REALM OF THE FAERY

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

FAERY HOME II

Rick's hope that he had over-reacted proved false. The Albion Faery (English) began making its traditional demands. first messages, then meetings for negotiations and finally demands, taking their traditional three months to do so. At the first message from Albion Rick began thinking about ways to even the odds, Rick remembered that a couple of years ago he'd been interested in civil war reenacting but didn't have the time to do it right. He recalled that a small American company had produced copies of the ten-pound Parrot rifled cannon for reenactors. He didn't wait, he inquired. Then broached the idea to the queen. She approved the operation, but Rick provided the funds. The company was about to go out of business A large order for the national park service had fallen through. The company had eight finished guns but only three finished carriages. Rick bought the lot including spare iron carriage parts. Since they were not modern cannons there were no American government regulations to worry about.

He found plans for the shells and paper fuses and even an empty original shell, on a military antiquities site He bought it. He contacted a major machine shop in Italy to copy the antique shell. He ordered one thousand of them at twenty dollars each, if they could be delivered in a month. Since they were simply empty metal cannisters, the company gladly accepted the order. The paper fuses were easily made in Culloden. The cannons were capable of firing solid balls, case shot and cannister as well as shells

Getting them into Culloden was another matter. Fortunately, even in the modern UK smuggling was alive and well. Everything was smuggled into Scotland and taken near Inverness at night and then into Culloden.

Caointiorn called Rick into her private office. The militia general and major O'Dell were both present.

"Major Castle, since you are the only one familiar with coordinating the new artillery with your new infantry tactics, you are promoted colonel.

You will have the First Culloden Rifles (militia) to back up the Royal Guard."

"But Your Majesty, I just made major and I've never commanded this many men."

"Nonetheless, Colonel you're the only one who can."

General MacDonald spoke.

"Her Majesty is right, man. None of us ken it yet and we won't have the time to fully understand. Ye must do it."

Rick sighed. "As my queen commands."

Mac Donald clapped a hand on Rick's shoulder.

"Dinna worry over much, lad, ye'll do well. The general was a tall burly man with a graying ruddy beard, He reminded Rick of a bear in uniform. He was one of the few fully uniformed militia officers. He wore a blue-green coat, much like the royal guards, but it was double breasted. white riding breeches and black boots. On his head was a shako, a golden sash was worn under his sword belt, which supported a basket-hilt broadsword, a dirk and a brace of pistols.

"Will you take some uniform advice sir?"

"Why?"

"Sir, the sash. white, breeches, Shako and golden epaulettes make you stand out. Make you a prime target, even with the new tactics. If I, were you, I'd switch to green or black breeches, no sash, a bonnet or tricorn and gray cloth epaulettes. A single black metal six- pointed star as a rank insignia. Our men are the only ones who need to know who you are, the enemy does not. Your uniformed staff should make the changes also."

The general knew good advice when he heard it.

"I will do that, Colonel and since I have a colonel and two lieutenant colonels on my staff you will have to have new insignias made for them as well as yourself. Fortunately, with the way the Albion dogs go about things we should have sufficient time.

Once the tubes, carriages and iron parts were in, Faery artisans began making the needed carriages, copied from the existing one. Others began making the shells and paper fuses. More artillerymen were recruited and trained. The drill for the Parrot's wasn't that different from the smoothbore drills. Mostly teaching old and new gunners how to site and aim the rifled cannon. They were fortunate that the artillery commander was a fairly young officer who was willing to learn and adopt new tactics. When the first few shells were ready, a firing demonstration was arranged. When Captain O'Dell saw the range and accuracy, he enthusiastically embraced the new guns It took a month and a half to get the five new carriages built and the tubes mounted and the crews assigned to the guns and full training got underway. Now having five four-gun batteries, Captain O'Dell was promoted major. Rick was under no illusions that the Parrot's alone would be decisive, but they would play hell with the Albion field guns.

Culloden had about eighty-five hundred able bodied men in the militia, mostly infantry organized into one hundred- man companies based in their villages. These companies organized into battalions and regiments based on their counties. Being mostly farmers or tradesmen, it wasn't hard to convince them that standing up, out in the open to get shot at wasn't the best idea. An exception to this was the one squadron of cavalry, made up of well-off men who provided their own mounts as well as uniforms, arms and accoutrements. It was used for scouting and patrolling as the highland terrain wasn't well suited to the classic cavalry. They were armed with a brace of pistols, a carbine and a saber. If it came to fighting, they usually dismounted and fought on foot.

Although each man bought his own arms and accoutrements, they were mostly a standardized .54 caliber. most were rifles, some muskets remained, they were .69 caliber. Most were flintlocks, though some of the sergeants and most of the officers had percussion weapons. The infantrymen had their rifles, a bayonet, a dirk, a cartridge box holding fifty rounds and a wooden canteen. Sergeants added a sword. Officers usually had a brace of pistols and a sword.

The troops from Albion were similarly armed, though their tradition-minded ordnance department kept them armed with flintlock muskets, depending on the outdated close- range volley and charge tactics. They did have one regiment of riflemen, but they were in France

The First Culloden rifles were the elite militia regiment raised and financed by four clan chiefs in the capitol county. They were the exception to the dress of the militia in that they all had the same style and color jackets and bonnets. They all had the same make and model rifles, made in Faery France. There trousers were of the tartan of their clan all a variation of hunter green or dark blue. They were to Culloden what the Rangers were to a modern army. They drilled and trained hard, Richard training right along with his men which was causing some friction at home.

"You're working much too hard, Babe. Twelve- hour days, every day. Your military experience was only at company level and they've got you running a regiment with too little staff. When you do get home, you're exhausted."

She pouted a little. "We're still newlyweds and I'm feeling neglected."

"I know, Sweetheart. And you're nearly as busy as Caointiorn's chief lady-in-waiting. The regimental staff, is experienced, but adjusting to new ways isn't easy. And as militia, they weren't training everyday as they are now. We're adding three new officers to the staff. I promise I'll cut it back as much as I can."

"Okay Babe. Make love to me now?"

They were no sooner in their bedroom, then clothes went flying. IT was brief, but very intense, both climaxing quickly, a brief wash up then they fell asleep in each other's arms. Rick kept his promise, cutting back his hours and the men's as well. They all understood the basic concepts and tactical doctrine. It was now just a matter of practice. But there was such a thing as over-training which led to tired men making mistakes. Of course, the military situation wasn't the only thing going on. Kate's position as chief lady-in-waiting was far from a ceremonial post. She functioned as Caointiorn's personal aide. The other ladies-in-waiting soon found out that their posts were no longer merely ceremonial ones. There were many details to be attended to. After two of them found themselves relieved and replaced, the rest didn't even think of complaining.

Alexis' training also intensified. So much so, that she seldom even thought of herself as Alexis. She was Princess Brigid of Culloden. That however, didn't change her nature she was still the same kind, level headed person she'd always been.

Several young men were now paying a lot of attention to her, which was flattering but none of them got too close. Kenzie saw to that. She'd taken to carrying a small pistol as well as her dirk. There was one boy, however that caught Brigid's attention. He was Kenneth MacDonald,

Son of a MacDonald chieftain. A quiet, somewhat shy boy of Brigid's age. Tall for his age, he would grow into a big man, but he had none of the arrogance of many chieftain's sons. He'd already begun his arms training and took it seriously, but preferred his books.

Caointiorn smiled as she watched them strolling along. He would be a good match for Brigid if something developed between them in a few years. His dark hair, green eyes and ruddy complexion were a sharp contrast to the pale-skinned flame-haired princess'

"Father, I want to march with the regiment."

"No, Kenneth, me lad. You're not yet of military age, you will stay here. Her Royal Highness will need her friends. The boy was disappointed, but knew better than to try his father's temper. Brigid sympathized with him, she sometimes fretted that there were things she was deemed too young to do, but was glad that he wouldn't be going.

Finally, the first of Albion's troops began to move. They started late in the day and had barely crossed the border and went into camp. As was usual at the time a platoon of cavalry rode out to do some scouting and a little "Foraging" (looting) They bypassed a couple of small villages to raid a market town. Bad decision.

The sharpshooter company was waiting for them, in ambush. The arrogant cavalrymen hadn't met any resistance yet, so their scouts were careless and the platoon rode right up the main street, in column.

They stopped in the town square. The troop sergeant major dismounted, headed for the town hall, ready to demand food and drink from the town. The troopers would then dismount and proceed to steal from the townsmen.

The sergeant major never made it. A sudden blast of rifle fire emptied the platoon's saddles. The company had been hiding in a large warehouse facing the square. Captain Reynolds had assigned his men to each trooper, saving only the lieutenant he would have his horse shot from under him and be captured. With accurate marksmen, at less than fifty yards range, every trooper was hit. None of them had much chance. Most of them suffered disabling wounds, six troopers were killed That was intended all the wounded men would require care which took men and resources to care for them, Except for the lieutenant's horse, not a single mount was injured.

The troopers were stripped of weapons equipment and boots and half the horses were confiscated. The rest had lightly wounded men riding horses drawing litters carrying the more seriously wounded. If Rick's reports were correct, the enemy cavalry commander is a hothead and instead of learning anything he'd lead his squadron out, even though he had no idea of the size of The Culloden force or the effectiveness of their weapons.

Captain Reynolds led his company out of the town at a quick march, leading the captured horses, deliberately leaving an easily followed trail.

The trail led to within two hundred yards of where the Royal Guard and the First Battalion of the Culloden Rifles lay in ambush behind a screen of gorse and heather, a small plain in front of them.

Rick had wanted to be with them, but the queen had forbidden it, at least for the opening skirmishes. Major Quentin MacLeod, the First Culloden's executive officer was in command, well versed in Rick's plan.

Lieutenant Colonel the Right Honourable Baron Sir Hugh Radcliffe, in a rage, led his squadron of hussars in pursuit of the damned kilties. He intended not just defeat them but destroy them and hang the officers. He especially wanted to free his captured cousin. The squadron moved at a lope, fast enough to catch the enemy, not so fast to tire the horses before the charge. One of his pickets rode up and saluted.

"Sir, the tracks I've found indicate no more than a company of infantry. They have halted, probably for a quick rest about five hundred yards ahead."

"Very well. Sargent Major have the men prime their pistols. He drew his saber. Squadron, forward at the canter, March!"

Captain Reynolds had briefed his men. Those with scoped rifles would target the officers and NCO's.

Colonel Radcliffe scorned the traditional parley before battle. At two hundred yards, just as the charge was beginning Captain Reynolds gave his orders. "Marksmen you know your targets. All troops, Commence firing!" A blast of rifle fire and most of the officers and senior NCOs were down, Colonel Radcliffe taking a bullet that shattered his shoulder and a second ball in his hip, as he fell.

The Royal Guard and the sharpshooters were firing from the prone position allowing the First Culloden to fire over the prone troopers.

Like the town action, the enemy had no chance at all. The piteous screams of the wounded horses were worse than their masters.

The butcher's bill was horrendous with forty-two men killed, outright, more than two hundred seriously wounded and forty more who would take months to recover. the rest were captured as they tried to flee.

Colonel Radcliffe was in agony, from the wounds, but when the pain was controlled, he asked about the fate of his men and felt the pain and shame that he'd led them so carelessly.

The Culloden forces captured over three hundred horses, seven hundred pistols, four hundred sabers and forty carbines. Major MacLeod sent a rider under a flag of truce to General Sir Harold Winston. Sir Harry honored the flag and a parley was arranged. He was allowed to recover his wounded troops under parole. None of them could return to the war.

Sir Harry agreed. Most of them wouldn't recover enough to fight anyway. No matter where the wound was, a .54 caliber bullet does a lot of damage. The healthy prisoners were marched to a secluded valley where a pow camp was set up. Officers and nco's were segregated and kept under close confinement.

The common troopers were offered parole to work on local farms. Of course, guards were present but not overbearing. Most of the prisoners were quite happy to stay where they were. The food was much better than they received in the army and the work no particularly strenuous.

Most of them had been farmers or herders before the war.

A second parley was arranged between General MacLeod and General Winston they met in a small inn near the border. "General we've already cost you a quarter of your cavalry without sustaining any casualties of our own. I suggest that you withdraw across the border and consult with your king."

"I cannot do that, General, my orders are firm. The truce holds until dawn."

"Very well General. Good day."

Albion's greedy and arrogant king refused to listen to his advisors. Their armed forces were stretched too thin. With large forces trying to subdue France and regain Brittany, more troops in Eire they only had around ten thousand troops to commit to the conquest of Culloden. They were especially weak in artillery only having one battalion of six-pounders available. Thirty-two guns in all. Worse for them, they knew nothing of the eight Parrot rifles, believing that Culloden still only had three four- gun batteries.

They had nine regiments of infantry, and one of cavalry. The cavalry already having lost a quarter of its' strength. General Winston wasn't worried five of his regiments were regulars, four territorials. But even the regulars weren't first class troops. Many of them victims of a press gang or the sweepings of jails. Petty criminals, enlisting to get out.

They would be going against militia, true, but well- trained militia fighting on home ground it would not be the cake-walk they'd been told it would be. They started out in high spirits glad to be out of garrison and on the move. Fordham's light horse led out on a scouting mission and soon caught sight of McClintock's Rangers and initiated a pursuit. Once again overconfidence would cost them. No thought was given to the fact, that knowing the terrain, the Rangers should have been able to elude their pursuers. Instead, they stayed just far enough ahead to be good bait, exchanging long range shots that didn't have much chance of hitting anything. At five hundred yards, the Rangers split into two groups, turning sharply to either flank. A screen of gorse was pulled down to reveal a battery of six pounders, placed almost hub to hub.

The four guns fired as one, unleashing a storm of cannister and grape shot. The pursuit went down in a mass of screaming men and horses. Lieutenant Colonel Fordham was literally torn apart, his executive officer, two of his troop commanders and the sergeant major killed, outright as well. Before the smoke had even cleared, The Royal Guard and the First Culloden Rifles began pouring in deadly, short-range accurate rifle fire. The Rangers spread out on either flank and added their fire. The battle was over in less than five minutes. With over fifty percent callosities the remanent of the stunned cavalrymen surrendered.

The cavalry had moved out so rapidly that the main body of the enemy force was at least two hours behind them. The surrendered troops were disarmed and stripped of their boots the surviving horses taken to the rear. Some of the demoralized troops were left to tend to the wounded as best they could. The dead men and horses left to be taken care of by the enemy. The rest of the prisoners had their hands bound and marched to the rear.

Rick was with his troops this time and although the first two battles had been very similar ambushes an d cost Culloden no men, he was under no illusion that it would stay that way. Or that the ambush tactic would work a third time. They retreated to a pre-chosen position that gave them the high ground and positioned their artillery. General MacLeod had the main body of the army there. They were hoping to lure General Winston into one decisive battle rather than a long tiring campaign.

The Albionese artillery fired solid ball, cannister and grape shot, as did Culloden's smoothbore cannon. Neither explosive shells, nor case shot were in use. That, along with the greater range of the rifled guns could well destroy the Albionese artillery or force it out of action.

Rick was hoping that with his new tactics and the artillery and the fact that they weren't badly outnumbered they could defeat the enemy so badly that they would sue for peace and could make it last.

General Winston was both enraged at the destruction of two cavalry squadrons so easily and confused at how it had been done so quickly. Yes, the Albionese had been defeated twice before but never had they won two battles at the very start of the campaign.

He attributed it., partially correctly to rashness on the part of his cavalry commanders but couldn't believe that the highlanders would be able to defeat his regular infantry and artillery once their forces were joined in a major battle. He should have taken a few days to plan more thoroughly or wait for intelligence to come in. The only intelligence he was interested in was the location of Culloden's army.

He would regret, bitterly, his failure to do so.

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