by Griff Hosker
I saw that Trooper Sharp had left. Mr Popwell took my arm, “Sorry about that, sir. I have your dining room all ready.”
He took me to one of the chambers off the main room. It was the second one along. In the first one we passed, a much larger room, I could see four officers from the 11th in their undress uniforms; their cocked hats stacked untidily behind them. They glanced in my direction and then went back to their drinking and gambling. My dining chamber only seated two people. It had a curtain which could be drawn across the entrance which indicated to me that it would be the perfect place for a romantic tryst.
The landlord smiled apologetically, “A little cramped I know but I didn’t know this lot would be in. It’s a good job we have had no coaches today.” His eyes went heavenward. “It brings in money but the regulars stay away when this lot are in.”
I nodded to the room on my left. “Why don’t you have a word with their officers?”
“They are just as bad. I normally have young girls waiting on the tables but they refuse to work when these are in. It will be just me and the missus tonight.” He must have thought I was worried about the service for he added, quickly, “Oh don’t worry sir, I won’t neglect you.”
“I am not worried. Just bring me a bottle of wine and whatever you think will be good tonight.”
“The wife has made a nice beef and oyster pie but the wine won’t be the best sir. Since the trade with France was stopped we don’t get much in.”
I suddenly had a thought, “Have you thought about buying Italian wine?”
“Italian? I can’t say that I have ever tried it.” His face and voice showed his surprise.
“I have contacts in Sicily. I’ll tell you what I will do for you, next time I am in London I will have a bottle or two sent to you to try.”
He looked genuinely surprised. “That is most kind of you sir.” He sniffed and added loudly, “It’s good to have a real gentleman in here for a change.”
He was right about the wine. I had used better wine as vinegar on my food but the steak and oyster pie more than made up for it. I was able to listen to the conversation in the next room. From it I discerned that Colonel Fenton and Major Hyde-Smith were not in the barracks and it was being run by the senior captain. The other three officers appeared to be sycophantic lieutenants. None of them could hold their liquor and they became rowdier and rowdier.
I was about to leave when one of them burst through the curtain and then giggled, “Oh sorry, wrong room.” He slipped a little and when he righted himself, said, “Good job you didn’t have a doxy in here eh what?”
I helped him to his feet and, as he staggered back into his room, I stood to leave. The minute I stepped into the bar area I saw every eye was on me. Even the quiet corporal with the pipe watched me. I suspect I had been the subject of their conversation. I smiled and nodded in their direction. One or two smiled back but the loud corporal gave me a surly stare. He was in for a shock in the morning.
The bar itself was empty and I approached Mr and Mrs Popwell who were standing behind it. “The pie was delicious. I have not eaten so well in a long time.”
Mrs Popwell positively glowed and I saw the appreciative nod from her husband. “Sorry about the wine sir.”
I gave a dismissive wave of my hand, “Don’t worry about that and when you have tasted the Italian wine from my family’s estate, you will know what a good wine tastes like. I will retire now.”
“Goodnight sir. And I’ll get them to keep the noise down.”
I shook my head. I knew how belligerent some drunks became. “I can sleep through anything. Pray don’t bother yourself on my account.”
As I walked up the stairs I heard Mrs Popwell say to her husband, “Estates in Italy! That’s the kind of customer we want. Not these noisy soldiers.”
Chapter 2
It was fortunate that I was a sound sleeper for when I went to pay my bill the following morning Mr Popwell was most upset. “I am sorry Mr Matthews. I tried to keep them quiet but they were all drunk…”
I held my hand up. “They did not wake me, sir. Rest easy.” I smiled as I handed over the coins. “Hopefully it will be quieter from now on.”
He shook his head, sadly. “Not until the war begins again. Do you think it is mean spirited of me to wish for war again so that we can have a peaceful life once more?”
“No, Mr Popwell, but you should expect more from these soldiers. After all they are paid for by the likes of you and the other tax payers.”
The thought had obviously not crossed his mind. He brightened. “Yes, I shall remember that. Thank you Mr Matthews and if you are ever travelling in this part of the world again…”
“I shall be sure to stay here.”
Harry was happy with the tip and he had obviously spoiled Badger. His coat gleamed. He had been curried and combed. His tail had been trimmed and his hooves given a polish and blacked. Harry seemed embarrassed by my thanks. “It was a privilege sir. A fine horse and a fine gentleman.”
My mood, as I headed towards the barracks, was much better than it had been the previous day. I had met some good people and been treated well. I had put the thoughts of the troopers and the officers behind me. Once I donned my uniform then I would deal with them in my own way.
When I reached the guard house I was given a bored look by the troopers on duty. I could see that to them I was just another smartly dressed gentleman. I had, in my pocket, the letter from Colonel Sinclair as well as my orders. I would be damned if I would show them to two troopers and so I dismounted and walked up to them.
“Can we help you sir?”
“You lost?”
As I walked up to their small hut I noticed, with some irritation, my trunks. They had been left there. My name and rank were clearly marked for all to see. “I am Captain Matthews and I have been given a commission in the 11th Light Dragoons.” Although they did not salute, after all I was not in uniform, they did at least stand to attention. “Those are my trunks behind you.”
They both exchanged a guilty look and said, hurriedly, “Captain DeVere, he was duty officer, he said he had never heard of you sir, so we was to leave them there.”
There was just the hint of a smirk on the man’s face. I would remember these two. “And where is Captain DeVere now?”
“He’s gone up to London for a few days.”
This got better and better. “Very well. One of you, take me to the regimental office. I will send someone for my bags.” They looked as though they were going to object until I said quietly but with plenty of threat in my tone, “It would not do to annoy me gentlemen, would it?”
They shrugged and one of them said, “Follow me, sir.” The sir was forced from his lips. I suppose it was my fault. I should have arrived in uniform. I was now pleased I had not worn it; it had given me an insight into the way the regiment was run.
The sentry at the door gave me a curious look until my escort said, “New officer, Captain Matthews.” His job done he gave a curt bob with his head and trotted back across the square.
The sentry knocked on the door and then opened it. “Lieutenant Wolfe is the duty officer sir; the last office on the left.”
I noticed another office on the left and it was ajar. I tapped on it and a voice roared, “Come!”
I peered in and saw the Regimental Sergeant Major. I almost spoke in French for he was the double of my old friend Albert who had also been a Sergeant Major. He gave me a look which suggested I had better have a good reason for intruding. “Can I help you?”
“I’m sorry Sergeant Major; I am the new officer, Captain Matthews.”
He gave, what I suppose passed for a smile and said, “Ah yes sir, 7th Troop, D Squadron. They’ll need a firm hand. I hope you have one.” He hesitated. “Sorry if I have offended you sir.”
He was testing me and my mettle to see if he could intimidate me. “No offence taken, Sergeant Major. Give me a month and then we’ll have a little talk eh?”
He smil
ed, “Yes sir.”
I knocked on the door of the last office and a drawling voice said, “Come!”
It was the giggling officer from the previous night. He looked a little worse for wear. I did not give him the chance to take the initiative. I took out my orders. “Captain Matthews reporting, as ordered.”
I could see his confusion. He hurriedly fastened his buttons and then opened the orders. “Er, Captain DeVere should be here but…”
“But he has gone to London and left you in charge lieutenant.”
“Er, yes.”
I narrowed my eyes. If this was the Chasseurs I would have ignored the breach of discipline but I knew I had to establish myself quickly.”Yes sir.”
“Sorry sir, yes sir. Er, you are to be in command of 7th Troop, D Squadron. “
“And what are they like lieutenant?”
“Oh, they are a good bunch of troopers. You’ll like them.”
I was pleased I had spoken with the Sergeant Major. Lieutenant Wolfe was a liar. Good it confirmed my opinion of him. My trunks are in the guard post. If you could direct me to my quarters and arrange for my trunk…”
I got no further. There was a knock on the partly opened door and the Sergeant Major was there. “Begging your pardon sir but I took the liberty of having your trunks sent over. If you like I will take you to your rooms.”
“Thank you very much, Sergeant Major…?”
“Jones, sir, Jack Jones.”
As we walked across the square he gestured to Badger. “Your horse sir?”
“Yes Sergeant Major.”
“A fine animal. I can see he is looked after and I bet he takes some riding.”
I smiled, “He is a spirited beast but we understand each other.”
He glanced at the way I walked. “You march like a soldier sir. Have you served before?”
I smiled benignly, “I have never served in a regiment of Light Dragoons. I am looking forward to it.”
”I can see you are going to be an interesting officer sir.” He directed me down a small alley between two buildings. “Do you mind me asking sir, where is your servant?”
For the first time that day I was taken aback. “My servant? I don’t have one why?”
He smiled, “Well that shows you have never been in a cavalry regiment anyway, sir. All of the officers have their own servant. They normally serve in the troop but look after the officer.”
“I see. Well I don’t have one.”
“Not a problem sir. We will find a trooper for you.”
“Do you mind if I find my own trooper, Sergeant Major?”
“Of course not sir. If you are as good a judge of men as horseflesh he will be a good one. Here we are sir.”
The officer’s quarters were much grander than those in the French Army. I had two rooms complete with a wardrobe. There were two troopers unpacking my things. The Sergeant Major looked curiously at my weapons. He gestured to the sword. “Do you mind sir?”
“Be my guest. I will just change into my uniform.“ I grinned at him impishly, “Feel free to examine all the weapons.”
When I came out the two troopers had finished and all my clothes were either hung up or in the drawers. The Sergeant Major lifted the sword as I came in. “This is a magnificent weapon sir. Austrian?”
“Yes Sergeant Major. Two of the pistols are French and the other two are British army issue.”
“I recognise them. “ He looked at me shrewdly. “Something tells me, sir, you have seen a little bit of action.” Before I could deny it he held his hands up. “I don’t need to know sir but I am happy if you have because, between the two of us, apart from the colonel and the major the officers here are green as grass.”
“Let’s just say that I can handle those weapons well and ride as well as most men.” I smiled, “Although I expect I will have to prove that to some people.”
He nodded sagely, “You have been around, sir. If you would like to come with me I’ll give you the tour. There aren’t many officers at the moment and we have the men working on their sword drills. Very keen on swords is the colonel.”
“Do you use musketoons much?”
He frowned, “Never used them sir. We have carbines but I can’t remember anyone actually using them.”
I just nodded and said, “I see.” I remembered when we had fought the English in the Low Countries. They had an over reliance on swords even then. I put on my cocked hat; it felt strange.
The Sergeant Major smiled. “If you will allow me sir.” He tilted it and turned it slightly. “That’s better.”
As we strode to the barracks block I was pleased that there was at least one friendly face. He pointed out various buildings as we went. “The stables are over there. When we meet your troop we will send one to get your horse.” He saw a trooper walking along and his top four buttons were undone. “Rawlinson! Fasten up those buttons or you will be shovelling shit for the next week.” As the man complied Sergeant Major Jones shook his head. “The lads need some action sir. All this shilly shallying around the barracks does no one any good.”
That was the difference in the two armies. My Chasseurs would have been quite happy to practise their sword and gun skills. This seemed not to be the case here in England.
We arrived at the practice ground where the troopers were on horseback and waving their swords at each other. This was not practice the way that I understood it. The Sergeant Major seemed to be of the same opinion. “The problem is, sir, that Quartermaster Grant is on compassionate leave. His mother is dying. The other two senior sergeants, White and Dale argue all the time. They just don’t get on and the corporals take advantage of them. They need an officer with a firm hand sir. 8th Troop is not nearly half so bad. They have a young lieutenant, keen as mustard. He will have those lads off somewhere else. He doesn’t want them tainted.”
We halted to watch them. “I’m sorry Sergeant Major. Am I missing something? Surely there should be two captains and two lieutenants for this squadron.”
“There should be sir. You are right but there is just you and two lieutenants.”
“Then what about the other lieutenant?”
He looked seriously at me and spoke slowly. “The other lieutenant is the senior captain’s brother. Lieutenant DeVere is off with his brother in London and he does not spend a great deal of time with the troop.” He spread his arms apologetically. “Sorry sir. The good news is that the two troops are the smallest in the regiment and you have a full complement of non commissioned officers.”
“Actually, Sergeant Major, that is bad news because they should have more discipline if they have more NCO’s. In my experience they can more than make up for a poor officer.”
He nodded and then took in the import of my words. He gave me a wry smile. “You’ll do sir. And now shall we introduce them to you?”
“If you please.”
As we strode across I saw the two sergeants who were arguing. I also saw some of the men from the inn. There was the loud corporal and the quiet corporal. I saw, almost by himself, the young trooper who had been bullied. I was even more pleased that I had stayed in the inn. I now had an insight which even the Sergeant Major could not have given me.
“Attention!! The voice carried across the ground and everyone stopped. “Officer’s inspection. Stand by your mounts.”
What should have been an easy and slick procedure took forever and looked dreadful. The Sergeant Major shook his head. When the shambles eventually attained some sort of order he roared. “That was the worst drill I have ever seen in my life. This,” he pointed to me, “is your new officer, Captain Matthews.” He stepped back.
As I stepped forwards I saw the expressions on the faces of the men whom I had seen the night before. The loud corporal looked as though he was ready to be sick.
“I agree with the Sergeant Major. That was dreadful. However I understand that you have not had an officer nor have you had a senior sergeant for some time.” I saw the two sergeants look gu
iltily at each other. “That said we start afresh, this morning.”
I walked down the line of troopers. I noticed but did not comment on all the minor infractions of dress and stance. That would come later on. I did, however, notice the poor state of the horses. I stopped next to the young trooper from the bar. He and his horse were perfectly presented. “Well done. You are the only soldier properly turned out and your horse is a credit to you.”
He lowered his head in embarrassment and said, “Thank you sir.”
“It’s Trooper Sharp isn’t it?”
He looked up in surprise as though I was a mind reader. “Yes sir.”
I said nothing but moved on. The loud corporal was two men down and I halted in front of him. He had buttons undone and was not at attention. He had an insolent look on his face and I knew I could have him flogged for that alone. However it would be a bad start if I flogged the first man who upset me. I had been a sergeant and I knew how to roar when needed. Now was such a time. “Stand to attention, you slovenly excuse for a soldier.” I was so loud that the men nearby started. The result was that every man stood crisply to attention. “Now do up your buttons.” The insolent look gone he complied. “Now I see that you are a corporal. If that is the case then it must be so easy to be promoted in this regiment I am surprised that the troopers don’t have to salute horses.” A few of the men dutifully laughed and the corporal’s look changed to one of anger. I could see him clenching his fists. “What is your name?”
“Corporal James Green, sir!”
“And they call you Jem?”
Light dawned in his eyes as he remembered the previous night. “Yes sir.”
“Well a word of advice, Corporal, watch how you look at me and how you speak to me. I take offence easily and I will have the stripes from your arm and replace them with some on your back. Clear?”
“Sir.”
When I had finished my inspection I returned to the front of the men. I saw Sergeant Major Jones nodding appreciatively. “This has not been a good opening, gentlemen. You now know that I have high standards. You will meet those standards.” I stared at the two senior sergeants. “And that goes for everyone. You all have one hour to groom your horses and yourselves and then present yourself back here with sword, carbine and pistols. I will see all of the sergeants in the troop office now!” They all began to move and I shouted, “Trooper Sharp, a word if you please.”