Chapter 201 General Robert Lee's New Toy (Second update, please subscribe)
In maritime smuggling, the role of ships cannot be ignored. It was only with the epoch-making triple-expansion steam engine that we had fast breakthrough ships capable of breaking through the northern blockade.
Although the wind blockade of the south coast from the north was becoming increasingly tight, the fast breakout ships still turned their blockade into a loophole.
As usual, the harbor was crowded with people. Then the sharp-eyed people shouted.
"Look! It's the 'Sea Fox'!"
With the sound of the whistle, a low-freeboard steam ship with camouflage painted on its hull slowly sailed into the harbor. In order to express its welcome to it, the fortress even fired a welcoming salute.
The arrival of the "Sea Fox" was definitely a very happy thing for the Southerners who were fighting. The arrival of this ship not only brought a large amount of military supplies, but also many silk laces, dresses and other various commodities that were very popular among ladies, and even various luxury goods such as whiskey and jewelry that the rich needed.
Smuggling has never been limited to military supplies. In fact, consumer goods make more money, especially luxury goods needed by the rich. During the war, the demand not only did not decrease, but even increased, because many new rich people emerged during the war.
After the ship docked, the black slaves in the port began to move supplies, all kinds of military supplies, off the ship, and then the cotton bales piled up at the dock were loaded onto the ship.
Looking at the cotton bales moved onto the boat, Lin Yuehu smiled and smoked his pipe.
"Captain, after these cottons are shipped to Nanhua, the profits will be at least three times higher. The tighter the blockade in the north, the cheaper the cotton here will be. But the price of cotton outside has already risen to a sky-high price. We will definitely make more money on this trip!"
"We can definitely make more money. The most important thing is that after the cotton is shipped to Nanhua, it can be spun into cotton yarn, woven into cotton cloth, and then dyed and sold to South American countries. This is the most profitable business."
Compared with gold and silver coins, the "smuggling ships" from Nanhua prefer to transport cotton from the south, not only because they can make nearly ten times the profit after transporting the cotton, but more importantly, this cotton is the raw material that Nanhua's textile factories urgently need.
"Of course, the real big business is still this..."
Lin Yuehu said as he pointed at the supplies being loaded onto the train.
"With these supplies, the Confederacy can continue the war, and we can continue to do this business!"
These newly smuggled materials will soon be sent to the front line by train. For the Confederate troops at the front line, these weapons, ammunition, clothing and boots that came from afar are urgently needed materials that come as a timely help.
However, just a few days later, a supply train delivered a large amount of military supplies to Maryland. The Army of Northern Virginia led by Robert Lee had just crossed the Potomac River and entered Maryland.
After the supply train arrived, Robert Lee could not wait to go to the train station. The Army of Northern Virginia led by him had just defeated the Union Army of the Potomac in the Battle of Chancellorsville, and he immediately decided to go north for the second time. This action could disrupt the federal summer elections, possibly help the garrison besieged in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and allow the Union Army to feed on the rich farms in the north outside the border, so that Virginia, which had been ravaged by war, could get the necessary rest and recuperation. General Lee's troops could threaten Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland at the same time.
But his army also suffered heavy losses, not only losing Lieutenant General Stonewall Jackson, but also losing a large number of soldiers. Even now, a new batch of recruits has been added. However, there are too many new recruits, and the combat capability has declined.
Therefore, Robert Lee was very much looking forward to the military supplies sent from the rear.
After entering the train station, Robert Lee saw soldiers carrying supplies, unloading crates from the train. When the soldiers neatly stacked the crates on the platform of the train station, the crates revealed a breath of war.
Just then, the quartermaster found Robert Lee.
"General, this is the first batch of goods that has just arrived. There are 10,000 .45 caliber Spencer rifles. The quality is as excellent as always!"
Robert Lee was delighted by the report from his subordinates.
"Ten thousand? That's a lot!"
.
45 caliber Spiegel 1862 rifle is a replica product from South America. The brass bullets it uses have extremely good performance. Not only is its range in no way inferior to the P1853 rifle, but it also retains an amazing rate of fire. It was brought to the South by merchants last year and has been deeply welcomed by the Confederate Army.
Although the price of $50 is extremely expensive, what is it compared to war?
Moreover, on the battlefield, a .45 caliber Stryker 1862 rifle is even equivalent to ten P1853 rifles. In terms of effectiveness on the battlefield, such a small amount of money is simply not worth mentioning.
Ten thousand!
Each of the three armies under his command can be allocated 3,000 rifles!
"Just send it to the troops, including ammunition."
Robert Lee nodded.
"What other weapons do you have?"
"It seems that there are also the latest large-caliber mortars and Gatling guns, General."
"Are there large-caliber mortars? Take me to see them!"
Robert Lee was very excited. He was eager to see the large-caliber mortar. He was certainly familiar with mortars. Like the Spencer rifle and Gatling machine gun, they were new weapons that began to be imported into the South last year.
Although this 1861 mortar had a fast rate of fire and great power, its caliber was only 2 inches. In order to increase its power, Robert Lee even ordered the arsenal to copy and improve it. Before the Southern arsenal could produce similar products, new products appeared unexpectedly.
Following the quartermaster, we came to the warehouse, where hundreds of boxes were piled up.
Opening a crate at random, Robert Lee saw two mortar shells in the box. The painted shells were shiny black. He picked up a shell and exclaimed in surprise.
"This shell weighs about 15 pounds, right?"
"16 pounds. According to the manual, this four-inch shell weighs 16 pounds and is filled with 2 pounds of silica explosive."
Silica explosives are Nanhua's famous brand products - diatomaceous earth nitroglycerin explosives, which are far more powerful than black powder. Once introduced to the South, they were very popular among the Confederate Army.
"It's actually loaded with two pounds of silica explosives!"
Robert Lee asked in surprise.
"And the gun? Where is it?"
The quartermaster quickly asked someone to bring a crate from behind. Robert Lee looked at the mortars that the two men had brought. Before the quartermaster reported, he couldn't wait to have someone open the crate.
The style and material of the mortar in the box were somewhat similar to the mortars he had seen before, but also somewhat different.
It was the first time he had seen a cannon with such a simple structure, a slender barrel and a bipod. Although he had not test-fired it, Robert Lee had absolutely no doubt about its power. After all, these weapons had conquered all of them with their excellent performance in the past.
“It looks so light!”
Robert Lee looked as happy as a boy who had just got a new toy.
"How many mortars have been delivered? Send them to the front immediately. Oh, and the newly delivered Gatling guns should also be sent to the front. These weapons will definitely come in handy!"
I have set up a book club: 335260551. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of this chapter)
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