by Griff Hosker
I looked up from the fire, startled. Colonel Selkirk had told me my secret was safe.
"I have known for years but your secret is safe with me. As I said, you served him. Would you like him placed in front of a firing squad?"
To be honest, I did not know but I shook my head. It was the answer he wanted.
"Good then get a good night's sleep and in the morning, when your wound is dressed you can find Bonaparte before the Prussians!"
I saw two pallets on the floor and I collapsed on to one of them. I was too tired to argue. I was asleep almost instantly.
I awoke well before dawn which meant I had had less than three hours sleep. I noticed that I had been covered by a blanket. That must have been the Duke. It was the only act of humanity I can remember receiving from him. A shooting pain in my leg had woken me. I looked at the next pallet and saw the Duke asleep. I would not be able to drop off again and so I left the hotel. The surgeon and his orderlies were just half a mile away and I decided to walk there. I say walk but my gait was a stiff legged limp.
From the crowds it was more like the middle of the day rather than the middle of the night. Wounded soldiers were being helped from the battlefield by unwounded comrades. I even saw one soldier from the 69th, who was clearly dead, being carried by two of his comrades. There was little point in my saying anything. They had already walked a long way. I would have turned around rather than add to the surgeon's burden had not the wound been so painful. I could barely stand on the leg. If I was to hunt Bonaparte then I needed to be as fit as possible.
It was a nightmarish scene which greeted me when I reached the surgeon's tent. Outside was a pile of discarded limbs. It looked a factory for making body parts there were so many of them. Each one represented a life ruined if not ended. Oil lamps lit the interior of the make shift operating theatre. I heard the sound of saw on bone as I entered what looked like a scene from Hades. The soldier who was losing his leg was being held down by four orderlies and the wood he held in his mouth prevented his cries from being too loud. His back strained as the saw bit through bone and nerve. Mercifully the Coldstream Guard passed out before it was finished and the surgeon completed his work. He handed the saw to an orderly and he saw me. He was the surgeon I had seen each time I had brought someone to him..
"Finish him up, Jones. What can I do for you, Major? Have you got more business for me?"
I pointed to my leg. "Just this, doctor. I wouldn't have worried you but the Duke needs me to be able to ride on the morrow."
He took the cigar he had just lit from his mouth and held a light to the leg. "Austen, over here." Another orderly came over. "Cut the bandage and overall away. Let's see what lies beneath."
I realised I would need spare trousers. I almost laughed. There were so many dead horsemen on the battlefield that I should be able to take my pick. There would be all shapes, sizes and styles to choose from.
The bandage and overalls removed the surgeon lowered the lamp to inspect the wound. "It has been cleaned well enough but it will need stitching. Clean it up Austen and put in a few stitches. Major Matthews has done well today by all accounts so try to make them neat ones eh?" Another soldier was brought in on a stretcher and the surgeon threw away his cigar. "Duty calls. Your friend is in the next tent. He is doing well." He looked at the soldier with the mangled legs who had just been brought in and shrugged, "He has survived, at least."
When Austen had finished he handed me a pair of overalls. He said nothing but he shrugged. The owner was dead and would no longer need them. I would don them later. I left hell and went in search of Alan.
I peered in the next tent. There were cots which were tightly packed against each other. Sharp was at the end and, surprisingly, considering the hour, he was awake. "Now then Alan, how are things?" I saw that the surgeon had taken his arm off just above the elbow. I frowned as I wondered how he would cope with everyday things like eating, lighting a pipe...
In typical fashion he deflected the attention to me. He saw the bare leg and the bandage. "Sir, what happened?"
"A scratch, nothing for either of us to worry about." I pointed to his stump. "How is the arm?"
"It's strange sir, it feels like it is still there. It felt like I could wiggle my fingers before but how can I? I have no hand!"
"I do not understand anything about the body Alan. Today I have seen men fight beyond pain and disfigurement as though the loss of a limb did not bother them."
He nodded, "The orderlies said it was over and we won." I nodded, "Looking at the men coming in I don't know how."
"If I tell you that we just surrounded and blasted away three battalions of the Imperial Guard then you might understand the scale of death this day."
"Then we can go home, sir? To Sicily?"
"You can but I am afraid I have one more task to perform for the Duke and Colonel Selkirk."
"Sir, haven't you done enough for them? For England? They have had their pound of flesh and no mistake!"
I almost smiled at the outrage in Sharp's voice. it was not for himself but for me. "Never mind, it will not take long. I do not think that the Emperor will be able to hide. That will give you the chance to recover."
Just then an orderly came passed us. "Sir, he can go now. The doctor can do no more. The stump just has to heal." He leaned in. "Between you and I sir, we need the bed. I can't see us clearing the casualties this side of Christmas, Major Matthews."
Sharp was almost out of the bed as the orderly spoke the words. "Very well Alan but I will get you a room at the inn and pick you up when I have finished my mission."
He grinned, "That's not a problem sir."
As we left and passed the pile of limbs I noticed, on a table, seemingly discarded, were various pieces of equipment. I found some hats. After trying on a number I found one which suited. Sharp laughed. "Let's hope it lasts longer than the French one I found for you, sir."
Dawn was breaking as we walked back to the stables. Sharp had left our bags in the hayloft. They were still there. All modesty was cast aside as we changed. It was pitiful for with our wounds we had to help each other to dress. Sharp laughed. "Your leg will heal sir but I am going to have to learn how to live with just one hand."
"It is not a problem Alan, I can hire a servant to give you a hand!"
I punned deliberately to see his reaction. I need not have worried he laughed and said, "That will come in handy sir! However I won't be able to keep my fingers in as many pies!" We both laughed until the tears rolled down our faces. The tears were of laughter and of relief. We had survived. Many others had not.
We had not seen Sharp's horse on our way to and from the surgeon; someone must have made off with it. "I fear you have lost your horse Alan. You will have to make do with Wolf."
He nodded. "We shall have a few days to become accustomed to one another."
Sir Arthur was up and writing as we entered. I saw Doctor Hume leaving. He was the chief surgeon. The Duke's face looked tear stained. I felt embarrassed. He held up the paper, "Next to a battle lost, the greatest misery is a battle won! This is the butcher's bill." He seemed to see Sharp for the first time. It was as though his wound and disfigurement had made him visible. "Lieutenant Sharp has suffered as poor Fitzroy has, he has lost an arm."
I was astounded. I did not know that the Duke was aware of either Sharp's rank or name. "There is a pot of tea there. Help yourselves to it while I write an order out for you. The colonel should be here shortly."
The Duke's servant John appeared and held a seat out for Alan. "You have done enough for us, sir. You sit down and I shall see to the tea." He flashed an irritated look at the Duke.
"I will see the owner and arrange for a room for you, Alan."
By the time I had concluded my business Sir Arthur had finished with my orders. "You will need to requisition some cavalry to aid you. I suspect you will choose good ones. You seem a good judge of both men and horseflesh"
"Sir."
He stood and held
his hat under his left arm. He put forward his right hand. "I would like to shake your hand, Major Matthews. Despite an inauspicious beginning you have consistently performed to my exacting standards. That is a rare thing. Enjoy your retirement in Sicily. I envy you but I fear that I will never be able to enjoy retirement."
"Thank you, sir. It has been my privilege to serve the man who has saved Great Britain."
He shook his head and waved his arm towards Mont St. John. "The dead and the dying are the ones who should be thanked. They have given their lives for their country. I merely gave my time and my mind." He turned to shake Sharp's hand, "And you Lieutenant Sharp..."
He looked embarrassed at Sharp's missing hand. Alan shook the Duke's hand. "It is lucky it is my left arm sir. I can still write and I daresay I can get the blacksmith to make me something to attach to the end. We'll see."
The Duke shook his head. "That is why we won Matthews because we had soldiers like Sharp here. Nothing gets them down. Not even losing an arm. So long as she has them then England need never fear."
Chapter 16
While we waited for the colonel I found someone with a grindstone and had my sword sharpened. I had a feeling that I would need it again. I then cleaned my four pistols. I asked one of the junior aides who appeared looking for General Somerset's writing case to have a look around outside for ball and powder for me. He found both in abundance. Now that we no longer needed them there were seemingly unlimited quantities of them. Sharp insisted on helping me to pack. I disagreed and forbade him to move. He could not use his left arm but he could sit in the chair vacated by Sir Arthur and he advised me what I might need.
It was noon when the Colonel arrived. He had been in Brussels during the whole battle. I got the impression that he had not suffered at all. He barely glanced at Alan nor his wound. I had not expected him to. Neither mattered to him. He was single minded in that regard. "Robbie, we have a great opportunity here! Have you found the horsemen yet?"
"No, sir, we were waiting for you." I could not help but smile to myself. Colonel James Selkirk was going to get the shock of his life over the next days as he lived a life in a saddle and under the stars. His days of soft beds and fine meals were a thing of the past.
"Hmn. Well we had better get moving. Bonaparte has a head start on us, you know!"
He was beginning to get under my skin already. I knew exactly how much of a lead he had for I had been at the battle and not skulking in Brussels. I held my tongue. There was little point in losing my temper with him this early in the mission. "We will catch him. Never fear."
"You seem damned confident..."
"Colonel, you said time was of the essence. Let us get this monster caught and then I can get back to Sicily." I turned to Alan. "You have plenty of money Alan. I will return here and..."
"Sir, why don't I meet you in Calais. I think I can ride and it means I might be able to contact Captain Robinson and get a ship for us."
"Are you certain?"
He laughed, "It is better than sitting on my backside doing nothing here, sir. Besides it will give me the chance to get to know Wolf. I will take it easy I promise."
"Very well then. I shall meet you in Calais. Come along Colonel. Time is wasting!"
I mounted quickly. I did it partly to get things started but I wanted to surprise my injured leg,. It worked. It did not hurt half as much as I had expected. I knew where the cavalry were bivouacked and I was anxious to get there before they left for Paris. The Colonel was not a great rider and he struggled to keep pace with me. I almost laughed; I had been wounded and yet I was more mobile than this desk bound officer who fought his wars from the comfort of an office and through the eyes and arms of young officers..
"Steady on, Robbie."
"I need to find the squadron before they leave, sir. The best will be sent first."
"The best?"
"The best light cavalry!"
"Any will do, you know. Boney is beaten. We have to catch him before he goes to ground."
"Which shows how little you know both him and his men. They will still be with him and he does not know he is beaten yet. He still thinks he can win this war." I saw from the colonel's face that he disagreed.
I headed for the camp of the 10th Hussars. I knew that they would be keen to avenge the loss of their commanding officer and I had liked the way that they followed him even though they knew that it was futile. We rode into a sombre camp. I knew that many would be sleeping but those who were up and about were like the walking dead. They moved listlessly and there was none of the happy banter you normally found amongst the troopers of Light Horse. I found the senior troop sergeant. "Where is the new commanding officer?"
"New sir?" His eyes narrowed and then he stood ramrod straight and saluted. "Sorry, sir. I didn't recognise you. You were the officer who was there when..."
"Yes quite."
"Come with me sir. We haven't quite got used to the loss of the Colonel. He was a popular man."
"I am sorry too sergeant. That was a little insensitive of me. My apologies."
He led us to a large tent. There were half a dozen officers lounging within. The air was thick with cigar smoke. All but two of the officers looked to be carrying wounds. Colonel Selkirk was, like me, out of uniform but they recognised me. The captain with his arm in a sling said, "Major Matthews, of the 11th Light Dragoons isn't it?" I nodded, "You were the Johnny who was giving orders last night; Wellington's aide."
"Yes Captain. I witnessed your heroic charge."
He downed his drink in one. "Yes it wasn't the brightest thing we had ever done. The trouble was we had been sat on our arses all day watching everyone else do something brave and glorious and Major Howard was determined to show them that we were made of the right stuff too!" He banged his glass down hard on to the table.
"There is little point in lamenting what you cannot change, Captain. I daresay your regiment will be moving with the army first but I am here on the Duke's orders." Everyone suddenly became interested. "This is Colonel Selkirk and he and I have been charged with a delicate mission. I need a troop for a task, I know it will not have a full complement of troopers, but they need to be sound fellows." I paused, "They will be under my command."
I glanced and saw the outraged look Colonel Selkirk gave me. I would speak with him later. No matter what he said or thought this would be my mission. He was a desk officer. I would command for I had been leading men into action for twenty years. My career had ended the moment the battle had. This was personal. This was my end for my story. The colonel would be useful but that was all.
The young officers all jumped up.
"Captain, a word in private." Once outside the tent I said, "I need someone reliable. I do not want a glory hunter. It can be an ensign or a cornet if you wish. But the troop sergeant and the men must be the most dependable that you have." I lowered my voice. "We are going to capture Boney!"
His face lit up. "Damn this arm. I would love to be there to capture the beast!"
"However you can't so who would be a good substitute for you?"
"Lieutenant Howard." I gave him a quizzical look. He nodded, "Yes, the Major's younger brother," he held up a hand. "Before you say anything, George is my first choice. He is not a glory hunter and the men would follow him to hell and back. Besides his troop has the most troopers on roll. I told you he is sound. He salvaged more of his men last night than any of us. Perhaps that tells you more of his composure. You were there. You saw."
"Then he is my man. Would you like to tell him?"
"Yes sir. Er how long will they be detached?"
"Just until we catch Bonaparte."
He put his head in, "Johnny, I have a task for you."
The young officer before me looked like a younger version of the man whose head had been caved in the night before. I held out my hand, "Pleased to meet you. Get your troop. We will be living rough so make sure you have spares of anything we might need but we will be travelling fast. You will
need sound horses. If you think any might be carrying injuries then change them."
He nodded and his face was calm. In that moment I knew that he was the right choice. "Do you mind me asking the mission sir?"
"When we are on the road then I will tell you."
Colonel Selkirk finally boiled, "For God's sake hurry up man! We have wasted enough time here already. We have no time for pleasantries!"
I nodded to the Lieutenant who scurried off. The captain gave me a smile and said, "I look forward to hearing Johnny's stories when he returns." He shook my hand, "Glad to have met you Major. And thank you for what you did last night and, " he nodded at the departing Lieutenant, "now. It will help everyone."
I put my arm around the colonel and led him out of earshot, "Matthews, what the hell are you doing?"
"Let us get one thing clear Colonel, I am in command. You may outrank me but we are going into dangerous places and your experience is sending others to do your dirty work. I am not going to jeopardise young Howard and his men for you. You have no hold over me any longer. I have ended the lives of enough people on your command. It is easy killing senior officers."
He paled, "Robbie! Is that a threat?"
"Colonel I thought you knew me. I do not threaten, I act. I am the dog that you trained. Perhaps you regret it now?"
He shook his head, "No, I have sown the breeze and now I must harvest the whirlwind. You are right Robbie. You do not even need me."
"Yes I do for when I capture him I hand him over to you and then I go home. That instant. I have wasted enough of my life either fighting for him or against him. I want to make sure he is sent somewhere where he can do no more harm."
We returned to our horses and mounted. We did not have long to wait. There were eighteen troopers and a troop sergeant. "This is Troop Sergeant Joe Gargery."
"Good to have you with us Sergeant. This is Colonel Selkirk and I am Major Matthews. When we get on the road I will brief you but this is a delicate task; at the moment that is all that you need to know.."
We rode down towards Mont St. Jean. The battlefield was still filled with the wounded who had yet to be collected and there were some of the locals scavenging already. I waited until we were at La Belle Alliance before I spoke. The dead horses of their regiment were still there as were the dead Imperial Guards. I wanted them in their mind when I spoke. "Gather round in a circle."