by Griff Hosker
He rode directly into the square. He was a good soldier and I saw him appraising the situation immediately. He turned and rattled off orders to his aide who galloped up the Brussels road. “Report Major.”
Major von Normann took him through our actions and the General nodded approvingly. He smiled at me. “Thank you Major Matthews. I have heard of you.” He pointed to the Bois de Bossu. “I think we will put our Jagers and Jager companies in there. Major Von Normann you will take your battalion and guard Quatre Bras.” He lowered his voice. “There are two militia battalions there and they will need stiffening. Your men are now experienced. I would get some rest too for we have a long night ahead of us and tomorrow will be bloody.”
“Where would you like me, General?”
“It would not do to lose the Commander’s aide and besides you have done more than enough already. Go with Major von Normann. If things go awry then you can ride to Brussels and inform the Duke and the Crown Prince of the situation.”
I saluted and retired with the Dutch. I confess that I was tired but it was not in my nature to run from fighting. The militia did look nervous as we passed them but the confident strutting and demeanour of the 2nd Nassu-Usingen soldiers seemed to give them heart. These were different battalions from the ones I had met a few hours earlier. They had fought the Red Lancers and won.
Amazingly there were still people living in the houses at the crossroads. They spoke French and I explained that there would be a battle the next day. They seemed philosophical about it all. Jean-Claude, the owner of the house said, “There will be no fighting tonight?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Then tonight we sleep in our beds and tomorrow morning we go to the cellar. It worked for my father twenty years ago.”
I shook my head. I had been in the area twenty years earlier. The people had steel running through them. For a couple of coins I secured food and the use of a settle in the living area. Having campaigned many times this was luxury and I knew it.
I was up by three o’clock in the morning. Five hours sleep was more than enough. Jean-Claude’s wife, Eliane, was already up preparing food. She nodded approvingly when I emerged from the living room. “Good you are awake. The family will rise soon.” She pointed to the south. “No guns yet. That is good.”
After I had breakfasted I emerged to the early morning light of the 16th of June. I did not know it yet but this would be a long day, more than that it would an extremely hot day and I would be grateful for the five hours of sleep I had snatched and the food which I had managed to eat. I had learned that Major von Normann was called Philippe. I saw him striding amongst his men and joking with them. He was a quick learner.
I waved, “Morning Philippe. Did you sleep well?”
“Unlike you, my friend, my men and I had to sleep under the stars but we slept and we ate. We are ready.”
I laughed, “I have been campaigning for many years and I have fought and slept in snow and ice. You must forgive an old soldier if he grasps any opportunity for comfort.” I looked south. "Tell me what happened in the night."
"There was a little skirmishing but I think their general is waiting for dawn and then we will see his teeth."
“I will ride closer to the French.”
I mounted my horse. There had been an orchard with some windfall apples. Pierre had enjoyed them although I knew they were still unripe. He was learning to be an old soldier too and to take whatever bounty came his way.
The Prince had used his resources well. He had placed one of his two batteries on the Namur road but it could add its fire to that of Captain Bijleveld whose guns were the closest to the French. As I reached Gemincourt I saw that the French were just over fifteen hundred paces away from the Dutch front lines. However I saw no sign of an imminent attack. Fires were burning and the French were breakfasting. The general rode over to me. He pointed to the French. “I cannot believe that they have not yet attacked. They have two Cavalry Divisions and two Infantry Divisions. They outnumber us hugely.”
“I would leave them well alone General. It does not do to poke a stick in a wasp’s nest. They attack.”
He laughed, “Believe me I will sit here until Hell freezes over. If they give the Crown Prince the chance to reinforce us then I shall be happy.”
At that moment a small group of horsemen galloped up. It was Slender Billy himself; the Young Frog! I had never liked him and the feeling was reciprocated. He had been an aide to Wellington and I had been responsible, oft times, for his orders. He did not take orders well. He greeted the Prince and then saw me. His lip curled.
“And just what are you doing here, Major Matthews?” It was the tone a master uses for a badly behaved servant.
I smiled, “I was in the area and decided to give your chaps a hand.” I said it airily knowing it would annoy him as did my lack of deference.
Prince Bernard said, hurriedly, “The Major helped to turn back the Lancers, sir.”
He sniffed and then promptly ignored me. He rearranged the dispositions. I think he did so just to exert his authority. He waited for half an hour and then, as the heat took its toll and the French showed no inclination to move he withdrew to the shade of the houses in Quatre Bras.
After he had gone the prince said, “You do not like him?”
“The English learned long ago that the last place for the Royal family is the battlefield. They are of more use waving at soldiers when they parade after a victory. When the Duke of York commanded here in the seventeen nineties all he did was to march his men from one battlefield to another and then camp in a fever infested swamp. We lost. The French have the best idea. Let your armies be led by Generals and we have now copied them.”
“He means well.” It was an apology for the Crown Prince.
“Tell that to the widows of the men who will die because of him.”
He reflected on my words as we sweltered in the June heat. The temperature rose and the day became humid and oppressive. Water would be an issue before too long.
The second arrival on the battlefield was the Duke himself. I saw the Earl of Uxbridge with him and Sharp who looked annoyed. I was, of course ignored by the Duke who spoke with the Prince.
While the Duke conferred with Slender Billy Sharp rode to my side. “Sorry I didn’t get back last night, sir. The Duke wanted me with him. Said that you could look after yourself! And then we called at that farm near the ridge on the way here. He hasn’t changed. How did you get on sir?”
I smiled at his concern, “Oh we had a little spat with the Red Lancers but we sent them away with a flea in their ear.”
Fifteen minutes later the Duke rode over to me. “Good to see you survived. The Dutch speak well of you.” I inclined my head. “I am going to see Blucher. I would like you and your fellow to stay here. I have sent for reinforcements. If the French look like breaking through then send your fellow to let me know.”
“Where is Marshal Blucher sir?” He gave me a quizzical look. "Just so I know where to send Lieutenant Sharp, sir."
Nodding he said, ”Brye, on the Namur road.”
He turned and rode off. I was dismissed. I chatted to Prince Bernard who was interested in the Peninsular campaign. As I had been one of the few officers to serve right through that war he questioned me closely. We suddenly heard the pop of muskets coming from the outposts and skirmishers.
“It looks like it has begun, Major.”
I pointed to the woods. “I think they are sending skirmishers into the woods to chase your chaps out. We could do with some rifles.”
He turned to an aide, “Pop over and see if they need help. Tell them not to be shy of asking either for help or advice.” When the aide had trotted off he said, “They are good soldiers but they fought alongside the French and they know how good they are.” He looked over his shoulder in the direction of Brussels. “I shall be happier when Sir Thomas arrives.”
“Oh he will get here. He is a dependable leader. I would feel more confid
ent it we had some cavalry.” I pointed to the two divisions of Chasseurs and lancers. They were both formidable foes. I had recognised Ney when he had made a brief visit earlier. “I don’t know what Marshal Ney is thinking. They outnumber us and their cavalry could sweep aside the horse batteries if they chose. Their attacks yesterday were half hearted. Had they attacked with more conviction then they could be at Genappe already.”
“Then let us thank God that the Marshal is delaying.”
Away to the east we could hear the crash of cannon. The Prussians were fighting too. We would know soon enough what the outcome was for the Duke was there.
“Sharp ride back to the crossroads at Quatre Bras. There is a house at the cross roads; it is the biggest one. The family will be sheltering in the cellar.” I flipped him a coin. “Ask the lady for some food and wine, if she has it, for the English Major.”
“Sir.”
The general laughed, “Old soldiers.”
I shrugged. “It is just noon and this battle has yet to begin. When it does then neither of us will have time to eat nor drink.”
Sharp came back within half an hour. He had some freshly baked bread, cheese and a rough wine. I had seen the wife putting the bread in earlier that morning. They might have been sheltering in the cellar but life went on for these hardy people. We shared our food with the general. It is a strange thing about a full stomach; when it is empty the world before you seems impossible and afterwards anything is possible. We began to believe we might survive until the 5th Division arrived. Even then we would still be outnumbered but with Picton’s veterans I would be happier.
It was as though the French had suddenly decided to do something about this arrogant little Dutch division which dared to stand in its way. The artillery which had remained silent began to fire at the defenders in Bois de Bossu. Then we saw the infantry column begin to move towards the woods.
“They will not be able to hold them for long.” I felt sorry for the general. His Nassau brigade in the woods would soon be overwhelmed by the infantry. Already the effects of the artillery barrage could be seen as Jagers began to flee the woods. Soon the trickle became a flood as the infantry drove the skirmishers from Bois Bossu. The French Light Infantry knew their business. Our right flank was now in danger. The general sent a message back to the Crown Prince but before he arrived a second column of infantry with a cavalry division in support began to move along the ravine which divided Gemincourt from Piraumont. As that was close to the road to Namur it had to be held at all costs. If the road was severed then the two armies, ours and the Prussians would be separated and Bonaparte could destroy us individually.
Just at that moment I spied some green jackets trudging down the road. It was the 95th. “They would do the job, General.” I pointed to them.
It was only half a company but they would have to do. “Take them, Major.”
Sharp and I whipped our horses around. I saw the Crown Prince meandering down the Charleroi road. He might arrive in time to retreat. We ignored each other as we passed.
I reached the green jackets. It was a lieutenant leading the men. “Lieutenant, I am Major Matthews, have your men follow me at the double.” The lieutenant might be new but some of the 95th remembered me from Spain. They grinned when they saw me. “Come along Lieutenant. The road to the Prussians is in danger of being cut by the French. Until the rest of your division arrives you need to do the work of a battalion.”
I turned Pierre’s head around and headed east. The riflemen followed me. Already it was almost too late. I saw the Jagers being driven from the village of Piraumont. They gave a spirited volley and then raced back towards Gemincourt farm. I led the riflemen to the left of the Thyle stream. It proved to be the salvation of the Jagers. The lieutenant knew his job and the riflemen were deployed in pairs along the higher ground. They were able to fire over the heads of the retreating Jagers and they hit the cavalrymen with incredible accuracy. It was boggy ground and did not suit the horsemen. Their horses struggled and the ones who crossed the stream were picked off by the rifles. The cavalry began to fall back and the Jagers struggled up the slope to take up a position behind the green jackets.
Even so the Chasseurs were not giving up easily and a few of them forced their mounts across the boggy ground and the stream. I took out my pistol and fired at them. I hit one in the arm and one of the rifles shouted, “Have you lost the rifle we gave you in Spain, sir?”
I laughed and answered before the lieutenant could reprimand the wag. “I didn’t think I needed it with the finest riflemen in Europe to hand.”
The sergeant, who was next to the lieutenant said, “With respect sir, the world!”
“And you are right, sergeant.” The men all cheered. It seemed to reassure the Jagers who added their fire to that of the rifles. We had held them. “Are you all right holding here lieutenant?”
“Yes sir.”
"Then I will head back to the crossroads and assess the situation there."
We retraced our steps to the main road and saw that the Dutch I had seen there earlier were in danger of collapsing. They were in line and cavalry was coming. The Crown Prince was bellowing orders. There were cavalry and he needed to order them into square. It did not help that some of the battalions were militia and they were facing lancers. I realised that the Crown Prince had ordered the two battalions to advance on cavalry, in line! I shouted, as I approached the farm. “Form square!”
I was too far away from the 7th and the 5th to aid them but the nearest battalion to me began to form square. Other officers in nearby battalions must have seen the movement and the closest Dutch battalions managed to form a sort of square. The lancers however were upon the Crown Prince and his staff. Sharp and I had not slowed up as we headed west and I took out a pistol and fired it at the lancer who was about to spear the Crown Prince. Later I wondered if I should have held my shot; I would have saved hundreds of lives.
Holstering my pistol I grew my sabre. Behind me I heard Sharp’s pistol as he also shot a lancer. Three of the Dutch staff lay dead or dying and Slender Billy was trying to get inside the 7th’s defensive lines. These lancers were the 5th Chevau-Léger and they were not the Red Lancers. It showed. A lance is difficult to wield in a mêlée and this was a mêlée. As one tried to bring his lance around I sliced at the arm holding the lance. I cut through, almost to the bone, and he wheeled away, trying to hold his severed arm together. I forced my horsed between two of the lancers and hacked at the back of one whilst wrenching the lance from the hand of the one on my left. Pierre might not have been a trained war horse but he was learning and he snapped and bit at the French horses. Sharp finished off the last two lancers and we followed the Crown Prince inside the square.
I saw Prince Bernard. His face had been cut. He raised his sword. “Thank you, Major Matthews. A timely intervention.”
Slender Billy just scowled.
As I entered the square my heart soared. Upon the Genappe road I saw the Union flags and the red uniforms of Sir Thomas Picton’s 5th Division and with them Sir Arthur Wellesley mounted on Copenhagen. Relief was at hand. We were not out of the woods yet but there were five thousand men coming to our aid. Those five thousand men were the equal of anything the French could throw at us. I rode, with Sharp, out of the back of the square and headed up to the Duke. I had been across the whole battlefield and I would be able to give him a dispassionate view of events. I knew that the one delivered by Slender Billy would annoy the Duke for it would be filled with histrionics and an exaggerated account of his actions. The Duke liked calm clear reports.
Chapter 8
Sir Arthur was gesticulating to Sir Thomas when I reached the crossroads. Philippe waved as I approached. He and his soldiers had had an easier day.
“Quickly, Matthews, tell me what has happened.”
I gave him the gist in four or five sentences. He nodded, “So there are rifles on the left flank?” I nodded. He turned to Sir Arthur Barnard who commanded the rifles.
“Take your rifles to the south of the Namur Road. You must hold it. Your men have done well but things will get worse before they get better.”
“Yes Sir Arthur!”
“Sir Thomas take your men and have them shelter in the ditches along the Namur Road. Our priority is to maintain our lines of communication with the Prussians. Bonaparte is trying to split us up. If he does that then all is lost. We must defend this road at all costs. Marshal Blucher is up against Bonaparte at Ligny and things are not going well.”
I nudged Pierre close to Copenhagen, “Sir, the Crown Prince will get men killed!”
He frowned. He hated such criticism of his senior officers. I saw in that moment the respect he had for me. He sighed, “He is young and he will make a good king. We must be patient with him.” I saw the change in his demeanour as he went back to being the cold dispassionate leader. “Now then, be a good fellow and position yourself and Sharp at the Cross Roads. You have done well today and you need a rest. Intervene where you think necessary.” He allowed himself a rare smile. “I will go and see the Crown Prince and see if I can offer some sage advice eh?”
When I reached the crossroads I saw that Major von Normann had taken the opportunity of cooking one of the dead horses which had fallen. He waved me over. “Come Major. You look like you need feeding.”
“I confess some food would not go amiss.” As I ate I watched Wellington speak with the Crown Prince and then he rode east to Sir Thomas Picton. The Leader of the Dutch then headed up the road in my direction. For the briefest of moments I wondered if it was to talk to me and then I heard the clatter of hooves behind me as Baron Von Merlen arrived with the Dutch-Belgian cavalry. I felt the relief surge through my body. Now we had cavalry and when they had rested we would be able to challenge the French. Down below it was difficult to make out what was going on. The whole front was covered in a pall of smoke. Occasionally there would be the flash of a volley or a cannon but regiments could not be identified. Which French battalions were coming up the road?