North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 216 The Battleground!

Meanwhile, in Boston, in the eastern United States.

John Forbes, the owner of the Trans-American Railroad, received two completely unexpected letters.

During this period, John Forbes was overwhelmed and struggling to breathe due to the mountain of debt.

More than a decade ago, Forbes spent nine years in Guangzhou, China, securing a substantial investment of 500,000 Mexican pesos before returning to the United States and establishing the Trans-American Railroad.

The original Trans-American Railway Company invested in, built, and operated several railways, and the company's development had been quite stable.

If this situation continues, it is entirely possible that the Trans-American Railroad will develop into the largest railroad company in the United States and that Forbes will become the railroad tycoon.

However, life is unpredictable.

Because its largest investor—the Feng family, the head of the Thirteen Factories of Guangzhou—was declining, it had to withdraw all of its shares in the Huanmei Railway Company.

After more than a decade of operation, the initial capital of 500,000 Mexican peso has multiplied many times over, reaching a staggering several million US dollars.

The Feng family's withdrawal of their shares was not a problem, but it caused the Trans-American Railway Company to suffer a break in its cash flow.

The railway project under construction was forced to be suspended.

Railway projects that were already in operation have also fallen into difficulties due to a break in the funding chain.

Even more critically, due to the enormous investment required for railway construction, the company had to resort to debt financing.

As long as the company is operating well, there shouldn't be much of a problem with borrowing money.

But now, once the company runs into trouble, these bank loans have become a mountain weighing on Forbes' head!

With debts nearing maturity, Trans-American Railway Company was unable to pay them.

Within a few months, his own railroad company, including Forbes himself, would inevitably face bankruptcy and liquidation.

So, under immense pressure these days, John Forbes has been unable to sleep at night and has become increasingly haggard.

At this critical juncture, John Forbes received two rather unexpected letters.

One of these two letters was written by Edgar Allan Poe, an old friend whom he hadn't seen for many years.

In the letter, Edgar Allan Poe first stated his current situation.

The Edgar Allan Poe of today is no longer the down-on-his-luck, drunken detective, but the Speaker of the California Senate and Chief of Staff of the California National Guard.

More importantly, Edgar Allan Poe is now one of the shareholders of Huamei Industrial Company!

John Forbes certainly knew about Huamei Industrial Company.

Like that young first governor of California, Huamei Industrial Company rose at an incredible speed, becoming one of the most powerful companies in California and even one of the largest companies in the entire United States in just two or three years.

In the letter, Edgar Allan Poe expressed the intention of the Wynn Industrial Company to acquire the Trans-American Railway Company.

According to the letter, California is preparing to undertake large-scale infrastructure projects, including railways, ports, inland waterway transportation, and infrastructure in YC City…!
Each of these is a massive investment project that would attract infrastructure tycoons like John Forbes.

To advance these projects, Huamei Industrial Company planned to establish its own engineering company, but lacked the necessary foundation.

So Edgar Allan Poe thought of John Forbes and his Trans-American Railroad.

……

"Acquire my Trans-American Railway company...?"

After reading the letter, John Forbes was overjoyed, but also fell into deep thought.

To be honest, he really didn't want to sell his Trans-American Railway company.

After all, this is a company that I built with my own hands, just like my own son or daughter, and I can't bear to part with it.

However, the conditions offered by Edgar Allan Poe were truly tempting!
Not only did he invite me to California to discuss the acquisition, but he also made it clear that even after the acquisition was completed, the engineering company would be handed over to me.

Although his railway company had changed its name and ownership, at least he was still personally operating it, which was a very favorable condition.

Moreover, as far as John Forbes knows, the Hua Mei Industrial Company, and the young California governor, have always been known for their generosity and magnanimity.

Perhaps he could sell his own railway company for a good price?

……

Another letter surprised John Forbes even more.

It was actually a letter written in person by Wu Qingfeng, the young master of the Wu family!

Similarly, the young master of the Wu family is now one of the high-ranking officials in California, controlling the California Customs and the State Taxation Administration.

Moreover, Wu Qingfeng is also one of the shareholders of Huamei Industrial Company!

In his letter, Wu Qingfeng not only expressed the same sentiments as Edgar Allan Poe, but also offered John Forbes more advice from a personal perspective.

For Forbes, which was in dire straits, selling Trans-American Railway to China Industries was undoubtedly the best option!

……

After much deliberation, John Forbes finally made up his mind!
The next day, John Forbes led several of his company's executives directly onto a cruise ship bound for California.
-
At this moment, a force of more than 10,000 California National Guard troops finally reached Gamboa, more than 20 kilometers away!

Gamboa is a small town located in the middle of the Isthmus of Panama. Whether by land or water, this town is an unavoidable stop on the way!
The town of Gamboa is nestled against Mount Gamboa, which rises to 1,168 meters above sea level. To its left lies the expansive Gatun Lake, and in front flows the Santa Rosa River, which connects to Lake Madon.

The two large stone bridges connecting the Santa Rosa River had already been destroyed by the soldiers of New Grenada.

It can be said that Gamboa is a naturally strategically important location, absolutely easy to defend and difficult to attack.

On the opposite bank of the Santa Rosa River, atop Mount Summit at an altitude of 1,080 meters, Shi Dakai, Feng Zicai, Martinez Sr., Robert E. Lee, and a group of staff officers were observing the terrain and the deployment of the New Grenada Army through binoculars.

After a long while, old Martinez put down his binoculars and sighed, "No wonder the garrison of New Grenada abandoned Panama City and the San Miglito Heights directly."

"So, this is the final battleground they prepared!"

"Looking at the terrain here, it's incredibly advantageous for defense!"

Old Martinez continued, "But for us attackers, this place is absolutely terrible, a death trap!"

"It's not that serious!" Shi Dakai replied in a deep voice, "When I passed through here last time, I personally surveyed the surrounding environment, and it is indeed easy to defend and difficult to attack!"

"If we launch a frontal assault, even with heavy casualties, it will be difficult to achieve the desired results!"

As he spoke, Shi Dakai pointed to the upper reaches of the Santa Rosa River: "The only way is for the First Brigade to hold the enemy at bay from the front, while I lead the Second Brigade to bypass the town of Gamboa and Mount Gamboa from the upper reaches and outflank the defending enemy forces from the flank and rear!"

"Outflank the enemy?" Robert E. Lee pondered. "But the town of Gamboa is only about 30 kilometers from the port of Colon!"

"The Republic of New Grenada has deployed a full 50,000 troops in the port of Colón!"

"If the enemy forces in Colón return to reinforce Gamboa, then... the Second Brigade will probably fail to encircle them and instead be attacked from both sides, becoming surrounded!"

Shi Dakai nodded emphatically: "The Chief of Staff is right! Therefore, we must hurry!"

"Rapid march, rapid attack...!"

"We must capture Gamboa in one fell swoop before the main enemy force in Colon returns to reinforce!"

Feng Zicai slowly shook his head: "Da Kai, this is far too dangerous!"

"If we can't take Gamboa in one fell swoop, then the Second Brigade will be isolated and surrounded...!"

Shi Dakai replied, "If Gamboa's enemy forces request reinforcements from the port of Colón, and then the main enemy force returns to reinforce... that distance of thirty kilometers would take at least twenty-four hours!"

"If I can't take Gamboa within 24 hours, I will choose to retreat immediately to avoid being surrounded!"

Upon hearing Shi Dakai's words, Feng Zicai and the rest of the staff all fell into deep thought.

After a long silence, Feng Zicai, the commander-in-chief, finally nodded slowly: "I think it's acceptable!"

Feng Zicai, who was a generation older than Shi Dakai, patted his younger brother heavily on the shoulder: "Dakai, the important task of attacking Ganbo'a is now in your hands!"

"Now that the battle plan has been decided, it's better to do it sooner rather than later, and faster rather than slower!"

Feng Zicai continued, "An hour and a half later, our independent artillery regiment will begin shelling the enemy positions."

"Two hours later, my First Brigade will cross the Santa Rosa River to launch a supporting attack on the enemy, while simultaneously erecting a pontoon bridge across the river to draw their full attention."

"Once the war starts, Da Kai, you only have twenty-four hours!"

Shi Dakai nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything!"

……

An hour and a half later, the independent artillery regiment deployed on Mount Sumit began a fierce bombardment of the town of Gamboa and Mount Gamboa.

Within Old Martinez's Independent Artillery Regiment, there was one battalion of 155mm breech-loading rifled heavy guns, two battalions of 100mm breech-loading rifled heavy guns, and two battalions of 81mm mortars. The five artillery battalions were equipped with a total of 24 155mm heavy guns, 48 ​​100mm heavy guns, and a full 60 81mm mortars.

The entire independent artillery regiment was equipped with a total of 132 artillery pieces of various calibers.

Such powerful firepower far surpasses that of any artillery regiment, and even artillery brigades would find it difficult to possess such firepower.

Add to that the nearly one hundred mortars of the 1st National Guard Brigade, and in total, there are more than two hundred artillery pieces!

For the first time, the artillery group deployed on Mount Summit truly demonstrated its full power.

"Boom boom boom boom...!"

“Swish, swish, swish, swish…!”

"Boom, boom, boom, boom...!"

A salvo of over two hundred high-explosive shells roared towards the enemy positions.

The 3rd Division of the New Grenada Army, along with the remnants of the 7th Brigade and the 6th Artillery Regiment, had set up countless defensive fortifications early on.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom...!"

Under such intense artillery fire, the earth trembled violently and the sky changed color!

Countless defensive fortifications were blown into the air by the artillery fire.

Countless soldiers of the New Grenada Army huddled in their fortifications, shivering amidst the relentless artillery fire.

"Boom boom boom boom...!"

“Swish, swish, swish, swish…!”

"Boom, boom, boom, boom...!"

……

The artillery fire from the California artillery group seemed endless.

Under wave after wave of shelling, most of the New Grenada army's fortifications were blown to pieces.

Along with the soldiers crammed into the fortifications, many were torn to pieces by the artillery fire!

……

Halfway up the reverse slope of Mount Gamboa, in a hidden cave, Brigadier General Garcia set up his command post.

After witnessing the California army's artillery fire, Brigadier General Garcia had to make the safest option for the sake of caution.

Even here, far from the main battleground, the rocks of all sizes in the cave were still shaken and tumbled down with a "clatter".

The cave floor trembled under the intense artillery fire.

"I never expected that even without the fire support of naval guns, these damned California troops would still possess such formidable firepower!"

Brigadier General Garcia remarked, "Are their shells truly unlimited? How long can they sustain such a massive bombardment?"

Franco, the chief of staff of the 3rd Division, couldn't help but say, "It's only 20 or 30 kilometers from Panama Port, so resupply is quite convenient."

"After our Pacific Fleet was completely annihilated, California supply ships could reach the port of Panama without any obstruction."

"For the California military, which has its own arsenal, perhaps the ammunition really is unlimited!"

"Hmph...!" Brigadier General Garcia, seeing the low morale in the command post, couldn't help but snort angrily, saying, "So what if their artillery has an absolute advantage?"

"To capture Gamboa, which is easy to defend but difficult to attack, they must pay with the lives of their soldiers!"

Brigadier General Garcia continued, "What happened to the men we sent to Colon for help?"

Chief of Staff Franco replied, "They're back! The port of Colón is currently under attack from the main force of the U.S. Army, as well as relentless bombardment from the U.S. Navy's home fleet. The situation is equally dire!"

"Currently, all three infantry divisions and two artillery regiments deployed in and around the port of Colón are engaged in the battle, suffering heavy casualties."

"The only one who might be able to support us is the 5th Independent Cavalry Brigade!"

"However, this is also the only reserve team left in the port of Colón."

Franco's chief of staff said in a deep voice, "This only reserve force will not easily come to our aid unless absolutely necessary."

"After all, the port of Colón is the main battlefield!"

Brigadier General Garcia slammed his fist on the table and said fiercely, "Damn it! Don't they realize that if they lose Gamboa, Colon Port will face a desperate situation of being attacked from both sides and surrounded?"

Franco's chief of staff replied, "Of course they know!"

"But who would believe that Gamboa, a city that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, would be so easily lost if they hadn't witnessed the firepower of the California army firsthand?"

"After all, on paper, our forces are roughly equal to those of the California army on the other side, almost evenly matched, and we also have an absolute advantage in terrain!"

Brigadier General Garcia nodded: "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes and experienced it firsthand, I wouldn't have believed that this California army was so strong!"

"Right now, I am not worried about the enemy's strong attack on Gamboa, nor am I too worried about the enemy's powerful artillery fire."

“I am worried that the enemy will bypass the front and outflank us from the upper reaches of the Santa Rosa River.”

"In that case, we will lose most of our geographical advantage."

Chief of Staff Franco nodded in agreement: "Therefore, we deployed the remnants of the 7th Brigade upstream of the Santa Rosa River."

"If we are indeed caught in a flanking maneuver by the enemy, I hope the 7th Brigade can hold out!"

Garcia shook his head and said, "These remnants of the Seventh Brigade have at most two thousand combat-ready soldiers."

"The Santa Rosa River, which is not wide upstream, cannot serve as a natural barrier for the 7th Brigade."

"If they are really flanked, they will most likely be unable to withstand it."

At this point, Garcia said in a deep voice, "Franco, if we are really flanked, don't wait to see the outcome, immediately ask for help from the port of Colón!"

"Go personally, and bring back the cavalry brigade's support as soon as possible, no matter what!"

"As ordered!"

Garcia pointed to the battle map: "If the enemy dares to cross the river to flank us, we can immediately form a counter-encirclement and annihilate them on this side of the Santa Rosa River once our cavalry brigade arrives to provide support!"

As he spoke, Garcia drew a perfect encirclement on the map with his hands.

"General, I understand!"

……

After half an hour of intense shelling, the 1st Brigade of the California National Guard, under the command of Feng Zicai and under the cover of artillery fire, began to cross the river and launch a strong attack on the town of Gamboa.

Thousands of soldiers, aboard simple wooden rafts, launched a forced crossing of the Santa Rosa River, which is only two or three hundred meters wide.

Meanwhile, soldiers from the brigade's engineer battalion began constructing two pontoon bridges across the Santa Rosa River.

At this moment, the New Grenada artillery, which had been silent for a long time and unable to retaliate due to the suppression of the California artillery, finally began to make its own voice heard.

"Boom boom boom...!"

The remaining dozen or so 24-pound and 32-pound cannons, along with twenty curved-fire mortars, began shelling the rafts attempting to cross the river.

“Swish, swish, swish…!”

"Boom, boom, boom...!"

On the not-so-wide river surface, bursts of water shot into the sky.

"Bang bang bang... bang bang bang bang...!"

"Swish swish swish...!"

The defenders on the opposite bank of the Santa Rosa River also began firing fiercely at the rafts attempting to cross the river.

Suddenly, the quietly flowing Santa Rosa River seemed to boil over.

Countless dead fish were even blasted into the sky by the artillery fire!
"Beep beep beep... beep beep beep beep...!"

On the lead rafts, braving enemy gunfire, the inspiring bugle call to charge rang out!

"Brothers, charge! ... Reaching the other side is victory!!"

(End of this chapter)