A Regimental Affair

Toulouse you were commended for your action by the Duke of Wellington himself, and you crown all these at Waterloo with plaudits from Lord Uxbridge. Captain Hervey, this is a record to be proud of!’

‘Thank you sir,’ Hervey replied, wondering how the earl had been able to recall what were, in any scheme of things, trifling affairs.

‘And then there was Ireland.’

The word came as a cold douche. Hervey swallowed and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could the Earl of Sussex raised a hand.

‘There is nothing for you to say on the matter, for I have it in every detail from Lord George Irvine.’

‘Sir, I—’

‘Captain Hervey, there really is nothing for you to explain. And let me say this to you. The courage you displayed so many times in the field is that which I should expect every officer of mine to demonstrate, given the requirement. And the address with which you have dealt with matters of tactics is that which I would hope for in those same officers — though it is not given to all to be capable of exercising such percipient judgement.’

Hervey felt somewhat at ease again. There seemed to be an agreeable purpose in the earl’s words, and he wondered what it might be.

‘But the course you followed in Ireland was an instance of rare valour. I have known many brave men — men who have defied shot and shell to go at the enemy when all seemed lost — who have seemed incapable of standing up for what they believed was the right course in the comfort and safety of an office. Indeed, they had rather face certain death than confront a superior with an unpalatable truth. Believe me, Captain Hervey, such courage, exercised soundly, is a diamond of considerable worth.’

‘Thank you, sir,’ said Hervey. It seemed quite evident, now, that the Earl of Sussex was not merely receiving him with the usual formularies, and he felt himself greatly flattered.

‘All of which brings me to the ultimate purpose of my asking you to call this morning,’ said the earl, signalling his footman to withdraw. ‘Have you had any communication from the Horse Guards in the last twenty-four hours?’

‘I had to call on the Duke of York’s military secretary yesterday forenoon, sir. But since then…’

‘Then you do not know that you have been given a brevet?’

Hervey had been promised a captain’s brevet before India. It seemed strange that Lord Sussex should have heard of it only now.

‘I mean a majority, Hervey. The brevets committee approved it yesterday.’

Hervey was dumbstruck. Not only did he not know of it, he would never have thought it possible since, by his reckoning, his substantive rank was lieutenant, and promotion to field rank required at least one year in the lower rank to qualify.

‘Have not your agents informed you?’ the earl persisted. ‘You have been gazetted captain for almost eighteen months!’

‘No, sir. In truth I have not yet been to see them.’

‘Well then, make sure that when you do you collect what must be healthy arrears of pay!’ The Earl of Sussex’s eyes were kind, and the lines on his brow and about his mouth curved upwards, so that when he smiled, as he did now, his whole face was a beacon of his pleasure.

‘Why, yes, sir. Indeed!’ Hervey was almost lost in reflecting the smile, but he managed to keep a hard head for the particulars. ‘My first enquiry, though, shall be what vacancy there is in the regiment. But I confess that I am more than a little confused by what this brevet may mean with regards to it.’

‘In that I may certainly be of help.’ By now the earl was positively beaming. ‘Let me explain a little of what has transpired on this account.’

Hervey was intrigued.

‘It was a near-run thing, I’m told.’ The earl took another sip of his sherbet. ‘But you shouldn’t let that dull the satisfaction of the brevet. It seems you had some strong supporters in that assembly of major generals, once they’d heard your record.’

Hervey felt intensely gratified. A superior’s approval was every soldier’s pleasure.

‘Particularly, it seems, Sir Horace Shawcross. A splendid man! As bluff as Harry. He’s to go to India, and he’s asked for you to be his deputy adjutant general. What say you to that?’

‘Sir, I… I am conscious of the high honour the general does me…’

‘But?’

‘But I had very much set my heart on a troop.’

Lord Sussex smiled again, this time almost paternally. ‘You don’t know how glad I am to hear you say that, Hervey. It’s not every man that would turn down advancement and valuable patronage to be at regimental duty. And you shall not be disadvantaged by it. I promise you. I’ll explain.’ He settled back into his chair as if the explanation was to be a long one. ‘Great heavens, how it shall give me pleasure! Lord George Irvine, as you may know, relinquished command on promotion about a year ago. He has the East Coast District.’

Hervey confirmed that he had recently learned of it.

‘There was no major in the Sixth who could replace him,’ Lord Sussex continued. ‘For of the four on the regimental list Escrick had been on half-pay for innumerable years and was not inclined to leave his estates; and nor am I sure he would have been entirely suitable. Nasmyth would have been unable to find the purchase: his interests on the Baltic Exchange were cruelly ruined by the blockade. Sir Digby Willesey is, frankly, too old and infirm: he must spend half the year at least by the sea. And Joynson is hopelessly ill-fitted for command, though by all accounts he is an able administrator.’

Hervey was astonished by the candour, but held his peace nonetheless.

‘The agents had received bids of up to twenty-five thousands. The regulations forbid it, I know, but since the over-price would go, indirectly, to the widows’ fund I was of a mind to nod to it.’

Twenty-five thousands! Hervey was speechless. It was not only a prodigious sum but four times the regulation price. What chance might he ever have of commanding the Sixth by purchase?

‘I had hoped, of course, that Joseph Edmonds would have command, but the prices have grown so much of late throughout the cavalry that even had he lived I doubt he would have had the means.’

Having known something of the Edmonds’ situation in the settling of the late major’s estate, Hervey had no doubt that he could never have afforded it. It was doubtful that the major’s means had been any greater even than his own. Peace had an odd price, he rued.

‘The Earl of Towcester bid the highest, and indicated to me that he wished to make a generous investment — especially in horses. And, given the hard service the regiment had seen, I thought it welcome. Towcester has been on half-pay more years than I should have cared for, but he seemed anxious to return to the Line. All this I discussed with Lord George, of course.’

It was curious, to say the least, to be taken into the colonel’s confidence so, and Hervey evidently showed it.

‘Oh, come now, Captain Hervey. It will be no earthly good if you do not know what has been our reason.’ Lord Sussex then seemed to hesitate before pressing to an observation that intrigued Hervey even more. ‘I am of a mind that Towcester will wish to sell in but a year or so. And at that point I should not wish to bring in another extract.’

Hervey thought it would be highly improper to make any enquiry as to why Lord Towcester would sell out, though he could applaud the sentiment concerning an extract. But was it a realistic one when there was no major to succeed?

‘I have discussed this particular with Lord George at great length, too, and he and I are wholly in accord. You shall have command, Hervey!’

Hervey’s mouth fell open. ‘Sir… I… how…’

The Earl of Sussex was smiling broadly again, much satisfied with the effect. ‘A step at a time. Your brevet was the first one — and I am very pleased to say that our efforts in that direction were successful. You will be aware that the regulations require that you complete twelve months’ service on the active list in the rank of major before you may be promoted lieutenant colonel.’

Hervey knew the regulations well enough.

‘And then there would be the matter of the purchase price.’