there is good news

Castle of Tokugawa called "Chiyoda Castle."
(The current Imperial Palace.)

Its northeast, about 3 km. (about 2 miles)
There was a family temple of Tokugawa clan named "Kan'eiji."

”I will refrained from going out.
Because I hope shows the intention of allegiance to Imperial Court."
Yoshinobu said so and decided to move to this temple.
(Chiyoda Castle was Japan's largest fortress.)


During his move，Shinsengumi was also guard along the way.
But Shinsengumi members had been greatly reduced than before. 　
(About 60 percent casualty rate in the war.)
　
"There is good news."
There was a person who approached to Kondo at that time.
　
"Koshu of Tokugawa territory.
(Current Yamanashi.
The back side of Mt fuji，viewed from the Pacific Ocean.)

Tokugawa officials have been retreated from there already.
So now there is not ruler in this land.
And Tokugawa will be in trouble if this land was occupied by the enemy.
　
If you want it，Shinsengumi can go to Koshu for security.
In that case，you can have all domination of Koshu.
In other words，You can become a feudal lord.
Of course Tokugawa make a sinews of war for Shinsengumi."
He said so to Kondo.


・・・・・・・・・
　
　
"Kondo and Hijikata.
Tokugawa will appoint you guys as immediate follower of Tokugawa.
And Tokugawa give the last name of Tokugawa high-ranking vassals to you guys."
At the same time，There was this notice to them.

"So that it does not pales as the ruler of Koshu."
Maybe there was such intention. (on the surface)
　
Kondo was Ookubo Yamato.
Hijikata was Naito Hayato.
　
After this，they would be call themselves like that in place of the official.　
　

・・・・・・・・・
　

Immediately they did recruit.
The result became several hundred soldiers.
And they started march to Koshu.

When we go to the west of the Kanto Plain.
There is a mountain massif.
　
Beyond that massif, there is a basin Koshu.　
Before that massif，It was the hometown of Kondo and Hijikata called "Tama".
They were born as farmers child here.

But now，they was permitted costumes of lords from Tokugawa.
People of their hometown were warm welcome as hero.
　
"Enemy troops is approaching to Koshu."
Of course there was this information.
But they did march slowly.
　
At this time Hijikata met his sister after an absence of several years.
He boasted of his success to his sister.
And he added at the end.

"I do not know the future."
　
　
・・・・・・・・・
　

"Today,Tosa troops occupied the Koshu castle.
Their numbers is about 2,000."

One day before of the arrival of Shinsengumi.
It was reported to them by reconnaissance.　
East of the Koshu castle, about 15 km.
There is called "Katsunuma".　
They stoped at there, and made hurry a defensive position.
　
But escape of the soldiers from Shinsengumi was the one after another.
They had just joined the Shinsengumi a few days ago.

"Aizu reinforcements coming soon."
They lied to the soldiers for overcome this emergency.
(But Aizu troops was back already to their home country by Tokugawa's instruction.)
　
During this time，Hijikata went hurry to Kanagawa  for request of reinforcements.
But this was failed.
And their lie also discovered from the soldiers.
The results Shinsengumi were became about one hundred soldiers.
　

Finally they had surrounded by Tosa troops.　
They were sinking into anarchy in the battle for a few hours，and retreated to Edo.