1808: The Road to Corunna

by Griff Hosker

  “It is not your fault, Sergeant Smith. You were obeying orders and you did well to bring so many back.”

  I turned to Alan, “Where are the officers and how many men did we lose?”

  “Captain Goodwin is dead and I sent Lieutenant Hart back to the surgeon with the rest of the wounded. He had a bad cut to his arm. Eight dead sir and as many wounded.”

  I nodded, “Thank you Sergeant Smith. That is not as bad as it could have been. Until we join the rest of your regiment you will command the troop.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Captain Moreno, take a troop of your men and pursue the French. I want to know where they go.”

  He grinned, “Yes Colonel!”

  “You do not fight. You watch.” I saw the disappointment on his face. “There will be many more battles and you and your men will have the chance for glory.”

  He brightened, “With you and Colonel Trant to lead us I know so.”

  Sir Arthur brought the rest of the camp up to the village. I set vedettes to watch for a sneak attack. When I reported to the general you would have thought we had been defeated rather than winning the battle. “Give me some good news, Matthews. I am in dire need of it.”

  “We captured a gun. The Portuguese fought well and General Delaborde and the survivors are now racing back to Torres Vedras.”

  He grunted, “What happened to the 20th?”

  “I had them watching the flanks with strict orders not to charge. They did.”

  “I’ll have Goodwin court martialed.”

  “He’s dead sir and Hart will lose an arm. He will have to be sent back to England.”

  “It was the same with Lake! Damned fool lost over half his men and his own life when he went for glory. Dammit we could have won this battle with just a handful of casualties and captured the entire French force but for that damned fool.”

  “Yes sir. Still it is the first battle and we did win.”

  “Glass half full eh Matthews? By the way you did well today.” He chuckled. “Our allies have been singing your praises to Colonel Trant all evening.”

  “Any orders for tomorrow sir?”

  “We have reinforcements coming from Gibraltar and the rest of the 20th.” He smiled. “You will be able to relinquish that particular command. We are to rendezvous at Maceira Bay. Take the 20th tomorrow morning and secure the beach for us. I will follow with this behemoth of an army!”

  Chapter 11

  We left before dawn. I knew that Torres Vedras was not far from the bay and there was a good chance that we would encounter the French on our patrol I had not spoken to Lieutenant Hart before I had left. Had I done so I might have spoken rather too freely. He had just followed his superior and he had paid for it with his arm. His military career was over.

  Sergeant Smith was happy to be away from him. “Well sergeant, your regiment will be landing in force soon. You will have your own officers.”

  “To be honest sir I am quite happy serving with you. I reckon I would have more chance of surviving this war.”

  “I think it just takes time to adjust to this type of war, sergeant. I have been fighting a long time. It is just experience and your officers will gain that when they find their feet.

  The River Maceira flowed past a small village of the same name. Two miles away was Vimeiro Hill. It would make a good defensive site for Sir Arthur. We had no idea how many men Junot had with him. We could easily be outnumbered. The prisoners were reluctant to tell us anything. Although I was not certain that the ones we had knew the numbers. They had been sent to shadow and slow us down while Junot gathered his forces. It would be a formidable force. Napoleon would want the British throwing back into the sea before they had a toe hold.

  We made camp on the 18th of August. Sharp went into the village to buy some fresh supplies. We still had money and the troopers deserved it. The villagers were happy to sell us a couple of sheep and chickens for coins. They knew that soldiers would tend to take without payment. We ate well that night.

  The first ship arrived the next morning. It was a sloop. A young lieutenant rowed ashore and saluted. “Sir, do you know where Sir Arthur Wellesley is?”

  “He is north of here but he should arrive today.”

  He nodded. “Good sir. The new commander Sir Harry Burrard will arrive this evening with the transports and troops from Gibraltar.”

  “Good, for the General should be here by then.”

  The lieutenant looked behind me at the hill. “Are there French close by sir?”

  “I do not think so. We defeated their advance guard the other day but I dare say they will be along soon.”

  He looked at the river. “Is that drinkable sir.” He pointed to the barrels in the boat. ”We need fresh water.”

  “Just go half a mile upstream. We had the men and the horses using the sea but it pays to be careful.”

  “Right sir!”

  He looked up at the hill, nervously as though he expected blue uniforms to come flooding down. “Sergeant Smith, take a couple of troopers and watch the watering party.”

  “Righto sir.”

  The young lieutenant looked relieved.

  When the sergeant returned from his water protection detail I said, “Mount up and we will see what is in the vicinity. We will need ten men no more.”

  “Right sir.”

  “Sergeant Sharp, take care of the camp. I suspect there will be many more soldiers arriving soon so get us a decent billet for the night eh?” I was leaving Sharp for he was organised and he spoke Portuguese. It might come in handy.

  “Yes sir.”

  We headed east. Sergeant Smith asked, “Sir, do you mind me asking you a question? I don’t want to be impertinent.”

  “Sergeant, I served as a corporal before I was even a sergeant. If you are impertinent believe me I will let you know!”

  Hs smiled, “Sharpie reckons you are rich, sir. You own a half share in a ship and you have an estate in Sicily.”

  I had not thought about it but I supposed they were right. “Yes I suppose I am well off. Not that I think about the money.”

  “Then why are you here sir? I mean if I had a half share in a ship I would be sat on my arse all day drinking myself stupid.”

  “It is not in my nature. I was made to work hard from an early age and I cannot sit around doing nothing.”

  “Well you could work on your estate. Sharpie says it is in Sicily and it is a beautiful part of the world.”

  “It is. But I suppose the real reason is Bonaparte. I think he is dangerous and needs stopping. When he is no longer a threat to Britain and the rest of the world then I will retire and enjoy myself.”

  Smith considered this for a while. Both of us were constantly scanning the road ahead and the ground around us for signs of the French but so far we had seen nothing.

  “Sharpie says you have met Bonaparte.”

  I nodded, “I have.”

  “What’s he like?”

  “Physically he is small and neat. As a general then imagine Sir Arthur with a French accent. They have much in common.”

  “Do you reckon Sir Arthur can beat him?”

  “I do, Sergeant Smith, but I also believe that the British Army with any good commander is capable of beating Boney. We did it at Roliça and we will do it again. You know that the lads are stubborn. The British soldier would as soon spit in your eye as say you were a better soldier.”

  He laughed. “Aye you are right, sir.” I suddenly reined in. “What’s up, sir?”

  I looked around and ignored the sergeant. There was something wrong and I could not put my finger on it. Then I realised what it was; the birds which had been roosting in the small copse ahead had suddenly taken flight and we were surrounded by the sound of silence. It felt unnatural. There was an ambush ahead.

  I turned to Smith. “There is an ambush ahead. I hope your men have loaded pistols and carbines.”

  “They do, sir.”

  I dismounted and began to exa
mine my horse’s hoof. I spoke loudly enough for the eleven man patrol to hear me. “When I mount up we are going to charge in two columns. I will take one file to the right of the woods and Sergeant Smith to the left. Use your pistols and carbines to shoot the Frenchmen who are hiding there. Then go in with sabres.”

  “Sir, how do….”

  “Just do it Sergeant and I will explain later. Now when I get on my horse all of you laugh as though I have told you the funniest joke ever. We walk until you see me whip my horse and then we ride like the wind.”

  I mounted and they all laughed. I led them forward. When we were just forty yards from the woods I yelled, “Now!” drew my pistol and kicked my horse hard. I had to trust that five men were following me or this could turn out to be a disaster. I entered the wood some thirty yards from the road. In single file the troopers could just follow me and it was up to me to choose the best line.

  I caught a glimpse of green. They were Chasseurs. I headed towards the road. A surprised trooper turned with his musketoon. The ball from my pistol hit him in the middle and at such close range that it threw him from his horse. I holstered the pistol and drew my sword. I saw a Chasseur trying to mount his horse and I slashed at him blindly. I felt the edge grate against his forehead as I took the top of his skull from his head.

  The handful of Chasseurs took to their horses and headed south. “Sergeant Smith, after them!”

  I burst out into the road. Ahead I saw a Chasseur grab his musketoon and aim it across his saddle. I grabbed a pistol with my left hand and rode with my knees. I fired at the horse. The ball hit the saddle and the horse reared and ran off to the west. The trooper tried to lower his musketoon to hit me. I leaned forward and my sword took him in the chest. I flicked his dying body to one side as I galloped after the other five riders who were heading for Torres Vedras.

  If I had had Badger I would have caught them but the horse I rode was not the swiftest. I slowed to conserve her strength and to allow the others to catch me. Smith appeared next to me. I glanced at him. “Did we lose any?”

  “Danny West caught one and Larry Lamb was wounded.”

  The French did not extend their lead. They kept glancing nervously over their shoulders and we kept following. I knew where they were going and I just wanted to see the size of the army we faced.

  As we neared Torres Vedras I saw all the signs of a French camp. There was smoke in the distance and I caught glimpses of blue and green. It was Junot. I reined in and stood in my stirrups. I saw a vast cavalry camp. The one arm we lacked Junot had in abundance. I estimated more than fifteen hundred cavalrymen were with Junot. Sir Arthur would have his hands full.

  “Right sergeant, we have seen enough. Let’s go home.”

  We wheeled our mounts around and headed north. “Sir, how did you know about the ambush?”

  “The birds moved and it was just the sort of place I would use as an ambush. And, “ I shrugged, “it just didn’t feel right.”

  When we reached our camp more ships were arriving but they were too far out to sea to identify them. “Alan, ride and find the general tell him that the reinforcements are here and,” I added quietly, “I think the new general is here too.”

  “That should please him!”

  It was dark by the time that Sir Arthur and Sergeant Sharp arrived at the camp. Captain Moreno and a squadron of Portuguese were their escort. The general dismounted and peered out at the gathering fleet. Their lights bobbed about the bay. He shook his head.

  “I had hoped to defeat Junot before he arrived. Is he coming ashore?”

  “He won’t be able to tonight Sir Arthur. It is too dangerous.”

  “Well the army will be here by the morrow. Any sign of the French?”

  They are just north of Torres Vedras. I should warn you ,sir, that they have over fifteen hundred cavalry.”

  He waved an airy hand. “Cavalry are overrated.” He peered into the eastern darkness. “That hill there looks useful.”

  I nodded. “There is a village on the top and it is a long ridge. It would be a good defensive position.”

  “If God gives me the chance I shall line up our battalions on its top and even old Bonaparte could not shift me.” He turned his view to the west. “Of course it all depends upon Sir Harry!”

  Sir Harry, it seemed, was not willing to land without an army there to protect him. We were summoned out to his ship while Sir Brent Spencer landed his men. Sir Brent’s boat landed while we were boarding. Sir Arthur said, “Be so good as to make your camp close to the village of Vimeiro eh Sir Brent.”

  “But Sir Harry has not made his dispositions yet, Sir Arthur.”

  “Better camping up there and there is water. This place is too sandy and full of flies.”

  “Ah, good idea.”

  As we were rowed out to the flagship Sir Arthur chuckled, “Well we have our defensive position come what may. Now I just need to get Sir Harry to allow me to command.”

  I was not so certain. I had heard of Sir Harry. His men called him Betty because of his lack of aggression. I had seen him in Copenhagen with Lord Cathcart and he seemed fairly ineffectual to me. Why he had been appointed, I could not see.

  He was, however, an affable chap.”Ah good to see you again, Arthur.”

  I knew that Sir Arthur hated informality and would not like the address but he had to grin and bear it. “And you, sir. “This is Major Matthews, my aide.”

  “I have heard much about you. Now then Arthur, Sir John will be here by the end of the week and when we have all of our troops we shall begin to think about an offensive.”

  Sir Arthur gave me a weary look. “Sir, we have already beaten one French force at Roliça and there is another one close by. I can drive the French from Portugal with one battle.”

  “Fought already? But you have only just landed. No, no, we will wait for Sir John. Sir Hew Dalrymple is also on his way. Let us be patient eh?”

  “But sir…”

  ”Now then let you and I sit down and plan this campaign properly. We’ll have a decent dinner. If you like I can arrange for a cabin for you aboard the flagship. It will be better than a tent.”

  A sudden look of cunning flashed across Sir Arthur’s face. “No sir, I will sleep ashore and, if you don’t mind, I’ll just send Matthews here to sort out my tent for me. I shan’t be a moment.”

  Once outside the cabin he said, “I want you to make sure that Sir Brent makes a defensive position. As the troops arrive put them on the ridges facing south and east. That is where the French will attack.”

  “Yes sir, but what if Sir Brent asks for written orders?”

  “Just tell him I ordered it on Sir Harry’s advice.”

  “But what if he asks Sir Harry?”

  “Trust me he won’t. Come on Major, you are a soldier and you know that we can win. You are just following orders eh?”

  “Yes sir.”

  Once at the camp I sought Sharp. “When the army arrives direct them to the village.”

  “Yes sir. Have you eaten yet?”

  “I’ll grab something later. I am under Sir Arthur’s orders.”

  I rode up to the village. I had to put on a show. I went into the manner I adopted when I was behind enemy lines. I exuded confidence. “Ah Sir Brent, the generals sent me to see if everything was going well and you were aligning your men on the ridges facing south and east.”

  “Whatever for?”

  “Well there are twenty thousand Frenchmen out there and if they head north that is the direction they will take.”

  “Dear me. And Sir Harry knows this?”

  “Sir Arthur has informed him of the danger. Those dispositions make sense.” I saw the hesitation and doubt on his face. “The rest of our army will be here by tomorrow. Sir Arthur is finalising details with Sir Harry now and I dare say he will brief you later this evening.”

  “I believe you old chap it’s just that Sir Harry gave me the impression that he wanted to wait until Sir John Moore arrived
before engaging the French.”

  “Ah but the French are closer than anyone knew. This is merely a case of being careful. It is a prudent move, general.”

  “You are probably right. I say are there any Portuguese speakers with our chaps. We can’t understand the locals.”

  “What is it that you want sir?”

  “Well I would prefer to sleep in a house rather than a tent. What do you think?”

  “If you come with me, sir, I’ll see what I can do.” I led the general and two of his aides towards the village. I saw two men drinking outside a tiny bodega. They both assiduously ignored us. I asked them, in Portuguese, where the Prefeito was and their attitude changed. It turned out that one of them was the Prefeito. I explained that the Portuguese army was coming and asked if they had rooms for Sir Brent. They shook their heads until I took out a gold Louis. It changed their minds and loosened their tongues.

  I turned to Sir Brent. “They have two rooms for you sir but the food will be extra,”

  “I say Matthews, you are a fine fellow to have around. Good show!”

  “You are welcome sir and if you could arrange the defences.”

  “Of course, Major Matthews, my pleasure.”

  I was still awake when Sir Arthur returned. He looked angry but, as always with Sir Arthur, he kept his anger in check. His clipped sentences were the evidence that his interview had not gone well.

  “That man, Major, will undo all the good work we have done.”

  There was little to say to that. “I have asked Sir Brent to place his troops on the western ridge.”

  “Facing south.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Good. I would have you scout again tomorrow.”

  “You wish me to find Junot?”

  “We know where Junot is. I would have you find his dispositions.”

  “Some of the other troops have arrived sir.”

  “Good. I need this battle fighting and winning. Soon I will not be in a position to decide on a battle plan. I will be fourth in command.”