The Lines of Torres Vedras by Griff Hosker

Author:Griff Hosker [Hosker, Griff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Sword Books Ltd.
Published: 2019-11-06T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

It was the middle of the night when we finally reached the British outpost. I had shed my disguise but, even so, it took some persuasion to get past the detachment of the 31st Foot. Once through we had to repeat our story for the sentries at the various camps knew that the French were coming. We were directed to the convent on the ridge at Bussaco where Sir Arthur had his headquarters and we reached it shortly after dawn. I did not know how Sir Arthur managed to survive on so little sleep for he was already up and poring over maps with his senior officers. I was, of course, ushered in directly.

“Well?”

“Marshal Ney and the 2nd Corps are approaching Mortagua and will be there sometime later today.”

Sir George Murray said, “That is just a day or so away, Sir Arthur!”

Sir Arthur said, irritably, “Then let Major Matthews finish his report, General, and we will see if we need to pick up our skirts and run for Lisbon, eh?” Sir George looked suitably abashed. “Carry on, Matthews.”

“General Loison, who led the attack on the bridge is the vanguard. There are over 60,000 men in four Corps. Your saving grace, my lord, is that Masséna likes his night in comfort for his mistress is still with him and he is tardy, in addition, there is conflict between Ney and Masséna and that does not make for good bedfellows. His cavalry is at the rear of the column and Colonel Trant has destroyed some of the wagons which were bringing his artillery. Even if Marshal Ney reaches us within the next two days his guns could take another week to arrive here.”

Sir Arthur nodded, “Matthews, you have done well and I will need a more detailed account of your activities however, I must alter my plans slightly. Go and get changed. Eat something then meet me back here at noon!”

With that, I was dismissed. Sharp and I sought out the 14th Light Dragoons for they had our war gear and horses. Sadly, for us, they were not close to the convent and we had to travel almost to the Mondego river to get our belongings. It made sense to me for the ridge at Bussaco was no place for cavalry. It was light infantry country. Leaving the three horses to be used by the Light Dragoons we changed into our uniforms, ate a hearty breakfast with our friends and then headed back to the convent. We found a deserted house at Sula which was close to the convent. It was almost derelict but it had a roof and, more importantly, grazing for our horses close by.

“Sharp, make it more homely eh, and see if you can get some food for us. I daresay I will be some time with the General.”

I was taken directly in for I arrived promptly at noon. Lieutenant Mountshaft said, as we made our way through the cloisters to the cell the General was using, “He is just speaking with Sir Robert but he said to take you in.

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