Chapter 656: The "Script"
Two units of black soldiers suddenly charged out from the dense forests flanking Nassau, shouting as they attacked the French forces besieging the city.
At the same time, cannon fire erupted from within Nassau, immediately slowing the French infantry's advance.
Gardner stared in disbelief through his spyglass at the black soldiers operating cannons, exclaiming:
"They... how do they have artillery?"
Gallisonnière barked a series of orders to his staff officers before turning back, his face dark with feigned shock:
"The real question is, how do they know how to fire them?"
His acting was impeccable, betraying no hint of the truth to the British observers. In reality, his artillery officers had secretly arrived in the Bahamas months earlier to train the black soldiers in operating cannons.
Though these Bahamian artillerymen were far from accurate, they had mastered basic operation, creating a formidable display.
Soon, a bloodied cavalryman galloped over, frantically reporting:
"Colonel, our right flank has been ambushed by the blacks—we've suffered heavy losses!"
Gardner raised his spyglass again and saw French troops in disarray, retreating as a seemingly endless wave of black soldiers armed with machetes and sugarcane cutters gave chase.
Cursing under his breath, Gardner reevaluated his earlier remarks about the French military's competence. Then he remembered that Bland's forces had also been defeated by these rebels, and he felt somewhat vindicated.
Gallisonnière received wave after wave of bad news about his forces retreating or being overrun. Finally, he ordered one battalion to stay behind as a rearguard while the rest of his troops withdrew southward.
By dusk, Gardner found himself with the retreating French on a beach, where the black forces had stopped their pursuit.
Inside a tent, officers reported the French army's losses to Gallisonnière: nearly 1,000 soldiers, along with most of their cannons and horses. Gardner's heart sank.
A staff officer then entered, pointing to a map as he reported to Gallisonnière:
"Sir, these areas here, here, and here have been occupied by the rebels. I've ordered our troops to begin fortifying defensive positions. There are at least five or six thousand blacks surrounding us."
In truth, the French losses were exaggerated. The "1,000 casualties" were largely "captured" troops now enjoying a hearty meal in Nassau, where the hospitality was surprisingly generous.
The Bahamian forces surrounding the French numbered only about 3,000 and were under strict orders from Louverture not to engage the French without explicit permission.
Everything was proceeding according to the carefully crafted "script."
Still, Gallisonnière played his role convincingly, sending three urgent requests for reinforcements to Saint-Domingue and clutching Gardner's arm in mock desperation:
"I came here to help you suppress the rebels. You cannot abandon me! For God's sake, write to the governor of Jamaica and request reinforcements immediately!"
Hearing the agonized moans of the wounded outside, Gardner, fearing he might also fall victim to the rebels, quickly penned a letter pleading for help.
A staff officer then suggested:
"Perhaps we could also request assistance from the Spanish on Hispaniola."
Gallisonnière's tent remained lit throughout the night. By morning, no reinforcements had arrived. Instead, alarming news came from Saint-Domingue.
Gallisonnière's eyes widened as he listened to the messenger:
"You're saying the rebels have captured Fort Mague?"
"Yes, sir. As soon as you left, they launched a fierce assault. By noon yesterday, they had breached the outer defenses. The Marquis de Labayet urgently requests your return, or the expeditionary force will be driven into the sea!"
Gallisonnière froze momentarily before turning to Gardner and shouting furiously:
"This is all your fault! If we hadn't been helping you deal with the Bahamian rebels, Fort Mague would still be secure! Tell Bland to send reinforcements to Saint-Domingue immediately!"
Suddenly, the entire Caribbean military theater was in upheaval.
Lord Cumberland, Jamaica's governor, dispatched 800 soldiers to the Bahamas.The Spanish on Hispaniola sent nearly 1,000 troops to Saint-Domingue, prioritizing the French colony over British interests in the Bahamas.Bland, upon receiving the distress call, ordered his British expeditionary force to board transport ships and head for Saint-Domingue, hoping to salvage the situation—and recover the £100,000 paid to the French.
However, as the British fleet neared Port-au-Prince, shocking news arrived:
The 4,000-strong French expeditionary force at Fort Mague had surrendered to Ogé.
Aboard the HMS Black Mountains
Bland slammed his fist on the table, roaring:
"Those French cowards! Surrendering to a bunch of blacks! Don't they feel any shame?"
A whistle sounded from the mast—a ship was approaching.
A naval officer entered the cabin and reported:
"General, it's the French Governor of Saint-Domingue, the Earl of Mably. He requests an audience."
"He escaped?"
"Yes, General. Apparently, the Spaniards saved him."
"Bring him aboard. No, I'll meet him myself."
On the Deck
The Earl of Mably, his expression dark, confronted Bland:
"If it weren't for your forces drawing away the garrison at Fort Mague, those blacks would never have taken the fort!"
A nearby Spanish officer added grimly:
"I believe you have an obligation to rescue the thousands of French troops in the Bahamas. After that, we can jointly suppress the rebellion in Saint-Domingue."
Bland nodded immediately.
"We'll head for the Bahamas at once."
Three Days Later
A joint force of 3,700 British and Spanish soldiers landed in the Bahamas, quickly dispersing the black rebels besieging the French. They re-established contact with Gallisonnière's troops.
When Bland met Gallisonnière, the latter anxiously insisted they march together to retake Saint-Domingue. Bland, however, argued that the rebels in Nassau should be defeated first to secure the Bahamas as a logistical base.
The French were eventually persuaded—though, according to the "script," Gallisonnière would have proposed the same course of action if Bland hadn't.
Confident in their numerical and material superiority, the 7,000-strong multinational force made minimal preparations before marching on Nassau.
Still haunted by his previous defeat, Gallisonnière insisted that the British lead the assault, while his men covered the flanks and rear. Bland, seeing no issue, agreed.
The following day, Nassau was once again surrounded by thousands of soldiers advancing from three directions.
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