26th May; Leading the Vanguard!

It was early morning and the colonel was awake looking over maps and figures for his unit. Being so close to the sea meant that his men were very well supplied and things would be easy administratively. Much to the colonel chagrin, it seemed that the army was only inching forward and he had little more to do than drilling his men constantly. Then, as if God had answered his prayers, orders arrived. As Friedrich read over the dispatch he smiled devilishly. He was to be entrusted with the vanguard, it was a great honor, one which the colonel felt he rightly deserved. Hopefully this was indicative of an imminent movement by the entire army.

His aide arrived with coffee and breakfast rations. He was surprised to see how lively the colonel looked in the morning. Friedrich noticed his shock and said, "Come now Hanz, don't let the coffee cool," and beckoned him with a jovial swing of his arm to put the food and coffee on the table. After taking a few sips of the coffee he let the warmth of the liquid run through his body and truly introduce him to the day. His mood was of no testament to the taste of the brew, no, he only drank what the soldier's drank, but the morning was rather chilly and the coffee truly hit the spot. "Hanz, instruct the major to assemble the 1st and second companies in the field east of camp."

Friedrich got up and went to his chest where he kept his valuables, today he would wear his Hanoverian uniform. He wished all to know who it was at the helm of the British line. Once clad in his full dress regalia, awards and military orders not withstanding, he exited to the stables where he mounted his brilliant Arabian. Now ready, he proudly and confidently strode over to the mustering field where his men were assembled. He scanned the lines proudly, confident in the knowledge that these were the finest men in all of Europe. Many of the officers leading these men had served with Friedrich for many years. He knew and trusted each and every one of them. He rode up and down the lines, simply admiring his men and thinking of how to address them. "Men of the 1st Battalion of the King's German Legion, we have been given the honorable task of establishing a vanguard for His Majesty's army. We will not fail in this task. None shall slip passed us. We have been instructed to aid and assist any allied forces that approach our lines. The first company will form the picquet line with the second company trailing as the advanced guard. The first company is not to engage enemies but report the enemy position to your commander. If the first company becomes threatened, the second will come to it's aid and protect the front of our army."

He moved his gaze to his officers, "You have your orders, move out!"

With that, orders began to be shouted across the lines and soldiers began to move like clockwork. Many of the men were excited to finally be leaving the camp and be out on the front once again. If they were lucky, they might run into some French.

The messenger had found him half an hour before the day's order to march was given. His timing was fortunate; Blackwood had just completed the morning routine of inspecting his company. With the men left under the charge of Lieutenant Wickes, Blackwood was in the process of saddling his horse when the messenger appeared. There was no conversation, beyond a curt "Orders for you, sir," from the other officer, before the man wheeled his horse and cantered away.

Orders. Blackwood broke the wax seal and read the neat script. Orders, indeed. He grinned to himself. That was interesting, wasn't it. A night time patrol, undertaken with the Rifle companies. Interesting indeed. It was fortunate he had met the 60th's officer, but the 95th's man was still an unknown entity to him. With luck, he could at least be introduced to him before embarking on the ordered patrol. Perhaps he could see to that while the army was marching.

Blackwood cinched up the girth, checked the fastenings on the bridle, then pulled himself up into the saddle. He could trust Wickes to manage the company in his absence. Pausing only long enough to leave a few instructions for his lieutenant, Blackwood headed off toward the head of the army. As near as he knew, the 95th was up there somewhere.

There was movement, an unusual amount of it, from the column where the German infantry had been placed. It looked like two companies were breaking out of their places. Heading... forward? This was even more interesting than his own orders. Blackwood spurred up, curious. Might this have something to do with the direction to form a patrol?

A splendidly-dressed officer sat easily on a fine horse, watching the soldiers move off. It was toward him that Blackwood headed. "Hullo there, sir," he called out, keeping his horse to a steady trot. "Is there a change in the marching order, sir?"

Friedrich brimmed with pride as he watched his men set off in an orderly march forward. The officers were instructing their men into ranks with the NCOs dressing them and giving them individual orders. The first company began the march forward first, the company slowly stretching out as it marched. The second company remained in ranks awaiting their orders to march. The excitement was abounding, his men were veterans and not unknown to the horrors of war, but they always preferred going after the French than sitting at camp.

Friedrich saw the British officer riding towards him and adjusted himself in his saddle to sit taller. He smiled jovially at the officer as he drew closer, he always enjoyed talking with other officers, especially one who was witnessing Friedrich's men in action. Friedrich expected this captain to be bringing him additional orders, he hoped it would be to gather the entire battalion and prepare to march forward en masse, but it was a hope unfulfilled. Friedrich chuckled a hardy chuckle at the prospect of a change in the marching order across the army. In an English that was very understandable but with clear German accenting, Friedrich said, "I have been ordered to form a small vanguard and screen the front with only two companies. I doubt this means the army is moving within the next few days but hopefully within a week or so we will be driving the French back to Paris!"

He laughed a little, but the thought of his boots Parading under Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. Even sweeter would be to continue the march all the way home.

A small vanguard. Blackwood lifted an eyebrow. He could think of no reason for an alteration in the marching order. No reason that didn't relate to the ordering of a night patrol, at least. He watched the Germans march out for a moment, then said "That is something to be hoped, certainly. I believe your orders may coincide with my own, sir."

He took the folded letter from inside his jacket and held it out. "Perhaps we are meant to cooperate, without express directions to do so."

It was wise to make some form of arrangement with the officer commanding the vanguard, however. If anything went wrong on their patrol, it would be important to have a ready and cooperative force waiting to support them as they withdrew. Though... if three companies were to encounter trouble that was serious enough to drive them back, it was doubtful that the vanguard alone would be sufficient to rescue them.

Friedrich tilted his head and gave a contemplative look, considering what the captain had told him. Friedrich did not know the orders the Captain had received and so did not know if they were to cooperate. He hoped though that the commanders in the field would be wise enough to coordinate the movements of their soldiers in such a manner that they overlapped and supported one another.

Friedrich wheeled his horse around to face the man instead of turning his head towards him for it seemed that this could be a decent conversation. "I should certainly hope so however, since I am unaware of your current orders I cannot make a definitive judgement."

Friedrich chuckled a little at his statement then continued, "I would be glad to cooperate with your forces given they are engaged in a similar activity. I have been ordered to support any allied forces that approach my lines."

Friedrich looked back over to watch as his second company began to march forward. The men of the first were slowly disappearing into the country side. Although this order was a rather minor one, and given the wording of his orders, he could have commanded his second or even one of the captains to coordinate this march, he itched for action and took to the front himself.

Blackwood kept the letter in which his orders were contained held out, if the German officer had any interest in reading for himself. "I am to take on a patrol, in the night, and get as near as I can to the French rearguard. They are retreating as swiftly as they can, but at night they are as immobile as we are. I don't believe they are more than a few miles ahead of us."

If the French were more than five miles ahead, their patrol would be useless. A waste of time and energy. As eager as he was for any sort of activity beyond the endless marching, Blackwood didn't relish the idea of making a foray toward the enemy lines only to find those lines well out of reach.

"I would like to make such a venture this very night, but I expect it will be difficult organising it properly on such short notice." The Guards officer shrugged. "It is a relief to know we would be ably supported should the need arise. One less thing to have to contend with."

Friedrich nodded as the man spoke. He agreed it would be difficult but it would likely be the best time to accomplish his mission. There would be reinforcements close by and more within a few hours distance back at camp. He hoped this was indicative of a general movement of the army. A vanguard and a patrol were good signs the army was going to move, unless French were anticipated to counter attack soon. Either way, hopefully something was going to happen. Friedrich made a mental note to go to his superiors to inquire about the future plans for the KGL. He would establish a vanguard a few miles from camp and await further orders from headquarters.

"It would make sense to undertake your orders soon. I am not sure how long I will be at the head of the army but I will make camp a few miles ahead so you should have at least a day or so to carry out your patrol," Friedrich replied indifferently. He had his orders and if the captain carried out his patrol soon, Friedrich would be obliged to support him, if the patrol was not carried out soon he would not.

Ah. The German officer seemed to ignore the proffered letter. Blackwood tucked it back into his jacket, not overly concerned about it. No matter. "Just so, sir. Tonight would be the ideal, however I must confer with the two Rifles companies first, before any movement can be made."

It made a surprising amount of sense to send his Light company off with the Rifles. The Guards regiments were known to be hard-fighters and the Rifles were arguably the best at skirmishing. A fine combination, or so Blackwood hoped. They would find out, certainly.

"It may be safe to presume your companies will be the vanguard for the rest of the pursuit, I think," he added. "Unless the French turn to offer a concerted fight. There are many who hope for that." Blackwood bared his teeth in an eager grin. He was unshakably amongst that number. The engagements at Pombal and Oporto had barely been worth mentioning in his regard.

The colonel tilted his head back a little and gave an inquisitive look then chuckled. To offset his shift in weight he reflexively held the reigns tighter, the result of a bad fall when he was a child. This captain seemed bold enough and he was of a similar mindset as Friedrich. Yes, they both were itching for a fight. This was more understandable in the young officer trying to prove himself, but for Friedrich he felt almost naive and childish to be so excited about the prospect of battle. He often felt this excitement made him more energetic in command and thus better in combat. No matter how he reasoned it out, he always desired to fight if he was on the campaign trail.

In a quick joke the colonel replied, "If they can get their tails from beneath their legs, perhaps. But if I know Napoleon he is merely regrouping his soldiers to begin the battle once again. I doubt he has given up on Spain yet."

What he said the Colonel felt to be very true and in such a thought contained many inferences, mainly that they should start being more careful. The days of running into small bands of straggling French might soon end and when it does a fool hardy officer could find himself in the face of a French division. The French would not simply run from Spain anymore. They would try to hold it. A retreat here, while militarily sound, would be politically devastating to the Emperor and their air of superiority. So, while Friedrich was rearing and ready to fight the enemy, the prospect of encountering stiff French counter attack was always at the back of his mind. As he marched forward and established a vanguard he would be sure to have a quick escape route in case of a large French contingent.

Despite his worries he would not be cowardly in command. He had been ordered to accomplish a task with a limited number of men and he intended on doing just that. "Although I too wish to see action. This camp life has been demoralizing to my men who are eager to liberate our homeland and drive the French back."

He looked back over at his men, they were farther yet. The idea that these men were the finest he had known could not escape him. He might not be a Major General but he did have the honor to serve beside a fine group of men and officers.

That was probably true. The current French retreat could turn at any moment and make a spirited stand. In truth, Blackwood was surprised they had not already done so. Maybe they were biding their time and preparing for such an event. In which case... the ordered patrol was just the thing to discover what, if anything, the Frogs were up to.

At the colonel's next words, Blackwood nodded with a slight smile. He could well understand what inspired the German troops. If the campaign in the Low Countries had gone differently - only it hadn't. There was no sense in worrying over it. "I am sure they be afforded that chance, sir," Blackwood said. "The Frogs can't run for ever."

Sooner or later, the pursuit would turn into a fighting advance. It had to. He couldn't imagine how the French would run straight out of Portugal, given their past successes here. But when would they stop their headlong flight and regroup their forces? There'd been no rumours about anything new from the irregulars, but such information would probably be carefully guarded, wouldn't it?

"Even if they do," he continued. "Your lads will be at the tip of the spear that drives them on. There is particular honour in that, I believe."

In a way, that was a greater honour than seeing the French off from a field of battle. Blackwood, of course, might have wanted his own regiment to be in that place, but such a distinction was better given to their KGL counterparts. Besides which, the Coldstream had earned their own renown in other campaigns.

Friedrich smiled and nodded. The prospect of being the first to fight the French felt good. The King's German Legion has consistently proven itself throughout the various campaigns and shown itself to be the elite of the British Army. Therefore it was natural for them to lead the attack or defense. Pride overtook him and scenes of French dead laying at his feet took over his mind. This prospect urged him on even further to want to fight. He would ensure that the King's German Legion and the Dukes of Brunswick would be remembered for their bravery, skill, and victory in war.

He looked at the officer for a few moments and said, "Yes, I believe it is fitting. The rest of the army fights for King and Country. We fight for our homes, our people. I hope it is we who are the first to march through Paris and bring Napoleon to his knees."

"Be careful out there Captain. The French could counter soon. I will give you whatever aid I can." Friedrich said seriously. He always felt badly when a young officer was killed in combat because he felt the need to prove himself and did something foolish. Feeling rather rude carrying on this conversation for this length of time and not even knowing the man's name or introducing himself Friedrich thought to introduce himself but felt that as the superior officer, the captain should have offered his name first. Despite Friedrich's friendliness and amicable personality, he still had to maintain an officer's decorum.

Indeed they could. That they had not already done so provided the British with a chance to harass the French rear. Blackwood looked at the long, snaking column of men preparing to march. They'd have to take that chance soon or risk losing the French in the mountains.

The colonel's men had moved off to a respectable distance by now and Blackwood lifted a hand to indicate their direction. "Shall we follow a ways, sir? It will be a short while yet before column moves forward." He paused a beat before adding, "My manners are somewhat slack, for which I apologise. Blackwood, Second Guards."

Obviously his social awareness needed work. Blackwood was bemused by his own oversight. A fine start to establishing relations with a potential ally.

The Colonel nodded and was about to spur his horse forward when the captain finally offered his name. The colonel removed his hat and extended his arm for a handshake, "Colonel Friedrich Augustus, Rightful Duke of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel, His Majesty's first line Battalion, in the King's German Legion. It is certainly a pleasure captain."

He looked over and saw that his officers had directed his men to move forward as planned. He looked back at the captain and said, "shall we?" before setting his horse to follow the men at a slight trot. He enjoyed leading from the front and braving the fire with his men. He felt it was important for them to see he was not afraid to do as they did and to continue his leadership style of braving what they braved and enduring what they endured.

Blackwood returned the handshake firmly. "Likewise, sir." The Germans were fond of their titles, weren't they? He supposed the army was the preferred occupation for their nobility. A little like the British, he thought wryly.

At the colonel's invitation, Blackwood nodded and tapped his heels back. He had not often seen the KGL infantry in any capacity so it was only natural to seize on the opportunity that was presented to him. His horse trotted easily, keeping apace with the colonel's horse. By the look of it, the German companies were in fine order.

"Were you with Sir John Moore, sir?" Blackwood asked, curious about his newest acquaintance's history with the army. It was apparent the man was quietly spoiling for a fight, so perhaps he had some previous experience.

Friedrich noted the captain's face as he examined the rear of the KGL lines. He nodded. It was natural for officers to appreciate the fine order and discipline of their ranks. He continued on the comfortable trot to catch up with his men. Friedrich was content to simply watch his men and note anything he wished to correct in the future. Always room for improvement he believed. Then the captain asked him a question that stung his pride. At the mention of his former commander Friedrich replied regretfully, "Yes, I had the honor of serving with that great man. May he warm the streets of heaven as he brought fire to the hearts of our men. Given more men, we might have liberated Spain."

To change the mood of the conversation and continue on the topic of his past experiences the colonel continued, "I have had the honor of serving with a great many fine men in my score of military service. I have served in several wars and have been contesting the forces of Napoleon since the beginning. It is my greatest wish to see my homeland liberated, to see the manor of my youth, and to march victoriously through the streets of Paris."

Satisfied that he had impressed enough of his past glory on the officer now, enough to give the impression that he has had a great deal of service without calling too much attention to his achievements at once so as not to seem arrogant. It was a fine line that he often run, but he was usually successful. He had even withheld his former position as a Major General in the Hanoverian Army. He actually didn't like to mention that too often seeing as though he was now only a colonel. It was due to a shift in armies as opposed to a lack of talent. He often urged to be promoted but perhaps his superiors felt he was needed as a field officer. Now to continue to seem humble he switched the focus of the conversation again. "Where were you stationed during the early Peninsular Campaign?" he asked curious to know the experience of his new acquaintance.

Quite a service record then. Blackwood nodded slightly at the reference to Sir John. By all accounts, he had been a fine general. Blackwood himself had not served under the Scotsman's command. Accordingly, he had nothing to add to the German colonel's description. He settled instead for a courteous, "I have heard much the same from others as well. My own service has been spent elsewhere, 'til now. I was in India first, with the North Hampshires, and later Egypt and Denmark with the Coldstream."

Not half as impressive as this fellow's history, maybe, but he didn't care. He was not here to measure careers with other officers. That was something for officers at home to titter over. Still... Blackwood grinned and added, "I am certainly not as seasoned a campaigner as some, I will grant. But we are all bound to have our due share of experience before this is all ended."

Assuming, of course, that the French decided to offer battle again before the end of the season. Blackwood would almost have preferred to spent a few more months in Egypt instead of being part of this headlong pursuit.

The Colonel nodded in approval, the captain was not totally green. Friedrich had definite problems with the system of purchased commissions. He believed in rank by merit alone. He had enough experience with officers would had purchased their commissions and were not as competent as they should have been. The British officers seemed mostly competent though. Before Friedrich would make his final assessment of the captain, he would have to see him in combat. Only then could an officer's quality be judged.

"True. The French should turn to fight or they will find our armies at the doorstep of Paris. I doubt the Emperor will allow us a free trip to the capital. They will draw a line in the sand somewhere and we will be forced to cross it or go home. I don't intend on leaving again. This time we win. The Spaniards may not be able to beat out the French, but we can and we will." He responded to the captain. The resolve in his voice was clear. Too many defeats suffered at French hands had severely damaged Friedrich's pride. 5 previous coalitions had been defeated, and Friedrich had been apart of all of them. This 6th one had to achieve victory.

In changing the subject to what was at hand, Friedrich said, "I will establish my camp 5 miles ahead of the army. I believe that is a sufficient distance to send message to the camp and for them to be ready in the face of a French attack. Patrols will extend the line several miles farther to screen our army and probe for French units."

Of course they should, Blackwood agreed privately. But there was a lot of country between here and Paris and the retreating French had not yet reached the border to Spain. Undoubtedly, they would chase the French out of Portugal at the very least, before the enemy regained himself and turned to offer battle. The Portuguese had been tolerable enough in their reception of the British, but Blackwood was not as confident about the Spanish.

"I believe this time we will win," Blackwood offered. "If the Spanish prove to be as willing to assist as the Portuguese have, we will do very well once the French are driven across the border."

But that was, understandably, the end of that particular vein of conversation. He accepted the shift in topics and nodded his approval - for whatever it might be worth - of Colonel von Braunschweig's plan. "A respectable arrangement, sir. It may undoubtedly prove beneficial, should we encounter any surprises on our patrol."

Which was something he would have to find the two Rifles officers and discuss with them. There was nearly a full day for that, at least.