Hey guys, after a long delay for this, I'm finally back! And now we start the real action!
Also thank you to BumblebeeFan25 (Formerly Ralph Prime) for adding another follow to this!
And now for the chapter!
Chapter 6: The Time for Battle
The days passed by as the day of battle drew closer, with the British advancing ever so slowly due to the woods of New York, hampering their movements. The Americans have been preparing defensive positions ever since, artillery emplacements and naturally made walls for firing muskets behind. Alex has been helping his new friends prepare for the battle as much as he could. He was also very scared deep inside, for not only did he have to fight in the coming battle, but he also had to shoot and maybe even bayonet his former comrades, but he made the choice after all.
Another morning came and all was quiet in the American camp, Alex was eating breakfast, along with his new friends, all were talking, but no laughing. All of them knew that some of them may die, and that put them in a very down state, they all knew how tough British soldiers were. As they were eating, Colonel Eduardo came to speak, Blu getting up and saluting, everyone else doing the same.
"At ease Captain Blu." Eduardo said, his tone not sounding like its usual self.
"Yes, Colonel?" Blu said as he put his wings down his sides again.
"General Gates says the British are going to collide with us today, get your men ready." Eduardo announced.
"Yes sir." Blu replied.
Eduardo left and Blu told his soldiers to get ready. Everyone went and got their weapons ready, making sure they were clean, they also wrote short letters in case of their death, to send to their families and loved ones.
"You think we'll win Nightfly?" Alex asked as he walked besides the Blue macaw.
"We will, we have to, everything depends on us winning." Nightfly answered.
"And we will win for sure, we'll make these dirty Brits regret ever coming here." Jugal said cheerfully and with more spirit to his voice.
"And we'll all come out of this alive, no matter what." Jaeger also added, coming from behind and putting a wing on Alex's shoulder.
The friends all came inside their tent and got ready, taking everything they need. Alex sat down for a few minutes, with a piece of paper and a quill and wrote a short letter for Lily, and while doing so, a few tears ran down his face.
"Dear Lily
I'm off to battle, to fight against my former flag and nation, but I made this choice and I'm glad I did so. If I never choose to desert the British army, I never would have met you. There are so many things I wish to tell you, but it all comes down to that I love you and thinking about you will help me survive the battle to see you again one day. I hope you're praying for me and I promise, I will come back and we'll be together forever when the war is over."
From the one who loves you will all his heart, Alex."
As soon as Alex finished writing, he sealed it up and made sure it would be safe, hoping that the letter would not be sent at all.
Alex then joined his friends, who were beginning to gather in formation for the short march. As Alex and the remaining soldiers got together, Captain Blu stood in front of them all, sighing quietly as he looked at all the faces of his men, he knew, just as much as any other officer that some of them will not survive.
"I know many of you are scared." Blu started to speak, which got everyone's attention. "I am too, but we need to put that fear aside for now and focus on the fight, remember your training and look out for each other and we'll be alright. Some of you will not live, and others will, but we need to keep fighting to honor the sacrifices of those who are dead, we can't let them die in vain. We will win and we will have our freedom!" Blu declared and finished in a roaring voice, everyone cheering as Blu's speech really inspired them.
Blu led his men, along with the rest of the American army marching as well, through the woods, as soon as the British were within sight, they stopped, everyone quiet as only the sounds of the woods could be heard. Everything was so peaceful, that is until the deep, thunder of artillery could be heard, as the British artillery opened up on the American lines, the American artillery returning the favor. Alex breathed easy as he looked right and left, to see men motionless, as if they were statues.
Alex was next to Noah, and he nudged him with his wing.
"Hey Noah, are you scared?" Alex asked in soft voice.
"Yeah, but just like Blu said, put that aside and focus." Noah replied, not taking his eyes off on the woods ahead of him, which would soon be filled with British companies marching at them. "Listen Alex, if we both survive this, I just want to say that I think of you as a brother."
Alex was touched, he never imagined that the Noah he met barely a week ago, the same one who wanted to kill him for mentioning the word, "Tea", would say that.
"Noah, I don't know what to say, thank you." Alex said, beak wide open.
"You're welcome." Noah smiled.
Blu, along with the other officers, looked through their army telescopes and saw the many British soldiers descending down on them through the woods. Blu rode in front of his men on Sally and got off, a soldier with him to take Sally to the back lines. Blu was going to lead his men right up in front, in the very danger of British musket volleys.
Alex was shocked, higher officers in the British army would not be in front, rather they would stay behind their soldiers, letting the lower officers and privates fight it out, while the higher officers stayed safe. However Blu was here, leading by example, to show his men he understood them and he would stay with them no matter what.
The British soon came in full eye view, keeping their formation, despite the rough terrain, eager to roll over the Americans. Their red uniforms a terrifying sight, as they shouldered their muskets, with the sharp bayonets on the end of them, glistening in the sunlight that filtered through the trees. As they marched closer, Alex felt his heart beat faster and faster with excitement and fear, but he breathed easy as he waited for an order and that order was one he and all soldiers dread to hear…
"Fix bayonets!" Blu and the other officers shouted to their men.
Alex and the American soldiers all got out their sharpened bayonets, putting them on the ends of their muskets, waiting for the next order. As the British started marching, the officers ordered the loading of the muskets.
"Make ready!" Blu and the other officers shouted, the British doing the same a mere few seconds later.
Loading a musket is no easy task and even an experienced solider can only fire three to four shots a minute, the musket also being very inaccurate and very short range, which is why fights almost always come down to bayonet point. Alex loaded his musket just as fast as everyone else as the British did the same, only about 50 yards in between. As everyone's musket were loaded, Blu and the other officers made the next order.
"Take aim!" Blu and the other officers shouted.
Alex, along with the rest of the American soldiers put their musket butts on their shoulders, aiming their muskets at the British, waiting for the order to fire. Alex was very nervous as his musket was shaking a little, but he quickly held firm as he waited for the order.
"Fire!" The American officers shouted at their loudest.
Immediately, the loud crackling of musket shots, all along the American line erupted as the power smoke from the ends of the muskets filled the air, making a haze. Screams and shouts of pain came from the British line, but it would take more than a single musket volley to break British regulars. A few seconds later, the British regulars themselves fired their own musket volley.
The same pain the Americans inflicted on the British came upon them as hundreds of musket shots ran through the American line, killing and wounding many Blue macaws, as they reloaded their muskets, the blood spitting on them as they focused on their muskets. As Alex reloaded his musket, the Blue macaw next to him (Not Noah) was shot right in the belly and fell down, his wings covering his bleeding spot as he screamed for his mother. Alex focused on his weapon, shaking as he became scared as he thought he would be shot next.
And the battle was only beginning…
Wars are not fun affairs ladies and gentlemen…
And this is not how the actual battle of Saratoga came down, but I didn't wish to bore you guys with unnecessary detail!
And see you next time!