In maritime smuggling, the role of ships cannot be ignored. Because of the epoch-making triple-expansion steam engine, there are fast-breaking ships capable of breaking through the northern blockade.
Although the north's wind blockade on the southern coast is now becoming increasingly tight, those fast-breaking ships still turn their blockade into a leaky net.
As usual, on this day, the harbor was crowded with people. As the sharp-eyed people shouted.
"Look! It's the "Fox of the Sea"!"
With the whine of the whistle, the low-freeboard steamship painted in camouflage slowly sailed into the harbor. To show its welcome, the fortress even fired a salute of welcome.
The arrival of the "Sea Fox" is definitely a very happy thing for the southerners who are fighting. The arrival of this ship not only brings a large amount of military supplies, but also many silks that are popular among ladies.
There are various products such as lace and dresses, and even various luxuries such as whiskey and jewelry that the rich need.
Smuggling has never been limited to military supplies. In fact, those consumer goods are more profitable, especially the luxury goods needed by the rich. During the war, the demand not only did not decrease, but even increased, because during the war, there were more
Many upstarts.
After the ship docked, the black slaves in the port began to move supplies, various military supplies, off the ship, and then the cotton bales accumulated at the dock were loaded onto the ship.
Looking at the cotton bales moved to the boat, Lin Yuehu smiled and held his pipe in his mouth.
"Captain, after these cottons are shipped to Nanhua, the profit will be at least three times more. The tighter the blockade in the north is, the cheaper the cotton here will be. But the cotton outside has already risen to sky-high prices. We will definitely make this trip.
You can make more money too!"
"If you make more money, you will 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 various countries in South America. This is the most profitable business.
Business,"
Compared with gold and silver coins, the "smuggling ships" coming from Nanhua prefer to transport cotton from the south, not only because the cotton can make nearly ten times huge profits after being shipped out, but more importantly, these cottons are Nanhua's textiles.
Raw materials urgently needed by the factory.
"Of course, the real big business is this..."
Lin Yuehu said after clicking on the supplies that were 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 supplies will soon be sent to the front line by train. For the Confederate troops on the front line, these weapons, ammunition and even clothing and military boots from afar are urgently needed supplies.
But just a few days later, a military 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 munitions train arrived, Robert E. Lee couldn't wait to come to the train station. The Army of Northern Virginia he led had just defeated the Union Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Chancellorsville, and then he immediately decided to go north for the second time.
An action that could disrupt the Union's planned summer elections could free the beleaguered garrison at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and allow Union troops to feed on the bountiful northern farms beyond the border to keep the war-torn nation alive.
Virginia gets the necessary rest and recuperation. General Lee's troops can simultaneously threaten Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland.
But his regiment also suffered heavy losses. Not only did it lose Lieutenant General "Stonewall Jackson", but it also lost a large number of soldiers. Even now it has added a group of new soldiers. However, there are too many new soldiers and its combat capabilities have declined.
.
Therefore, Robert E. Lee was very much looking forward to the military supplies sent from the rear.
After walking into the train station, Robert E. Lee saw soldiers carrying supplies and moving crates one by one from the train. When the soldiers neatly stacked the crates on the platform of the train station, those boxes
It gave off an atmosphere of war.
At this moment, the quartermaster found Robert E. Lee.
"General, this is the first batch of goods that has just been shipped. There are 10,000 .45-caliber Spencer rifles. The quality is as good as ever!"
The report from his subordinates made Robert E. Lee smile with joy.
"Ten thousand? That's a lot!"
The .45 caliber Scott 1862 rifle is an imitation product from South America. The brass bullets it uses have extremely good performance. Its range is no less than that of the P1853 rifle. It also retains an astonishing rate of fire. It was brought by a businessman last year.
When they arrived in the South, they were welcomed by Confederate troops.
Although the price of $50 is extremely expensive, what is it compared to war?
Moreover, on the battlefield, one .45-caliber Steinmann 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!
"Feel free to send it to the troops, including ammunition."
Robert E. Lee's nod.
"What other weapons are there?"
"It seems that there are also the latest large-caliber mortars and Gatling guns, General."
"Is there a large-caliber mortar? Take me to see it!"
Robert Lee was very interested. He was eager to see large-caliber mortars. Of course, he was no stranger to mortars. Like Spencer rifles and Gatling guns, they were all new weapons imported to the South last year.
.
Although this type 1861 mortar has a fast rate of fire and high power, its caliber is only 2 inches. In order to increase its power, Robert Lee even ordered the arsenal to imitate and improve it. Before the arsenals in the south could produce similar products,
Unexpectedly, there are new products.
Follow the quartermaster to the warehouse, where hundreds of boxes are stacked.
Opening a crate, Robert Lee saw two mortar shells in the box. The painted projectiles were dark and shiny. He picked up one of the shells and said in surprise.
"This shell is about 15 pounds, right?"
"16 pounds. According to the instructions, this four-inch shell weighs 16 pounds and is filled with 2 pounds of silica explosive."
Silica dynamite is Nanhua's famous brand product - diatomaceous earth nitroglycerin dynamite, which is far more powerful than black powder. It was very popular with the Confederate army as soon as it was introduced to the South.
"It actually contained two pounds of silica explosive!"
Robert E. Lee asked in surprise.
"What about the cannon? Where is the cannon?"
The quartermaster quickly asked someone to carry a crate from behind. He looked at the mortar that the two men had brought up. Before the quartermaster could report, Robert E. Lee couldn't wait to have someone open the wooden box.
The style and material of the mortar in the box were somewhat similar to the mortars he had seen before, but also a little different.
This was the first time he saw a cannon with a slender barrel, a bipod, and such a simple structure. Although there was no test firing, Robert Lee would never doubt its power. After all, in the past,
Here, these weapons have conquered them all with their excellent performance.
"Looks very light!"
Robert E. Lee looked as happy as a boy who had just gotten a new toy.
"How many such mortars have been sent in total? They will be sent to the front line immediately. By the way, the newly delivered Gatling guns will also be sent to the front line. These weapons will definitely be put to great use!"