Oregon Incursions, but later came to be known as simply: the War of 1839. Dissolve to: Title/Logo Historys Lost Wars: the War of 1839 Music crossfades to Baroque Theme music. Opening Animation for Historys Lost Wars: period maps, etchings, antiques, over moving background. Titles and Credits. Return to re-enactment: Soldiers stand at-ease outside the fortifications, A British General holds out an official communiqu. Martial Music mixes with Baroque Music. Natural sound effects of war, explosion, marching and gunfire. Narrator: This particular encounter during the heat of the summer of 1839 did not result in any bloodshed. It was the official shift of US allegiance back with the British and Prussians against Russia and Spain.

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Dissolve to: Etchings of Washington, London and St. Petersburg. Dissolve to: Illustrations of battles. Dissolve to: Historic Maps of North America & Europe. Visual Effect: Transition to Interview setting

Narrator: It would not the last time a major combatant force would shift allegiances, for as the political climates changed in Washington, London and St. Petersburg; so changed the fates of the men in the fortifications throughout both North America, and even in Northern Europe. Music lower, to underscore.

John Prester on-screen: seated, mid-shot, speaking interview-style. High-contrast lighting, muted background. CG: (lower 1/3rd) John Prester, Professor of History, Mandeville University, Mandeville, PA

Prester: The War of 1838 can be difficult to follow, if for nothing more than the shear number of participants involved. While the US and Great Britain are the primary actors and the Russians as a fascinating supporting character; the Spanish, the Prussians, even the AustroHungarians, get involved however not always at the same times, and to the same extent. Rowley: To fully understand the causes of the War, you have to go back and look at what was going on in both the US, and in Europe. The US had virtually no foreign policy, except for maybe isolation is splendid or simply stay out of our continent. However, they had quite a bit of domestic policy. The Bank War and Panic of 1837 was, of course, caused by the allowing of the US National Banks charter to end. Wild speculation came crashing down, with smaller banks going bankrupt across the US.

Thomas Rowley on-screen: seated, mid-shot, speaking interview-style. High-contrast lighting, muted background. CG: (lower 1/3rd) Thomas Rowley, Asst. Chair of History & Culture, Piltdown College of Camridge Univ.

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Dissolve to: Etchings of 19th Century British House of Commons. Dissolve to: Portraits of Melbourne and Peel. Dissolve to: Illustration of Corn Fields. Dissolve to: Illustrations of Bank buildings. Dissolve to: Political Cartoons of Bankers and Farmers.

Narrator: In the early 19th Century the British Parliament set a trade tariff on imported corn. During the years of 1836 to 1840 two men battled for control of the parliament: Viscount Melbourne and Robert Peel. Each was prime minister twice. Capitulating to the business interests of the day they passed increasingly protective measures. These measures drove up the price of corn in Britain, while leaving crops in America undervalued. This undervalue of the corn crops for several years bankrupted many American farmers, which led to the bank foreclosures. Many Americans perceived a linkage between their Bank War and the British Corn Laws.

Dissolve to: Etching of early industrial revolution technologies: railroads, textile factories, iron smelting, etc. Dissolve to: Portraits of British and American bankers and financial institutions. Dissolve to: Portraits of British Parliament, and the British House of Commons

Dissolve to: Historic Map of the US/Canada border.

Rowley: Great Britain had invested quite heavily in the early industrial revolution in the United States. As the banking system in the US crashes in the late 1830s, many loans owed back to businesses and others banks in England were being defaulted upon. Consequently, the British Government, spurned on by disgruntled investors, began acting as though they were owed, in land, for the loans that private investors could not pay off. It was a case of both governments taking the brunt of the desires of their own populations business leaders. With Great Britain in a position to exact revenge by taking land along a long, disputed border.

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Isaac Bickers on-screen: seated, mid-shot, speaking interview-style. High-contrast lighting, muted background. CG: (lower 1/3rd) Isaac Bitters, Staff Historian, Partridge Foundation, Boston, MA

Bickers: So what would eventually evolve is a three front warpretty impressive for the mid-19th Century actually. With one front in whats now eastern Canada - a border skirmish grown out of control; another in the Pacific Northwest - with a lot of flexing of naval muscle; and a third in northern central Europe between powers trying to assert themselves in whats left of the Holy Roman Empire. Bickers: The squabbles of Europe usually didnt have much impact outside the region, but once the alliances got convoluted enough, states felt they had to show strength on many different fronts. Now, this was not out of the ordinary for England, but the story of Russian and Prussian are more interesting. Bickers: The Prussians and the Austrians had been struggling for control of what would eventually become the modern nation state of Germany. Of course, at that time it was a very loose confederation Principalities and Duchies. The Prussians proved to be more crafty. They created a free-trade-zone which included all of German-speaking Europe except Austria. Feeling secure enough in their position in an emerging Germany, the Prussians began to make movements into old Poland, which at that time was completely controlled by the Russians.

Isaac Bickers on-screen.

Dissolve to: Historic Map of German-speaking Europe. Dissolve to: Etchings of Prussian and Austrian Kings. Dissolve to: Rendered Map with animation of outline of areas within the Free-Trade Zone. Dissolve to: Historic Map of Prussian/Polish border

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CAMERA follows re-enactors as they march. Dissolve to: Historic Map of US/Canada border. CAMERA follows the hull of a ship. Dissolve to: Historic Map Alaskan Coast.

Narrator: On the other side of the Atlantic, in 1837, 10,000 US state militia volunteers were sent into New Brunswick to enforce the claims of the new state of Maine on the St John River. Seizing British lumber interests, the US was able to build simple fortifications near the St. John and Aroostook Rivers. Simultaneously, Russian warships landed troops in the small town of New Archangel to expand and protect their holdings in the Pacific northwest. Narrator: Knowing that they could not hold up in extended hostilities with Great Britain on their own, the US expanded and strengthened diplomatic ties with the now isolated Tsarist government. Their aim was to coordinate border skirmishes keeping the British forces occupied on both sides of North America. Prester: this was particularly gutsy for the Americans, and the Russians too. The telegraph was still years off, and this far-flung strategy counted on communication capabilities that were just not available yet. Some steam clippers were used, especially to get information back and forth across the Atlantic.

Re-enactment of US delegation meeting with Russian military. Dissolve to: Historic Map of US/Canada border.

John Prester on-screen.

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Dissolve to: Illustrations of Canadian rebels. Dissolve to: Etching of steam ship.

Narrator: Later that same year a group of Canadian radicals, seeking a more representative government in Upper Canada, were given a steam ship by sympathetic Americans. This ship, named The Caroline was to be used for launching raids against British and loyalist forces across the border. On December 29th, a group of British soldiers crossed into the US, attacked the small port where The Caroline was kept, and destroyed it. This proved to be the opening of official hostilities, although it did not yet lead to an official declaration of war. Bickers: It would take some of the more interesting machinations of the Concert of Europe to bring about open fighting in North America. Prussia had been forced to put off any direct assaults against Austria. However the opportunity for Prussia and Austria to jointly attach Denmark arose. Using shorthaul railroads, the Prussians were able to take the areas of Schelswig and Holstein very quickly in the Seven Weeks War. Having accomplished this so quickly, and flushed from the victory, Prussia immediately turned its attention to attacking Austrian positions throughout Europe. The entire free-trade area turned against Austria. However, Austria had one powerful ally -- Russia.

Historical re-enactment of British soldiers un-tieing a ship, and setting it on fire.

Isaac Bickers on-screen.

Dissolve to: Historic Map of German-Speaking Europe. Dissolve to: Etchings of troops moving by railroad. Dissolve to: Rendered Map of German-speaking Europe, with animations and outline of areas within the FreeTrade Zone. Outline Austria. Outline Russia

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Dissolve to: Historic Map of Central/Northern Europe. Dissolve to: Historic Map of Prussian/Polish border.

Thomas Rowley on-screen.

Rowley: Because Russia had a brief reprieve from its hostilities with the declining Ottoman Empire, it was able to concentrate on both Poland and Alaska. Russia openly declared its hostilities toward Prussia, although did not directly engage the Prussian army, mostly because their they didnt have a railway to travel on; troops would have had to cross too much distance to mount a campaign in Warsaw or Krakow. Beside that, it was still winter in Russia even into early April of 1838. Narrator: When we return, Prussians set foot in North America, the Russian Naval miscalculation, and the British gamble. In Historys Lost Wars: the War of 1839. BREAK

Dissolve to: Historic Map of North America. Dissolve to: Illustration of Prussian Soldiers. Dissolve to: Title/Logo Historys Lost Wars: the War of 1839 BREAK

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Dissolve to: Historic Map of Europe. Dissolve to: Historic Map of North America.

Narrator: In Europe war had been declared, but not started. In North America it had started, but not been declared. With the resumption of open, but undeclared, war in Canada, and the Russian fleet spoiling for a fight in the Pacific Northwest, Great Britain found itself in an uneasy alliance with Prussia. The Prussians, eager to exhibit their newfound military competence, were far more eager. Some Prussian troops were volunteered for service in the North American front. New technologies had paid off for the Prussians in Denmark, and they were ready to show off their style of military. And they had developed another Wunderzeug they were looking to use in combat. Pilatus: The British had learned from their past military campaigns in North America. They knew they had to use different military tactics. North America was, of course, much bigger than Europe. Both the US and the British were willing to experiment, militarily, more than they had ever before. For example, signal corps became more and more important. In order to move information over impassible wilderness, and for battlefield reconnaissance, both the US and British did much experimentation with hot air balloons.

Re-enactment: CU of gun smoke and battle, Dissolve to: Historic Map of US/Canada border. Re-enactment of Prussian delegation meeting with British military.

Robert Pilatus on-screen: seated, mid-shot, speaking interview-style. High-contrast lighting, muted background. CG: (lower 1/3rd) Robert Pilatus, PhD. History of Technology, Guest Lecturer, Morvan-Fabrice College

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Thomas Rowley on-screen.

Rowley: Although a lot of the fledgling railroads were in great financial straights, many scientists were fascinated by all of the applications for steam power. Hot air balloons, being only one of them. Of course, the ability to move troops around a place as vast as North America by rail-road was every military strategists fantasy, at the time, they had to be content with some very short line rail roads. But steam-powered, rapid-fire guns or artillery seemed a more likely possibility. Pilatus: Breech-loading muzzle rifles were beginning to make appearances in some of the continental wars, especially the Seven Weeks War, where they allowed the tactical advantage of faster loading, as well as longer ranges. But combining breech loading with steam-ejection propulsion, which would use little to no gunpowder, was the aim of this early form of military research. The Prussians already used what they called a needle-gun, but they still required standard loading. What both the Americans and the British were after was something bigger than a rifle, smaller than a cannonette, which could repeat fire metal needles as rounds something eerily reminiscent to the machine guns that would prove so popular less than 100 years later. The Prussians created the KWdR.

Dissolve to: Illustrations of Breech-Loading rifles. Dissolve to: Etchings of Battles from the Seven Weeks War.

Dissolve to: Etchings of Steam Engines. Dissolve to: Drawings of applications of steam technologies: (steam driven belts, pressure plates)

Dissolve to: Etchings of small artillery Dissolve to: Drawings of prototype steam powered guns.

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John Prester on-screen.

Dissolve to: Drawings of prototype steam powered guns.

Prester: Their solution was to use pressurized steam -- to make use of the same technology that was being used to move locomotives and steam clippers. Now, these steam repeater guns were both secret, and very dangerous. They required a small battalion just to move them. We actually dont have much information on how they were made, but we do have some secondhand sources about how they were used, and we can figure how they might have been constructed. Pilatus: In the campaigns along the US/Canada border, both the British and the Americans attempted to make use of the steam-powered large rifles. They were unreliable, but when they worked they were deadly, and could turn the course of a battle or campaign. But being too reliant on any single technology could prove dangerous for either side. Narrator: In June of 1838 three battles rocked the Eastern parts of Canada, all between the US and Britain. One along the St. John River, one near lake Ontario, and one very near the City of Montreal. Narrator: President Van Buren delivered a short speech to Congress, foreshadowing the specter of fullblown war with Britain, on the 11th of May of 1838.

Robert Pilatus on-screen.

Re-enactment: CU of gun smoke and battle, Dissolve to: Historic Map of US/Canada border.

Dissolve to: Portrait of Martin Van Buren Dissolve to: llustration of US Congress in session.

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CU of transcript of speech Dissolve to: Etching of Martin Van Buren.

CU of transcript of speech

Dissolve to: Illustraion of US Capitol circa 1838.

V.O. (Van Buren): I craved your attentions, my colleagues and countrymen. No longer can Americas destiny be denied by servants of a foreign empire. For the fairest decades of our great republics history we have born the indignity of imposition of expansion of other powers in our own lands and dominions. I therefore call upon this body to endorse and fund the ten thousand volunteer sons of liberty ready to plant our glorious flag in the Aroostook Valley And to, in the future, to secure the areas of Oregon and the Pacific passages to our democratic liberty. Britain has challenged us again. Let us honor our forefathers and our heritage with a glorious victory, and the means by which to accomplish it. God bless you all in a right decision, and this great country of ours.

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Narrator: Dissolve to: Etching of American Congress. The funding bill languished in political subcommittees, and still was not passed even after the end of the war. Congress however, did repeal the Salt Tax, in a small blow to the administrations agricultural policy. The Battle of the Aroostook centered near the St. John River and involved the American Troops, which had captured British positions the year earlier. Marching from Halifax, and under the command of Lord General Smyth Loxney-Bruce, the British slightly outnumbered the American forces, but with local knowledge of the area and having redoubled the fortifications, the Americans were able to repulse several British attacks. Rowley: Upon arriving in the Aroostook Valley, the British were actually very surprised at what they found: a dedicated American force that had turned what had been lumber blockhouses into rather defensible fortifications. Narrator: Lieutenant Michael Saint Vincent was one of Loxney-Bruces second aides. He recorded many of his experiences during the war in letters to his wife Elizabeth. These letters are some of the best first hand recollections of these little-known battles.

Dissolve to: Political Cartoons.

Dissolve to: Rendered Map of eastern US/Canada border with animations of troop positions.

Re-enactors marching, and falling into formations.

Thomas Rowley on-screen.

Dissolve to: Portrait of Michael Saint Vincent. CU of 19th century letters.

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CU of text of hand-written letter.

Dissolve to: re-enactors dining in a tent.

Dissolve to: Historic Map of North America.

V.O. (Saint Vincent) Dearest Elizabeth, Once again I wish you and young Danforth the best of cheer. We have now made a semi-permanent camp less than a days journey from the intruding Americans. Weve only skirmished with them, and have repulsed them back to their fortifications each time. I do not expect that we shall spend more than a months time here. To pass the time, I have been dining extensively with Lord Loxney-Bruce who speaks often of your hospitality, and of the two times he visited us. We are all missing England, I suppose. North America seems vast, and rather empty. I miss Stafford by the Moor off the Would, and its quaint population and sturdy expectable life. By comparison life at the front Prester: Many first hand documents detailing these battles suggest that early steam powered repeating guns were used. One theory is that the British were using a prototype that had been designed and used by the Prussians the previous year. That would explain why the British would have entered into a treaty with the Prussians in the first place.

John Prester on-screen.

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Robert Pilatus on-screen.

Pilatus: Although we cant be sure, the British probably marched from Halifax to the Aroostook Valley with all of the equipment they would need to build a steam-powered repeating gun. It would have taken several cart loads, and a dedicated team. Once at the battle ground, it would be assembled and moved into range. And the range would be short, maybe 80 to 100 meters. It certainly would have had the element of surprise. The first few volleys of fire would have proved devastating. Narrator: It is now widely believed that the Americans knew of such a device, and had taken measures to keep their soldiers out of direct charges. Having the winter to prepare, the Americans likely made use of extensive earthworks to shield their troops. And once fired and located, a prototype steam gun could be easily destroyed by small artillery.

Dissolve to: Illustrations of Battle scenes. Dissolve to: re-enactors, moving into positions and firing guns. Dissolve to: firing canons.

John Prester on-screen.

Prester: The Americans almost certainly knew about the potential use of steam powered repeaters. For one, they were developing their own models. Other evidence might include the amount of time they spent building the one thing that is a workable defense: earthworks. Lastly, the Americans had another use for steam technology, and that was their balloon corps.

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Dissolve to: Illustrations of 19 century balloons used for battlefield reconnaissance.

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Narrator: Balloon reconnaissance was used both before and after the War of 1838. Napoleon had made use of balloons to watch troop movements over the fields of Europe, and later the United States would combine their balloon corps with early photography for battlefield aerial photos. Pilatus: Assuming that the British would see the American surveillance Balloons, then British knew that the Americans knew of both their movements, and their Prussian allies. It begs the question why they would have concentrated so much effort on the Aroostook Valley Battle. Narrator: Although the British were unable to rout the American fortifications in Eastern Canada, the Papineau Battle near Montreal and the MacKenzie Battle were both swiftly won by the British with very little records of Prussian involvement at all. Bickers: Still, this was the first time Prussians had been in North America, granted not many of them, and always with the British, but it was a direct affront to the Monroe Doctrine.

Robert Pilatus on-screen.

Return to Rendered Map of eastern US/Canada border with animations of troop positions.

Isaac Bickers on-screen.

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John Prester on-screen.

Prester: When news that the Prussians were directly participating with the British military in Canada, it caused a big stir in American politics. Rumors spread that Germans were everywhere, although its unlikely they were involved in the battles near Montreal or on Lake Ontario. But many Americans at the time still had living memory of Hessian mercenaries. While the Van Buren Administration did its best to put down any panic, at the same time they put direct pressure on Russia to open up a second front in lower Alaska and British Columbia. Narrator: By the late summer the Russian Pacific fleet had made the journey across the North Pacific to reinforce the growing settlements in lower Alaska. Knowing of the vast lumber supplies of the area, the Russians had aspirations of a shipbuilding facility in North America. The Russian Navy sent a detail of shipbuilders with materials to the small growing town of New Archangel, near the disputed area of Western North America.

Dissolve to: Rendered Map of western North America, with animations of Russian and British holdings. Animation of Russian naval movements.

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Thomas Rowley on-screen.

Return to: Rendered Map of western North America, with animation of Russian and British naval movements.

Rowley: The journey to Lower Alaska was long no matter which way the Russians came. The ability to build a small fleet, albeit technically inferior to the British, would allow the Russians to expand down the coast, establishing trading posts, and small harbors. As often happens, the Russian ports were frozen late into the Spring. So the convoy leaving for North America was delayed, and knowledge of its purpose reached the English. Several months later, as the Russian convoy approached lower Alaska, they found the British fleet waiting for them. Narrator: The British had already sent diplomatic papers to the court at Saint Petersburg, stating that the creation of Industrial Facilities in North America were in violation of the treaties which governed the peace in Europe. The Tsar and his advisors believed that North America was beyond the purveyance of the treaty, and ignored the threat. The Russians hoped that western North America would be too far for British retaliation. Narrator: On August 3rd of 1838, the British fleet engaged the Russian convoy, and being larger and more nimble destroyed the both the shipbuilding detail and the accompanying ships.

Dissolve to: Etchings of Saint Petersburg. Dissolve to:re-enactment of Diplomats and CU of Diplomatic papers.

Dissolve to: Historic Map of Alaska coast.

Return to: Rendered Map of western North America, with animation of Russian and British naval movements. Dissolve to: Illustration of Naval battle.

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Return to: Rendered Map of western North America, with animation of Russian and British naval movements. Dissolve to: Illustration of Russian ship/barge.

Isaac Bickers on-screen.

Bickers: The Russian navy had taken a bold risk. They never believed that the British would divert any sizable ships of the line of the coasts of China and India. When the convoy encountered the British, they made a run for the coast. However the British ships were both larger and faster than their Russian counterparts. The Russian ship building detail was on an enormous ship, more of a barge, really, but with only 15 feet of freeboard. It was designed specifically for moving vast cargos. It was the first ship destroyed, and little evidence of it still exists. Narrator: The British had quickly defeated the Russians in one of the shortest naval battles in history. With the Russian settlements of Lower Alaska unprotected, the British navy could have swiftly destroyed the Russian presence in North America. But they turned their sails to the south and returned to other parts of the British Empire. Why they didnt take advantage of their victory is still unknown. But the lost war of 1839 had yet to take its more dramatic turns.

Dissolve to: Illustrations of Naval battles.

Return to: Rendered Map of western North America, with animation of Russian and British naval movements.

Re-enactors firing guns. Re-enactors in secret military meeting.

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Dissolve to: Historic Map of North America.

Narrator: When we return, after a short winter, the war returns to North America and shifting alliances wreck havoc on two over-extended nations. Historys Lost Wars: the War of 1839. BREAK Narrator: In September of 1838, even before news of the Russian fleets defeat had reached St. Petersburg, a group of ambitious Prussian military officer who had been charged with holding positions against the Austro-Hungarians made several forays into Russian-controlled Poland. Although their forces were small, they proved very successful against the technically backward Poles and a Russian regular army, which was over-stretched across a long frontier.

Crossfade Title/Logo Historys Lost Wars: the War of 1839 BREAK

Dissolve to: Etching of Saint Petersburg. Dissolve to: Portrait of Tsar.

Dissolve to: Rendered Map of Poland with animations of troop movements.

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Isaac Bickers on-screen.

Bickers: Its debatable exactly why several regiments of Prussian troops would foray so far into Poland so late into the year. Traditionally campaigns wouldnt be launched that late into the year. The upside is that they could do a lot of damage. The downside is the coming of winter, and the likelihood that they wouldnt be able to consolidate their winnings. The main reason they would do this is the knowledge of their treaty with Britain, they too were technically at war with Russia, and by extension with Poland. They were also probably just plain bored. Not much of a fight out of the Austrians? Heck, why not invade Poland? They are German after all. Rowley: Why the Prussian Junkers would invade Poland is still one of the Concert of Europes great mysteries. They knew they couldnt hold onto any land they took. Several divisions stationed along the Oder river, and dealing with only very sporadic skirmishing suddenly finds itself practically besieging Krakow, only to withdraw when the weather turns bad. Its almost a military exercise. If it showed anything, it showed that Prussia was a rising force in German politics, and was an obvious foreshadowing of later military politics. Ironically a few years later, in 1847, the city of Krakow was ceded by Russia not to Prussia but to Austria. Perhaps a political snub.

Return to: Rendered Map of Poland with animations of troop movements.

Thomas Rowley on-screen.

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Dissolve to: Portrait of Russian Tsar. Re-enactment of Russian Tsar recieving diplomatic delegation.

Narrator: The events of the Autumn of 1838, diplomatically set the stage for the fighting of 1839. The Russian Tsar was said to have flow into a rage upon hearing of both the destruction of the Russian Pacific Fleet and the Prussian incursions. Once again correspondences were exchanged with the Americans. Bickers: The US was startled to read these nearly-incomprehensible secret diplomatic papers from the Tsar. And whether it was due to poor translation, or the fact that the Tsar was actually going crazy, the Americans began to loose faith in Russia as an ally. So, heres where it gets interesting: for most of the 1830s the United States was expanding to its south and west, both settlers and the US Army found themselves in conflicts with Mexico - itself a pretty new country. The King of Spain was eager to attempt a reconquest of Mexico, particularly the parts the US had no territorial interest in. So, the US and Spain opened secret talks to defend North America against future British Invasions, and eventually declare war against Mexico.

Isaac Bickers on-screen.

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Dissolve to: Illustration of Diplomatic Negotiations. Dissolve to: Rendered Map of Europe with animations/color shifts of countires.

Dissolve to: Portrait of Spanish King.

Narrator: Upon learning of the US and Spanish negotiations the Tsar was surprised to find that Russia was already allied with Spain in the event that Spain were to suffer a direct attack. Once Spain, the United States, and Russia were officially aligned, the Spanish King decided that he would recognize a reciprocity of initiated hostilities from the Prussian invasion of Poland and declared war on both Prussia and by extension, Great Britain. Rowley: The reciprocity of initiated hostilities is a difficult diplomatic concept to understand at times. It was originally designed to maintain the balance of power in post-Napoleonic Europe. The idea being that if a country invaded one of your allies, or even their holdings, it may as well have invaded you. Mostly, this discouraged countries from attacking each other. However, with colonial holdings on several continents, over time reciprocity of hostilities made diplomacy very convoluted.

Thomas Rowley on-screen.

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Dissolve to: Illustration of British Parliament interiors. Dissolve to: Portrait of Robert Peel.

Disslove to: Historic Maps of Europe and North America.

Narrator: In Great Britain, in May of 1839 Robert Peel re-defeated Viscount Melbourne and became Prime Minister once again. Peel, a conservative by nature, to appease his new power base, delivered a fiery speech in the House of Parliament denouncing the open conflict in North America, highlighting the defeat of the Russian Navy, and admitting general confusion about the Prussian incursions. And for the first time he construed linkage between events in Europe and North America. Rowley: With the political parties shifting from Whig back to conservative, actually very little changed in British foreign policy. However, Peel was more likely to face the fact that although Britain was engaged on multiple fronts, that it was one single war. At least where the Russians, Americans and at least in theory, the Spanish, were concerned.

Thomas Rowley on-screen.

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John Prester on-screen.

Prester: This multi-continental fighting could really be called something like World War one-half. Granted news and troops moved much more slowly, but the system of allegiances was in place. Which, I suppose would make the Crimean War, fifteen years later something like World War two-thirds or point seven-five. Anyway, one thing that distinguishes these 19th Century Wars from their 20th Century counterparts, diplomatically is the speed at which these alliances changed. Leading to the War of 1839 to be called The War of Shifting Allegiances Narrator: Throughout the Spring of 1839, fighting continued in Eastern Canada. The American forces had been joined by anti-British Canadian militias and some Native Americans, the second attempt to take Quebec was repulsed in midMarch of 1839. To the west, by April of 1839 the Russian forces, salvaging what they could from their fleet, and reinforced with supplies began forays down the Pacific coast to openly harass British trading outposts.

Re-enactors in formations firing volleys of shots.

Dissolve to: Historic Map of Quebec. Dissolve to: Etching of Quebec.

Dissolve to: Historic Map of Alaskan coast. Dissolve to: Illustration of New Archangel.

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John Prester on-screen.

Prester: It will always be one of those interesting what ifs What if the British had destroyed New Archangel when they had the chance after the defeat of the Russian fleet in summer of 1838? (pauses) By leaving two working Russian outposts, the British allowed the Russians to reconstitute a workable force, and create a small armada of small ships, and move a small dedicated force down the coast. Archangel was the largest town north of Portland, and had plenty of lumber for the Russians to spend most of the winter turning into makeshift troop transports.

Thomas Rowley on-screen.

Rowley: Of course, there has always been a suspicion that the British left a Russian presence in North America in the hopes that the Russians would eventually run into the Americans. If this actually was the case, its pretty crafty. Although in hindsight its easy to interpret facts in hindsight.

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Dissolve to: Illustrations of Russian low freeboard ships. Dissolve to: Historic Map of Pacific Northwest. Dissolve to: storm clouds over water. Dissolve to: Illustration of Pacific Coast.

Narrator: The Russian ships built in North America over the winter proved more successful than initially anticipated. However being unfamiliar with the islands and inlets, the Russians found themselves south of the British outposts near Vancouver. It is now thought likely that the Russians instead found themselves in what is now the Puget Sound. Inclement weather may have forced several hundred Russian troops ashore to forage for game and other staples.

Thomas Rowley on-screen.

Rowley: Western North America was pretty empty. Still, many of the Native Americans living in the Pacific Northwest had very friendly trading relations with both the British and Americans, some had even been employed by the American army officers as scouts. As they Russians pushed south of Vancouver Island into the Puget Sound, they were easily observed by the Native Americans. However these Native Americans tribes were confused as to whether the US was at war with the Prussians or the Russians.

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John Prester on-screen.

Prester: The Native Americans who lived in the Pacific Northwest couldnt tell one band of marauding Europeans from another, and news spread very quickly that the Prussians had landed in Western Oregon Territory. This touched one hell of a nerve with the American populace. Already having gone through antiGerman sentiment the previous year, and now hearing that the west -what America took to be theirs in the Monroe Doctrine and through Manifest Destiny was being invaded by the Germans. Even before reasonable intelligence could have reached Washington, some more conservative Senators were calling for open war with Prussia. Some called for a cessation of fighting with Great Britain, in order to remove the The Prussians from the Oregon Territory. Bickers: Ironically, it appears that most or all of the Prussian military advisors to the British in North America had already returned to Europe. Narrator: The Van Buren Administration had initially called for calm, to wait for dependable intelligence before proceeding with diplomatic talks with Great Britain. However, public outcry forced the administrations hand. Van Buren sent a diplomatic legation was sent to the Royal Commander in Upper Canada, and another to London.

Isaac Bickers on-screen.

Dissolve to: Etching of street mob. Dissolve to: Illustration of Whitehouse.

Dissolve to: Portraits of US delegations.

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John Prester on-screen.

Prester: Right about the time the American delegation reached London Viscount Melbourne re-defeated Robert Peele. Melbourne himself had family, and probably business interests, in the United States. And suddenly a state of dtente and warming-up happens between the US and Britain. The British tell the Americans that they are no longer allied with the Prussians who had gone to Poland to join with renegade Polish nobles against the Russians. The American Delegation, already weary of diplomatic dealings with Russia, sent word back to Washington that the Tsar may not be exactly trustworthy. Pilatus: One of the new British steamer clipper ships, the Great Western, brought members of the American Delegation returned to Washington in only twelve weeks. The display of technical capability of speed of transportation was heralded as triumph for English-speaking peoples. Regardless of what the delegation had to say, it was completely overwhelmed by the spectacle of their arrival by steamer ship. Not to be outdone, the Delegation was whisked to Washington by an early train at what was then the astonishing speed of thirty miles per hour.

Robert Pilatus on-screen.

Dissolve to: Illustration of steam slipper ship. Dissolve to: Etching of early Railroad travel.

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Dissolve to: Illustration of diplomatic talks.

Dissolve to: Historic Map of Prussia and Poland.

Dissolve to: Illustration of Washington.

Narrator: Under pressure from the general population, still worried by a rumored Prussian invasion of the Oregon Territories, President Van Buren hastily accepted the dtente from Viscount Melbourne, and declared open hostilities with Prussia and Poland. Less than a week later news reached Washington that the Native American scouts had sighted Russians, not Prussians, in the Oregon Territories. Prester: It must have been an exciting time both culturally and politically. The very real feat of moving the diplomats back and forth across the Atlantic in barely over three months was considered a triumph. For the first time the US begins to feel itself allied with England. And a feeling that the Monroe Doctrine of non-intervention would be respected. US and British troops ceased hostilities along the Canadian border. Narrator: In August of 1839 a detachment of American troops did reach the Russian encampments on the coast of the Oregon Territory. A brief skirmish ensued as the Russian troops retreated to their ships and headed northwards.

John Prester on-screen.

Dissolve to: Illustrations of Russian soldiers.

Dissolve to: Illustration of Russian ships.

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Return to re-enactment scene from beginning: CU of Early US flag. CAMERA zooms out to reveal the soldiers manning the fortifications have spotted the advancing troops, and are frantically running to prepare for battle. CU of British flag being carried by another regiment of advancing soldiers. Soldiers stand outside the fortifications, the General holds out an official communiqu. One General salutes the other, and they both offer their swords. CU of Prussian flag being carried by the soldiers in ranks with the British.

Narrator: Back along the eastern border, in the disputed Aroostook Valley, an official communiqu reached the USheld fortifications that the US was officially re-aligned with Great Britain against Russia. Natural sound effects of marching soldiers. Music cross-fade from Baroque to Military March.

Narrator: The American forces were surprised to find a small detachment of Prussian soldiers still with the British in North American. Music cross-fade to Chamber Music. Narrator: Lieutenant Michael Saint Vincent once again wrote of the occasion to his wife.

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CU of text of hand-written letter.

Dissolve to: Illustration of field dining.

Dissolve to: Illustration of American soldier in uniform. Dissolve to: Illustration of Prussian soldier in uniform. Dissolve to: Etching of steam gun.

V.O. (Saint Vincent) Dearest Elizabeth, Once again my tydings must cross the forest then the oceans to reach you. Tho on this occasion they bare happy news. We have ceased the fighting with the Americans, on news from home that hostilities have ceased between us and our cousins. Alongside the General, I have even had the honour twice to dine with our former adversaries, and we found their company charming and heart-warming. The Americans have made for better conversations than our German compatriots. In fact, the American General, a General Maddox, was uniquely surprised to find them among our company. The Americans were eager to exchange with us regarding the infernal guns which both of our forces had unleashd upon each other. And an agreement was reachd that they caused more evil than good.

Robert Pilatus on-screen.

Pilatus: Most of what we know about the steam powered breach loading guns are from the time right after the re-alignment in 1839. The British and the Americans, no longer fighting each other, shared information regarding the construction of these guns, and generally agreed that they were powerful, yet dangerous, and ineffective. After several accidents both the Americans and the British blamed the Prussians, and burried the KWdR components for fear that they might explode even when left alone.

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John Prester on-screen.

Prester: The American troops had managed to hold a good portion of the border for almost two years, and they were earnestly surprised to find that there were still Prussians in the ranks of the British. V.O. (Saint Vincent): There has been much merry-making and fraternisation among our respective ranks, which but a few weeks ago fought each other for their very lives. It being but a few weeks past mid-summers, may very well find us back in Halifax before the beginning of fall, and thus very likely that we will be back in England by the Holidays. Although it may be early, and bold of me to say, it appears that this war of ours may be nearing its timely end. Do look closely after our young Danforth, and to his education, less I need take him to task upon my approaching return. And look closely to yourself, for reasons that needt be hastily written I remain, your faithful husband, and affectionate soldier Michael Saint Vincent. Narrator: When the Americans learned that the Prussian troops in North America were small and under the control of the British military command, and upon learning that in fact it had been the Russians in Oregon, the President Van Buren rescinded hostilities toward Prussia and threatened direct warfare with Russia and Poland.

Return to CU of text of handwritten letter.

Dissolve to: Historic Map of US/Canada border.

Return to CU of text of handwritten letter.

Re-enactment of soldiers marching away from CAMERA. Dissolve to: Historic Map of Pacific Northwest. Dissolve to: Historic Map of Poland and Russia. - 34 -

Thomas Rowley on-screen.

Rowley: By the late summer of 1839 there were only a few skirmishes in North America, most of them between the Russians and the newly aligned Brits and Americans, as the Russians fell back to New Archangel. With the US now allied to Britain and Prussia and threatening war with Russia, the Spanish King found himself in a difficult position: he was potentially allied to both hostile parties. It appeared that the political wrangling of the concert of Europe was getting tangled. So much for reciprocity of initiated hostilities Narrator: In September of 1839 the Spanish King, with the backing of his newly created parliament, having never fielded an army, and being technically allied with both nations, sued both the Russians and the United States for peace. The United States was in an undeclared war with Russia with open fighting and in a declared peace with Great Britain. Britain was technically at peace with Russia, but in open hostilities. Russia was un-aligned with Prussia but in open conflict, while Prussia was officially aligned with Great Britain and un-officially at peace with the United States. Spain was un-aligned with Great Britain but officially aligned with the United States and Russia, who were, by 1839, at the brink of war.

Dissolve to: Portriat of Spanish King.

Return to: Rendered Map of Europe with animations/color shifts of countires.

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Robert Pilatus on-screen.

Pilatus: You have to remember that were still dealing with the early 19th Century here. These delegates have to get to Rotterdam in order to sign the peace accord, which by all means was a fore-gone conclusion. The trick was getting all of these delegations and missions to Rotterdam by early October. The Brits and the Americans had the advantage of the new steam clippers, which had just made the Atlantic crossing in less than two weeks. The Prussians could rely on their early short-line railroads to cross Europe. The Russians and the Spanish were at a disadvantage, even though they had to cover a shorter distance. Rowley: In another feat of technology, the Americans used the British steam ship The Great Western to cross the Atlantic and arrive along with the British Delegation at the Peace of Rotterdam two weeks early. The Prussians with typical punctuality, arrived on time, on October 1st. The Russians arrived several days late, and the Spanish delegation more than two weeks late.

Thomas Rowley on-screen.

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Dissolve to: Historic Map of Roterdam. Dissolve to: Illustration of Diplomatic Peace Conference.

Narrator: In the early morning of October 1st, 1839 the British and American delegations waited with the King of the Netherlands and welcomed the Prussian emissaries. After initial ceremonies, a peace accord was agreed upon, without any land borders or retributions paid. The group attended a lavish meal at mid-day and awaited the arrival of the Russian and Spanish diplomats. Prester: So we have the largest peace process since the end of the Napoleonic wars and two of the most important parties are not present. This could have been seen as a snub of the Prussians by the Russians, or a snub by the Spanish of the Americans. Britain is about the only power here that no one would have wanted to upset. I guess they were secure enough in that knowledge and left the peace table early in the process, probably to attend to the more serious matters of running an empire.

Dissolve to: Etching of State Dinner.

John Prester on-screen.

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Isaac Bickers on-screen.

Bickers: Midway through the second day the Russian delegation arrives, and already having seen a copy of treaty sign it without any real negotiations. At this point the American Delegation made something of an international faux-pas, because they were still looking for the Polish delegation for a recapitulation. At this time in history, of course, Poland didnt exist, as it was completely occupied by the Russians. After what might have been some of the most awkward laughter in 19th Century politics, the parties were looking for the Spanish delegation, who had asked for the peace conference in the first place.

Dissolve to: Rendered Map of Europe with animations of Poland and Russia. Dissolve to: Illustration of Peace Delegations.

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Re-enactment of Delegation: signing document, and waiting.

Narrator: With the treaty signed, the American, Prussian and Russian delegations had little to discuss while waiting for the arrival of the Spanish. By the fifth day the American delegation grew worried over making the late-season crossing back to North America, while the Russians worried of the long northward journey to Saint Petersburg. The Prussian delegation then suggested the novel idea of declaring Spain the official loosing combatant which required Spain to pay for the price of the peace conference, and take possession of unclaimed laid-down arms, which included the KWdR and the American steam-guns, which all parties considered to be a civil liability. Pilatus: Yes, they were untested and dangerous, but they proved a point: Steam Power had moved the diplomats, and the troops, at least in Europe. It had been used for battlefield surveillance, and even in the weapons themselves. Technologies have always swayed wars, but at the dawn, or at least mid-morning of the industrial age, the War of 1839 showed how mechanization would affect warfare for the next century and probably up to the present day.

Dissolve to: Historic Map of Atlantic and North Sea.

Re-enactment of Delegation: gesticulating, holding historic maps, holding etching of steam-gun.

Robert Pilatus on-screen.

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John Prester on-screen.

Prester: Although its been a short war, its been a long, strange trip. It showed the end of hostilities between the US and Great Britain, and the beginning of hostilities between what would become Germany and Russia. It showed how technology would play a stronger and stronger role in warfare. And it showed how a war on one continent can be manifest once again on another. All very real foreshadowings of the politics and the wars to come. Not bad, I suppose for one of the less-studied periods in history.

Baroque music louder in underscore. Re-enactment of the arrival of the Spanish diplomatic mission in Rotterdam. CU of hands signing papers. Re-enactment of handshaking and diplomats leaving the grand palace. Narrator: The Spanish delegation arrived on the 7th of October, exactly one week after the Peace of Rotterdam had begun, and four days after the British diplomats had left. Despite a plea on their behalf by the King of the Netherlands, Spain, while never fielding an army during the war, was forced to accept the harshest terms of its peace. The Spanish resented loosing a war they had not fought, and as news spread of the terms of the Peace of Rotterdam, Spain, already weakened as a colonial power, lost more power and prestige.

Dissolve to:Historic Maps of North America and Europe.

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Baroque music cross-fades into military march music. Return to: Etchings and illustrations of British Parliament and US Capitol Building. Return to: Illustrations of early railroads, naval battles and diagrams of the steam guns. Return to re-enactment of the Peace of Roterdam. Narrator: From its beginnings as in Bank defaults and border skirmishes, through its height of naval routings in the Pacific, early railroads in Europe and secret steam guns in America to its precipitous end in the multi-party Peace of Rotterdam; the War of 1839 changed the way nations conceived of themselves and they way they conducted war and diplomacy, and the way armies and society saw steam-power and technology.

Return to re-eneactment of firing the KWdR, and battlefield march from opening sequence.

Military march music continues to build. Sf/X of re-enactments.

Dissolve to: Historic Maps of North America and Europe. Re-enactment with gunsmoke. Crossfade Title/Logo Historys Lost Wars: the War of 1839

Narrator: The War of 1839 while little-known remains an important part of history, and one of the more interesting of Historys Lost Wars

Closing Credits & Disclaimer

Music crossfades to Baroque Theme music.

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