Thinking that one of his officers had let slip the information as an amusing tidbit, MacKay glanced at Welbeloved, who was grinning hugely.
Conditioned by his early Scottish upbringing, MacKay’s sense of humour tended towards the serious, but he made a valiant effort to respond in the same vein.
“Tae my knowledge, My Lord, the Spanish hae nae rank senior tae yours and should never willingly acknowledge a foreigner as their superior. Dinnae dream o’ hangin’ up your sword on my account.”
“If you say so, MacKay. If you say so. However, the felicitous outcome of this adventure of yours, demonstrates that whenever a goodly number of Hornets goes to support Spanish forces, the officer in charge should have sufficient rank to command respect.
I have no power to promote officers, either army or marines, but I do have the authority to make brevet promotions and I now insist that Sir Joshua makes you brevet colonel, with my recommendation to Admiral Harrison that your promotion be confirmed post haste.”
Even MacKay’s stern features displayed emotion at this. “I am maist grateful, My Lord, although I hae tae say that it is the Hornets themselves that command respect in their ain right. I can nae recall any o’ my officers being treated wi’ less than respect by even senior Spanish officers.”
Welbeloved broke in. “That is all very true, Hamish. I have heard with great pleasure that yor adventures in León have been so successful. The success is timely for us as it justifies the new increase in the naval brigade, which has now grown to over two thousand men. It means that I have had to reorganise it into four separate battalions, each under its own nationality. Yor new rank can be justified on that score alone.”
He turned to Wellington. “Yew remember that we discussed this at Elvas, My Lord? My British 1st Battalion is basically as before, as is the German 4th Battalion. The Spanish 3rd Battalion has three large companies; almost enough men for four; and Addenbrooke has been made major. His left arm is not yet recovered enough to use his rifle, but as battalion commander, that is not of great moment.
Major Gonçalves now has four hundred men in the Portuguese 2nd Battalion, in three companies and has found some good young officers. One of his companies should have gone to Pom. Perhaps yew shall see yor way to recommend his step so that he may take up his command when yew can manage without him?”
Wellington smiled thinly. “That I shall do, Sir Joshua. I was considering doing so in any case, in spite of his youth, because he is worth any two of my aides and you shall not have him back just yet.”
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