Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 51 Task Force

The city of Buenos Aires is a young city.

In 1580, Juan de Garay defeated the Indians.Following the establishment of the city of Santa Fe in 1573, he established the city of Buenos Aires near the mouth of the Rio de la Plata.

In the first half of the 16th century, the lost herds of cattle lost in the La Plata region by the failed Spanish colonists were multiplying freely. By the 17th century, the number of cattle that had become ownerless bison had reached hundreds of thousands.These moving gold attracted countless Spaniards from the mainland or Paraguay, and many people who found cattle became rich overnight, and the production of leather and tallow in Buenos Aires also greatly increased.However, it is a pity that these products are of little value to the native Spanish government. The kings and nobles only have silver and tobacco leaves in their eyes. The vast La Plata region, whose interests are ignored, still needs to accept the distant Peru The Viceroy rules.

The city of Buenos Aires has only been established for more than 50 years, and its population is only a few thousand people.This important city at the mouth of the La Plata River has always been very inconspicuous on the map of Spanish American colonies. Even before 1617, this young city had to accept Asunción on the upper reaches of the La Plata River administratively. manage.However, in early May 1633, this humble city suddenly became the focus of attention of all parties in the Viceroyalty of Peru.

A warrant from His Excellency the Inspector General, who had already gone to Mexico, mobilized the entire Peruvian Viceroyalty.Guns, armor, spears, cannons, and gunpowder were continuously transported to Buenos Aires by land or sea, and some of the fleet stationed in Lima and the musketeers in Santiago were even drawn here.

The task force from Lima is currently moored in the harbor at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata.Diego Garcia, an experienced Spanish naval officer, is the fleet commander in command of this fleet. He also enjoys the right to command all naval and military forces in the La Plata area until the arrival of Viscount Fernandez, the commander in chief of the operation.

Army Captain Torres of Buenos Aires City is currently making a recent summary report to him.

"Yes, Your Excellency. The Galicia Flying Fish was supposed to arrive in Buenos Aires two months ago, but we have not waited for her arrival. I am not sure whether she was hit by a storm or by pirates. To make matters worse, the "Brave Enrique" and the "Toledo Fanatic" loaded with the Governor's special envoy Viscount Fernandez and 150 San Diego Musketeers have also been overdue for a week. What unexpected situation happened at sea." Captain Torres reported sadly, and the person sitting in front of him listening to the report was Diego Garcia from the Peruvian fleet, the captain of the 1200-ton "Rock of Cadiz", Commander of the task force.

"Viscount Fernandez did not set off with the Grand Fleet in order to recruit musketeers in San Diego. He is the highest officer of this operation. If something happens to him and he cannot rush to the front line, then according to the rules, I will be in command here." Diego Gaga Xi Ya said in a deep voice, this short man in his 40s has a pair of rebellious eyes.He had served in the colonies for many years, had dealt with the British and the Dutch for half his life, and was completely in a different world from officials from the court like Viscount Fernandez.He always believed that if Viscount Fernandez hadn't relied on the influence of his uncle who was a senator in the West India Affairs Council, it would be absolutely impossible to compete with him for the dazzling position of commander-in-chief.Well now, this unfortunate nobleman seems to have been captured by the Tartans or died at sea, and he can exercise all his powers with confidence.

"So, Captain, please tell me now, how many troops can we mobilize in Buenos Aires?" Diego Garcia looked at Torres and asked slowly.

"There were originally 600 troops stationed in Buenos Aires and its surrounding areas, and 500 of them have been stationed in the city; it is estimated that 750 soldiers from Asuncion and Santa Fe will also arrive in the past two months. Some of them are currently stationed outside the city, and the rest are coming as soon as possible. In addition, we have recruited more than 250 riders among the Gauchos who graze horses and raise cattle, and the number of riders is still increasing. They provide their own horses and weapons, and they only need to promise to share some spoils after the war, which is very cost-effective.” Captain Torres had been coordinating all parties in the army before, so he was very clear about these things, and various data came out of his mouth: “The only one What is worrying is that the inventory of materials in the arsenal is not very sufficient. Since the "Galicia Flying Fish" has not yet appeared, there is a large gap in the arquebus, gunpowder, armor and other materials that should be replenished in large quantities, which cannot support the army for a long time. .”

"The 'Galicia Flying Fish' will never appear again!" Diego Garcia stood up, put his hands on the window sill, looked at the harbor view outside the window and said: "They may have been attacked by the British or the Dutch, or Was it attacked by these damn Tartans or the Orientals, anyway she will not appear in Buenos Aires again. Captain, how much do you know about our enemies? I mean do they have warships? Yes How many battleships?"

Torres bowed his head and thought for a while, then said: "I'm sorry, sir, I have never been to the port of the Tartans, and everything I know is just hearsay. According to the news circulating among merchants and sailors from various countries, the Tartans Possess a large ship, which is comparable in size to the largest warships in the kingdom. But it is strange that many tall and unreasonable buildings have been built in the midship of this ship, which makes it impossible to install more artillery; and This ship does not have any masts, sails, or oars. I think it may be an unfinished ship. In addition, the Tatans built a new gunboat a few months ago, and the tonnage is not large. , the performance can only be said to be very average. Apart from this, I have not received any more news about the Tartan ships."

"But at present, there are no ships moored in the military port of the Tatans. There is no shelter in their port, and they can be seen from the sea. My sailors told me that they did not find even a weak Junk ship moored in the port. "Diego Garcia frowned: "Where did their ship go? This is a very critical and fatal question. The 2000-ton ship is wandering in the waters we don't know, waiting for an opportunity to attack our supply ships or warships. There's nothing we can do about it, and even finding them is a luxury."

"Maybe we should look around the Strait of Magellan. They must be wandering in a certain area over there, and only there can catch the passing ships of the Kingdom in time." Torres analyzed: "They must have an overseas supply port. Because The shells and gunpowder needed for long-term combat at sea; the wood needed for repairing ships; the food, fresh water and places needed for the survival of the crew, and the places needed for the recuperation of the wounded and sick, all of these need a port or supply point on shore. It’s best not to be too far away from the hunting grounds, so…”

"So we'd better search the southern Patagonia and the coastal areas of Tierra del Fuego and try to find their shore supply points, but it may not be easy." Diego Garcia sighed and said: "It would be fine if the enemy's ships remained in the port. As long as they dare to go to sea, then we can sink or capture them with a few of our main warships, and we no longer have to worry about sea problems."

"These cunning Tartans!" Captain Torres also sighed, "Last time the Frenchman's St. Christopher's Company suffered a big loss in their hands."

"Captain, you continue to gather and assemble the army here." Diego Garcia suddenly ordered, "Starting tomorrow, the ships of the La Plata Fleet will continue to stay outside the port of Tartan to monitor the blockade, and I will lead the task force The main force goes south in search of the Tartans, unless they are found, our sea lines will always be threatened. Besides, if Viscount Fernández, by the grace of God, can return to Buenos Aires, then all operations will be under his command; If... not, then before I come back, you will be responsible for the land operations, and you can decide whether to cross the sea to attack the cities of the Tartans according to the situation. But please remember, don't try to attack the ports of the Tartans, or you will lose Unbearable."

"I understand, Your Excellency." Torres nodded, "It will take some time for the troops to assemble, and I will handle everything carefully. God bless you to return victoriously as soon as possible."

"God bless!" Both of them crossed their chests at the same time.

On May 5, the La Plata Task Force of the Viceroyalty of Peru in the Kingdom of Spain left Buenos Aires under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief Diego Garcia, set sail southward, and headed for the Strait of Magellan.This fleet is not small in size, with a total of more than ten large and small ships.The flagship is the four-masted galleon "Rock of Cadiz" with a displacement of 3 tons, which has 1200 large and small artillery pieces; The 50-ton Inquisitor, the 850-ton Conqueror of Araucan, the 700-ton Bison, and the 600-ton Bishop of Lima.These seven main warships combined have more than 600 artillery pieces of various types, which can definitely make any enemy ship on this sea tremble.

In addition to the seven main battleships, there are also two supply ships and four small-tonnage warships temporarily refitted with armed sailboats.The entire task force consisted of thirteen large and small ships, led by Diego Garcia. After filling up with supplies and ammunition, they headed south along the coastline of La Plata and began their long pursuit.

(End of this chapter)