Three days later, April 12th, 1802.
"Those damn French!" Charles IV flared in anger after hearing the news from his Prime Minister Godoy.
"Your Majesty, your letter to Napoleon, is that how you wrote it?" Godoy asked.
"No!" Charles IV denied it. "I didn't word it that way. There is certainly some sort of fabrication on the side of the French—"
"But Your Majesty, the French claim that the First Consul received the letter intact. The letter matched your writing style and bore your seal," Godoy explained with a tone of concern.
Charles IV's frustration grew as he realized the extent of the manipulation. "They must have intercepted the original letter and replaced it. Don't tell me you don't believe me Godoy!"
"Of course, I believe you, Your Majesty," Godoy replied, and continued. "You have no reason to provoke a country with the most powerful army in Europe, especially in such a brazen manner. However, we have no conclusive evidence suggesting otherwise and what's more, France already declared war. If that is France's intention, then they won't listen to any of our appeals."
Upon saying that, a man in his sixties entered the king's office.
"Your Majesty," the man greeted with a gruff voice before bowing. "Pardon the intrusion, I have urgent news that needs your attention."
"Who are you?" Charles IV demanded.
"I am Juan Procopio Bassecourt y Bryas, Captain General of Catalonia," Juan introduced himself.
"What news do you bring?" Charles IV prompted him to speak
General Juan stepped forward and unfurled a map in front of the king, spreading it out on the desk.
"Thousands of French infantry have been sighted at the cities of Bayonne, Pau, and Perpignan which are near to our border and are most likely preparing for a three-pronged attack to take out Madrid. Your Majesty, you have to mobilize all the Spanish Army to the north to repel this imminent threat," General Juan urgently informed the king.
Charles IV studied the map, his expression grave. "How were they able to move so quickly?"
"Because of railways, Your Majesty," Juan answered. "France's railway infrastructure has grown to a point where every city is connected by railways, giving them logistical superiority that we cannot match at the moment."
"Not only that, I have worked with the French Army before," Godoy chimed. "They possess powerful artillery pieces that can bombard a city from fourteen kilometers away. Not to mention their bolt-action rifles. This is going to be like David versus Goliath. Our army will certainly be decimated."
"What are you suggesting, Prime Minister? That we don't fight?"
"I am not suggesting that, I'm simply stating our capabilities and limitations, Your Majesty," Godoy clarified. "Not only that, we do not have allies that can support us. Britain is out, the Russians are far away, the Austrians won't dare, and Portugal is useless."
"But we have one right?" Charles IV reminded him. "I believe it's the United States. They feared an invasion of France to their territories. What if we can secure an alliance with the United States?"
"The United States is militarily weak, and far away like the Russians, Your Majesty. And there is a possibility that the French might strike a concession or a deal with the Americans to ensure their neutrality."
"Ahh—what should we do? It sounds like we don't have any options but to fight," Charles IV hissed, and then an idea popped inside his head. "Oh, I know. Isn't Napoleon's wife a daughter of the Duke of Castellano? Why don't we use him? Gain him an audience with Napoleon?"
"That could work," Godoy rubbed his chin, contemplating the possibility. "But I don't think we can trust that man. His ideals and principles do not align with ours."
"Still, I want you to try," Charles IV insisted before flickering his gaze towards Juan. "I will order a total mobilization of the army and send them north."
"Understood, Your Majesty," Juan bowed his head before turning to his heel and leaving the King's office.
***
A day later, April 13th, 1802. Manuel Godoy arrived at Castellano's estate. Sitting across him is Duke Alfonso Castellano, sipping coffee.
"So you want me to talk to Napoleon and reason with him?" Alfonso repeated and shook his head. "I'm sorry but I can't help you with that."
"Why? Your daughter is the wife of Napoleon. You can have an audience with him if you wish," Godoy said as his brows creased.
"To tell you the truth, Prime Minister, my relationship with the First Consul of France is not as close as you might hope," Alfonso lied.
"That's impossible, Napoleon stayed in your estate for three days. Don't tell me you haven't struck up a conversation with him that would improve your relationship."
"I'm sorry, Prime Minister. But I don't think I can help you on this matter," Alfonso reiterated.
"So you are letting France invade our country? Is that what you want?" Godoy pressed.
"Yes it is," was the answer Alfonso wanted to say but couldn't due to obvious reasons. It must be part of Napoleon's plan to engage in a war with Spain to oust King Charles IV and install him as the head of state. So it's best not to interfere with it—.
He paused his thoughts as he realized something that could further their progress. Yes, he can do that.
"It would look very bad for me if I deny this request of yours," Alfonso said, chuckling softly. "I just realized it by now. Very well, I'll visit Paris and talk to Napoleon."
Godoy was slightly surprised at the sudden change of Alfonso's stance, but he concealed his surprise with a nod of gratitude.
"Would that be all?" Alfonso asked.
"Yes," Godoy said and after that, he left.
As he was walking towards the carriage, he stopped and glanced over his shoulder, his brows narrowing as he sensed something peculiar from Alfonso. He couldn't put his finger on it.
"Your Excellency," the coachman called, snapping Godoy out of his momentary thoughts. He climbed into the carriage, and it began its journey back to the royal palace.
***
On April 15th, 1802, the French army, totaling thirty thousand troops, initiated their meticulously planned three-pronged attack. The first division, led by General Lannes, clashed with the Spanish Army near Burgos, engaging in a relentless battle that spanned two grueling days.
This encounter marked a pivotal shift in the paradigm of warfare. Equipped with bolt-action rifles, machine guns, and long-range artillery, the French forces abandoned the traditional tactics of marching in unwieldy columns and attacking in rigid lines. Instead, they embraced a more dynamic strategy, dividing their divisions into smaller, highly mobile units. This newfound flexibility on the battlefield was made possible by the formidable firepower of their innovative repeating bolt-action rifles.
The French artillery played a crucial role, operating in coordination with infantry units. They worked seamlessly to weaken Spanish defenses with devastating long-range bombardments before the infantry launched their assaults.
In stark contrast, the Spanish army clung to conventional methods of warfare, adhering to the outdated practice of marching in columns and attacking in rigid lines. This made them vulnerable targets for the French artillery, whose thunderous explosions struck terror into the hearts of Spanish troops unaccustomed to such destructive power. The relentless shelling, coupled with the novel French tactics, often sent the Spanish forces into disarray.
Moving to the second division, commanded by General Ney, their target was Zaragoza. This city proved to be a tougher nut to crack than Burgos, displaying fierce resistance. However, after a day of relentless fighting, Zaragoza ultimately succumbed to the relentless advance of the French forces.
The third division, under the command of General Davout, directed its efforts toward Barcelona. Here, they encountered minimal resistance, as the Spanish defenders struggled to mount an effective response due to them being outnumbered and outgunned.
April 16th, 1802, saw the French Army across three cities camped and reorganizing, taking the opportunity to resupply themselves.
Taking those three cities provided a clear path towards Madrid. Not only that, Napoleon had warned soldiers not to loot, pillage, and harass the local population as it was crucial for France to secure the loyalty and cooperation of the Spanish people in the regions they occupied.
They wanted to make the Spanish locals sympathetic to the French, and they were doing it because their King provoked France into a war.
***
April 17th, 1802. Thirty thousand more reinforcements arrived in the three cities, increasing their numbers to 59,800 with two hundred being a casualty in the war.
The French forces marched towards Madrid. The might of the Spanish Army in the Peninsula, 80,000 thousand of it, congregated in the capital. France knew that it was going to be a decisive battle that would change the destiny of Spain forever, and Napoleon was eager to see it.
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