18th July 1809: The Demolition Party

Notes about the location, an estimate of the powder needed, requisitions, orders, more requisitions ... the amount of paperwork Captain Torrington sorted into orderly piles before his fellow officers arrived was staggering. Rather cynically he computed the amount of paper that would actually make the bridge collapse all on its own. Not quite there yet, but he supposed the army would get there eventually.

Thankfully Rottlaender had not only made coffee, but also managed to provide a local cake - probably he had bartered away another part of his coffee, but Edward didn't care too much. He would rather pay that exorbitant price good quality coffee cost here than present people he had invited with nothing but papers and work.

A look at his timepiece confirmed that it only wanted five minutes to eleven. Straightening his jacket, he waited for the others to appear.

Vickery had made it a personal rule to appear five minutes before he was due - at least, out here with the Army where it would not do to be 'fashionably late'.

And so it was that he approached in time to see Torrington replacing his watch in his pocket.

"Good morning, Captain," he said, with a smile. "I was not sure how many we are expecting at this meeting, apart from you and I, and so I have taken the liberty of providing my own chair."

Cotton gave the Engineer a wink as he slipped round Vickery and unfolded his captain's camp chair for him.

"Thank you - that was most thoughtful!"
Edward offered Vickery his hand and nodded towards Cotton.

"I already feared that half my guests would have to keep standing. Captain Fraser will certainly join us, and I hope Captain Blackwood will as well. I wrote to Captain Padstowe, but I am not sure whether my missive has reached him yet and whether he can spare the time. As for subalterns, I would expect Lieutenant Delacroix of course, and perhaps one or two of the Guards. I'm not sure whom Fraser means to bring."

Rottlaender ducked in with a freshly brewed pot of coffee and looked questioningly at Captain Vickery. He had already learned that Torrington would drink coffee if his guest did, and would (although not gladly) forgo the pleasure if his guest didn't.

His arrival was going to be nearer to eleven than he liked, but it couldn't be helped. At least he would be reaching Captain Torrington's tent on this side of the appointed hour.

"Good morning, sirs," Blackwood greeted as he got close. Truth be told, the prospect of a mission away from the army cheered him immensely and no doubt it showed in his mood.

"Blackwood! Good morning." Vickery greeted the Coldstream officer's arrival with a smile and an outstretched hand. "I believe you two are acquainted already?" he added, looking between them.

Edward slightly bowed and held out his hand as well.

"Indeed. Good morning, Captain Blackwood. I'm glad to see you. May I hope that your appearance heralds the good news that headquarters have decided to include you in this little adventure?"

Rottlaender bobbed something between a bow and a salute in the background, still holding the coffee pot.

Fraser was not a man to be late. Truly, he wasn't. He had planned the morning of the 18th strictly, giving him enough time to finish his business with the troop and get to the officers meeting.
And thus, checking his watch every five-teen minutes, he was happily working his way trough day-to-day readings, the amount of ammunition still in the caissons, a report on the health of the horses, preparations for the expedition and so on, that he did not note his watch gave the time of 10:10 two times in a row.
He only noted it the 3rd time.

Bloody watches.

Luckily for Fraser, his batman was far more reliable then his watch, and just a few minutes before eleven (His watch had been quickly made up-to-date by his lieutenant), he presented himself with the tent. An unknown infantry officer had beaten him by a half-minute, and was welcomed.
Let's hope Fraser wasn't the last to arrive.

"Good morning gentlemen." He nodded politely Vickery and the unknown officer, and then addressed Torrington: " My lord, my thanks for organizing this meeting, and the invitation."

He tried to be calm and friendly, and succeeded, but a slight tension could be seen by the act of scratching the red band of his forage cap, as if he was trying to act naturally by making a 'natural' movement. Because scratching your forage cap is natural, isn't it?

"We are, sir," said Blackwood with a nod and a smile. "And yes, they have."

He turned as another officer arrived. It was a fellow he did not know, though the uniform of an artilleryman meant this was not so great a possible calamity.

"Good morning, sir," he greeted.

Unperturbed, as if he had appeared on just the right time at just the right speed, Edward bowed to him as well.

"Captain Fraser! Good morning to you, too. Captain Blackwood, might I make known to you Captain Fraser of the Royal Horse Artillery. Captain Fraser, Captain Blackwood, commanding the Light Company of the 2nd Foot Guards."

Freddie finally put the coffee pot down and went to get more cups. Probably the officers wanted to serve themselves?

Fraser made a quater-turn and faced the captain, stretching out his hand. "A pleasure, Captain Blackwood."

His consciousness told him guards captains were to be addressed as majors, but wouldn't Torrington have addressed him as such? Maybe the man was in fact a lieutenant? He pushed the worries aside and managed to put his most friendliest and unworried smile on his face.

What exactly he had been expecting, he could not have said, but drawing the attention of four superior officers as he ducked through the tent flap had -- somehow -- not been something for which Knox was entirely prepared. He froze, his expression momentarily resembling that of a startled animal, but quickly recovered himself and saluted. "Lt Knox, Second Foot Guards, reporting as requested, sir." His attempt at formality succeeded only in sounding stiff and awkward.

Edward acknowleged the salute and looked quickly at Blackwood out of the corner of his eyes. As the newcomer was from his regiment, the captain would probably want to handle the introductions here - especially as Edward had not particularily requested him, and could only suppose that this was aimed at Blackwood anyway.

He inclined his head in Fraser's direction. "Likewise, sir."

Then a familiar face appeared through the tent flap. Blackwood returned the salute and said, "Good morning, Lieutenant. May I present Captain Torrington of the Engineers, Captain Vickery, Sixtieth Rifles, and Captain Fraser of the Royal Horse Artillery."

He indicated each officer as introductions were made.

While Freddie set down cups for everybody and busied himself with the the table, Edward pulled out his timepiece again - his inner clock indicated that more than five minutes had passed. When he saw the time, he closed it with a snap and raised an eyebrow at Vickery.

"Lt. Delacroix did not beg off, did he?"

Vickery nodded politely as Knox was introduced, and then his attention was caught by the snap of Torrington's watch lid being closed.

"He did not." Vickery had indicated in his reply to Torrington's first note that Delacroix might be 'fashionably late'.

"By all means, make a start, Captain," he added. If Delacroix didn't shift himself and get here soon, then it would be his own fault if he missed some of the briefing.

Edward nodded and gestured to the other officers - the captains anyway - to take what seats they could find while he stepped forward and positioned himself next to the map he had pinned to the canvas.

He cleared his throat and settled his cuffs one last time, then took a pair of compasses to use as a pointer.

"Gentlemen. I'm glad you all found it possible on such short notice to be here. As you might already know, in view of the current military situation, our commander-in-chief has ordered the destruction of the bridge of Pasarela - here - which effectively makes it impossible for the French to cross the Rio Tiétar between here ... and here ..."

He pointed out the relevant geographical features and gave a brief overview over the advantages and disadvantages the demolition of the bridge gave. Quite possibly everybody knew those things already, but he wanted to make sure that all of them were on the same level.

Fraser sat himself down on one of the field chairs, after making sure everyone senior to him had occupied a seat first. Privilege of rank.

So, taking everybody in consideration, they would have two companies of light troops along with a few cannons. He supposes this meant there was no or little resistance... Just a few days of marching and working. But, then why bother with even a small guard?

"If I may ask," Fraser said, after Torrington had finished his overview. Nobody objected, so he continued. "If this bridge is as vital is you say, and as it lays rather between us and the French... Is there, and how much, resistance anticipated?"

"As far as I was told, headquarters is not expecting the bridge to be occupied by French troops. The next larger body of troops is here ... Line infantry, light infantry and a bit of cavalry, nothing heavier."

Edward retold what little he had been able to garner, ending with:

"But perhaps some of you have better information on this?"

Perhaps some of the military commanders, who after all would have to engage any enemy, would have been informed more thoroughly.

Vickery stood up and looked around. "Captains Argall, Blackwood and I will be taking our respective Companies to protect yourself, Captain Torrington, and Captain Fraser and such guns as he will be providing for protection. We do not anticipate very heavy resistance, as our latest intelligence has placed the nearest French forces some distance away on the other side of the bridge, with only a few troops in the vicinity of the bridge itself."

He gave Torrington a quick smile and sat down again.

Edward nodded his head minutely, but even though he did not show it, he was truelly grateful to Vickery. While he was not precisely afraid of encountering the French, he would prefer if his first real fight with them would not occure while he had something better to do. In this case blow up a bridge.

He looked at Fraser, hoping he would find the news equally reassuring.

"Captain Fraser, what guns do you propose to take along?"

Reassured, Fraser took a moment to considerate the question. He couldn't help to feel proud, and maybe a tiny bit glad, that he, at last, his experience and knowledge were finally put to complete use.

"I intend to bring two six-pounders, and the howitser, with a minimalised crew. That would be, including caissons, wheelcart and NCO's, some sixty men." Along with the crews would be a small mounted reserve of a dozen men, to provide a reserve. If needed.

"Now, as for the explosives, I can provide you with as much as five caissons. My estimation is you would need two or three, but I leave that decision to you. Naturally, I will provide drivers for the carts."

Fraser took out his small notebook and wrote down a quick calculation, coming to the interesting conclusion that his troop would probably the largest unit of the expedition.

Edward looked down at his own notes, amended them accordingly and did some quick calculations himself.

"I intent to have holes drilled first - otherwise it will be nearly impossible to inflict enough damage, no matter how much powder kegs we heap around it. That way, a relatively small amount of explosives should do the trick. I have already requisitioned the double of that from headquarters. Five cassions should be more than enough to transport that - even if headquarters really sends the full amount."

He turned a page.

"There is, however, the question whether we also can take a real caisson to undermine the middle pillars."

Vickery was very tempted to ask how big the bridge was, but prevented himself. "I suppose this is a bridge of some substance, then?" he said, quirking an eyebrow at Torrington. "I don't suppose you have an idea of how long this demolition will take, presuming the French do not try to interrupt us?"

"If we can work uninterrupted, I would think three days - but that means neither enemies nor bad weather."

Torrington thoughtfully tapped a finger against the map.

"We need to destroy the bridge so much it can't be repaired by putting wooden beams over them. That means we have to completely demolish the two central pillars ... Gentlemen, how many of your men have experience with explosives, and with the no doubt unloved, but necessary work of attacking the bridge with sledgehammers and drills?"

Three days at the bridge sounded simple enough, but if the structure was in any way important to the French, there would be attempts by them to drive the British force back. The estimate of three days could very easily become a much longer stay.

"I have some lads who worked on the toll roads," said Blackwood. "Mending and digging, that sort of thing. They may be suited to employing sledgehammers and drills. None have experience with explosives, however."