Read Online Send Me Safely Back Again by Adrian Goldsworthy - Free Book Online
Authors: Adrian Goldsworthy
Tags: Fiction, Historical
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Austria will declare war on Bonaparte.’
Williams had heard such rumours before. He hoped that this time it was true, as a new threat would prevent the French from focusing all their attention on Spain.
Wickham gave an easy smile. ‘It was also understood that events might change during my journey, so from the beginning they were wise enough to trust that the members of the British mission to General Cuesta’s army were likely to be best informed about the current situation.’
D’Urban snorted at the idea of wisdom in his country’s government. ‘Well, as you now know, our best is by no means satisfactory. The Spanish are unaware of much that happens, and tell us less than they know.’
‘In fairness, Colonel D’Urban,’ said Baynes, ‘the Spanish often do not tell each other all that they know. And it is not as if we hold no secrets back from them. Your magical shrapnel shells, for instance, Mr Williams.’ He stared at the ensign. ‘You have come from Lisbon not long ago?’ Williams nodded. ‘How large a force does General Craddock dispose?’
Williams thought, and Wickham noticed that he had the uncouth habit of pressing his tongue against the inside of his cheek as he did so. ‘Well, the bulk of his force was at sea on the expedition to the south. I would guess at some three or four thousand. Perhaps double that if the expedition is included.’
D’Urban nodded. ‘A good guess. Yet perhaps it would surprise you to learn that many Spaniards, including a good few of their senior generals and politicians, fervently believe that we have ten times as many in Portugal. And they cannot understand why so strong a force has not marched to the aid of their beleaguered armies.’
Baynes took a deep breath. ‘It makes them believe that we have ambitions of our own, and are willing to let Spain’s armies bleed to boost our own power. The recent offer of installing the expeditionary force as a garrison of Cadiz was both naively concocted and clumsily made.’
‘Many of the Spanish do not trust the British,’ concluded D’Urban.
Baynes shrugged. ‘Which given our government’s habit of fomenting dissent in their American colonies and the enthusiasm of our men of commerce for bullying their way into the most profitable of Spain’s markets seems unduly suspicious of them.’
D’Urban ignored his companion’s cheerful sarcasm. ‘Certain information of what is happening is vital. Much of it will concern the little things – numbers and names of regiments, the quality of roads and bridges or the availability of forage. We need to learn about everything to understand the war and wage it better. Both we and our allies must understand the true strength of the other, and we must be doubly sure of the enemy’s dispositions and their intentions.
‘The Doña Margarita became caught up in the fight against the French at Saragossa last year. Now she travels speedily and often, in spite of her condition. She carries such knowledge and helps to gather more. Others do the same, and in time they may help us to pierce through the mists and see clearly what on earth is going on. After that, we might stop making such a hash of everything and start winning.’
Williams was a good soldier and Colonel D’Urban a man in authority. When given orders Williams obeyed, but tried to do so shrewdly rather than blindly. That was something he had learnt from Dobson, back when he was still a volunteer and served as the veteran’s ‘rear rank man’ in the company’s formation. He was glad that D’Urban and Baynes had explained something of the wider situation, and as they travelled the next day Williams took Dobson into his confidence. The corporal had not been included in the previous night’s conference.
The veteran listened without betraying any opinion until the ensign had finished.
‘So are we supposed to pass as dagoes, sir?’ he asked sceptically. Williams was blond, and both men bigger and thicker set than was
Williams had heard such rumours before. He hoped that this time it was true, as a new threat would prevent the French from focusing all their attention on Spain.
Wickham gave an easy smile. ‘It was also understood that events might change during my journey, so from the beginning they were wise enough to trust that the members of the British mission to General Cuesta’s army were likely to be best informed about the current situation.’
D’Urban snorted at the idea of wisdom in his country’s government. ‘Well, as you now know, our best is by no means satisfactory. The Spanish are unaware of much that happens, and tell us less than they know.’
‘In fairness, Colonel D’Urban,’ said Baynes, ‘the Spanish often do not tell each other all that they know. And it is not as if we hold no secrets back from them. Your magical shrapnel shells, for instance, Mr Williams.’ He stared at the ensign. ‘You have come from Lisbon not long ago?’ Williams nodded. ‘How large a force does General Craddock dispose?’
Williams thought, and Wickham noticed that he had the uncouth habit of pressing his tongue against the inside of his cheek as he did so. ‘Well, the bulk of his force was at sea on the expedition to the south. I would guess at some three or four thousand. Perhaps double that if the expedition is included.’
D’Urban nodded. ‘A good guess. Yet perhaps it would surprise you to learn that many Spaniards, including a good few of their senior generals and politicians, fervently believe that we have ten times as many in Portugal. And they cannot understand why so strong a force has not marched to the aid of their beleaguered armies.’
Baynes took a deep breath. ‘It makes them believe that we have ambitions of our own, and are willing to let Spain’s armies bleed to boost our own power. The recent offer of installing the expeditionary force as a garrison of Cadiz was both naively concocted and clumsily made.’
‘Many of the Spanish do not trust the British,’ concluded D’Urban.
Baynes shrugged. ‘Which given our government’s habit of fomenting dissent in their American colonies and the enthusiasm of our men of commerce for bullying their way into the most profitable of Spain’s markets seems unduly suspicious of them.’
D’Urban ignored his companion’s cheerful sarcasm. ‘Certain information of what is happening is vital. Much of it will concern the little things – numbers and names of regiments, the quality of roads and bridges or the availability of forage. We need to learn about everything to understand the war and wage it better. Both we and our allies must understand the true strength of the other, and we must be doubly sure of the enemy’s dispositions and their intentions.
‘The Doña Margarita became caught up in the fight against the French at Saragossa last year. Now she travels speedily and often, in spite of her condition. She carries such knowledge and helps to gather more. Others do the same, and in time they may help us to pierce through the mists and see clearly what on earth is going on. After that, we might stop making such a hash of everything and start winning.’
Williams was a good soldier and Colonel D’Urban a man in authority. When given orders Williams obeyed, but tried to do so shrewdly rather than blindly. That was something he had learnt from Dobson, back when he was still a volunteer and served as the veteran’s ‘rear rank man’ in the company’s formation. He was glad that D’Urban and Baynes had explained something of the wider situation, and as they travelled the next day Williams took Dobson into his confidence. The corporal had not been included in the previous night’s conference.
The veteran listened without betraying any opinion until the ensign had finished.
‘So are we supposed to pass as dagoes, sir?’ he asked sceptically. Williams was blond, and both men bigger and thicker set than was
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