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Visiting the 60th Rifles

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Post  Guest Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:50 am

The conversation with Colonel Sir Henry Simmerson had annoyed Edrington. The man was loud and a fool, and no matter how well connected he was at the Horse Guards, his claims against the 60th for 'theft' of a soldier would be laughable. But bad blood between the regiments was not good for morale, and the idea that some men could transfer into the 60th because of its reputation for lax discipline would only serve to increase resentment among the redcoats. So far, he had not heard of any great interest - but it might be otherwise with the 33rd.

So, early on the march from Avelãs Edrington rode forward to speak to Captain Vickery about their new Rifleman.
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Post  John Vickery Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:57 am

Vickery was pleased that Cotton seemed to have regained some of his spirits at least since the previous night. The crushing despair he'd marched under yesterday had been lifted, even though he was obviously still concerned for Maggie and seemed to be missing her keenly. He was taking much more interest in their surroundings and Vickery had watched him as he tipped his shako back to watch a hovering hawk. The young Rifleman marching behind him was taking a keen interest in things as well, and Vickery smiled, more than content with his men.

He turned as he heard horses' hooves behind him, and reined Brandy in as he saw Colonel Edrington approaching.
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Post  Guest Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:11 am

"Captain Vickery," Edrington said, casting an eye over the ranks of the Riflemen. "We will need to strengthen the patrols, I think, before the day is out. We are getting close to the enemy."

And there would almost cxertainly be action tomorrow - but Wellesley had not made his plans known. Just how much they knew was still not public knowledge, but everyone knew that they were drawing closer to the French with every step.

He gave a quick nod, and then drew his horse aside, away from the ears and eyes of the company. "I had a visitor last evening, with a complaint against you."
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Post  John Vickery Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:21 am

Vickery nodded. "I was thinking that myself, sir." With eighty-eight men, he could easily have patrols of twenty or so, though the more men on patrol, the more likely it was that something could go wrong. But then, with more eyes, there was more chance of spotting the enemy first. It was a delicate balance, but it was a challenge Vickery relished. "I shall probably go on foot later," he said instead. "I fear I would present a very obvious target, being on horseback with my men using the available cover."

He frowned a little as Edrington drew his horse aside and lowered his voice.

"A complaint, my lord? From who, and what was his concern?"
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Post  Guest Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:27 am

"A complaint that you had stolen a soldier from his regiment ... Apparently the man is worth 30 guineas, although a separate claim might be made in respect of equipment..." Edrington smiled tightly at Vickery. "Do you know Colonel Sir Henry Simmerson, of the 33rd?"
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Post  John Vickery Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:32 am

The 33rd... this was about young Pye, then.

"I know of the Colonel," he replied. "I understand he is very... conservative, when it comes to tactics. He is not an advocate of the Rifles, I am aware of that much."

But stealing a soldier? Pye's transfer had gone through the correct channels, as far as Vickery was concerned, or he should certainly have refused it.
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Post  Guest Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:43 am

"He says that he did not sign the transfer papers. I do not see that that is our concern. It is a matter he must sort out with his Captains." Edfrington shook his head. "When I refused to pay, or to authorise payment, since he cannot have expected to fork out the money for one of his men from my own pocket..." Though had he paid, the money would assuredly have ended up in Sir Henry's pocket: rich he might be, but he had the reputation for one keen to increase his wealth by any means.

"When I refused, he said he would check whether the man had returned all the equipment he had been issued by the 33rd, and if he had not, he would have him charged as a thief."
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Post  John Vickery Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:49 am

Vickery raised an eyebrow. "Issue and return of equipment is in Sergeant Fischer's purview. We would have no use for any of Pye's old equipment and would send it back, of course. I will be able to furnish you with the list and receipt when we reach camp. Until then, I am afraid it is tucked away with the Company books. Everything will be accounted for, down to his gaiters. If he has kept any of his old clothing, we will have sent back an equivalent item. I very much doubt, for example, that the 33rd would have willingly taken his shirts back into their stores."
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Post  Guest Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:53 am

"I do not think..." Edrington hesitated. The man was an oaf and disgrace to the uniform, but he was a Colonel. "Colonel Simmerson is concerned about the example this transfer sets. He believes that those of his men who object to the strict discipline he encourages will be moved to apply for transfers to the Rifles where they will - lead an casual and carefree life. He wishes the man Pye to be a warning that it is not that easy to leave the 33rd."
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Post  John Vickery Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:02 am

"It is not easy to get into the Rifles, either," Vickery replied, somewhat tartly, and sighed. "I was impressed with Pye's responses to the questions I put to him - questions which required him to think for himself instead of coming out with something parrot-fashion. I have eighty-eight men in my Company, sir, which is closer to being at full strength than I have any right to expect. I do not need to poach men from elsewhere in order to recruit up to effective strength. And I have said to you before that our discipline is different from that of the Line, which does not mean it is more lax. We require much more in the way of self-discipline from even an ordinary private soldier in a Line regiment, although Colonel Simmerson may not understand or appreciate that the way you do, sir."
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Post  Guest Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:20 am

"I made the same points, Captain. But he is ... likely to try to take the matter further. He will be checking his books too." Edrington glanced back at the Riflemen. "After Oporto, we will see what the situation is. I do not want to stifle interest in the Rifles, not even in the 62nd, but we need to follow the proper procedures. Even if the candidate does seem promising, that just makes them more valuable to their original regiment."
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Post  John Vickery Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:31 am

"You may see that, sir. Somebody of Colonel Simmerson's stamp probably does not, however, and wouldn't care how promising a man is. He would only care that another regiment does not profit by gaining on him and encouraging him to attain his potential."

He paused for a moment, riding on in silence before saying, "We do not need to recruit men to be an effective unit, sir. And if we were so severely under strength that we could only be effective by recruiting, I still would not choose to recruit from other regiments. Rifleman Pye is an exception, who I accepted because his Company commander seemed happy to allow him to go so that he could achieve his potential. Cotton joined the 60th for the same reason, as did others. I have never sought to gain men at another regiment's expense, and nor will I, sir."
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Post  Guest Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:52 am

Edrington shrugged. "Perhaps, but the man's potential is only important if it improves his value to the army. His own satisfaction regrettably matters a lot less. Fortunately, the two often go together. Where they do not, the Army's needs must take priority." He did not like to point out that, after a couple of battles, Vickery's company could well be under strength and need to recruit from wherever they could. Wellesley would not let his Rifles experiment fail because replacements were not available: Line Regiments might even be instructed to identify promising candidates, as they had been when the Rifles Regiments were first formed.
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Post  John Vickery Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:02 am

Vickery smiled. "I feel I may say, without fear of contradiction, sir, that Pye is likely to be of more use in the skirmish line taking out enemy officers and sergeants than he would be in the Line, firing volleys and nervous for his skin if he messes up in loading according to the drill manual. He is an intelligent young man, who only lacks experience. Cotton seemed quite pleased with him after a morning teaching him how to aim and fire a rifle. He will be a fair marksman with a little more experience." And of course the Army's needs took priority, which was why Vickery wouldn't summarily accept all and sundry who came to him with a request to join. Those who did join expecting an easy life were in for a shock, whether they came from the Line or had been recruited from civilian livelihoods.
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Post  Guest Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:16 am

"At the moment though, he will be of use in neither capacity. Unless the specialist role of rifleman is such an unskilled job that it can be learned in a couple of days," Edrington said with some amusement. "But do not worry - I'm not about to hand him back to the 33rd."
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Post  John Vickery Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:22 am

"Thank you, sir. I was planning on sending him out as part of the scouting party, under the tutelage of Cotton and Roper. Training on the job, as it were, which is the best way of learning how to do something." He had not liked what he'd heard about the 33rd and did not want to have to dash Pye's hopes and send him back to a regiment that was, by all accounts, hell to serve in.
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Post  Guest Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:04 pm

"I hope you're right," Edrington said. "And that it doesn't end up with all three of them being distracted. It might not be just half a company out there this time ... " In which case, even a distracted Cotton should be able to see them. And the 95th would be there as well. They needed recruits more than the 5/60th, but in the absence of the rest of the battalion, and with their irregular status, that would not be easy. As difficult as doing anything for Sharpe.

"Very well," Edrington said. "Check your books, and ask Pye as well. But we will keep him. I am not going to be bullied by Colonel Simmerson."
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Post  John Vickery Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:36 pm

"Cotton and Roper are two of the steadiest men in the Company." Hence Roper's status as Chosen Man - Lance Corporal, really, and Cotton's position as his batman.

We will keep him. The words were not lost on Vickery and he smiled. Despite everything, things were working between the Rifles and the 62nd.

"Thank you, sir. I will send the books and receipt over this evening, should you wish to see them."
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Post  Zachary Pye Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:14 am

Improved interest in 'what was' on Cotton's behalf was a certain bit of good news. The morning itself began pleasantly. Early up again, with all his kit ready, cleaned what he needed, stored and packed away the rest. And then, here. He noticed the two men taking some distance from the column, as anyone of the green jacketed men did too. But then cast his attention elsewhere.

The sky for a short while, a bird that flew by, made two large circles above them and then flapped its wings to move further away. There was a smaller black bird with its yellowish beak seated on a branch and soon spooked away by the sounds of men.

A rustle under the leaves to their left could probably be attributed to a mouse or a small rodent of some sort, making its way to a safe place to hide away till the danger would pass. Some birds sang and chattered on in their conversation oblivious to all and everything. Ignorant of the men and their thoughts, conversations and decisions. Pye smiled. Another day in the rifles looked as good as the one before. It felt like a place to belong.
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Post  Guest Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:13 am

Edrington nodded, a slight frown between his brows. "It might be best. It is a nuisance - and something we could do without, when we're bound to be meeting the French in the next day or so - but it does not do to allow someone like ..." He swallowed and rephrased it rather more diplomatically. "We do not want Colonel Simmerson to think that we have done anything to be ashamed of."
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Post  John Vickery Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:20 am

Vickery raised an eyebrow. "I was unaware that I had done anything to be ashamed of, sir." He glanced at the marching Riflemen. "I acted for the best, with what information I had at the time, which is all that any of us can do, after all."
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Post  Guest Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:27 am

"You haven't, Captain," Edrington assured him. "Nor has your Rifleman. But Colonel Simmerson ..." His lips twitched. "I prefer to be sure of my facts, before I meet him again. I am certain that you are in the right."
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Post  Guest Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:33 am

Simmerson saw a red-coated officer talking to a young man in the uniform of the 60th, and urged Champion into a trot. He was still smarting at Edrington's tone - he may be an Earl but he was a youngster in comparison to Simmerson, and had less money, and thus ought to have minded his manners - and his undignified dismissal the night before. "My lord!" he called, masking all of these emotions with obsequiousness.
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Post  Guest Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:36 am

Edrington turned at the voice, and glanced across at Vickery, suppressing a groan. "Simmerson," he said in a tone that did not offer any encouragement.
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Post  Guest Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:37 am

"My Lord, what a day for a march! Soldiering - this is the life!" He looked down from his high horse at the Rifles officer - Champion was an obscenely expensive gelding which he could not quite control. "And who are you, sir?"
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