Capítulo 54: Arrival at Bermuda and Commander John Paul Jones
Bermuda, United States of America (Military Occupation)
October 29th, 1776
General Kim stepped off the sloop that transported him to Bermuda and was greeted by salutes from the marines stationed on the island. The Invasion of Bermuda was an unprecedented success and was widely considered a significant strategic victory to secure American shipping lanes in the Atlantic. After reading the battle reports, General Kim felt that the victory was achieved due to both luck and skill. Under General Warren's leadership (who was promoted due to his efforts in South Carolina and Georgia), the marines seized the island as planned. They took more casualties than expected, but the marines managed to push into the island despite facing heavy fire and succeeded in securing it from the British due to their superior experience, training, and weaponry. Meanwhile, the Continental Navy managed to pull off a miraculous victory partially due to chance and luck, as the British moved exactly as they hoped. Even so, he could not dispute that the sailors of the Navy fought courageously, especially Captain John Paul Jones of the general's namesake ship and Captain William Stewart of the USS Enterprise.
"Sir," General Lafayette saluted him as he approached the harbor, "Good to see you with us."
Even though English wasn't his native tongue, the French officer spoke English reasonably well with an accent. Needless to say, Lafayette was gifted with a bright mind and keen observation skills, which General Kim saw at Charleston. While the general himself didn't directly participate in the battle (a rarity, as he usually led the marines personally), he had no doubts that Lafayette carried out his part in the invasion exceptionally. The HMS Bristol (which had been renamed the USS Bermuda) stood as a testament to that fact. The mighty fourth-rate ship was being fixed in one of Bermuda's docks and was expected to be the flagship of the Continental Navy for some time.
The Asian officer returned a crisp salute and adjusted his uniform, "It's good to see you alive and well, general. I must compliment your performance during the invasion and your stellar heroics during that naval boarding. Now, how is the situation on the island?"
"Thank you, sir. As you already know, General Warren has been appointed as the military governor of Bermuda until the end of the war. As such, he has been overseeing the rebuilding of defenses on the island. Thankfully, the damages were not extensive, so General Warren expects the defenses to be at full strength within a month. We have already employed a few locals for the task, but most of the work is being carried out by the marines of the 3rd Battalion and 4th Battalion. Additionally, we have brought over a few engineers from the mainland to help set up additional defenses, including the one you recommended: Tadeusz Kosciuszko. I'm beginning to see why you recommended him, sir. The man is brilliant and is very thorough in his work."
While Bermuda was under American control, the members of the Continental military were well aware that the British could attempt to reseize the island at any given time. Due to this, two full marine battalions, some six hundred marines, were permanently stationed on the island until further notice. The Continental Navy was based on the island and constantly patrolled the waters around it. While the French ships that assisted the Continental Navy during the Invasion of Bermuda had departed, a more considerable contingent of French vessels was expected to arrive within by mid-November.
As for the Polish officer serving in the Continental Army, General Kim saw the presence of Tadeusz Kosciuszko as a victory of sorts. The man was talented, and his skills were often wasted in the other history. While the war was practically over by the time the man arrived in the United States (except the Boston Campaign, in which Kosciuszko was a part of Washington's staff and was one of the primary reasons why the defenses around Boston held solidly), his skills were still invaluable. The general made a mental note to convince Congress to offer the man a place in the future American military and task him with building defenses towards the western frontier and the coastal areas if possible. Perhaps this time, the man wouldn't leave back to his homeland due to the lack of respect and payment he received from the United States.
"I see, and the political situation on the island?"
General Lafayette smiled warily, "Not terrible, but not great either. It seems as though much of the English population are a bit reluctant to follow our directives."
After the occupation began, General Warren implemented many of General Kim's ideals and rules on the island. Despite the island not being mentioned in the Emancipation Proclamation, the new governor banned slavery on the island. He gave the minorities (the majority of the island's population) greater freedoms and rights. The wages of slaves were paid out of pocket by General Kim and Congress, but the new changes brought by the Americans stirred up some resentment amongst the islanders of English descent.
"I'm not too surprised," General Kim crossed his arms as he watched some of the marines rebuild the fortifications on the beaches, "While many Bermudians are sympathetic to the American cause, it's mainly because we have a stronger economic presence here than Britain. Otherwise, we would have faced much stiffer resistance."
"General Warren has already offered free passage to those that wish to flee to Britain, and around four hundred locals have taken up his offer. Those staying on the island are... tolerating the changes at best. Thankfully, some of the more sympathetic locals have voiced their support for our presence on the island."
"Hearts and minds, General Lafayette. We can not expect to change a person's opinion overnight. Instead, we must help them realize that there are better alternatives to slavery and that in the long term, the changes will be beneficial to them."
The French general nodded, "I do not doubt it, sir. Slavery is against everything the American cause stands for, but it must be treated with caution."
While the two men were conversing and walking towards the central parts of St. George, the capital of Bermuda, a finely dressed man approached the two officers and nodded his head, "General Kim, General Lafayette."
"Captain Jones! I mean... Commodore Jones. How are you?" General Kim exclaimed.
One of the few men in on his secret, the general viewed Commodore Jones as a friend and a close confidant. The navy officer was one of the few contacts General Kim had in the navy and the Asian officer often gave information and advice to the commodore.
"Doing as well you can imagine," Commodore Jones broke out into a wide grin, "General Lafayette, do you mind if I borrow the lieutenant general for a few moments while I discuss some private matters with him?"
"Not at all," General Lafayette replied. However, the commander of the marines did notice that the French officer looked a bit disgruntled at Commodore Jones' sudden intrusion, "I have some things I must report to General Warren about, so I will be on my way. I will be waiting for you back at the main administrative building, general."
When Lafayette departed, the commodore pulled the general into a private room in a nearby inn, "How do you like the ship named after you?"
"Well, it's a fine ship, but I'm a bit embarrassed that it was named after me. I don't think I'm worthy enough to have a ship named after myself."
"I must object, general. You are too harsh on yourself. Other than General Washington, you have been the most important officer during this entire war. Without you, it's hard to imagine where we would stand," Commodore Jones shrugged, "Technically, we know what happened without your presence in the "Revolutionary War," but my point still stands. Additionally, the ship's name is fitting. She unleashed hell upon the British, just like her namesake."
General Kim laughed heartily, "True enough. Now, what did you wish to discuss?"
"Several things, if you don't mind."
"By all means."
"The first topic I wanted to discuss with you was about the USS Bermuda. Congress has informed me that I will be the captain of the ship once it is patched up."
"Congratulations!" General Kim stated sincerely.
Commodore Jones waved his hand, "It seemed as though my antics in the other history played part in the decision, along with my actions during the battle for Bermuda. I must admit, I was greatly pleased when I heard the news about my promotion and my new vessel."
"It's good to see that our talented officers are being placed in ranks deserving to them." General Kim was silent for a few moments before speaking again, "But regardless of your "other" self, you deserved the promotion based on the merits of "this" history."
"Well, reading about my "other" self did influence my actions a bit. It seemed as though I was revered as some hero in the other history, but I was hardly a figure to look up to, so I cleaned up my act a bit. Perhaps the biggest impact was that I wanted to cry out, "I have not yet begun the fight!" sometime during the battle, but never got the chance to as we were doing well for the majority of it."
The two men chuckled at the remark and settled down to continue their discussion, "What else did you want to speak to me about?"
The commodore leaned in and glanced around the room before speaking, "It's in regards to your secret. I was hoping that you would be able to convince Pelissier to build more of those rifled cannons that were on the Enterprise and perhaps help convince Congress to maintain a navy after the war's end."
"I have already spoken with Representative Pelissier about the rifled cannons. He believes that he can forge a few more, but desires to utilize his resources to other projects, especially steel-making. As for an official navy, I have discussed the matter with Mr. Jefferson and a few others. It seems like the United States will have a navy, a decently sized one at that, in order to protect our shipping lanes and the waters around Bermuda after the war ends. Even if the British recapture Bermuda, you will have your navy."
"Thank heavens! I was beginning to wonder if I needed to move to Russia as I did in the other history," Commodore Jones rubbed his neck, "Though I can't imagine why I would live in an ice-cold hell like Russia. Perhaps it was because of the commission I received, but after reading about my fate in Russia in the other history, I have no desire to go there or even leave the United States for that matter."
General Kim smiled, "This time, America won't abandon its heroes, John. They will be remembered and repaid, as they should be."
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