In 1738 Century King Eamonia of Jaxonia contributed the 24 Gun Warship "Amon" to the renowned explorer, Von Sharpbitz's expedition to locate suitable economic resources in the untouched continent of Africa. Jaxonia was already advancing its economic position by heavily investing in local industry and improving agriculture systems, yet the King had seen opportunity to acquire vast resources of the African lands to enhance the countries trade good and also give Jaxonia subjects the opportunity to increase his nations presence in the Colonies.
In 1741 Von Sharpbitz returned to the port of Amon, his 4 ships laden with exotic bounty and treasures. As a result of his voyage, he indicated that a small section of the Western Coast of Africa had excellent ripe soil, rich mines and exotic fruits and would be an excellent location for an initial colony. This land was called Mabutuland by its inhabitants, and those people, the Mabutu were a agricultural tribal community who seemed quite friendly to Europeans. The local chief had indicated that he would allow a settlement on the banks of the Limbpope River for trade purposes if in return Jaxonia would assist in protecting his nation from foreign invasion and servitude. Within 2 months an expedition was soon formed, Colonel Ulfan would take a Regiment of Foot( Sarzeua Regiment), 2 Cavalry Squadrons, 2 Battalion guns, 98 Settlers and their stores, several hundred head of sheep and suitable supplies. In March of 1742 the expedition sailed south, after several months and a fairly quiet journey they located Mabutuland and sent the first shore party ashore.
Several months passed in Mabutuland, the King Of Mabutuland, Ongongolo provided suitable labour and assisted in the building of a small settlement and his people seemed very content with observing these new people, trading with them and, best of all enjoying the protection of the troops. The Europeans did struggle with the excessive heat in summer and the relentless rainy season but the benefits of trade and land still outweighed the conditions. By the end of 1742 the port town of New Redon was growing quite well. A large Jetty was built in the harbour, and around that a makeshift tavern, storehouse, and several houses were built. What was more magnificent was the creation of Fort Wilfred on a small hill overlooking the port settlement which provided suitable protection for both Native and Europeans.
The Mabutu were a friendly lot, very passive and that is why they were happy to live hand in hand with the settlers. Frequently their southern villages were attacked by the Mbeechi tribe who sold them as slaves to the Arabs Traders and their white buyers so the strength of arms of Jaxonia were a welcome relief. In 1743 these attacks came more frequent and ranged further inland in Mabutu, and when the Mbeechi burnt the Mission at Songo it threatened the river trade with the Masata tribe whose mountainous area provided considerable iron ore for Jaxonian metal workers.
Colonel Ulfan knew it was time to put an end to the Mbeechi incursions and he led several companies and a squadron south and defeated them at Usungu, several miles south of Songo, Disciplined platoon firing had defeated the war parties and they broke into the hills. To deter them further he ordered Major Colhn to establish a small garrison next to the village of Songo to protect the river route and the local populace (who were an excellent source of labour). For this he assigned 45 men of the Sarzeua Regiment to Colhn, left them suitable supplies, two engineers and several camp followers, amongst them Padre Vinto, the Rechburgian vicar.
As Col Ulfan marched into the distance, Major Colhn began his task.....................
In 1741 Von Sharpbitz returned to the port of Amon, his 4 ships laden with exotic bounty and treasures. As a result of his voyage, he indicated that a small section of the Western Coast of Africa had excellent ripe soil, rich mines and exotic fruits and would be an excellent location for an initial colony. This land was called Mabutuland by its inhabitants, and those people, the Mabutu were a agricultural tribal community who seemed quite friendly to Europeans. The local chief had indicated that he would allow a settlement on the banks of the Limbpope River for trade purposes if in return Jaxonia would assist in protecting his nation from foreign invasion and servitude. Within 2 months an expedition was soon formed, Colonel Ulfan would take a Regiment of Foot( Sarzeua Regiment), 2 Cavalry Squadrons, 2 Battalion guns, 98 Settlers and their stores, several hundred head of sheep and suitable supplies. In March of 1742 the expedition sailed south, after several months and a fairly quiet journey they located Mabutuland and sent the first shore party ashore.
Several months passed in Mabutuland, the King Of Mabutuland, Ongongolo provided suitable labour and assisted in the building of a small settlement and his people seemed very content with observing these new people, trading with them and, best of all enjoying the protection of the troops. The Europeans did struggle with the excessive heat in summer and the relentless rainy season but the benefits of trade and land still outweighed the conditions. By the end of 1742 the port town of New Redon was growing quite well. A large Jetty was built in the harbour, and around that a makeshift tavern, storehouse, and several houses were built. What was more magnificent was the creation of Fort Wilfred on a small hill overlooking the port settlement which provided suitable protection for both Native and Europeans.
The Mabutu were a friendly lot, very passive and that is why they were happy to live hand in hand with the settlers. Frequently their southern villages were attacked by the Mbeechi tribe who sold them as slaves to the Arabs Traders and their white buyers so the strength of arms of Jaxonia were a welcome relief. In 1743 these attacks came more frequent and ranged further inland in Mabutu, and when the Mbeechi burnt the Mission at Songo it threatened the river trade with the Masata tribe whose mountainous area provided considerable iron ore for Jaxonian metal workers.
Colonel Ulfan knew it was time to put an end to the Mbeechi incursions and he led several companies and a squadron south and defeated them at Usungu, several miles south of Songo, Disciplined platoon firing had defeated the war parties and they broke into the hills. To deter them further he ordered Major Colhn to establish a small garrison next to the village of Songo to protect the river route and the local populace (who were an excellent source of labour). For this he assigned 45 men of the Sarzeua Regiment to Colhn, left them suitable supplies, two engineers and several camp followers, amongst them Padre Vinto, the Rechburgian vicar.
As Col Ulfan marched into the distance, Major Colhn began his task.....................
3 comments:
Great start Paul. I suspect I am going to enjoy this journey.
Sounds like a lot of fun. Almost a pity it's not 19th century... Those Red-coated Ruberians to the south and havelocked Azurians to the north seem to be casting covetous eyes upon the burgeoning model colony of Mabutuland...
Do you think maybe after the Civil War the Americans might have sold the colony one of its war surplus Cairo class river gunboats...?
After your fine background, I'm looking forward to seeing more!
Cheers,
Ion
Thanks for the comments.
Depending on when (not how as this will be decided by sharp pointy things at some stage) I will add a few quick scenarios at the end (a relief force possibly, Native uprising everywhere ?) to follow up. There is actually a random event in Mabutu that sees foriegn soldiers and Mabutu levies turn up.
(I also have 15mm Sudanese War figures about aswell that I plan to use for a Sudanese uprising and I plan to scratch build a paddleboat).
Cheers
Paul
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