Braced by the cold, Napoleon felt energized as he walked down Broadway in Manhattan. This new world--with its opportunity for anyone to make something of themselves regardless of birth or station--was everything that France wasn't. And it suited him well; after all, hadn't he risen from humble beginnings himself? He could see why Thomas Jefferson spoke so highly of this place; it really was a paradise for those who valued liberty, merit, and opportunity. And, above all else, revenge.

Chapter I

The Indian mildew had ruined the tobacco crop for the third year in a row, and John Barbour was desperate. He had tried switching to indigo, but that market had collapsed, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep his head above water. So when Napoleon Bonaparte showed up on his doorstep one cold winter morning, looking for a guide to take him into the French territory of Louisiana, John saw an opportunity.

"Yes, I can take you there," he said. "It'll cost you, though."

"I am aware," Napoleon replied. He had no illusions about his current financial situation; after all, he was essentially penniless. But if this journey could help him achieve his goals, then it would be worth every cent.

They set out the next day, crossing the Hudson River into New Jersey before making their way westward across the state. The going was tough--the roads were little more than rutted paths through the woods, and more than once they had to double back when they lost their way--but finally they reached Pennsylvania. From there it was an easy journey down the Ohio River into Kentucky and then westward again into Tennessee and Arkansas Territory before arriving in Louisiana.

The trip took nearly two months, during which time Napoleon learned a great deal about America from his genial guide. He was fascinated by the country's history--especially its struggle for independence from Britain--and impressed by its natural beauty. He also came to appreciate the Americans' love of liberty and opportunity; it reminded him of his own youthful dreams for France.

Finally, on Christmas Eve 1815, they arrived in New Orleans.

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Barbour," Napoleon said as he clasped the American's hand in farewell. "Thank you for everything."

"Don't mention it," John replied. "Just be careful out there; Louisiana is a dangerous place."

Napoleon nodded and set off down the street, his mind already filled with plans for the future. He'd already spotted the shadowy figure of a man following him, but he wasn't worried. After all, he had faced far worse dangers in his life.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5207565&forum_id=2#45294383)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Carte_des_pr%C3%AAtres_asserment%C3%A9s_en_France_en_1791.svg

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5207565&forum_id=2#45294414)

Fidèles au Roi, (Au Roi!)

Nos aïeux ont fait campagne,

Pour venger le Roi. (Le Roi!)

Et la lande armoricaine

En est rouge encor; dondaine.

Ah, ah, ah! Debout les gars, vive le Roi!

(Ah, ah, ah! Debout les gars, vive le Roi!)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5207565&forum_id=2#45294428)

Napoleon didn't waste any time in making his presence known in New Orleans. He went straight to the governor's palace and requested an audience with Governor Claiborne. The request was granted, and Napoleon got right down to business.

"Governor Claiborne," he began, "I have come to Louisiana with a proposition for you."

Claiborne leaned back in his chair and regarded the small man before him carefully. He had heard rumours of this so-called "emperor" who had been exiled to Elba, but he hadn't given them much credence. Now, it seemed, the rumours were true.

"And what would that be?" he asked warily.

"I would like your introduction to General Andrew Jackson," Napoleon replied. "I believe that we could be of assistance to each other."

Claiborne considered this for a moment. He didn't like the idea of getting involved in whatever scheme this man was cooking up, but he knew that it would be unwise to refuse outright. After all, Napoleon Bonaparte was still a force to be reckoned with, even in exile.

"Very well," he said finally. "I will see what I can do."

"I'm sure you understand that time is of the essence," Napoleon said. "The British are already planning their next move, and we must be ready for them."

Claiborne nodded. He didn't like it, but he would play along for now. There was no telling what this man was capable of, and he didn't want to find out the hard way.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5207565&forum_id=2#45294437)

His covered wagon lots have become the talk of both sides of the Atlantic. Apparently, by simply selling the act of sexual congress to the wagon drivers, he is now the richest man in this territory."

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5207565&forum_id=2#45330205)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5207565&forum_id=2#45294459)

maybe in 2022 but in 1812 broadway was a wide dirt road with a couple of two story buildings - I doubt anyone would feel energized walking amongst the horse shit and mud.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5207565&forum_id=2#45294462)

I believe Jackson was a Bonaparte admirer even though he was generally not a fan of what he considered to be a despotic old world regime. He pathologically hated the British though which seems to have been THE underlying motivation behind nearly all his major policy decisions (kill the bank, Seize the land, Destroy the nullifiers)

War of 1812 is such an underrated conflict because it really was America’s piece of the Napoleonic wars. The timing on Battle of New Orleans and the 100 days is quite interesting, the Brit’s had seasoned Peninsular War vets in North America (including I believe some of the 95th rifles) and the outcome resulted in the transfer of at least some of these guys back to Europe to participate in Waterloo

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5207565&forum_id=2#45299202)

The concept I have here is that the U.S. splits along proto-Civil War lines in the middle of the War of 1812, but the Confederacy ends up being run by Napoleon and the Union by Andrew Jackson, and they both form an alliance against Britain & the Fifth Coalition forces.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5207565&forum_id=2#45299482)