An Indomitable Brigade: Book 7 of the Peninsular War Saga by Lynn Bryant

Author:Lynn Bryant [Bryant, Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Wynchlands Publishing
Published: 2022-04-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

It had been two hours since the departure of Kempt’s brigade and the skirmishing in the village, and in different circumstances, Leo Manson might have enjoyed watching his brigade commander’s rising exasperation at their lack of orders. They were not far from the action, although little of it could be seen from their concealed position near the bridge at Villodas. Major Ross’s rifle companies still held the village and the skirmishing and gunfire across the river had died away through the early afternoon.

They were at the top of the church tower in Villodas with Lieutenant-General Alten, General Vandeleur and several staff members trying to get a better view over the field. Lord Wellington had departed in the wake of Kempt’s brigade and Manson thought that at least they were no longer having to watch him constantly to ensure that he did not step into the line of fire while considering his next move.

“You can barely see Kempt’s men even from here,” Vandeleur commented. “Good cover.”

“Good thing, given how close he is to the French there,” Paul said. “There’s definitely action over towards the Mendoza bridge, though.”

“You’ve said that twice already, sir,” Evan Powell said. “The first time it was a solitary messenger on horseback and the second time it was a flock of goats.”

“We could have found a use for the goats,” Paul said meditatively. Alten and Vandeleur spoke in unison.

“No looting the locals,” Vandeleur said.

“Do not steal the locals’ livestock,” Alten added.

Manson tried to stifle a laugh but failed and his commander glared at him.

“I’m extremely strict about looting,” he said. “Ask any of my men.”

“I do not think the owner of the deer park at the Marina Palace last year would agree with you, General. I received several very generous gifts of venison.”

“So did I,” Vandeleur said, without turning round from his perusal of the battle. “It was very welcome, I must say.”

“There was also a suspicious incident involving several pigs on the retreat from Burgos,” Alten said seriously.

“And there was the chicken at Salamanca,” Vandeleur said.

“I had nothing to do with that bloody chicken,” Paul said firmly. He had raised his glass to his eye again. “Sir, I think…”

“Ja, I see it. And this time, General, I do not think it is goats. Come, we shall go down.”

As they reached the edge of the village, they found Major Ross already there, watching the stone bridge. The crossing had been held by the French all day and was heavily barricaded, but across the wooden structures it was clear that the tirailleurs had begun to pull back. The artillery across the bridge had fallen silent and although the Allied officers must have been plainly visible to the enemy, no shot was fired towards them. Manson wondered what was happening, but even as he had the thought there was a rattling fire from the other side and the tirailleurs scattered into the cover of the surrounding bushes, their officers shouting orders frantically. Manson heard the rumbling of a gun

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