Chapter 68, Fall of D.C.
With screams of triumph, the entire French army rushed forward into the breach. With guns blazing, they tore through the area street by street with mixed results. The heavy fighting in the southern sector had caused 20,000 men to be trapped by 30,00 Americans. Not wanting to lose so many men, Napoleon led the charge into the rear of the American line, smashing it within minutes.
The 20,000 troops left defending the city scurried back to the castle which was situated on the Potomac River. Without delay, they lowered a bridge and proceeded to escape. 15,000 Americans escaped before the bridge could be cut. The city was theirs, but at the cost of 42,000 French and 34,000 Americans. The French were reduced to 240,000 troops, with an estimated 138,000 Americans left in Minneapolis.
For most of May, the men put down partisan attacks and kept the peace. On May 30, 1756, the 200,000-man army left the safety of Washington and proceeded on to Minneapolis, where they would meet up with 100,000 of Jean-Paul's army. On June 13, 1756, both of the armies arrived on the wide, desolate plains surrounding Minneapolis.
Minneapolis, like Wolfsboro, was built on a hill in the middle of the plains. A small lake next to it provided the only water for crops and for the city. With extensive irrigation channels running around the city, it was quite easy to set up trench warfare. The Bulk of Napoleon's army was situated to the north and east, and Jean-Paul held the south, whilst lake Tiahona held the west.
After severe bombardment, the city still had not fallen by early July. The siege proceeded on into August, then september, thn October, then November. Finally, on November 27, the Eastern wall came crashing down.
What'll happen next? Find out next update!