by Griff Hosker
“We were ambushed on the beach.” He frowned, “Don’t worry sir we had completed our mission.”
He brightened, “It is a good spot then?”
“It is perfect. The country is only twenty or thirty miles wide at that point. There are only a handful of French soldiers. You could control the land as far south as Reggio from there.”
He rubbed his hands together. “Excellent. I shall put forward a plan and send it to London.”
My face fell, “They may move French troops in by then, sir.”
“I know Robert but my hands are tied.”
“A waste of a good man’s life,” I added bitterly.
“Look upon it as shortening the war.”
I flung down the map we had drawn. “If we invaded now it would. Men will die because we delay.” I stormed out knowing that I had breached etiquette not to mention King’s Regulations. I didn’t care. I was becoming sick of taking risks and then watching others wait. Perhaps I would be better off with the French and Napoleon. He had acted on my information at Ulm and defeated the Austrians and the Russians.
Sergeant Sharp came up behind me and said, quietly, “Let’s get back to the farm sir. A hot bath, some sleep and some food and you’ll feel much better.” I glanced over my shoulder at the General’s tent. “Oh don’t worry about him sir. We explained what went on and he understands.” He lowered his voice, “I just wouldn’t make a habit of it, sir.”
Chapter 18
It felt like going home, returning to Giuseppe’s farm. We received a hero’s welcome muted by the death of Jeb Cartwright. I saw the looks which Lieutenant Jackson and Sergeant Grant gave me. They were the sort of look you give someone when you know you ought to say something but you don’t know what. In a way I was relieved that General Stuart had to delay the invasion for it gave me and my two companions the chance to recover.
We waited for almost six weeks before we knew that we were going into action. By Horse Guards’ standards this was almost instant but I fretted for I did not know what would have happened in our absence. Had the French occupied Maida? What would happen to Don Vicente and the people of Maida? Had they fortified the beach? No one had been back so we could not know for certain. As soon as the decision was made I was at the headquarters almost every day. Colonels Kempt and Cole bombarded me with questions about the terrain and the French. Captain Sillery just collared me as I was leaving. “You realise that we are quite likely to be operating together?”
“It normally works that way.”
He seemed relieved, “Good. I was worried that you might be like some of the other cavalry officers I have met who think it is a bloody fox hunt and charge after anything in blue shouting, ‘View! Halloo’!”
I laughed. That was the stereotypical view of cavalry officers. “As I have never been on a fox hunt in my life I can assure you that I do not run my troop like that.”
“I know. You are the oddest cavalryman I have ever met. I am intrigued how you finished up like this.”
“Perhaps I am not the finished article and have some way to go eh?”
“Possibly but I shall keep my eye on you, my friend.”
When we heard that we were leaving I went to see Cesar. I had told him of the privations of his friend and he thanked me for what I had done.
“By the way your message was delivered.” His impassive face gave nothing away but I knew that he would never betray me.
“We may not be coming back for a while and so I shall keep in touch by letter.”
The farewell from Giuseppe was tearful. The farmer and his family had become genuinely fond of my troopers and it was reciprocated. The troopers had helped around the estate and they, in turn, had been treated like family. As we left the Sicilian pointed proudly to his lemons and olives. The fruit bulged. He said in halting English, “Thank you Captain your horse shit has done wonders!” The troopers laughed. They had obviously taught him the words.
We boarded the transports on the twenty seventh of June and we sailed the next morning. I was delighted to see Lieutenant Hill and his sloop darting around like a collie dog rounding up sheep. It is silly, I know, but I felt safer with such a keen officer watching over us. We would not be surprised by any Frenchmen. It took until July the first to beat up to the bay. Mercifully it was undefended. Perhaps the Chasseurs had assumed they were chasing partisans. Whatever the reason the landing was unopposed. It took all day to land the horses, men, guns and supplies. Most of the horses were lowered over the side and they swam to shore. A couple had to be rowed. I was lucky; Badger swam happily to the beach and waited patiently for me.
As soon as we had landed and saddled up I sent out a skirmish line. This was just to ensure that we landed all the men without interruptions. We saw nothing save the people of Maida peering down at their red coated allies. The General had decided that we would hold a line north of Maida so that we had mountains to our rear and we were half way between Cathanzario and Maida. It was a good plan and I was pleased that the people of Maida would not have to suffer the bloodbath of a battle. We had an easy task for there were no French to be seen. The ridge to the north of Maida was perfect. We had a safe place to camp and a good field of fire. Captain Sillery was delighted. By July the second we were ready for the French, should they come, and General Stuart sent for me.
“Captain Matthews, I need you to find the French.” We were standing on the ridge facing Maida. “I want to draw this Reynier chap here. And, if you could whittle down his cavalry then that would be useful too.”
It seemed simple and yet it was anything but. In effect we were goading a dangerous dog and attempting to keep out of the range of its savage teeth.
“Right sir.” As I led the troop away east I saw that the position he had chosen to defend was a good one. The sea protected one flank and the mountains his rear. So long as he watched the mountains to the east then the solid red line should be able to hold off the French. All I had to do was to find the enemy.
The problem with this part of Italy was that there were no secret ways. You had to use the passes and valleys. They were easy to control. Had the French been more vigilant then they would have seen us. We were lucky. They were neither vigilant nor alert. The ease of their victory had made them complacent. When we neared Cathanzario I left Lieutenant Jackson in charge and rode with Sergeant Sharp to spy out the land. If the French were not here then we would have to head towards Reggio. I used the smaller road which did not go near to the monastery. I was still suspicious of the monks. We emerged behind a stand of trees and we were able to look down on the town while remaining unobserved.
There, below us, we could see a camp of Chasseurs. More importantly, on the other side of the town I saw the unmistakeable smoke from camp fires. There were elements of Reynier’s army. It was hard to estimate numbers but logic told me this would be the main part of his army. I surmised that, if the cavalry were present then the bulk of his forces would be too. I had worked out my plan beforehand and, as I looked at the roads and trails, I refined it. “Right Sergeant let’s get back to the men. I need to explain what we are going to do.”
The troop waited on the hillside above Cathanzario. I moved them until we were at the top of the hill. We could see the camp of the two regiments of Chasseurs. It was where I expected it to be; outside the town and close to water. We were a mile away and could neither be seen not heard. I gathered them around me.
“Men, today we are the only force of British cavalry on the Continent and we are going to take on two regiments of Chasseurs. Many troopers would be daunted by such a task but I know that you will relish the prospect.” I grinned, “Taking on ridiculous odds appears to be the only way you know how to fight. We cannot hope to charge them and win. They outnumber us by at least six to one. I have decided that we are going to tire them out and stop them having an influence on the battle up the road today.” I saw them nod their approval and grip their weapons a little tighter.
“We are not going to use f
amiliar tactics today so listen carefully. We will ride in a column of twos. Trooper Rae and Bugler Jones will lead. Sergeant Sharp and I will be a third of the way from the rear. Lieutenant Jackson and Sergeant Grant will be at the back.” I could see that I now had their interest and their attention.
“You will need to ensure that all of your guns are loaded. We will ride down a small trail over there.” I pointed to the trail I had found when scouting the town. “We will ride to the camp and each man will discharge his carbine in turn. We will do this at the closest point to their camp. Rae and Jones will have to judge that. They have a great responsibility.” I saw the other troopers looking at the two of them. “When you have fired then head up this road. The Spanish call this the caracole. You need to keep the gun level. Do not aim. Keep the barrel flat across your saddle and you will hit something. It matters not if it is man or beast. You will now see why Bugler Jones and Trooper Rae are leading the column. Bugler Jones must use the bugle and Trooper Rae seems determined to be one armed.” That brought a smile from everyone. “Each pair will do the same. I want the French to chase us. Therefore we will not gallop; we will keep a steady pace. There are fifty pairs of us and it is the ones at the back who will be in the greatest danger.” They all looked at the Lieutenant and the Sergeant. Neither man seemed worried.
“I want them to catch us. When they are a hundred paces from us, the last pair will halt, turn and discharge a pair of pistols. They will then gallop up through the middle of the column and lead it. By the time it is One Armed Rae and Bugler Jones at the back I hope to have discouraged the French enough for us to escape. But, if not, we all have another two pistols.” I paused, “Except of course, Rae and Jones.” They smiled again. “We need discipline and trust in each other. Well lads, can you do it?”They all raised their carbines silently and we rode to war.
The plan I had concocted was unusual for me, I was not leading the men but I trusted both Jones and Rae. Trooper Rae carried the guidon. We wanted the enemy to know who we were. The Chasseurs might have been ambushed by us before and I wanted that hunger to get to grips with us. Sharp and I were following two troopers. It did feel strange. When they fired and wheeled, it would be our turn.
I heard the two cracks of two pistols and then the louder noise of the carbines as the men began to fire. The noise seemed to ripple as each pair fired. Then I heard the French drums and bugle; they were calls I remembered. They were calling the camp to arms. By the time we reached the firing point all that could be seen was a pall of smoke. The French were firing back. We fired and wheeled into the thick gunpowder smoke. We had no idea of the effect of our balls. I clipped the carbine to its sling. It would be some time before I needed to use my pistols. We trotted up the road and I heard the crack of carbines behind us. I risked a glance and saw that there were no empty saddles. I had been worried that the French might have organised something quickly. We had obviously taken them by surprise. We reached the rise where we had begun our advance. The horses naturally slowed at the steep part of the road.
“Keep a space between you!” Sharp moved further away from me so that three horses could gallop between us. I heard the thunder of hooves as Sergeant Grant and Lieutenant Jackson charged up between us. They were both grinning like children.
I heard Sergeant Grant. “We have stirred up a proper hornet’s nest there sir!” Then they galloped up to the head of the column.
The pairs of troopers came up the road at regular intervals. I counted them. When fourteen had passed I knew that it would be our turn soon. I drew one pistol. I heard the four cracks from behind us and then Hargreaves and Wilson whooped through the middle. I joined Sergeant Sharp and we looked behind us. The French were eighty yards away. I saw one empty saddle indicating a hit by one of the last pair.
We halted and turned. Seeing the officer’s uniform the leading riders leaned forward in the saddle to reach us. I had drawn my second pistol and I held them before me. When they were thirty yards away I fired both my pistols followed a heartbeat later by Sharp’s two. I grabbed my reins and wheeled Badger around. Sergeant Sharp did the same and soon we caught the others and made our way up the middle of the column.
Four more pairs joined us and then there was a wait. I risked halting the column and I rode back to see where the French were. The last two men looked worried, “Sir, they just stopped and we didn’t know what to do.”
“Don’t worry Corporal Ashcroft. You did what I ordered.” I rode back with Sergeant Sharp. Half a mile down the road I saw the remnants of the French cavalry riding back towards Cathanzario. They had had enough. Because my men were halted when they fired they had more chance of hitting the enemy. If the Chasseurs tried that whilst riding them the balls would have been wasted. It had worked. Now we had to draw them on a little further.
“Well Sergeant Sharp. We have completed the first part of our task. Now is the difficult bit. We have to wait for them to take the bait.” We rode back to the column.
“Dismount, reload your weapons and see to your horses. Sergeant Seymour, take a man and watch for the French. Let us know when they resume the chase.”
And they did resume the chase. There were at least two squadrons who thundered after Sergeant Seymour. Ten of my troopers fired a volley when they were eighty yards away and then we galloped towards Maida, some five miles hence. It was fortunate that we had rested the horses for they were really trying to catch us. They had fresh horses and would not allow us to halt and fire as we had before. They wanted to get to grips with us and destroy us. As we emerged above Maida and galloped towards our guns I felt some relief that we had done our duty and not lost a man. The Chasseurs reined in and watched as we regained our lines.
I ordered Lieutenant Jackson to see to the men while I reported to General Stuart. “You found them then, Captain?”
“Yes sir. I could not ascertain numbers but I assume it is Reynier’s force.” I pointed behind me at the Chasseurs. “I dare say they will report to their general and he will come sometime.”
“Excellent. Rest your men. Tomorrow I want a skirmish line the other side of Maida to give us warning of their approach.”
The men appreciated the rest as did the horses. High summer in this part of the world was brutal. The horses were permanently sweating and our heavy uniforms, while fine for winter, were not suitable for summer wear. I took the troop along the road beyond Maida. That first day we saw no one. In the middle of the afternoon I sent two riders towards Cathanzario. They came back with the worst possible news, the French were gone! The problem we now had was to find them. I sent riders back to warn the general and I took the rest of the troop west.
I rode at the front with Sharp and Jones. There were two riders a half a mile ahead of us. The twisting mountain roads were a nightmare for you found yourself coming around blind bends. We were approaching one such obstacle when I heard a pistol shot and the clash of steel. I drew my carbine as did Sergeant Sharp and the riders behind me. Before we had even reached the bend the two riderless horses came galloping towards us telling their own story. The men had been hit. The first three Chasseurs were met by a ragged volley which threw one from his saddle and forced the others to turn and flee, one clutching his arm.
I dropped my carbine and drew my sword. When we reached the bend we met a troop of Chasseurs. Before I could issue any orders we were fighting for our lives. I slashed at the face of the young lieutenant leading them who was eager to show his prowess. He concentrated on striking me which made my task easier. I flicked his sword and my blade ripped open his face like a ripe water melon. Sergeant Grant shouted, “Open fire!” Ten carbines covered us in smoke. I heard the cries of some French troopers as they were plucked from their saddles. When the smoke cleared they had fled with their wounded. There was little point in pursuing for, beyond the bend, we could see the whole of Reynier’s army marching towards Maida. The wily general had marched his men around to arrive at right angles to the British lines. Sir John had his men in the w
rong place. We collected the troopers who had been wounded and the dead. “Back to Maida!” We galloped the three miles back to our comrades.
All of Sir John’s plans were thrown into disarray. He was facing the wrong direction. I rode directly to him and pointed over my shoulder. “Reynier is less than three miles away. He must have gone to Reggio to collect more men. He is approaching from the south and not the east.”
“Have your men form a skirmish line while I get the army moving.”
I saw Captain Sillery already limbering up his guns. That was the advantage of Horse Artillery, it was quick! We rode to the far side of the Amato River. It was shallow enough for men to ford and was not an obstacle to anyone. The French appeared; their columns protected by a cloud of skirmishers. The Chasseurs were on their right flank. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that Sir John was busy marching the infantry to attack the French before they could deploy.
I turned to Lieutenant Jackson, “We need to buy the General some time. We will ride towards the Chasseurs and try to annoy them again.”
“Sir, there are four squadrons there. We will be outnumbered eight to one.”
“I know. I do not intend to stay and fight them toe to toe. We will make them chase us to Maida. The narrow streets will suit us and we can swing around and rejoin the army. Sergeant Grant, ready the men.”
“Carbines at the ready.”
We cantered obliquely across the front of the French skirmishers. The sight of cavalry made them halt, ready to go into square. It bought the general a precious few minutes. The French cavalry formed up to charge us. This time they had the advantage of an open plain. I saw that they only had two squadrons committed to this action. The rest stayed in column.
We halted in a line some hundred yards from the French. We both waited. I think they thought that we were going to charge. I raised my sword and shouted, “Fire!”
At that range we were never going to hit many men but we struck enough horses and men to initiate a response. Some Chasseurs charged and then their leader gave the belated order to charge. Most of my men had drawn their pistols and they fired a volley. “Retreat!”