Date: Wed, 3 May 2017 19:52:14 +1200
From: arthur carkeek <artcart65@gmail.com>
Subject: drummer boy chpt 19 bk 2


DRUMMER BOY
CHAPTER 19
BOOK 2
THE ROAD NORTH
BY
ARTHUR


CONTACT AUTHOR:
artcart65@gmail.com

16th May 1813

Viscount Wellington's camp south of the River Douro.

Colonel Lewis approached the Viscount's tent with a rather jaunty step, the
first report from Sir Thomas Graham's column had finally come in; it had
been fully two months since they had last heard of the General and his
20,000 strong force. The dispatch rider had been a young Subaltern from the
18th Hussars and looked to have been through the mill if his condition was
any indication.

The report was quite thick and held most of what had happened during the
crossing of the mountains. As per usual, Colonel Lewis had read it through
quickly before making for the Viscount's tent where the most Senior Officer
was known to be taking his bath after the long hot and dusty ride forward.

Colonel Lewis paused outside the tent and gave a small cough to let the
Viscount know he was there; from inside came the gruff voice that Colonel
Lewis knew so well.

"Well come in Colonel; no need to dally around out there just because I am
at bath."

Colonel Lewis drew aside the flap of the tent and entered; the Viscount was
recumbent in his tin bath and looked to be enjoying his moment of rest and
silence, he looked up at Colonel Lewis and raised an eyebrow as though in
askance.

"The first dispatch rider from Sir Thomas has just arrived with a report My
Lord."

"Damn it, about time we heard something from them; well don't just stand
there Colonel, tell me what it's all about. I presume you have already read
it so tell me the general gist of it, I can read it in full later."

Colonel Lewis had indeed read through the ten page report even though it
had been briefly and only the main points were taken note of.

"Well My Lord, it appears they had a little trouble at first and some of
the men decided to mutiny because of the pace and lack of essentials which
the guides had insisted upon. In all Sir Thomas's force have had losses of
one gun, two Junior Officers and thirty seven lower ranks along with six
horses. They had arrived down on the plains on the 12th and stopped to rest
which is when Sir Thomas made out this report. Sir Thomas has now asked
what you need of him."

"What of this mutiny Colonel, does he give details and how did he handle it
at the time? I do hope that he hanged those concerned in front of the other
troops. We can't have the ranks thinking we are going soft Colonel."

Colonel Lewis flipped a few pages until he found the one that detailed the
event; with a quick glance through the page he found the most important
parts and lifted his eyes to see the Viscount still happily recumbent in
his bath. The viscount had rolled a small towel up and placed it behind his
head as he lay back in the warm water; he now had his eyes closed as he
concentrated on Colonel Lewis's details.

"From the report My Lord, he states that a Corporal had incited some of the
men to mutiny because of the conditions of the march. It would appear the
guides sent by General Marking to lead Sir Thomas through the mountains had
set very strict limits on what the men could carry and the distance they
needed to make each day. It would seem the Corporal took umbrage at being
given orders by young foreign boys and he and five others decided to take
action. From Sir Thomas's report the guides themselves took the needed
action to quell the mutiny before Sir Thomas's own men could re-act. The
head guide, one Captain Maketja took down the Corporal and one other with
his pistol, which as you know My Lord, are double barrelled; and another
young Lieutenant by the name of Morgan took down the other two. The fifth
offender was killed by the said Captain with a knife stroke to the
chest. Sir Thomas reports that the action lasted less than one minute and
was over before any other action could be taken. It appears that there were
no other incidents of mutiny during the remainder of the journey to the
banks of the Esla. At this time My Lord, Sir Thomas awaits your orders to
advance and in which direction it should be so."

"Damn those mutinous scum; well we can only be grateful for General
Marking's men to have taken just care of the situation; personally I would
have kept two of them alive so they could be hung in front of the army as a
future warning to those low class scum. It is getting more and more
difficult to keep order as this war goes on Colonel; I fear we shall see
more of the same before Bonaparte is put in his place. Now then Colonel, I
would like you to issue the order for Sir Thomas to advance his force along
the west bank to the Ebro; there is now no need to keep his army out of
sight, in fact it would be best if the French got a good look at him while
I take my men through the centre and the Spanish and Portuguese advance on
the left through from Valladolid and Tudela. If all goes well Colonel we
should have the French nicely rounded up in a pocket, if the worst comes to
the worst we can always push them back to Burgos and end them there."

"Yes My Lord I will see to it immediately. One more thing My Lord?"

"Yes, what is it Colonel?"

"What of General Marking's guides, shall I issue orders for them to return
to his camp?"

"Oh yes, the guides; well Colonel they may still be of some use to Sir
Thomas as he advances; make an order for them to place themselves under Sir
Thomas's orders and they can advance with his troops, they may be of some
use if the terrain becomes difficult. One thing is for sure, we know they
can fight and are not scared of a little bloody work."

"Yes My Lord, I will send the order forthwith but I don't think General
Marking will be happy about it My Lord."

"Then we won't tell him Colonel; besides it is only a couple of men and I'm
sure he won't miss them. I will leave it all in your capable hands
Colonel. Now if there is nothing else perhaps I can enjoy the rest of my
bathing."

Colonel Lewis saluted and left the tent, if there was anything he knew
about Thomas and his men, it was that they would no longer take orders from
the English. If he received a report that the young guides had departed for
their own camp it would not surprise him in the least but he still had his
orders and duty to perform. He would of course couch the orders in such a
way that they could be open to interpretation dependant on how one looked
at and read them.





14th May 1813

Somewhere on the south bank of the River Ebro, thirty miles west of
Miranda.

Thomas had called all of his forces to meet in one place for any final
plans to be discussed, they were now camped on the southern bank near the
head waters of the River Ebro and some thirty or thirty five miles west of
the town they had once ravaged. All of Thomas's Senior Officers were
present around the table that now had the full scale map that Major
Smithson and his men had spent many hours in perfecting. From this day on
his forces would be working almost independently of each other and it was
imperative they all knew where each other would be.

Thomas had received a dispatch from Mister Percy and so he was now well
aware that Viscount Wellington intended to move against the main French
forces in the east; it was decided that Thomas and his men would try to
make sure that in the event of a French retreat they would only have one
way to go and would not be able to double back through the passes of
Bilbao.

The discussions and planning had gone on for more than three hours before a
final plan came about that seemed to fit all eventualities and still keep
his men as safe as he could, that he felt there was going to be blood spilt
there was little doubt but he wanted to make sure that very little of the
blood would be from his own men.

The final plan looked good and, while it was not a full scale plan of
attack it was certainly one that would give no lee way to any Frenchmen
that tried to retreat through his lines. Across the River Ebro and three
miles to the north lay the eastern pass that led directly through to
Bilbao; it was here that Major Morgan was to dig in his guns along with the
protection of the 1st Infantry Company.

In the valley west of where Vittoria was positioned at the far eastern end,
Lorenco and his Sharpshooters and with the 2nd Infantry Company would
secret themselves on both sides of the wide pass; from their hiding places
they would snipe at any French retreating back towards Balbao or use the
same tactics to disrupt any supply trains sent through from the
north. Until the time came for action, Thomas gave orders that everyone was
to keep their heads down and not let the French know they were so
close. The order to open fire on the French would be when they heard that
Viscount Wellington had started his advance and not before. Thomas, Carmelo
and Estaban would each take one Company of Cavalry to command, they would
be the fast attack force when hostilities opened.

To get an overall view of the valley that lead through from Vittoria to
Balbao, Thomas had one of the goat herders from this area show him any and
all small goat tracks that entwined over the mountains before them; he
planned to make use of them to reach the other side of the valley without
being seen by any roving French patrols; he could then look down on the
valley and see what lay ahead of them.

By the date of the 10th of May, all of Thomas forces were well dug into
their positions and awaiting the order to take advantage of the long lines
of supply wagons and troops that were pouring into the region. It would be
only days later when they got the orders they were waiting for.

 On the 25th of May it was the sudden increase of French troops and wagons
in the passes that alerted Thomas that something was happening; not only
were the troops looking as though there was something behind them to fear
but there was an increase in wagons all of which seemed to be travelling,
not towards the east but north back towards France.

While the columns were a little disorderly and there were troops among
them, the vast majority appeared to be wagons but the feeling in the air
was one of desperation and a need to escape whatever was behind them.

Thomas told Captain Diego whose Company he was with to send the message to
those troops of Lorenco by the means of using a small mirror that they
could now open fire on targets of opportunity. The signalling system had
been suggested by Major Carterton and was an effective and silent means of
communication amongst the different troops now that they were so well
spread.

It was not long before Thomas and those with him began to hear the sound of
musketry as Lorenco's men fired from ambush at the slower moving wagons and
the few frightened guards accompanying them. The results were what Thomas
hoped they would be which was to cause even more fear and uncertainty as
French guards or wagon drivers were shot at from the men hiding up on the
sides of the valley.

There were of course some of the more battle hardened French soldiers who
tried as best they could to put up some resistance but it did not stop the
sporadic sniping of the masses on the roadway of the valley.

For the next few weeks Thomas's men kept up their selective targeting which
caused even more confusion and often the wagons or troops were stalled in
the pass as the French soldiers attempted to force the sniping sharp
shooters back into hiding so they could move their wagons forward. Over
time it became a game of hide and seek as the French troops tried to force
a way forward and the Sharpshooters tried to slow them down.

When night fell there was little relief as even in the dark of night those
driving the wagons or those guarding them found that even their night fires
did not stop raids being turned into stealthy attacks by black clad figures
right inside the camps themselves which left small numbers of men dead in
their sleep. On other occasions there were whole pickets taken out in the
middle of the night without a sound being heard.

As the first weeks of June came there was a noticeable increase in cavalry
patrols along the pass, these had to be handled with great care and it was
now that Thomas, Carmelo and Estaban's men came into their own with fast
riding attacks which culminated in a quick withdrawal as soon as the enemy
Cavalry tried to intercept them. The hit and run tactics were the backbone
of the Guerrillas and Thomas and his men had become so proficient that they
never had to stand and fight to escape from the French Cavalry.

Fast riding attacks on the many wagons themselves were also used and these
led to even more uncertainty as the mass of French tried to retreat to
safety. While it would have been well within Thomas's troop's ability, the
attacks were not carried out day after day but they would allow days
between attacks so the French were never quite sure when or where the next
one was to come from.

By the 20th of June Thomas and his hard fighting army knew something was
seriously wrong with the French. The numbers of wagons retreating north
towards Bilbao and the French border had increased markedly; there were
also now large numbers of wounded trying to make it north although Thomas
had noted that most of the wounds were older and all had been tended to by
surgeons.

Thomas decided to send a small twenty man patrol to the east via the upper
goat tracks along the ridge top towards Vittoria to see why there was such
an increase in the wounded. Captain Diego was put in charge and also asked
to speak with as many of the local Spanish as possible to find out what was
going on further to the east.

Unknown to Thomas at that time, part of the answer was about to rumble its
way into the pass in a form he least expected or could have presumed. On
the 22nd of June the morning was filled with the loud echoes of shouting
and fearful Frenchmen, the pass was almost clogged with wagons and the many
troops appeared to only want to run from whatever was behind them.

The pass had suddenly become a scene of chaos and fear and the addition of
hidden men sniping at them from above only increased the sense of
desperation in those below the ridge where Thomas and his men sat
watching. As yet he did not have the report from his Patrol and could only
guess that something major must have happened to cause such all out panic
in the French.

As Thomas watched he could make out what appeared to be horses once used
for the guns that were now being ridden by men, their gun traces cut away
to the bare minimum and all seemed to be making a headlong rush for the
French border in the north. Next to appear was a larger force of well
drilled Cavalry from the ranks of the Chasseurs, they were accompanying a
large group of very Senior Officers and behind them was a very long line of
heavily laden wagons; for Thomas and his remaining men of Diego's Company
it was just too much temptation.

The Senior Officers appeared to be very frightened of something behind them
and, at the first shots fired their way; the most senior of the Officers
gave the order to gallop away with their escort and leave the wagons to
their fate. The Chasseurs formed a solid wall around the now fast riding
Officers but did not try to counter attack the oncoming force of musket
wielding black clad troops.

It was to be some time before Thomas heard that he had been within musket
shot of the onetime King of Spain known as Joseph Bonaparte, but the chance
passed just as quickly as the escaping Officers could ride. With the pass
temporarily empty of retreating troops and Officers, Thomas took the chance
to procure a few extra supplies from the now stalled wagons.

The drivers had seen the Cavalry and Officers spur their horses forward to
escape the sudden attack and had abandoned their wagons as well, they were
now running as hard as they could for the end of the pass which was still a
few miles away but the drivers must have thought that certain death was the
only thing that awaited them if they stayed with their charges.

Thomas looked both forward and backwards and could not believe the sudden
lack of retreating Frenchmen; it was as though his little world in the pass
had suddenly become a place of peace except for the very long line of
stalled wagons. As he sat and looked at all the vacated wagons, Thomas
thought he could hear what sounded much like Cavalry some distance away but
coming in their direction.

Not waiting to find out if they were friends or foe; Thomas gave the order
to have some of his men take the first ten wagons and drive them towards
the western end of the pass behind the retreating French and drive them to
where Major Morgan had his guns holding the western pass; they would look
over the wagons at a later date to see what they had garnered to assist
their need for supplies.

Ten of the riders dismounted and immediately took a seat on the front ten
wagons after tying their own horses to the rear wagon gate, within a minute
the ten front wagons were moving towards where Major Morgan waited and
Thomas waved his hand to send the rest of his now very small Company to
cover around the next bend in the road as the approaching sound of fast
moving Cavalry drew closer. He did not have the men to fight against a
large force of angry French Cavalry until Captain Diego returned with his
report from the east.

As Thomas rode around the bend he saw that there was help on the way in the
form of both Estaban and Carmelo's Company's as they rode towards him from
further west; Thomas had time to note that not all of them got away without
a scratch as some of the oncoming riders were carrying wounds covered by
hastily wrapped and sometimes bloody bandages.

With the added numbers, Thomas now had a chance against the Cavalry he had
heard coming their way. With a sharp order he had the three Companies form
up in ranks of four and extending across the road, if the oncoming Cavalry
wanted to escape to the north then they now had a battle ahead of
them. Thomas sent one rider forward so he could see around the bend in the
road and then report back to Thomas as to the numbers they may be facing in
the event of a fight.

Minutes later and the scout returned with some interesting news; the
Cavalry were not French but English, Thomas called for his men to make
ready to move back to the wagons to see what was happening.

Thomas with Carmelo and Estaban beside him; rode ahead of the three
Companies as they made their way around the bend and towards the now halted
Cavalry. Thomas made out the uniforms of the Cavalry ahead and saw they
were English Hussars and at their head and sitting his saddle with ease sat
a Captain watching his men dismounting to look over the stalled wagons.

As Thomas and his men appeared, one of the young Hussar Lieutenants noted
them and informed his Captain. The Officer turned in his saddle and looked
along the road to see the approaching riders. They were led by three young
men in the van with the rest of the black clad riders stretched out in
three ranks behind; the Captain had seen those uniforms before.

As many of the Hussars became aware of the new arrivals they looked to
their Officers for orders and made ready to attack; for those Hussars
already on the ground it was a mad scramble to remount and ready their
weapons; being mainly pistols and sabres, not much weaponry against what
they could see in the hands of the men riding towards them.

The Captain called his men to stand down as he was sure these newcomers
were friends or at least friendly to England. Thomas led his men up to
where the Senior Officer sat waiting for them. When Thomas and his three
friends halted their horses facing the Captain he was about to speak when
the Captain took the initiative; Thomas found the man's careful attempts to
be understood rather amusing and so kept his own mouth shut as the Captain
stumble with his words as he tried to make the foreigners understand him.

"Uhm...Guerrillas? Arh...Espana Guerrillas? Uhm...English...uhm...speaky?"

Thomas and his friends looked at each other as they tried valiantly to keep
the laughter out of their voices and the smiles that wanted to force their
way forward from their faces. It was a few more seconds before Thomas felt
he should relent and let the Captain off the hook.

"Yes Captain, I speak English very well; that's if you can forgive my
Limehouse accent. Who are you and what are you doing this far from the
Viscounts forces?"

"I may ask the same question of you young man?"

Thomas heard a very soft cough at his side; turning he saw the faintest of
smiles on Carmelo's lips and the hint of a wink. Thomas gave a small nod
and let Carmelo take over, why should he be the only one to have fun.

"Captain I may be able to answer your question if you please?"

"And who are you?"

"I am Colonel Carmelo Grey, second in command of the 1r Regimiento Espana
Guerrillas Captain so I am also your superior, now then who are you and
what are your troops doing here?"

"Sir! Sorry Sir I had no idea, I am Captain Warren of the 18th Hussars, we
were in pursuit of the remnants of Joseph Bonaparte's forces in the hope of
making a capture. My apologies Sir for my disrespect to your rank, I was
unaware of the nature of your rank structure. May I presume that beside you
is General Don Thomasino de Toro?"

Captain warren was looking not at Thomas but at Estaban when asking the
question; it had already been ascertained that Thomas was a Londoner so he
could not have been a Spanish General, besides he was far younger looking
than the other Officer of the three before him.

While Estaban's understanding of English had improved over the last five
years, it was still rudimentary at best but at times like these he did his
best to continue with the game his friends were playing. Speaking in
Spanish as was his wont, Estaban made a few suggestions as how they should
proceed with this Officer. After a short exchange of ideas, Thomas and
Carmelo agreed and Carmelo once again took over the conversation.

"Your assumption is quite correct Captain Warren; this is indeed General
Thomasino de Toro." Carmelo made a wide ranging gesture with his hand which
could have included both of the men sitting next to him without actually
point to one in particular. He would like to know why your men are so far
ahead of the English forces and what you are planning to do now."

"Well Colonel, as I just said we were chasing Joseph Bonaparte as the time
of the French is now almost over. Viscount Wellington's forces have routed
the French at Vittoria and they are now in full retreat back to France in
total disorder. Now however with the finding of this baggage train that we
think belonged to the ex-King my men and I will stay to watch over it until
our forces arrive to take charge."

"And what gives you the right to oversee this baggage train Captain?"

"Sir with all due respect but this train is now under the command and power
of the English forces; if what I suspect is in the contents of this train
it will go towards some of the reparations for our efforts in the war. I am
sure Viscount Wellington will agree with me Sir."

"Captain; do you honestly think this baggage train is that of Joseph; if it
were so then the contents belong to the people of Spain and Portugal and
not the English."

"That is not for me to say Sir; I am only saying that we will watch over
the train until Viscount Wellington makes a decision on its eventual
destination. It would be remiss of me as an English Officer to do
otherwise."

At this point Thomas interrupted; he had heard all he wanted to from this
Captain and deep inside he had a funny feeling that something was not quite
right with the Captains words.

"Captain, I would ask why you deem it so important that you and your men
should stand guard on this particular baggage train?"

Thomas was not impressed by the Captains demeanour as he straightened his
back and looked down his somewhat long narrow nose at the younger man in
black.

"Ahm...Colonel?"

"General."

"General!"

"Yes Captain, I am General de Toro, next to me is Colonel Estaban Colosio;
I am also known by your Viscount Wellington as General Marking; you may
want to enquire about that with him. Now then what gives you the right to
stand guard on what I presume is Spanish property?"

"Well...uhm...Sir, my orders are to...erm...protect the Viscounts and
England's interests. As an Officer of the 18th Hussars it is my duty to
protect that which is at this time presumed to be booty illegally taken by
the onetime King of Spain. I am sure you can see the right of this Sir and
if you have any questions I am sure that Viscount Wellington will make time
to discuss it further with you Sir."

Thomas still got the feeling that all was not right but he now had only one
of two options to take from here on. Firstly he could insist that he and
his men take control of the baggage train which could result in having to
fight this Captains Hussars or he could step back and then make enquiries
with the Viscount.

At first he was more inclined to use his superior and better armed force to
send the Captain and his men packing but there was also the fact that the
Captain might try to make it a fight and that could put Thomas and his men
in the sights of the English army as rebels if his men fired on English
troops. He was not happy about either way but for the moment he could
really do little unless he wanted to start a new war with the English and
he had no intention of putting his men into the English gun sights.

Thomas sat watching the Captain with narrowed eyes as he thought about the
options, there was little doubt he would have to ride away and hope the
Captain was a man of his word but deep inside the small nagging suspicion
still held sway as he made his decision.

"Very well Captain, we will leave the train in your care but; I will be
taking it up with the Viscount just as soon as I am able. The people of
Spain and Portugal are trusting you with their goods, I hope we can rely on
your honesty Captain; you and your men really do not want certain parties
on the Peninsula to have to come looking for you if something is amiss."

"I can assure you Sir that you have the word of an English Officer that
nothing untoward will happen until Viscount Wellington makes a decision on
what is to happen with this baggage train."

"Very well then Captain, we will leave you to your duty; I would just ask
you to heed my warning."

"Sir I am an English Officer, we do not give our word lightly."

Thomas looked the Captain in the eye for a few more seconds before changing
to Spanish and giving the order for his men to pull back and make for the
position now held by Major Morgan and his guns. Even as he led his men away
from the sight of the massed wagons in the pass he still had
reservations. English Officer or not, if the baggage wagons held the wealth
of Spain then even the most devoted Officer may be tempted to purloin just
a little for his own use.

A week later and Thomas's suspicions were proved to be correct but as he
rode away from the stalled baggage train he had other things on his mind,
the least of which was what he and his army were to do now that the French
appeared to be in full flight back to France.





23rd June 1813

The township of Vittoria.



After the savage battle for Vittoria, the English had moved into the town
and taken over the Municipal building for their headquarters. The Mayor's
office was now used by Viscount Wellington and so soon after the battle
this large space was a scene bordering on chaos as the hundreds of reports
found their way to his overloaded desk.

Wellington looked as though he had not slept since the end of the battle
two days ago; his jacket had been discarded and the normally neat cravat
around his throat hung open, there was also a smudge of ink on one of the
shirt cuffs.

Viscount Wellington looked up as he heard the familiar soft cough which
usually announced Colonel Lewis's presence. Viscount Wellington looked at
Colonel Lewis as he waited for the response of his Adjutant.

"Well come on Colonel, I'm well used to bad news after the last few days."

"Yes My lord. I have the final figures and a very disturbing report for
you."

"Damn it Colonel, why is it always bad news before breakfast, one of these
days you will have to find me something good so my digestion can
improve. Very well Colonel, what is the butcher's bill, you may give me the
other report afterwards; I can only take so much bad news in one day."

"Yes My Lord. Well My Lord, while we did completely rout the French forces
the numbers would not make you think so. The French have 5,200 dead or
wounded and we have captured another 3,000, unfortunately My Lord our
numbers are not much better. We have also lost about 5,000 dead and wounded
but we did capture all one hundred and fifty one guns the French had held
so they now have few or no guns to oppose us in the future."

"Well the capture of the guns is one point in our favour, can you explain
why our numbers of dead and wounded are almost identical, I sent the 18th
Regiment of Hussars to the left flank for the sole purpose of attacking
their flank; their numbers should have been far greater."

"Well My Lord, the next report does concern the 18th Regiment of Hussars
and may go a long way to explaining why the French managed to not only
escape but also have time to form their present resistance on the Zadorra
and are stopping us from breaking through to Salinas."

"Well get on with it Colonel, you've managed to ruin my breakfast, you may
as well destroy my lunch as well."

"Well My Lord, the report I have states that the 18th Hussars were
advancing as ordered but, before they came into contact with the enemy to
close the pass to Salinas, they came across the baggage train of what we
now know was that of Joseph Bonaparte. The baggage train had been abandoned
due to the intervention of General de Toro and his troops earlier and the
guards and drivers had fled to avoid capture or death. With the baggage
train undefended the 18th decided to take it and in the process ignored
your orders to close the pass and take the French in the rear. The report
states that the troopers of the 18th were then seen to be selling off the
valuables and goods of the baggage train to other troops at the end of the
main battle. I fear My Lord that we may have a very serious situation on
our hands."

Colonel Lewis could only watch as Viscount Wellington straightened up from
the desk, his normally hard eyes now turned steely as he reached up to
remove his cravat and throw it with great contempt onto the desk.

The Viscount's face went as rigid as stone as he looked down his prominent
nose; Colonel Lewis could almost see the Viscount begin to shake with rage
at the conclusion of the report; his next words boded ill for someone and
Colonel Lewis could only stand and wait in silence as the atmosphere grew
to one almost resembling and explosion of gun powder.

"By God they will pay a heavy price for their ignorance. What do we have
here Colonel? Is this man's army filled with nothing but low life scum? I
gave orders to take and hold the pass and those low life scum stop to
pillage and have probably caused the deaths of brave men by their
actions. Will you please go and call Colonel McPherson of the Scottish
Regiment and ask him to present himself to me immediately. Next I want you
to send an order for the army to assemble outside of town on the plain to
the south for a full parade on the morrow at 10 of the clock. When you have
done that I want a special order sent to the 18th Regiment of Hussars that
they are to parade the full Regiment at that time. Do we have the name of
the Officer in charge of the Baggage train raid?"

"Yes My Lord, he was one Captain Warren; he has served for five years with
the Hussars and this is the first time we have had note of him."

"Then Colonel you will make damn sure he is present with those scum he
calls Hussars."

"Yes My Lord."

Colonel Lewis turned and left the office to the sounds of a very irate
Viscount; his words of anger could still be heard as Colonel Lewis walked
away to carry out what was to become a very distasteful duty.

Colonel Lewis took a little time to find Colonel McPherson but once told of
the Viscount's request he immediately left while Colonel Lewis set about
getting out the orders for the morrows parade.

Colonel McPherson was a large man and well known for his hard stance on any
who crossed his path with bad intentions; as he entered the office of the
Viscount he could feel the coldness in the air. Coming to attention and
saluting his Commanding Officer, he then waited for the Viscount to speak.

"Colonel I have a very distasteful duty for you and the men of the Scottish
Regiment to perform on the morrow."

"Aye My Lord and what would that be?"

"I have just been informed that certain members of the 18th Hussars took it
into their own hands to make a raid on a Baggage train when they had been
ordered to take and hold the pass to Salinas, not only that but they then
proceeded to make profit from the baggage after good men had died due to
their blatant disregard of my orders. On the morrow I would ask you to
assemble your Regiment on the periphery of the parade ground to act as
guards; they are to have fixed bayonets and charged muskets. Next I want
you to find a number of carpenters; they are to erect five gibbets and five
ring posts at the centre of the parade ground. Once this has been
accomplished I would ask for your most experienced Sergeant Majors ready to
carry out punishment. Is there anything else you may need Colonel?"

"No My Lord, your orders are clear and will be carried out as ordered."

"Thank you Colonel, you are dismissed and may God watch over us for what is
to come."

"Aye My Lord."

Colonel McPherson left to carry out his orders, that there was trouble
afoot there was little doubt but he was sure his men of the Scottish
Regiment could well handle anything that may arise.

The next morning dawned clear and already hot, the large area set aside for
the parade was already being set up with the five posts and five
gibbets. By 10 of the clock the full army that was present in Vittoria had
assembled along both sides and at the eastern end sat all of the Senior
Officers with Viscount Wellington astride his horse at the centre; Colonel
Lewis and Colonel McPherson sat their horses on each side of the Viscount.

At the western end of the long parade ground were the Cavalry with their
mounts. The Scottish Regiment were lined along both sides with fixed
bayonets and facing out towards the mass of troops, their polished bayonets
shining in the bright sunlight like a forrest of steel thorns. Viscount
Wellington turned to his left where Colonel McPherson sat waiting for his
orders.

"Colonel McPherson will you call for your Regimental Sergeant Major to
present himself before us."

"My Lord."

The Colonel urged his horse forward a few steps before calling out the
order.

"THE REGIMENTAL SERGEANT MAJOR WILL ADVANCE FOR ORDERS."

The power of the Colonel's voice was startling in the rigid silence of the
parade ground. Within moments a very tall Sergeant Major in full kilt and
red jacket with his black bearskin Busby flowing as he moved, broke away
from those guarding the sides of the parade ground and marched purposefully
towards where the Officers sat waiting. When the Sergeant Major arrived
before the Officers he came to a smart halt and performed a perfect salute
before waiting for orders.

Viscount Wellington used his hard edged voice to give his orders to the
Sergeant Major; he was easily heard by all those nearby.

"Regimental Sergeant Major, you will give orders for the 18th Hussars to
advance to the centre and dismount."

The Sergeant Major gave another perfect salute, turned about and, in a
voice that could have awakened the dead called out the order.

"THE 18TH REGIMENT OF HUSSARS WILL ADVANCE TO THE CENTRE AND DISMOUNT."

From the western end of the parade ground came the sound of massed Cavalry
moving forward at the walk, when they were level at the centre of the
parade ground they halted and then dismounted and stepped to the heads of
their horses to hold the reins close to the horses head as they all stood
at attention. No one at this stage really knew what was to come but it had
to be something serious for such a parade to be called at such short
notice.

The Sergeant Major turned back to the Officers once he had seen that the
18th Hussars were in position and stood as stiff as a board while he waited
for his next instructions.

The Viscount looked at the ranks of Hussars before turning his flint edged
eyes back to the Sergeant Major but his voice rose so that he could be
heard even in the furtherest part of the huge parade.

"SERGEANT MAJOR, YOU WILL SELECT A PLATOON OF YOUR SCOTT'S AND ADVANCE TO
THE LINES OF THE 18TH HUSSARS, ONCE THERE YOU WILL SELECT ONE CORPORAL AND
FOUR LOWER RANKS FROM EACH COMPANY AND ESCORT THEM BEFORE US."

The Sergeant Major once again saluted and turned to carry out his
orders. Once the Sergeant Major had selected his men from those standing
guard he marched them in perfect formation to the ranks of the 18th
Hussars. Within minutes his platoon of very large Scottish Infantry guards
had the twenty five men inside their cordon and began to march them smartly
back to stand before Viscount Wellington and the assembled Officers.

Viscount Wellington then raised his voice so he could be heard clearly.

"CAPTAIN WARREN WILL PRESENT HIMSELF BEFORE THE ASSEMBLED OFFICERS."

There was a sudden movement at the front of the 18th Hussars and then
Captain Warren handed the reins of his horse to a nearby Subltern before
marching down the parade ground and coming to a halt before the Officers
where he stood at attention. Colonel Lewis could see the look on the face
of the hapless Captain as it began to dawn on him why the parade had been
called in such a manner. Viscount Wellington continued but in a more
subdued voice.

"Colonel Lewis you will read the charges and penalties."

"My Lord."

Colonel Lewis hated this part of his duties but for such an occasion this
time it was needed to restore some sort of order back into the army.

"This parade has been assembled to witness punishment to the members of the
Regiment of the 18th Hussars for dereliction of duty, failing to carry out
a lawful order and the crime of looting. As the whole Regiment cannot be
punished in a fitting manner, those assembled before us will be held as an
example to the rest of the Regiment. The penalties are as follows. The five
Corporals will be hanged by the neck until dead. The twenty lower ranks
will each receive twenty strokes on the bare back. Captain Warren will be
stripped of all ranks and privileges and discharged with severe prejudice
and dishonour. Sentences to be carried out immediately."

There was an immediate rumble of discontent as the ranks of soldiers around
the parade ground heard what was to happen; it became immediately silent
when the loud clear sound of muskets being cocked by the throng of ever
vigilant Scottish guards lowered the barrels to be aimed at the front ranks
before them. Viscount Wellington sat his horse stoically as he gave the
final order to Colonel Lewis.

"Colonel Lewis I would ask you to strip all ranks and insignia from Captain
Warren, on completion he may reclaim his horse and walk from this parade
ground once all punishment is complete; he will not ride his horse. Captain
Warren, you will surrender your sabre into the hands of Colonel Lewis and
stand by to witness punishment of the men you led so disgracefully. Colonel
Lewis, carry out your orders."

Colonel Lewis dismounted and then stood directly in front of Captain
Warren; he could see in the man's eyes a certain amount of anger but,
deeper in those eyes was the unmistakeable look of guilt; it was this that
Colonel Lewis used to make the final steps in the destruction of an
Officers reputation and career.

Colonel Lewis reached out his left hand and took the sabre and scabbard;
with his right hand he took a firm hold on the gold braid epaulettes and;
with a solid wrench tore them free of the Captains jacket. Colonel Lewis's
next action was to also tear away the campaign and service ribbons on the
man's chest.

Dropping the items on the ground at the Captain's feet, Colonel Lewis then
took out the pistol from his sash and cocked it before standing at the
Captains side; it was very obvious what the pistol was to be used for
should Captain Warren decided to not watch what was about to happen next to
some of the men his actions had betrayed.

Viscount Wellington's voice was next heard as he addressed all those
present.

"Regimental Sergeant Major you will take the five Corporals to the gibbet,
there you will hang them one at a time so the army can see what happens to
looters and those who disobey my orders. Once complete you will assign five
of the Sergeants of the Scottish Regiment to administer twenty lashes to
the others; the surgeon is not to interfere until all punishment has been
carried out."

The Regimental Sergeant Major snapped a fine salute and then turned back to
his duty. In one hour all punishment had been completed and the twenty men
with backs that looked more like raw beef than human flesh lay on the bare
ground as the surgeon and his aides went to work on them. As the parade
ground quickly began to clear of the assembled army only the Officers
stayed until the last act which was to silently watch as the one time
Captain Warren led his horse from the parade while on foot; it was the
final act of shame for the ex-Captain.

TBC.