Talavera

by Griff Hosker

  I saw the doubt on his face. Captain Minchin said, “Listen to the Major, Herbert! I believe him and so should you!” The Lieutenant nodded. Turning to me, Captain Minchin asked, “What is she doing in Portugal, sir?”

  “What she does best, killing men!”

  Sharp and I left after dark. We had been feted by the 23rd who felt that they owed us something. I just had a bad taste in my mouth. Had the Black Widow targeted the young Lieutenant too? She would, no doubt, have changed her name once more. She would take some finding and the ones who knew her were here at the sharp end of the campaign.

  That evening I told Sharp what I had learned. Like me he was concerned but also offered reassurance, “London and Lisbon are places you would expect to find her, sir, but here? At the front? She would stand out like a sore thumb. We will keep a watch for her. To do otherwise would be foolish but I can’t see her coming here.”

  “You may be right, Sergeant. Did you get to talk to Parkinson and the others?”

  Yes, sir.”

  There was hesitation in his voice. He was hiding something. “Sergeant! Spit it out!”

  “It is Captain Minchin sir, some of the other officers resent his promotion. Most of them had to pay for their commissions. Colonel Hawker knows nothing about it, nor the Major. Captain Wilberforce is the one making trouble. He was Captain Roger’s friend.”

  “Thank you, Sergeant.” There was little I could do about it. It was not my regiment. Even if I told the Colonel his hands would be tied for Minchin was one officer. He needed harmony, especially going into battle. Captain Minchin was getting a lesson in life.

  Chapter 14

  More troops arrived each day. I met with the General once every couple of days. I reported to him but, until Colonel Selkirk returned then there was little for me to do. During one of our meetings, in a rare moment of unguarded comment, Sir Arthur confided in me that he was awaiting the arrival of General Crauford and his Light Division. Made up of the 43rd Foot, 52nd Foot and the 95th Rifles, they were, in my view, second only to the Guards as a fighting force. In many ways, they were superior, especially in the Peninsula. They had kept us safe when we had retreated to Corunna. I knew many of the men and officers from the 95th.

  “I had hoped he would be here now, Matthews. The last I heard was that his transports had been delayed but he can only be days away!”

  “Yes sir, but Lisbon is a long way from here.”

  “Quite. Even if Colonel Selkirk has not arrived, I want you and the 23rd to go to Plasencia and take it from the French Dragoons. It will be hard enough for the army to march over the mountains without the risk of an attack from Dragoons. Return in two days’ time and bring Colonel Hawker with you.” He smiled, “He likes you and that sort of thing cannot hurt.”

  The next morning, I went to the Colonel. I still did not know if I ought to tell him of the problem with Captain Minchin and his other officers. In the end, I did not. Sergeant Sharp told me that the sergeants and corporals of his troop were rallying round. They were as one with the officer. They trusted him and wanted him as their leader. They had seen the flaws in the character of Captain Rogers.

  The Colonel looked at the map and then turned to me, “How far is it to this Plasencia then, Matthews?” Sir Arthur had no problem with maps and distances. Colonel Hawker obviously did.

  “It is a hundred and fifty miles over rough roads and inhospitable terrain. Apart from Castel Branco, there is neither accommodation nor even a village worth mentioning along the route. We shall be camping. If it is any consolation then it will be much harder travelling with the rest of the army. At least this way we will have good grazing all the way!”

  He nodded, “And what do we find when we reach this place?”

  “French Dragoons; at least two squadrons of them.”

  “And all we have to do is to hold the town?”

  “In essence, yes. We return to the General in two days’ time. He will have refined the plan by then but I would prepare your men to move, Colonel. This will not be like the drive to the Vouga River. Each step we take will be a step into the unknown. The army may well be more than five days behind us.”

  He looked at me with a shrewd look on his face, “And you know more than you are letting on.”

  I nodded, “But I cannot divulge what I know. The General will tell you that which you need. I am sorry, Colonel Hawker, I mean no disrespect.”

  “No Major, you have honour and I can respect that. I trust you and I trust the General. All else is in my hands and the hands of my officers.”

  The Colonel was nervous when we met the General. He was putting his head above the parapet. He was risking an attack from French Dragoons. They had a certain reputation. Personally, I felt it was exaggerated but I was biased. I had been a Chasseur!

  Colonel Selkirk was present. He stood in the background smoking a cigar while the General spoke, “Gentlemen, I need you to secure Plasencia. We will be travelling from there to Almarez, where I shall meet the Spanish General who might help us to end this oppression. The 23rd will act as our sentries. I want the General and the other officers to be as safe as if we were in St. James’ Park. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, sir!”

  “Then off you go and God speed. Major, any further intelligence you can gather on the way would be most appreciated. Those guerrillas you met, whilst not the sort of people one would dine with, appear to be an asset I had not identified hitherto. Use them.”

  “Sir!”

  As we left the Colonel said, “It is obvious to me that you are a far more important man than I am, Major. If you feel I am making a mistake then I pray that you let me know.”

  “Do not worry, Colonel, you have a good regiment and they will deal with this easily.”

  We left the next morning. We moved more slowly than when Sharp and I had scouted. We had wagons with us and we had spare horses. I persuaded the Colonel to use different pairs of squadrons to scout. We had a pair in the morning and a different pair in the afternoon. If we used the elite squadrons there was a danger that the rest could become complacent. We did not need that. I rode with some of the other squadrons. I outranked all but the Colonel and Major Thirwell. I hated using my authority but bearing in mind what I had heard from Sharp, I felt I needed to get to know the officers of this regiment.

  When I rode with Captain Wilberforce, I took the bull by the horns. It was necessary as, unlike the other officers, he tried to ignore me and would not speak with me, “Captain, how long have you been in this regiment?”

  He gave me a cursory glance, “Not that it is any business of yours but five years.”

  I nodded and smiled, “Then the only action you have seen has been the battle of the Vouga River, the Oporto crossing and the pursuit of the French.”

  “Yes, sir. And I acquitted myself well in each action.”

  I shrugged. “That is for others to judge. There are officers in your regiment who have served since Egypt. There are officers and non commissioned officers who know what it is like to charge into battle and control the men who follow them.”

  “I charged at the Vouga River!”

  I shook my head, “I led you then and I controlled your charge. Until you have led a charge then I would give more respect to those officers who have more experience. The only officer with less experience than you is Lieutenant Frayn and I would rather follow him into battle than you.”

  “You insult me, sir.”

  “I speak the truth and before you begin to get angry know that I have killed an officer in a duel. I am not a novice. I am here to offer sage advice. You take it or ignore it at your peril. I am not of your regiment. Your fate is of no consequence to me!” I made sure that I held his gaze until he lowered his eyes. I had won. I had done all that I could. All else was down to him.

  We were half a day from Plasencia and I was riding with Captain Minchin when my sixth sense kicked in. There was danger ahead. The hills to our left were full of scrubby trees and ro
cks. The road ahead appeared empty but it was Donna who convinced me of the danger. Her ears pricked. I took my Baker and cocked it. Sergeant Sharp did the same but the rest of the troop were oblivious to the danger. I said, quietly, “Captain Minchin, Troop Sergeant Fenwick, there is danger ahead. Do not alarm the men but be ready to react when I command.”

  Both said, “Yes sir!”

  They trusted me and that was half the battle won. I saw nothing ahead but I spied half a dozen places where we could be ambushed. I said to Sergeant Parkinson, “Sergeant, your horse appears to be labouring. Examine the foreleg, if you please.”

  He looked at me, “You what, sir?”

  Troop Sergeant Fenwick growled, “Get off your horse and do as the Major says!”

  “Yes, Sarge.”

  We were halted and it was easier to look ahead whilst we were not moving. I still did not know where the ambush lay but I saw that there was a watercourse and some scrubby bushes. Just at that moment, a half a dozen pigeons took flight from the bushes. There was a movement. I lifted my Baker and tracked them. I lowered the rifle and fired at the hint of a green tunic. I might have hit the Dragoon and then again, I might not but I spooked a rider and his horse. A dragoon burst from the shrubs a hundred and twenty paces from us. His horse had bolted. Sergeant Sharp did not miss. The wounded rider slumped over his saddle.

  I shouted, “Charge!”

  We had gained the initiative and we galloped after the Dragoons. There were twenty of them. I slipped the Baker onto the pommel and drew a pistol. I spurred Donna. She might not have been the biggest horse but she was a quick horse and she soon extended a lead on all of the horses except for Sharp’s. The Dragoons were starting from standing and we soon began to gain. They were a mass of men before us and I risked wasting a ball. I was lucky and my pistol hit one in the back. As he fell, he knocked another rider to the side. When the rider tried to regain control of his horse Sharp shot him in the leg. There was confusion ahead and we gained on the Dragoons. It could not last. Inevitably they began to extend their lead. Their horses had been rested and ours had been riding all day but we had had the victory. I reined in when it was obvious that we would not catch them.

  Lieutenant Frayn asked, “How did you know there would be an ambush, sir? I was studying the terrain and I saw nothing.”

  I patted my horse. “My horse warned me and once I knew there was danger then I looked for things which were unnatural. Dragoon green is not a natural colour. It jars when it is seen against leaves and grass.”

  The Colonel and his senior officers rode up. “We heard the firing, Major. Trouble?”

  “An ambush.” I pointed to the dragoon’s musket in his hand. “They would have waited until we were level with them and given us a volley at less than twenty paces. They would have killed the officers and most of the sergeants.” I pointed up the road. “I think the garrison will be evacuating about now. A depleted squadron of Dragoons is no match for a full regiment.”

  I was right. We entered the town where we could see the evidence of a rapid flight; there were discarded items littered around the headquarters and the flag had been cut down and not lowered. We were greeted as conquering heroes. Leaving the Colonel to secure our quarters, I led Captain Minchin’s troop east. The horse dung on the road confirmed that the Dragoons had fled towards Talavera. By the time we returned to the town it was dark and the Colonel had secured the quarters recently vacated by the Dragoons. The Spanish had been harshly treated by the French and the tales they told hardened the hearts of the men of the 23rd.

  The next day I took two captured Dragoon horses along with the swords and muskets of the Dragoons we had killed and rode with Sergeant Sharp into the hills. We headed for La Calzada de Béjar. I needed to speak with Juan. I knew we would be seen from far off and I rode bare-headed, despite the sun. Juan and Miguel rose like wraiths from rocks when we were half a mile from the village. “Had you been French, milord, then you would be dead!”

  I had known they were there. I had learned, over the years, that a man smelled of how he lived and what he ate. It was a skill which could save a life. I had detected with my nose. “Then I am pleased that we are friends. I bring you and Miguel these horses and weapons as a present.”

  Their eyes widened, “Truly, milord? This is a great gift. I swear that we will put them to good use. With horses like this, we can travel further and wreak our vengeance upon the hated French. Come, my wife would like to see you as would my children.”

  As we walked up to the village I said, “The General is coming with our whole army. There may be a battle here but that will depend upon your generals, Cuesta and Venegas.” I dismounted.

  Juan shook his head, “Then there will be no battle, milord, for those two hate each other!” Juan’s wife fed us while Juan explained to me the politics of Spain. It seemed depressingly Byzantine! “There is hope, milord. Now that we have horses I can ride and meet with Chaleco.”

  “Chaleco?”

  “Yes, milord. He is the leader of the guerrillas to the east of Talavera. He commands a thousand men. He may be able to help. You and your horsemen will stay in Plasencia?”

  “Until the General arrives, yes.”

  “Then we will come to you there. I would like to see this general of yours. If he commands men such as you and your sergeant here then he must be a great man.”

  That evening I dined with the other officers in the mess. British cavalry regiments liked order and traditions. We were in the middle of Spain and living in semi-primitive conditions but that did not stop the Colonel from organising the regiment as though it was back in England. I told him of my meeting with the Spaniard.

  Captain Wilberforce snorted, “A waste of a couple of good horses, if you ask me, Major. They will be eating them already!”

  His cronies laughed. I shook my head, “Do not underestimate these brave men, Captain. If the French capture them then not only will they be killed but their families too. We are lucky, Bonaparte’s boot has not yet set foot in England. I believe that he is busy adding Austria to his Empire. I have fought him and know that he is the equal of Sir Arthur. If he returns here with his Imperial Guard then we will need allies like the guerrillas.”

  “I do not doubt, Major, that you are a brave man and know your business but I know that this regiment will acquit itself with honour when we do fight a real battle.”

  Captain Wilberforce’s cronies all banged the table in approval. Colonel Hawker shook his head. He spoke to me quietly so that no one else could hear, “I think there was a time when I might have endorsed the captain’s views but the crossing of the Douro and the fatal charge of Captain Rogers has shown me that we still have some way to go. I believe that had Captain Wilberforce been leading the advance guard when we approached this town that he would have charged after the Dragoons.”

  “And he might have run headlong into the town and the rest of the squadron. Do not underestimate the French Dragoons, sir. They are good horsemen and while they might not have a reputation like the French heavy cavalry, they know how to fight. They are used as mounted infantry. Their officers are quite happy to dismount their men and let them use their carbines. They can even fight from the backs of horses. They are taught to fire from the right so that sparks from the carbine do not frighten the horse. Some even use muskets from the backs of horses.”

  Major Thirwell said, “You seem to know an awful lot about Dragoons, Major.”

  I nodded, “I make it a point to know as much as I can about the enemies I am likely to fight. I have been fighting for fourteen years. You learn to respect your enemies if you are to survive.”

  The Major looked surprised, “Yet you are what? Thirty years old?”

  “Thirty-two.”

  “Remarkable! I was still riding to hounds when I was eighteen. I had not yet joined the army.” He nodded to Captain Wilberforce, “Perhaps you should heed the Major’s advice, Wilberforce.”

  The Captain said, “Yes, sir.” But I knew h
e did not mean it. He would learn the hard way.

  The General did not arrive until the end of the first week of July. By then the weather had become so hot that riding the daily patrols became a punishment. When he rode in, he had with him Colonel Selkirk and a Spanish officer. I was with the Colonel and Major Thirwell when he dismounted, “Well done, gentlemen. I take it that there has been no attempt by the French to push you from the town?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Good! Good! Colonel, I want a troop of your men to accompany me tomorrow. I go to meet General Cuesta. Major Matthews, I will need you too!”

  “Sir.”

  Colonel Hawker said, “In that case, sir, I will send Minchin’s troop.” He did not elaborate for the General but I knew he was using his common sense. Captain Minchin’s troop might be the smallest in number but they had the most experience and had acquitted themselves well.

  We had just twenty-six miles to ride to Almarez but the Spanish officer who led us was either a fool or deliberately misled us, for we did not arrive until late in the afternoon. The Spanish General had made his men stand to attention all afternoon waiting for Sir Arthur’s arrival. It was not a good start.

  General Cuesta was an old man. He had been injured at the battle of the Medellin and he travelled everywhere in a carriage now. He could not speak English and Sir Arthur could not speak Spanish. They could both speak French but the Spaniard refused to speak the language of the invader. We were lucky that there was a Spanish General who was of Irish origin. General Juan O’Donoju could speak both English and Spanish fluently. The three of them spoke while the rest of us watched. I could have translated but the General’s English was infinitely better than my Spanish.

  Colonel Selkirk sidled up to me, ostensibly to look at the Tagus below us but, in reality, to speak to me about the coming battle. “This does not bode well, Robbie. I had the devil’s own job to persuade Cuesta to come at all. They were badly handled in the last battle. Between you and me I think he wants us to fight his battles for him.”