The words came slowly and painfully as he set down his feelings. ‘Glory is stale when I am only twenty-nine. I have achieved everything a man can in this life. And now there is nothing left for me but to become really and completely selfish . . .’
He looked at the last word on the page with loathing and despair. He must not let himself sink into a well of self-pity.There would be time for that later, when he returned to Paris and confronted Josephine. Meanwhile an army stood by, waiting for his orders. The fate of twenty-five thousand Frenchmen, and the future of an empire, lay in his hands.
Very well then, he decided. He would harden his heart and pursue his goals with utter ruthlessness. Every enemy he killed, every army he crushed, would be dedicated to Josephine and those who mocked him.
Napoleon led the army out of Cairo early in August. Ignoring Murad Bey and his Mamelukes for the moment, he tracked down the large host of ragged and poorly armed foot soldiers under Ibrahim Bey. Napoleon’s men had been issued with new, lighter uniforms and were accompanied by hundreds of commandeered carts and camels carrying casks of water. He marched them hard, driving Ibrahim Bey before him, until he caught up with the enemy at Salalieh. There was no battle to speak of, merely a bloody massacre as wave after wave of the fellahin conscripts were cut down by musket fire and grapeshot, until their bodies covered the ground before the ranks of the French soldiers. When, at last, the shattered remnants of Ibrahim Bey’s army broke and ran, there were few cries of triumph from the French ranks. Most men simply stared out across the piles of peasant bodies and blood-spattered sand in numbed horror.
‘This is not war,’ Berthier said quietly. ‘It is murder.’
Napoleon sniffed.‘It is neither.This is what victory looks like. The sooner our men get used to this the sooner our task in the east will be complete and they can go home.To which end, give the order for the pursuit of the enemy. Take command here, Berthier. Keep after them. Push the men as hard as you can, and there must be no mercy shown to the enemy. None, do you hear? I want the survivors to spread word of what happens to those who choose to oppose us. Then next time this can be avoided.’ He gestured towards the battlefield.‘Now I must return to Cairo. Send me word of your progress.’
‘Yes, sir.’ Berthier saluted.
Napoleon wheeled his horse round and rode back to headquarters. He ate quickly as his mounted escort was assembled, and then they set off along the route back to Cairo. They had only ridden for two hours when they saw a small dust cloud on the track ahead of them. Napoleon reined in as the guides fanned out around him, ready to draw their sabres. As the other group approached Napoleon realised it was merely a dispatch rider accompanied by a handful of dragoons, and the tension eased amongst his men as they resumed their formation at his back. As the horses galloped up, foaming at the mouths and flanks heaving from their hard ride, the messenger made straight for Napoleon. His expression left no doubt that something terrible had occurred.
‘Urgent message from General Kléber at Alexandria, sir.’
‘What’s happened?’ Napoleon snapped. The rider was breathing heavily and struggled to find the words to relate the news. Napoleon frowned. ‘Well? Speak up, man!’
‘The English fleet attacked our ships at Aboukir Bay ten days ago, sir . . .’
‘Go on.’
‘Our fleet was defeated. Admiral Brueys is dead. The flagship blew up.’
‘Who’s in command now?’
‘Admiral Villeneuve, sir.’
‘Where is the rest of the fleet?’
The messenger looked confused for a moment. ‘Sir, there is no fleet. The English sank or took all but two of our ships.’
Napoleon stared at him, as the full import of the man’s words struck home. There was no longer a lifeline to France. No way home for the Army of the Orient. ‘Dear God . . . We’re on our own now. Completely on our own.’
Chapter 33
Arthur
Calcutta, May 1798
‘By God! It does my heart good to see you again!’ Henry clasped his brother’s hand and smiled broadly at Arthur. ‘It’s been what, nearly two years.’
‘It seems longer.’ Arthur grinned. ‘How does it feel to be the private secretary of the Governor of India?’
‘Tolerable.’
‘I trust the voyage from England went well?’
Henry gestured to the seats lining the wall either side of the door to the Governor General’s office in Fort William and they sat down.‘Not the most comfortable way to spend six months of one’s life. I don’t think Richard enjoyed it much either. Spent most of the time fretting like a cat on heat. He couldn’t wait for the ship to reach India, so he could take charge of our interests here. He has some pretty ambitious designs for the future of the subcontinent.’
‘So do I.’ Arthur nodded towards the door. ‘Any idea how much longer he’ll be?’
Henry laughed. ‘Patience, Arthur! He’s enduring a speech of welcome from the local John Company representative. There’ll be plenty of time to exchange fraternal greetings before we discuss how far we aim to change the world.’
‘Time is something of a luxury,’ Arthur replied quietly. ‘I’m twenty-nine years old.There’s a war on, and I’m still plain Colonel Arthur Wesley.’
Henry frowned. ‘You still go by that name then? The rest of the family has followed Richard and returned to the family’s traditional name, Wellesley. Why haven’t you?’
‘I have had other matters to think of.’
‘Given that the three of us are to work together in the coming years, it might be best if we shared a common name. To save confusion.’
‘I’ll consider it,’ Arthur grumbled. ‘But I’ve a hard enough time building a reputation under the name of Wesley. I don’t want to have to start all over again as Arthur Wellesley.’
‘I was under the impression that a man could get on swiftly and make his fortune in India.’
‘So was I. But the former governor, and the local representatives of John Company, weren’t exactly anxious to extend British rule in India. I just hope Richard grasps the opportunity, for all our sakes, or we’ll never amount to anything.’ Arthur smiled self-consciously. ‘There I go again! But tell me, Henry, what of the rest of the family?’
‘William is busy building his political connections, Anne is making inroads into society, Gerald is being groomed for a position in the church.’
‘And Mother?’
‘You know her, living as comfortably as only she knows how and complaining bitterly about the cost of it all.’
‘Did she mention me last time you saw her?’
‘Of course,’ Henry replied quickly. ‘She’s very proud of you.’
‘Liar.’
‘Very well, then, she did say to pass on her greetings, and hopes that you will, in due course, find a proper career.’
‘Now that I can believe!’ They both chuckled for a moment before Arthur became serious again. ‘She never changes. Always the harshest of my critics. I don’t think I will ever meet with her approval.’
‘You will, Arthur, you will. It’s early days. Now that Richard is in charge here, you can be sure that there will be chances for you to prove yourself. Fame and honour are within your grasp.’
‘God, you sound like some ghastly political pamphlet.’
‘Alas!’ Henry feigned a hurt expression. ‘That’s the price of associating with far too many diplomats and statesmen. I confess it all.’
The door opened and they turned to see a stout, red-faced man who appeared to be in his middle age. Like so many Europeans in India, he had succumbed to the temptations of alcohol. The man bowed, turned away and strode past the two brothers with a curt nod of the head.
‘Charming . . .’ Henry muttered.
‘You’ll have to get used to that. Conduct counts for little here.’
‘Really? Then what does matter?’
‘Money and position. As you will see all too soon.’
Footsteps appro
ached from inside the office and Richard emerged into the corridor and held out his hand. Not much had changed in his features since the last time Arthur had seen him back in England.A little more grey around the temples, and a few lighter streaks in his hair, but no more than one might expect in a man just two years short of forty. But there was an excited glint in his eye and a restlessness that Arthur recognised from childhood. As they shook hands Richard examined his younger brother.
‘Arthur, you are looking very well, I must say.’
‘Thank you. India is not the healthiest of environments. I do what I can to ensure I remain fit enough to survive the experience. As should you, and Henry.’
‘Yes, well, thank you for the advice. Now, won’t you come into the office? There’s much we have to discuss.’
He stood aside to allow his brothers to pass.Arthur and Henry crossed over to the desk and sat opposite the imposing chair behind it as their brother closed the door and joined them.
‘Arthur, are you free to join Henry and me for dinner tonight?’
‘Of course.’
‘Good. We can keep the pleasantries until then. Meanwhile,’ Richard gestured to a stack of reports and documents spread across his desk, ‘we have more pressing matters to deal with. The French influence in India is on the rise, and I think it’s safe to assume that they will be directing ever more attention towards us in the coming months and years.’
Arthur raised his eyebrows. ‘I assume the situation in Europe is favouring the enemy then?’
‘Very much so.When we left England there was little hope of enticing any of the continental powers back into the fray. That means that the French will have a free hand to concentrate their efforts against England, and our colonies. Our latest intelligence was that the enemy was planning an overseas operation. Perhaps to the West Indies, maybe Egypt, or even here. But that was months ago. Anything could have happened by now. So we must focus on what we can do for England in India and the far east. I’ve read the reports from the other presidencies at Bombay and Madras, as well as the military assessments of the French threat in the subcontinent.’ He looked at Arthur. ‘You’ve been here long enough to get a feel for the place and its politics. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.’
Arthur had been expecting the request, but was still flattered to have his views placed on the same plane as the opinions of more senior officials. Even though Richard was his brother, Arthur was conscious that family ties had been pushed aside.The matter before them was serious. Richard would weigh what he had to say very carefully and Arthur was determined to prove himself worthy of being consulted by the Governor General of India. He cleared his throat, conscious that both Henry and Richard were watching him closely.
‘I’ve given this a lot of thought, Richard. If we are to make advances in India, then we must do all we can to build strong relations with the local rulers. Most can be swayed over to our side, but there are others, such as Sultan Tipoo of Mysore, who I fear will need to be crushed. Once we have Company battalions garrisoned in their capital cities we will have effective control of India.The main danger, at present, is that French agents are doing their damnedest to undermine our relations with the locals. I’m sure you have already read the latest report from Kirkpatrick at Hyderabad. John Company has two battalions there, but some of the Nizam’s other troops are marching under tricolour flags and sporting revolutionary cockades. The Nizam is clearly falling under the spell of his French military adviser, Colonel Piron. Even though Piron is a mercenary, there’s every reason to suppose he is doing his utmost to further his country’s interests.’
‘Then we must rid the Nizam of his French advisers.’
‘That’s not going to be easy.’ Arthur raised his eyebrows wearily. ‘His army is the only thing that stands between the Nizam and his Mahratta enemies, and he’s not certain how far he can trust his French-officered battalions.’
‘What is their strength? Compared to the two East India Company battalions you mentioned.’
‘The Nizam has twenty-three battalions in his army.’
‘Ah. Not very good odds, then, should it come down to a fight.’
‘Not as bad as you’d think,’ Arthur replied. ‘The Company battalions are larger, and far better trained and equipped than the others. Even so, they could not hold their ground for long if the other battalions turned on them. The Nizam knows the quality of the Company troops and knows that his best chance is to have us on his side. Especially if an alliance with us might lead to the return of those lands already seized by the Mahrattas.’
Richard stroked his chin thoughtfully. ‘Tricky . . . We have to find some way of removing those French officers, and increasing our military presence in Hyderabad.’
‘Precisely.’ Arthur nodded. ‘And the Nizam is only the most immediate of our concerns. Our intelligence people tell me that the rulers of the Mahratta lands covet our territory. More worrying is the threat that Tipoo is preparing for war with us.We must resolve the problem in Hyderabad without making war. If there is a war, and Tipoo throws his lot in with our enemies in Hyderabad, then things could become decidedly tricky for British interests in India.’ Arthur paused and looked steadily at his brothers. ‘We must proceed very carefully and deal with one threat at a time.’
‘I understand,’ Richard replied.‘I must do all I can to keep the peace with Tipoo while we deal with the Nizam. Meanwhile we’ll make all the necessary preparations for war with him.’
‘That would be prudent,’ said Arthur. ‘I just hope we have enough time to gather an army powerful enough to deal with Tipoo.’
‘Have you any other bad tidings for us?’ Henry asked in exasperation.
‘I fear so.’ Arthur paused a moment to collect his thoughts. ‘India has been beset by warlords of one kind or another for many centuries and the East India Company is in grave danger of simply looking like the latest oppressor. I have to confess that the natives have every reason to judge us alongside their own rulers.There’s a tendency amongst some of the Europeans of the lower orders - the gora log as the Indians call them - to treat the natives like slaves, and to act as if they are above the law.They will cheat them out of money and goods, and beat them mercilessly if the whim takes them. The situation is little different amongst the better class of European. Many of the Company’s senior officials are equally corrupt. Hardly surprising given the fortunes that can be made from trading, bribery and straightforward theft. It seems that almost every Englishman who sets foot in India wants to return home as rich and powerful as Clive.’
‘Well, there’s not much we can do about that.’
‘But we must do something,’ Arthur protested. ‘Otherwise we will never win the common people over to the idea that British rule is in their best interest. Moreover, I believe it is our duty to set a new standard. While you are the Governor General, Richard, there is a chance to change things here for the better. And you can count on Henry and me to support you.There is a great opportunity for England here in India, a great opportunity indeed. If we can rule by good example, if we can deal with the natives in an open and honest way, and bring them peace and order, then they will welcome British intervention, even British rule.To which end, I beg you to lead by example, Richard. If we can only convince the natives that we are motivated by an instinct for public service and fairness, then who knows how much of the subcontinent will come over to us.’
‘That will mean stepping on quite a few toes,’ Richard responded shrewdly. ‘If the spirit of larceny is as widespread as you imply.We’ll have to weed out the incompetent as well as the dishonest if we are to achieve anything worthwhile. And we’ll have to make sure that we do what we can to improve the lot of the common people. It’s not going to be cheap.’
‘No more than John Company can afford, surely?’
The brothers laughed for a moment before Richard continued. ‘Very well then, it seems that we three have a mountain to climb. But, for now, that concludes our business.’ He sto
od up. ‘I’m afraid that I still have several more people to see today. We’ll speak again at dinner.’
Arthur was a little surprised, and hurt, by his curt dismissal. Richard might well be the highest ranking English official in India, but he was still Arthur’s brother, and Arthur found it difficult to reconcile their relationship with his role as a subordinate. A junior one at that.
Henry escorted Arthur to the door and nodded a farewell as he held the door open.
‘Arthur!’ Richard called after him, and he turned back. Richard stared at him a moment before he continued. ‘It is good to see you again. I can think of no man I’d rather have as my military right hand.’
Arthur smiled faintly.‘Thank you, Richard. I promise, you will not be disappointed in me.’
He strode out into the corridor and heard the door close behind him. Outside the Governor’s headquarters he squinted as he emerged into the blistering midday heat.There was stillness in the grounds of the fort as everyone who could took shelter from the sun. A sole redcoat tramped slowly along the battlements above the main gate as Arthur made his way back to his rented house. The peace and quiet of the presidency would soon be a thing of the past, he mused. One way or another, war was coming to India and there was no telling if England would prevail, or Tipoo and his French allies.
Chapter 34
In the following weeks there was a constant stream of communications between the new Governor General and the Company’s resident at the court of the Nizam, Captain James Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick was told to relay the message that England strongly desired closer relations with Hyderabad and would guarantee to support the Nizam, by force if required, against any threat to his position. It was Richard’s conviction that the French officers in the Nizam’s employ might have sufficient sway over their men to unseat the Nizam and replace him with a more compliant ruler.
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