"William, this will cause some losses for our private armed forces of the major companies, but it can actually be avoided," Gail set aside the company report and raised his objections.
He couldn't understand why Sheffield would willingly cater to the Navy's demands and snatch away the work that belonged to the yet-to-depart expeditionary force, especially when there was no clear benefit.
Sheffield chuckled, looking at the tender green leaves of the trees in the estate, shaking his head. "It's about making most people feel that the Army isn't really that important, and in a certain sense, that's the truth. Given our country's geographical location, the Navy indeed takes precedence. Sea power is indeed more critical, and as for the threat from Mexico on our land, or Canada, the federal government wouldn't dare oppose the British, at least not now."
"And the expeditionary force will set sail for sure, but our private armed forces need to land immediately. Perhaps there will be some initial losses, but compared to the gains, it's all worth it."
That was the end of that discussion. Besides what Gail had mentioned, there were, of course, other reasons. A powerful Navy could threaten other countries, but a strong Army could threaten internal rivals. In the worst-case scenario, if there were to be another Civil War, those Navy ships wouldn't be able to come ashore, and the Navy's position wouldn't be a consideration.
Moreover, if the worst-case scenario did happen, it wasn't the same as thirty years ago. Back then, it was a matter of gunfights, but now, as long as the conglomerates could manufacture tractors, they could make tanks.
In that case, the Army's position had to be considered, so the Navy wanted to marginalize the Army, making it an expendable presence. This would benefit the entire South because the citizens of the Southern states were more easily mobilized, as evidenced by the membership of the National Rifle Association across the country.
The Army should be marginalized, reduced to a small-scale force, as only a small-scale Army could be infiltrated. The Sheffield United Company had always been funding citizens' military schools, although it hadn't borne fruit yet, it would one day.
What did a little potential loss matter? Who said there were no casualties in war? Although the Navy currently had no casualties, it maintained a zero-casualty stance.
Since the private armed forces were preparing to make a fortune in chaos and were absorbed into the U.S. Navy fleet halfway, it was necessary to have a more formal designation. After much thought, Sheffield's reply was, "Let's call it the Texas Legion, to be precise, the descendants of those people from back then, with the regiment as the second-level unit."
"Isn't that the name of the Confederate Army back then?" Gail smirked silently, as if the name had a certain irony.
"What are you thinking? It's just a name, the real Texas Legion is still in Texas. That's the state's direct armed force, not the United Company's." Sheffield furrowed his brow; he had to correct Gail's misunderstanding. "Although the United Company has always been a model in supporting the military and helping the families of soldiers find employment."
Sheffield wasn't well-versed in war, he even copied the name, but the gist was there. John Connor knew how to wage war; at least compared to the wars that hadn't required the Army for many years, this Texas Legion belonging to the major companies had some combat experience, regularly suppressing the citizens eyeing their overseas assets.
Although the true successor of the Texas Legion was currently in the state, known as the Texas State Guard, it included six regiments: the Alamo Guard stationed in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Weslaco, and Zapata. The Travis Rifle Regiment was in Brownwood, Clifton, Killeen, Waco, and San Marcos. The Black Panther City Defense Guard was in Arlington, Fort Worth, Denton, Wichita Falls, and Mineral Wells. The Texas Ranger Corps was in Houston, Bryan, Huntsville, Beaumont, and Port Arthur. The Parsons Regiment was in Dallas, Grand Prairie, Waxahachie, Gilmer, and New Boston. The Iron Man Brigade was stationed in Lubbock, El Paso, Midland, and Amarillo.
On the blockade fleet side, many Navy officers greatly appreciated such a well-organized civilian force and immediately started enthusiastically devising battle plans. They didn't say that the Army wouldn't be needed; the Army could naturally be called upon, but they didn't want to emphasize the Army's importance, making it an alternative option, necessary but unimportant.
It has to be said that Sheffield has seen through the facade of unity among the various branches of the military and the hidden power struggles within. He has skillfully caught the ball thrown by the Navy and expressed his support for the Navy.
Fleet Commander Thompson sighed inwardly. He didn't particularly like subordinates like this, but with the consensus among many Navy officers and a fervent response from the Texas Legion, there was no other choice.
The enthusiastic atmosphere among the people further heightened the already scorching temperature in the Caribbean Sea. Even the Spanish fleet anchored in the harbor was not enjoying a pleasant time. Despite the clear skies and bright sun, it felt as if dark clouds were looming over each Spanish sailor's head, and there were no smiles on anyone's faces.
In the end, Fleet Commander Thompson formulated a plan to split the forces. Fifteen warships, including four battleships, formed the main fleet to continue the blockade task and prevent the Spanish fleet from breaking out. Other warships would assist the Texas Legion in landing at Guantanamo Bay.
Thompson believed that the Spanish fleet had a chance to break out, even though they had just tactically maneuvered over a long distance and entered Santiago Harbor not long ago. The battlefield was ever-changing, and one could never be sure what the opponent was thinking.
From this point onward, the Spanish-American War was already taking a different path from history, and no one knew the consequences. According to General Thompson's orders, the supporting fleet quickly joined forces with the Texas Legion, which had recently been a civilian militia, to land at Guantanamo Bay.
For the Navy officers and sailors, it didn't matter who they were cooperating with since the United States Army might not necessarily be a formidable fighting force.
Amidst the rough seas, these warships did justice to the reputation of American industry. Despite sailing at maximum speed, the warships emitted thick smoke that clearly signaled their own movements, yet they remained remarkably stable.
The appearance of what appeared to be American landing forces off the coast of Guantanamo Bay heightened the nerves of the trapped Spanish fleet in the harbor. According to reports, the American landing forces seemed to have a substantial number of warships escorting them. This meant that the American blockade fleet, still outside the harbor, would face a significant reduction in strength.
The situation was clear now. Once the American landing forces successfully landed and, together with the uncontrollable Cuban insurgents, posed a threat to the Spanish army, what could the over 200,000 Spanish troops on the island do? If they were genuinely a formidable fighting force, they should have already suppressed the Cuban resistance relying on the island's resources. Why wait for the fleet to come to their rescue?
At this critical moment, the Spanish Navy also displayed its internal contradictions. In the eyes of Spanish Navy officers and sailors, the land forces, who couldn't suppress the Cuban insurgents despite their 200,000-strong presence, were not to be trusted for their combat abilities.
Once the American landing forces landed, would the land forces of questionable combat readiness collapse and allow the fleet trapped in the harbor to be attacked from both sea and land? Instead of surrendering, it was better to take a chance, seize the slim opportunity, and defend the honor of the Spanish Navy.
Admiral Coubertin arranged his fleet in a single column formation, with his flagship at the forefront and two faster destroyers at the rear. The gleaming black hulls, adorned with the large Spanish coat of arms and shield on the bow, along with the enormous smooth flag flying proudly at the masthead, all displayed grandeur and chivalry, along with a sense of proud defiance.
"After this naval battle, the four hundred years of glory of the entire Spanish nation will be gone forever. Let the main cannons of the United States Navy, as the final echo bidding farewell to the former empire, sound!" General Thompson, the commander of the blockade fleet, learned that the Spanish fleet in Santiago Harbor was attempting to break out and had opened fire. Instead of anger, his face showed nothing but high spirits, for God had given him the opportunity to bury Spain.
Following his orders, U.S. Navy warships began firing one after another. Bright flashes illuminated the vast sea, and the thunderous roar could be heard from far away, several kilometers inland.
In the magnificent thunder, the flames at the gun muzzles briefly illuminated the sea. Even from several miles away, one could still clearly hear the resounding boom that shattered the silence. After the first volley of the Indiana-class battleships, the sea fell almost silent, with only the unique sound of heavy shells cutting through the air.
Although a supporting fleet was assisting in the landing, Thompson's main fleet was still a force that the Spanish fleet couldn't contend with. After the second simultaneous volley of main cannons, the two battleships targeted the enemy's large warships with their main guns while engaging the smaller ships with secondary guns.
Other U.S. Navy warships were rapidly approaching. This naval battle might seem chaotic, but the overwhelmingly superior U.S. Navy had ample opportunities to make mistakes, while their opponent, the Spanish fleet, couldn't afford to make any errors. This wasn't a fair naval battle to begin with, and in the world, fairness was a rare commodity.
Soon, the blockade fleet achieved its first prize: a Spanish warship of around 3,000 tons caught fire and burned. This occurred just half an hour after the start of the battle and even less time since the firing began.
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