To The Douro by David Blackmore

Author:David Blackmore [Blackmore, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-01-03T05:01:22+00:00

Chapter 11

As it turned out, the Regiment had little time to wonder about the change in Michael. With the likelihood of orders to march for Portugal expected at any time, Colonel Anson embarked on a reorganisation of the regiment. Of the ten troops, eight would be going, while two stayed behind to form a depot for recruiting and training, both men and horses. Personnel had to be allocated so the troops that went were the strongest, brought up to eighty men each, but while also allowing the two remaining troops to function effectively. There were also the new Cornets to deal with. They had arrived through November and December, and were still novices in many aspects of their rank. E Troop got George Keating, a quiet young man of seventeen, who promised to be quietly efficient. Sergeant Blood was moved, to Michael’s dismay, into Captain Cock’s Troop, in exchange for Sergeant Evans, newly promoted from corporal. Major Stanhope would be going, while Major Archer remained to command the depot.

By late December they were on the march, ordered to Falmouth, there to board transports for Portugal to join Sir John Moore’s army. On the way they heard the outcome of the Court of Inquiry into events in Portugal that autumn. Generals Dalrymple, Burrard and Wellesley had been exonerated. At Exeter their march was halted, and Michael was rather relieved, he had not been looking forward to seeing his uncle again. But it seemed their transports were now required for another purpose and they went into quarters in and around Exeter.

Towards the end of January came the news of the disastrous retreat of Moore’s army and its evacuation from Corunna. Transports arrived at every port from Falmouth to Portsmouth. Such was the state of the returning troops that the Sixteenth was moved to Dorchester to make room. All through this Michael continued to work hard and push himself hard. Captain Ashworth was forced to order him to do less. Michael just took to riding out all day, on Johnny or Duke, when he had no duty. Sometimes alone, sometimes with Lloyd.

The delay in going was too much for Captain Cocks, who managed to arrange to go out to Portugal anyway. General Cotton had also gone ahead.

Gradually, almost imperceptibly, the pain of Michael’s loss began to ease. He got a week’s leave, and realising he couldn’t avoid it for ever, he rode to see his uncle. He found his uncle on the verge of writing to him; he had received another letter from Baron Quintela. Following the expulsion of the French from Portugal and the occupation of Lisbon by the British, the Baron had written to Lisbon, instructing his chief clerk, Rodrigues, to give Michael, should he manage to get to Lisbon, whatever help he could in identifying the mysterious Augusto. Their meeting was awkward, Michael kept it as brief as he could, saying that he was also going to see his grandfather.

Leaving Falmouth behind, a four hour ride took him to his grandfather’s house.

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