The Odd-Job Man (The Duty and Destiny Series, Book 7) by Wareham Andrew

Author:Wareham, Andrew [Wareham, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: The Electronic Book Company
Published: 2015-11-29T05:00:00+00:00

Frederick conferred with the Marines separately.

“Major Campbell, you will be landed at the quay, sir. I would be obliged to you if you was to search out any town guard before marching your party to the road where it exits the township to lead inland. A barricade, if such can be achieved, would be useful. I am not entirely certain, of course, but I believe I saw the tower of a church on the outskirts, and there are often pews to be found there…”

“And churchyards are commonly enclosed by stone walls, sir. I am sure that we will be able to set up a defensive position.”

“There was no tented encampment within sight, Major Campbell, but the valley, in the nature of things, winds its way inland and there could be troops within an hour or two of marching.”

“Sixty muskets behind cover will give them pause for thought, I do not doubt, sir.”

“You will have Midshipman Iliffe as a runner, sir. Keep me informed of interesting events, sir.”

The Major assured him that he would.

“Your subordinates on the other three brigs, Major Campbell, will land at the cove shown here on the sketch. Boats to the beach in the hours before dawn. There is a track leading over the headland which I believe to be traversed by deckhands carrying lobsters and crabs into market; it should not be too severe for your Marines. They will take the battery, shown here, and the barracks room behind it, and the powder magazine, of course. If possible, by silent escalade so as not to raise an alarm. The men to be kept under the most rigorous discipline, sir – there is to be no sack, no noise, no arson at this stage. Guns to be manned and if possible turned inland to cover the road; if not, then a watch to sea. Ready the magazine, of course. You will wish to allocate tasks to your subordinates yourself, Major Campbell.”

The battery was on a platform raised some feet above the level of the rest of the town, whether on masonry or a low, natural cliff was unclear.

Rather a lot of the plan was unclear, on mature thought, but they would have to make it up as they went – one could not have everything in this life.

Campbell gave his orders – one company to hold the cove where they landed and protect the boats; a second to assault the battery, under his senior captain; the third to wait on the track as a reserve, either to be called to the battery or to make its way towards the road and form a holding position for the major to fall back on.

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