THE GENERALS

by Simon Scarrow

  Henry nodded. ‘And how do you intend to counter his strategy, Arthur?’

  ‘It won’t be easy,’ Arthur admitted readily enough. ‘But the key to it is to find a new way of supplying our army once the campaign begins.’

  ‘How do you propose to do that?’

  ‘The main thing is to make our forces as mobile as possible. What limits the size and depth of our offensive ability at present is the need to build roads wherever we go so that we can bring up our wheeled transport - the supply wagons and artillery. The solution is obvious enough. We don’t bother with lines of communication. And, as far as possible, we don’t bother with roads, or even wheels for that matter.’

  Richard looked confused. ‘So, what are you suggesting? That we dispense with feeding our men, and not use artillery to support them?’

  Arthur smiled. ‘It’s simple.We’ll use bullocks and elephants to carry and haul our heavy equipment. They can go almost anywhere a man can go, and they can live off the land as they march.They move at about the same speed as draft horses so they will not slow the army down. Of course, we will need thousands of them, and that’s where the second part of the solution comes in. We’ll use the brinjarris to supply our needs.’

  ‘Brinjarris?’ Henry frowned for an instant. ‘Please refresh my memory.’

  ‘They’re grain merchants. They buy and sell grain the length and breadth of India and breed vast herds of bullocks to carry their goods. My suggestion is that we subcontract the supply of our army to the brinjarris. We offer them the right to set up a bazaar to supply the soldiers’ needs in return for paying a fair price and offering protection to them and their families. We also hire as many bullocks as we need from their stock, to draw our guns, and if the ground isn’t suitable for wheeled traffic, then we can disassemble the guns and have the components carried forward by bullocks or elephants. If we do all that, then we can invade Mysore quickly, push the Tipoo’s forces back to his capital and then lay siege to it, confident that there will be enough supplies, and time, to carry out the task.’ He looked directly at Richard. ‘Which leaves one question. Who is to command the army when the time comes to tackle Tipoo?’

  Richard turned back to the map and scratched his chin for a moment. ‘Well, it’s clearly a general’s command, which rules you out.’

  Arthur felt an instant stab of disappointment and then cursed himself for even thinking that there was any chance that he might have such a responsibility placed in his hands, brother of the Governor General or not. He cleared his throat. ‘Of course it does. I wasn’t for a moment suggesting myself for the post.’

  Richard turned to him with a quizzical look. ‘Don’t overreact, Arthur. I know your quality, and you proved it well enough with that business in Hyderabad. Your time will come. I promise.’

  The conversation was embarrassing Arthur and he waved a hand, as if sweeping it aside. ‘We were discussing which general would be best for the command.’

  ‘Yes we were. What is your opinion? As the professional soldier in the room.’

  ‘Sir Alured Clarke’s the obvious choice. He’s the most senior officer in India, and the most capable.’

  ‘So I’ve heard. However, when the war begins, I will move to Madras to be closer to events. In which case Clarke will be needed here, in Calcutta. He’s about the only man I trust enough to leave in charge.’

  Arthur shrugged.‘In that case, it should be General Harris, the ranking officer at Madras.’

  ‘Harris?’ Richard frowned for a moment and then nodded to himself. ‘I remember him. Nice fellow, but too quiet and unassuming. Is he up to it?’

  ‘Assuredly. He’s organised and hard working.You can be sure that Harris will plan the operation thoroughly and see it through. After Clarke, he’s the best choice.’

  ‘All right then.’ Richard nodded. ‘I’ll consider him. But on one other matter, I have already made a decision.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘I’m transferring the 33rd Foot from Calcutta to Madras. I want you down there to make sure that the necessary preparations for war are being carried out. And I want you to put into effect those ideas you had for making the field army more self-sufficient. You will, of course, have my full authority to obtain what you need in that regard.’

  ‘Thank you, Richard.’

  ‘There’s one other thing. Unofficially, you are my eyes and ears in Madras, until such time as I move my headquarters down there when the war begins. Keep an eye on Lord Clive. I’m not sure that he has grasped the delicacy of the situation. I don’t want him provoking Tipoo or making any deals with him before we’re good and ready. At the same time, he must not be allowed to put the interests of the shareholders of the Company above the safety of the presidency. This war is going to be a costly affair. More than the Madras treasury can afford. But we cannot allow the likes of Josiah Webbe to undermine our military needs on the eve of war. So you will keep me informed of everything that happens in Madras. Use a code. Henry will provide you with a private cipher. Do you understand what’s required of you?’

  ‘Yes.’ Arthur nodded solemnly. ‘In polite circles it’s called spying.’>

  ‘Call it what you like, Arthur. I do not have the time to bandy euphemisms about. Our interests in India are facing the gravest threat. I’ll do whatever I must to ensure that we defeat Tipoo.’

  Once again, the 33rd Foot took ship and the small flotilla of East Indiamen weighed anchor and slipped down the Hoogley into the Bay of Bengal before coasting south towards Madras. Unlike the placid waters of the Hoogley, the sea off the city of Madras was an unending expanse of surf rolling in from the ocean.There was no harbour, no breakwater, and the only means of landing men and equipment was by the strange local boats that looked more like rafts. Constructed from light timber, they were designed to bob above the waves rather than keep their passengers and cargo dry. It was an unnerving experience for many of the men of Arthur’s regiment, and he himself was filled with nervous excitement as he squatted on the reed-woven bed of the craft hired to take him ashore. The natives paddled furiously through the rolling waves, shouting out instructions to each other in their sing-song tongue as spray drenched those aboard. With expert skill they perfectly timed their approach to the glistening sand of the beach and, with a final flurry of powerful strokes at the paddles, the raft swept forward on the crest of a wave and crashed down on the shore with a jarring thud that knocked Arthur on to his knees. At once the boatmen were over the side and gripping the raft as they waited for the next wave to run it further up the beach, where it grounded solidly and Arthur and the other passengers could clamber ashore, grateful that the experience was over.

  Arthur left the rest of his officers to marshal the men as they came ashore and take them to the barracks assigned to them, and made his way directly to the offices of the Governor of Madras at Fort St George. Despite the fact that both Mysore and Madras were supposed to be arming for war he was surprised to note little sign of any military activity in the fort. Most of the barrack blocks were empty and those few soldiers he did encounter were gambling or sleeping in the shade of the narrow thatched verandas that ran round the outside of the barracks.

  Lord Clive and General Harris were in conference in the latter’s office when an aide escorted Arthur into their presence. The Governor was wearing a light cotton coat while his senior military officer was stripped to his shirt and breeches. Clive was in his early forties, generously built; perhaps too generously, thought Arthur. His hair was neatly cut and curled and his lips had a slight arrogant lift to them.

  ‘Who the deuce are you?’

  ‘Colonel Wellesley, my lord. Of the 33rd Foot. We’ve just arrived from Calcutta.’

  ‘So I can see.You might have dried yourself before coming in here.’

  ‘In this heat I’ll soon be dry enough, my lord.’

  The comment was meant to be jovial and help lighten the mood, but Clive pursed his lips and tilted his head back as he looked over the new arrival
without a trace of self-consciousness. ‘So you’re Mornington’s little brother.’

  ‘I have that honour.’

  ‘Yes you do. But while you are here in Madras, there will be no special favour accorded to you because of the family connection.’

  ‘I would not have it any other way, my lord.’

  ‘I’m sure.’ Clive smirked momentarily. ‘You say you’ve only just arrived? Then you can’t have heard the news?’

  ‘What news?’

  ‘Admiral Nelson has defeated a French fleet in Aboukir Bay. We received the report last night. It seems that only a handful of the enemy ships escaped destruction or capture, for no loss of our own. A striking success.’

  ‘Some might argue that it would have been more striking still if it had occurred while Bonaparte was en route to Egypt, my lord.’

  Lord Clive glared at him. ‘Do you criticise the man’s victory, Colonel?’

  ‘Not his victory. I just question his timing.’

  ‘Hmmm.’ Clive frowned for a moment, then blinked as if he had just remembered some prior obligation. ‘Can’t stand here all day sharing the good news.’ He stuck out his hand. ‘I bid you welcome then, Colonel Wellesley. Glad to have with you with us. Another King’s regiment is bound to stiffen the spines of our sepoys.’

  ‘Yes, my lord. I imagine so.’

  ‘Fine.Well, I’m sure I’ll see you again soon. Now I have to go. Have a meeting with the finance committee. Until later then.’

  Harris’s chair scraped as he stood up and bowed his head as Lord Clive quit his office.The footsteps faded down the corridor outside and Harris gestured to Arthur to take a seat.

  ‘Don’t worry about Clive. He’s still getting used to his role as Governor. He means well, and he’ll be fine once he stops trying so hard to impress everyone. Meanwhile, I manage to keep both the army and the government of Madras on an even keel.’ General Harris smiled. ‘Don’t worry. I’m not being indiscreet. There’s nothing I’ve said that I haven’t already reported to Mornington.’ He looked at Arthur shrewdly. ‘I imagine that one of your tasks here is to represent the interests of your brother.’

  ‘He asked me to write to him from time to time, sir.’

  ‘I’m sure he did. Well now, I imagine you want me to brief you on the latest situation here.’ Harris eased himself back and interlaced his fingers beneath his chin. ‘The truth is that my attempts to prepare our forces for war have been somewhat hampered by Webbe and his companions on the Madras Council. Those forces that I already have at my disposal have been sent forward, close to the border with Mysore, to discourage any attempt by Tipoo to stir up trouble along the frontier. I have other units in training, but the Company is refusing to release weapons and gunpowder from their arsenal until they are guaranteed payment by the War Office in London.’ He caught Arthur’s eye and sighed. ‘I know, it’s farcical. But what can one expect when control of our Indian possessions is divided between the government and a private concern? John Company treats Tipoo as if he was a business rival.’

  Arthur laughed. ‘There aren’t many business rivals I know of who throw the competition to their pet tigers to be eaten alive.’

  ‘Precisely.’ Harris nodded. ‘But perhaps that wouldn’t be a bad idea. Might buck their ideas up a bit.’

  ‘I can imagine, sir.’

  ‘Anyway, I had better introduce you to the rest of my small planning staff. If you’d follow me.’

  Harris led the way down the corridor to another office where two officers were busy at their desks as they entered. Arthur recognised the younger man instantly. He had met Henry Ashton briefly in England before setting out for India. Ashton was, like Arthur, a full colonel, and commanded the King’s 12th Foot. He had a few days’ seniority over Arthur.That meant he would always be the superior whenever the two of them served together.

  ‘Hello, Arthur.’ Ashton stood up with a broad smile and offered his hand. ‘Haven’t seen you for a while. I understand you’ve come to join us in the crusade against the Tipoo.’

  ‘I had no idea that this was to be a religious struggle.’

  Ashton laughed and Harris exchanged a look with the other officer, a much older, weathered-looking man in the uniform of the East India Company.

  ‘Young bloods,’ Harris muttered in an exasperated tone. ‘Will they never grow up? Arthur, since you obviously know Ashton, let me introduce you to Lieutenant Colonel Barry Close - the real brains behind the staff work here in Madras. Close knows as much about the languages and customs of the natives as any white man in India and I’m damned lucky to have his services.’

  Close nodded modestly and thrust out his hand. ‘Colonel, glad to meet you, sir.’

  ‘My pleasure.’

  Harris backed away and turned towards the door. ‘Yes, well now that you’re introduced, Close can tell you what your responsibilities will be. I’ll leave you in his hands.’

  ‘Very good, sir.’

  Once the door had shut behind the general, Close quickly scrutinised the new arrival before he continued. ‘Right then, you’re the wallah who is going to be in charge of organising the army’s siege train. I’ll have a desk brought in here for you, and arrange a few reliable orderlies and a secretary. Ashton there is dealing with the re-arming and training of our Company battalions and I’m responsible for food supplies and ammunition. If what I have heard about you is true, then I imagine you’ll be keen to get to work.’

  ‘Yes, I am.’

  ‘Oh, Arthur.’ Ashton winced.‘Surely you still have some of the rakish temperament about you that you were only too keen to display back in England? There will be some time for pleasure, you know.’

  Close frowned. ‘Don’t listen to the young pup, Wellesley. The time for play is over. The threat from the Tipoo is very real.’

  Arthur looked at the veteran and saw that the man was quite serious. He moved over to Close’s desk and pulled out a chair and sat down.‘I’d be grateful if you briefed me on my duties at once.’

  Close grinned. ‘A man after my own heart.’

  ‘What a tragedy,’ said Ashton. ‘Already I have lost a friend and gained a drone.’

  Arthur turned towards him. ‘I’ve read all the intelligence, Henry.There’s no avoiding a war with Tipoo.And if we lose, then you’ll have your tragedy for sure.’

  Chapter 37

  While Arthur attended to his duties the 33rd Foot was sent forward to Wallajabad. Ashton’s regiment had already advanced to Arnee, much nearer to the border with Mysore. Both officers would re-join their commands when the preparations for war were complete. Meanwhile Arthur diligently attended to his duties by day and joined Ashton and the other officers at dinners and parties given by the limited social circle of Europeans in the city by night.

  Arthur quickly discovered that the Military Board of Madras, the body in charge of co-ordinating the presidency’s armed forces, had done nothing to assemble and supply the siege train needed to reduce Seringapatam. At once he descended on their offices and requested a meeting with the secretary of the Board, Josiah Webbe.

  Webbe’s office was large but felt cramped due to the proliferation of records, reports and correspondence crammed into cubbyholes that lined three of the walls.The fourth was taken up by a shuttered window that stood open to admit the faint breeze blowing in from the sea. Even though all his documents were weighted down the corners of the paperwork occasionally lifted and fluttered as they were stirred by wafts of air. Arthur discovered that Webbe was a man of his own age, neatly dressed, slim and healthy in appearance. He lowered his pen and rose to shake Arthur’s hand, smiling warmly.

  ‘Ah, the colonel of the newly arrived 33rd, I presume. Good morning to you, sir. What can I do for you?’

  ‘Good morning, Mr Webbe. Please excuse me if I pass over any pleasantries and get down to business.’

  A look of irritation flitted over Webbe’s expression before he replied.‘Indeed. I am a busy man too, as you can see.’ He gestured to the paperwo
rk that surrounded him.

  ‘Then I’ll be brief. I have been charged with forming and equipping the siege train. This was the responsibility of the Military Board, until now.’

  ‘Until now? I was not aware that the situation had changed, Colonel.’

  ‘It has.’ Arthur pulled a document out of his jacket and placed it on the table.‘This is my authority to assume control of the task, signed by Lord Clive and General Harris. I am empowered to do all that is required to organise the siege train.’

  ‘Really?’ Webbe raised his eyebrows. Then he leaned forward and picked up the document, opened it and began to read. At length he set it down and looked at Arthur. ‘It seems that I am to co-operate with you as fully as is possible in accordance with the guidelines of the Military Board’s responsibilities.’

  ‘That is what the document says.’