‘General. I have shown how a successful assault on the Spanish might be contemplated. Should we not consider this before going into operational details of any one stratagem?’
Beresford looked at him in amazement. ‘You really desire us to make a direct assault on the capital? With less than a thousand and a half under arms? Ridiculous! A city of what, thirty or forty thousand, a central fortress and an unknown number of defenders under the command of the viceroy himself? Preposterous!’
Popham leaned forward and spoke forcefully. ‘It’s effectively an open city for we’ve heard that it is drained of their best troops, who have gone to Montevideo. As well, it’s the last thing the Spanish expect, a rapid and direct move on their capital – and you’ve not considered the effect on the population of a confident and well-conducted thrust against their military. Recollect, sir, there has in history never yet been a full-scale field engagement on the soil of South America. Consequently their troops must be accounted quite untried and will certainly flee when confronted by soldiers of the quality of your Highlanders.’
‘A single bold stroke straight to the heart of the Spanish. I confess I do like it, sir.’
‘Thank you, Captain Honyman,’ Popham said modestly, and shifted his gaze to the captain of
The talk of silver had disturbed Kydd. Renzi’s words about venal motives still echoed in his ears, but the attraction of a daring thrust straight for the centre over a methodical reduction in the usual way was undeniable. ‘I, er, agree,’ Kydd said, adding, ‘particularly as we haven’t the resources for a lengthy engagement.’
‘Quite!’ barked Beresford. ‘I would have thought it elementary that we first take Montevideo – if we can – before embarking on any other adventure.’
‘Few resources, yes,’ Popham said, with equal energy, ‘then how much better it would be to use these in going straight for Buenos Aires and leave Montevideo to wither alone.’
Colonel Pack was the first to speak up from the Army side. ‘Damn me if there isn’t some sense in what he says, sir. If we’re to be short o’ men, throw ’em at the main objective and be buggered to hanging back waiting.’
Beresford winced and looked about for support. Seeing none, he stiffened. ‘For the record of proceedings I want it known that my counsel is to take Montevideo and, defending same, to send dispatches to England advising reinforcement for a later assault on Buenos Aires.’
Kydd knew this was a course Popham would never take. The initiative would be lost and command would be passed to an Admiralty nominee who would succeed to the honour of taking the city, let alone the certainty of losing the opportunity while the Spanish warships were absent.
Popham gave a curt nod. ‘Thank you, sir. Your position is abundantly clear. However, also for the record, I’d be interested to know of the officers here how many would consider a direct assault on Buenos Aires preferable to a more . . . circumspect approach.’
Looks were exchanged around the table and hands went up hesitantly. Besides Kydd, all the Navy captains, save Donnelly of
‘I see.’ Popham kept his tone level. ‘Then it appears this council-of-war has a majority agreement on the way forward for the operation. Gentlemen, there’s much to be covered in preparing for this assault and I propose that it be accomplished by forming two planning groups, one naval, for landing and support, and one army, for operations ashore. I shall head the naval. Might I ask General Beresford to head the army?’
Renzi was neither in the gunroom nor his cabin. Kydd hid his irritation and went on deck looking for him; he couldn’t set messengers to finding him because a captain’s summons would be relayed in the strongest terms – which was not what he wanted with his friend in the mood he had been under these past days.
After several blank looks at his enquiries he remembered that when the vessel was at anchor Renzi sometimes secured solitude, that prize above all things in a small ship, in one favoured place. Kydd made his way forward and swung up into the fore-ratlines, climbing up and over the futtock shrouds into the fore-top.
Renzi was there, his back to the mast and with a book. He looked up coldly. ‘Do I inconvenience at all?’
Kydd sat next to him. With all sails in, no men aloft and lookouts absent, it felt strangely bare and deserted, the maze of rigging thrumming softly in the quiet with the far-off sad keening of a sea-bird carrying across the water.
‘You’re not at your scribbling, then.’
‘No.’
‘Er, it would oblige if you could favour me with your presence at this time.’
‘If that is your order.’
‘Time presses, Nicholas. We make our move on the Spaniards very shortly but there’s a mort o’ planning to be done first. This is not work for the captain’s clerk and I’d appreciate it if-’
‘I’d hoped to have escaped an embroilment in this absurdity.’
Kydd’s voice hardened. ‘And could I remind you that you’re aboard this ship courtesy of a position which carries duties. If you’re not of a mind . . .’
‘Very well, I shall come, if such is necessary.’
‘Damn it, Nicholas!’ Kydd burst out. ‘What more have you got against the man?’
‘Since you ask it,’ Renzi replied coolly, ‘I shall point out to you how this whole business must look to the world.
‘Here we have a flag-officer who quits his station for the other side of the ocean – and for what? Not only is it for the fantastical notion of invading a continent but now it appears he has persuaded his command that they abandon the reduction of the enemy’s fortress stronghold for an attack on the seat of the viceroyalty itself. Why? Well, in the meantime he has learned of a king’s ransom in silver in the city’s vaults, and-’
‘This is not the way it is, Nicholas,’ Kydd said thickly, ‘and unworthy of you!’
‘-therefore most would be hard pressed to find a real difference between this and Drake’s raids on the Spanish Main two centuries past. No strategics but gain and plunder.’
‘You’ve the opening of trade and-’
‘Do spare me the recitation, old fellow. I’ve said I’ll come,’ Renzi said wearily, and got up. ‘Shall we get on with it?’
The first draft of planning brought back from Popham was a sobering document. Shifting the objective had brought with it some near insuperable problems, the worst of which was Russell’s emphatic statement – confirmed by boat – that the depth of water was such that not only were the sixty-fours unable to penetrate much further into the River Plate but neither were the frigates.
This was a severe blow for it meant that their landing far up the river would go in without heavy gunfire support of any kind, the boats at the mercy of any artillery brought to bear from the shore as well as being under the merciless lash of musketry as they tried to group on the landing beach, with no chance to reply.
Actual forces defending were unknown: the viceroy could be counted on to garrison a battalion or two, but what if a much larger militia force had been mobilised? Perhaps an army in the interior was on forced march to the coast even as they delayed.
Their own force was frighteningly slight. Eight hundred or so officers and men of the 71st and a handful of light dragoons, together with the reinforcements from St Helena, bringing the total to something over a thousand all told. Against a city of so many tens of thousands.
‘If you are determined upon it, then there’s only one rational course,’ Renzi pronounced.
‘What, pray?’
‘Suspend your immediate ambitions and wait patiently for reinforcements.’
Kydd gave a grim smile. ‘There’s another.’
‘Oh?’
‘Our ships are obliged to lie at anchor, idle – if we make levy of every marine and seaman who can carry a musket we’ll have half as many troops again. Remember the sea battalion at Blaauwberg? And we’ve a mighty ally that’ll count for a whole army.’
‘I’m intrigued to know what.’
‘Surprise! No one will believe we really intend to fall on Buenos Aires with what few we have.’
‘True indeed,’ Renzi agreed fervently.
‘We tide up in one of these damn fogs and set ashore as close as we can to the city, then go straight in. I’ve heard there’s a pitiful harbour there and now I know why, but we’ll be coming ashore south o’ the city.’
‘And the Good Lord have mercy on us all,’ murmured Renzi.
