It was an unpleasant truth.
“Can we trust them as we do the men from the Trained Bands?”
“No. The volunteers march with us because they believe in the Lord and in the justice of our cause. Most of these new men believe in a full platter twice a day and not much else. We will be wise not to trust them out of our sight and especially not near unprotected womenfolk. I much suspect that the whipping-post will prove our friend with these sorts, Red Man.”
“If the need arises, then so be it, Daniel – but I do not like the prospect.”
“Necessity, they say, is a stern master, Red Man. We must have more men and those who would fight for what they see as the right have already joined us. The extra bodies will not be of the best yet we cannot refuse them.”
“We will do what we must, Daniel. Do you think we shall stay here all summer?”
“No. We will be called away on campaign, as soon as Parliament discovers what must be done this season. We are in a backwater here and will not be told what is happening until a messenger rides in and demands that we march instantly. The need will be to be ready – plans must be laid, Red Man!”
The first need was to train, to bring the new men to a basic competence and to encourage their fifty of horsemen to more than that.
Every morning started with a parade of all the men in camp, as much to wake them up as for any more martial purpose. After that, the sergeants and corporals took their drills, first teaching the village boys the outlandishly new concept of ‘left’ and ‘right’, an idea that had never previously impinged on their deeply rural minds.
“Bloody sheep-shaggers, begging thy pardon, that is, sir. ‘This way’ and ‘that way’ be the most complex directions they have ever come across in all their lives, sir. As for marching at a uniform pace – far too strange an idea for their slow minds to pick up. They know nothing, have done nothing in all their poor little lives, sir.”
“I am sure you will do your best, Sergeant Fletcher. Will you need to offer an example?”
“A bloody back to teach the others the foolishness of their ways? Not yet, sir. I would wait until one of them commits an actual crime, sir. Rather than beat a boy for being slow, wait until one steals or gives a backanswer, sir, then they will see the justice of our actions. They will not resent the flogging as bloody-handed bullying but will accept it as a rightful punishment of an evil-doer. The time will come, sir, and soon, I do not doubt.”
“A pity, but necessary, I doubt not. Give me the word and it will be done, Sergeant Fletcher.”
“I shall avoid it while I may, sir.”
Micah exercised the horsemen personally, taking them out to the open upland fields to gallop their horses and learn not to fall off in process. He gained much in equestrian skill himself, particularly in riding one-handed while brandishing his sword. The ostlers from Palethorpe’s helped much in the beginning; within a few days most had joined, were part of the band, making it up to sixty.
Chapter Ten
A young lieutenant rode in carrying a message from Major Jevons, addressed to both captains.
They read, and reread the short missive, and looked questioningly at each other.
“Lieutenant Abney, do you know the background to this message?”
“Not entirely, sir… I do know that a deputation of local gentlemen came to see the major yesterday, sir. They were disturbed, sir, by the burning of Mr Pulteney’s house, were worried that they might be next.”
“Only if they stand in arms against Parliament, Abney.”
“Yes, sir. I think Major Jevons was upset because gentlemen should not find their property destroyed merely because of matters of politics, sir. More important that we should protect the bastions of old England – that is what he called them, sir.”
Micah was outraged.
“What side is he on, Abney?”
“I don’t think he approves of treating gentlemen as if they were commoners, sir.”
Abney was one of the officers known for attending chapel twice on the Sabbath; like so many such, he was inclined towards a degree of egalitarianism.
“Well said. So, we have this communication… It does not give an order, merely says that we must be careful not to subvert good order in the countryside and must not inflame local passions.”
Daniel laughed.
“We did not inflame Pulteney’s passions – it was his thatch we set a fire to!”
Lieutenant Abney was not entertained. He did not find much funny.
“I do not think that he would find that amusing, sir. He has made it clear to us that we are not indulging in revolution – we are not to change the country and the way it is governed, we are merely to restrain an unwise King. He expects that nothing will be altered, that we shall return to the old ways as soon as the present disagreement is brought to an end. He has said several times over dinner, sir, that he expects the less well-born officers to return to their places as soon as there is no more need for their services, sir.”
“If he thinks I am to return to labouring in the slate quarry, then he must think again, Mr Abney!”
“I do believe that he has mentioned you as one of those who is needed in time of war but who will be redundant when order returns to the country, sir.”
“An error, Mr Abney, as no doubt he and others will discover. We must reply to his despatch. Will you allow us an hour to compose our response, sir?”
Abney agreed, having no alternative, was sent towards the kitchens to find himself a refreshment.
“What do we write, Daniel?”
“Simple, Red Man. We respond, most politely, that we much regret having lost his confidence, as is evident from his otherwise incomprehensible despatch. Such being the case, we can see no alternative to withdrawal from his service and Colonel Jevons’ Regiment and we shall therefore return to London to place ourselves at the disposal of General Skippon. Mr Jevons will wish to send captains to replace us and we shall delay one day until they arrive.”
“And stuff that in your pipe and smoke it, Major!”
“Exactly so, Red Man. My penmanship is superior to yours, Red Man, let me do the actual writing.”
A fresh piece of writing paper, one of several they had retrieved from Pulteney’s office, and the reply was produced and signed by both captains and then neatly folded and placed in Abney’s hand.
“Where is the remainder of the Regiment just now, Abney?”
“We are in camp a few miles from the port of Southampton, sir, outside a small village called Botley. The local people are all most friendly. They are well disposed towards Parliament and have supplied us with victuals at low cost. There have been a few men come to the colours as well.”
They glanced at the small map they had of southern England, thought that the Regiment had not marched far in the days it had been gone.
“Less than thirty miles distant, Mr Abney.”
“Yes, sir. Major Jevons has sent back to his uncle, the Colonel, for more precise instructions as to the use of the Regiment in current circumstances. He wishes, I believe, to be placed with the main army, or any one of the armies, where there is a chance of achieving honour on the battlefield. He does not believe that we should be used in this business of pacifying the countryside.”
“We should be content to obey the orders of those who make the strategy for Parliament, sir! There is a job to be done and it is our duty to do it! The honourable soldier demands no more than to obey his orders. I would be obliged if you would offer that comment to Major Jevons’ ears, Mr Abney, and inform him that I shall be making it to General Skippon in person.”
Abney rode off and the two sat down to a midday bite and a pint of beer.
“Best I should tell Rootes to pack my bags, Daniel.”
“Do not be precipitate, Red Man! Poor Abney will be back, early in the morning with a conciliatory reply. Jevons will not wish General Skippon to discover that he is sat in idleness and refusing to carry out his orders. In fact, I wi
ll lay you long odds he will discover that he will be better located here at Palethorpe’s with a favourite captain and his company – or two – and that you and I will be happier far in the field. To that end, one gets you ten that I shall be brevet-major with orders to march the Regiment as far as I wish and preferably a good distance from him.”
Micah sternly ignored the offer of a bet – he had learned a number of bad habits in the military, but he did not gamble. He scowled uncertainly.
“All will be for the best for us then?”
“No! Of course not! You are right to sound doubtful, Red Man. He will do his utmost to place knives in our backs. He will send a report to General Skippon much fearing that we used our independence here to loot and burn across this whole part of Hampshire. He will suggest that we have filled our purses, you corrupted by the older mercenary soldier who had been seduced into wickedness in the Germanies.”
Micah considered this, decided it might sound likely to a general sat at a distance and with much more important business to deal with.
“What do we do?”
“Get in first! Send off our own report to General Skippon regretting that Major Jevons has chosen to disregard his orders and has gone into camp near Southampton and is believed to be welcoming envoys from the King.”
“Is he?”
“How should I know? He is not doing as he should and that suggests disloyalty. He is a nuisance to us both and any means to knock him down must be accepted. He is a traitor inasmuch that he is not doing his utmost to rout out the malcontents in the countryside. That will do for me.”
“So be it, Daniel. We have a duty to God and must pursue that before any other consideration. We are honest in intent and that absolves us from minor matters of absolute accuracy regarding facts at any given moment. It is obvious that Jevons will betray our cause even if he is not doing so at this precise point of time.”
They sat together to create a plausible despatch to London and sent it off in the hands of two of the older horsemen by mid-afternoon.
“Give this into the hands of General Skippon, or, if he is too much engaged to see you, to one of his military secretaries at his headquarters.”
Both men had been grooms at Palethorpe’s and were used to riding out with messages from their master to the local gentry. They foresaw no difficulty in obtaining access to a general.
“Do us wait for ‘un to give an answer, like, Captain Slater, sir?”
Daniel grinned wryly and sat silent as he accepted his lesser place in the affections of the new men.
“Ask him if he wishes you to. He is a good man and will tell you what he wants and will not mind your asking him.”
“Easy done, sir. What about lying up on the road?”
“Go to an inn. Not a low hedge pub but a proper roadside resting place. Take rooms for the night and pay for stabling and for your own dinners. Here is money for the journey – ten shillings apiece, which will pay for a farrier if a nag casts a shoe as well as your lodging. Do not drink too much!”
They grinned awkwardly and promised to stay sober and ran out to their horses, showing very willing to spend the Red Man’s money.
“Ten bob apiece, Red Man? How many shoes do you expect them to replace?”
“None, most likely, Daniel. But they can give a chambermaid a shilling or two without running themselves short for the journey.”
“You are becoming a cynic in your old age, Red Man!”
“I have but learned from the company I keep, Daniel.”
They were sat over their breakfast when Lieutenant Abney rode up next morning.
Micah glanced out of the window on hearing hooves, shook his head in mock surprise.
“You are right, Daniel. Poor fellow must have left before sunrise. Cook! Another pot of beer and a plate of something hot for the young officer.”
The door opened and Abney entered, yawning.
“Beg pardon, sir! Major insisted this must reach you at soonest.”
He handed a folded sheet to Daniel.
“Take a seat, Mr Abney. Breakfast is coming.”
The young officer made his thanks, said he had not stopped to eat that morning. His meal arrived and he started to scoff it.
Daniel laughed aloud and passed the paper to Micah who read and then stood and gave a formal, overstated salute.
“Do sit down, my man – there is no need to bow to me nor yet drop to bended knee.”
“Beg pardon, sir, your honour, that is!”
“I told you so, Red Man.”
“Brevet-major it is, sir. To take command of the regiment in its camp at Botley and then to manoeuvre as seems appropriate to your orders. Major Jevons, who is not as well in himself as he once was, to bring a company to Palethorpe’s, will march into Palethorpe’s two days from now, on Friday, at which time we will set out. I see that I am to be Senior Captain in the battalion.”
“Simple and clear-cut and as predicted, Red Man.”
“It will leave the Regiment four days without a field officer in camp, Daniel. If any might have been seduced from their allegiance, then they will have the better part of a week in which to make mischief.”
They were interrupted by a belch from Abney.
“I beg your pardon, sir.”
“Not at all, Mr Abney… Is Red Man right? Are there officers who might be inclined to mischief in the absence of a senior?”
Abney paused, seeking the right words, waving a piece of toasted bread the while and dripping butter onto his hand.
“Oh! I shall never wash my cuff clean, sir!”
“No, butter is a nuisance in the wash. Pay a launderer tuppence and she will right it for you.”
“Oh, I had not thought of that, sir. I do my own washing, it not being my place to command servants. Mischief-makers, sir… there are perhaps one or two gentlemen who are not wholly convinced of the righteousness of our cause. They are more concerned to make a military career than to fight for the right.”
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
“Well seen, Red Man. Take your horsemen, say forty strong, leaving the score newest and rawest, and make your way to Botley, there to take command until I march the footmen in. I shall give thee a written order to that effect. Take some pains on the road not to meet Major Jevons on his way here. When settled in at Botley, discover who may be disaffected among the local gentry and we shall pay them a visit before marching down to the next country town of any size. Romsey, if I recall my home area correctly.”
“We shall ride out this afternoon, sir. Mr Abney, will you accompany us? You know the road and may be my guide.”
“Petersfield; East Meon; Droxford; Bishop’s Waltham and then Botley, sir. A simple ride, avoiding the higher parts of the Downs.”
The names meant nothing to Micah, having never seen a detailed map of the county.
“Mr Eglinton with me, I think, sir?”
“Yes, you will need a second officer with your troop and he will do as well as any. We might well think of making another youngster up, or an older man, indeed, if you can name one. Will young Peveril do or should he remain a gentleman volunteer for the while?”
“I will speak to the sergeants, sir.”
Both men knew they should no longer be on first name terms – Major Carew was the commanding officer and there must be a proper distance between them.
“Rootes, I am made senior captain in the battalion and second to Major Carew.”
“Aye, sir. So I heard tell.”
The grapevine worked quickly in any set of quarters.
“We are to ride out to Botley to take command of the camp there so that there shall be no foolishness in the absence of a major.”
“Aye, sir. Makes good sense. You will wear breast-and-back and carry all of your pistols and the backsword, sir, not the short sword.”
“Will I? Necessary, think you?”
“Might be, sir. Don’t know and ain’t heard nowt, you might say, but there might be one or two what was les
s inclined to one side than the other, sir.”
Rootes could not wisely name names – private soldiers had to be very sure of themselves before accusing any officer.
“What of the two misses, sir? Are they to march or must they stay here to find new protectors from Major Jevons’ people?”
Micah had taken some pains not to notice the presence of Misses Palethorpe and Philipps, though certain that they had become the peculiars of Daniel’s two young lieutenants.
“Will the men approve of their joining the baggage train, Rootes?”
“No, sir. Not in any way. Baggages they may have become but that does not mean they are welcome to the men of the Trained Bands, sir. Godly men, most of our two companies, sir, and disinclined to encourage the company of whores.”
Micah was forced to accept that was now the nature of the two young ladies.
“I will speak to Major Carew, Rootes.”
“The two ladies of leisure, Red Man? None of our business. We warned them to take themselves off but they chose to stay and play with the soldier boys! Quite noisily on some nights, at that! They will find themselves other protectors, no doubt. I shall remind my lieutenants to be generous to them as they say farewell. Best they should be given sufficient to take them to London, for I am not at all sure Major Jevons will find houseroom for them. Might be wiser for them to travel to Oxford, in fact. While Parliamentary London might well be unwelcoming to ladies of the night the Royalists will certainly find a bed for them.”
“How will they get to Oxford, sir?”
“From Parliamentary country to the King’s? Easily. The carriers’ carts will still be making their way along the lanes. It is not as if there is some strict frontier with guards along it. The outposts will be in the small towns and villages but there will be miles with neither party to be seen. Best they are away quickly, in fact. I shall hustle them off in the morning.”
Micah was inclined to feel that they had treated the girls somewhat uncaringly.
Red Man Page 17
