Frank Beresford, or, Life in the army

Front matter

FRANK BERESFORD FEANK BEEESFOED 5 OR, LIFE IN THE ARMY. BY CAPTAIN CURLING, AUTHOR OP " RECOLLECTIONS OF THE MESS-TABLE AND THE STAGE, " THE CAMP CLUB IN THE CRIMEA," " THE SOLDIER OF FORTUNE," ETC, ETC. LONDON : CHARLES J. SKEET, 10, KING WILLIAM STREET, CHARING CROSS 1858. [The Author reserves the right of Translation.'] LONDON : W. DAW AND SONjGILBERT STREET, W. CONTENTS. PAGE. THE FIRST START TO JOIN . . .1 FIRST JOINING . . . . 12 FIRST DAY AT MESS . . . .18 SHAKESPERE IN SCOTLAND ... 30 AN ADVENTURE IN A SCOTCH TOWN AT MIDNIGHT 39 A WOUNDED SOLDIER . . . .50 THE BARRACK ROOM .... 58 THE COMMANDING OFFICER'S BREAKFAST . 65 A SCOTCH BAILLIE .... 71 THE HONOURABLE TOM SHUFFELTON OF ' OURS ' . 78 THE COMMANDING OFFICER, THE ADJUTANT, AND THE CULPRITS . . . .86 A SOLDIER'S SERVANT ... VI.

PAGE. MORRIS O'TOOL AND DR. GOODFELLOW . . 103 A QUARREL AT MESS . . • 108 ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DUEL . . • 125 A PUNISHMENT PARADE . . • 133 THE DUEL . 144 THE ORDERS READ UPON PARADE . . 151 DEPARTURE . . ■ • .156 MISTRESS MACFARLANE'S PARTY . . 161 A FIRE IN HUXTER'S ROW . . • 184 LIEUTENANT DAMAIN . . • 190 THE CULPRIT ..... 196 A ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE . . . 214 THE GUEST ..... 224 CAPTAIN FIDGETTIE .... 233 STORM AND WRECK . . . .248 THE ODDEST OF ALL ODDITIES . . . 261 DRESS AND DEPORTMENT . . . 268 THE GRIFFIN AT MESS .... 274 THE PRACTICAL JOKERS . . . 279 AN ARISTOCRATIC PARTY IN THE HIGHLANDS . 288 DAMAIN LEAVES HIS CHARACTER BEHIND . PAGE. AN ASSEMBLY . . . .313 THE ADJUTANT AND THE AWKWARD SQUAD . 333 MORE JOKES ..... 343 THE AMATEUR PLAY . . . 350 MUTINY AND MURDER .... 364 A RETROSPECT .... 377 A NEW COMMANDING OFFICER . . . 387 ADELA VERE .... 392 A TROOP SHIP GETTING OUT TO SEA . . FRANK BERESFORD: OR LIFE IN THE ARMY.

Chapter I. The First Start To Join

Hapfy the man who possesses health, strength — a contented mind — a thick pair of boots — a warm coat, and a few coins in his pocket. Each of these items is essential, and the sum total combined ought to make the owner proud as an Emperor. Such were the reflections of Frank Beresford, as he lay under an oak one fine day, and contemplated — not the life to come — but that which had passed away — and was " with the hours be fore the flood." B THE FIEST START TO JOIN. Health, a thick pair of boots, and a con tented mind ! — what may not a man do, what may he not see and enjoy, what may he not achieve, with these blessings, especially if he be an Englishman, and a gentleman in mind and disposition ? Yes, such were Beresford' s reflections even then, and they were pretty much the same some years before, as he started by the night coach from the city of London, to join a regiment stationed in the north of Scotland.

In those days, joining a regiment was a somewhat more important matter than it seems to be now. Commissions were more difficult to be obtained, and the army itself more exclu sively confined to the aristocracy of the land, consequently the possessor of an ensigncy or cometcy was looked upon with envy by his comrades, school-fellows, or intimate ac quaintances. Beresford's start in life was made from town, as I have said, — and before he entered on his new career, he might be said to have had some little experience of the world. It was nearly dark as he stepped into the coach, which stood, with its four impatient steeds, just within the narrow entrance of one of those quaint old inn-yards, then used as the starting place, of many of the London mails. The winter's snow came down in driving showers, — felt, but scarcely seen, and ten o'clock chimed from one of the old city steeples as the burly red-faced coachman gave the word " all right," cracked his whip, and dashed forth upon his journey.

Those were still the " goodly days" of coaching, for though rail roads were soon to take precedence of, and elbow every stage from the road — as yet not a single line had been laid down. " And 0 my masters all," what times those were in old London. As our hero looked upon the well lighted streets, which (even at this hour and this period of winter and rough weather) presented a gay and bustling appear ance, he thought of all its interesting amuse ments. The great theatres were still in their pride and glory, many of the old Eemble school yet remained — and, albeit glorious John, and the majestic Siddons, were no longer actors in the swelling scene, many of their co-mates of the sock and buskin still " fretted their hour" on the boards of Covent Garden and old Drury. Then, too, the fashionable circle was adorned by the great soldiers of the Feninsular war, those bright heirs of fame, whose names will live as long as England lasts.

Then, too, the beauties of the Court of George the Fourth, still whirled about, and the Ball, the Opera, and the Bing in Hyde-park, presented a string of celebrities now for ever removed from the scene. The journey was marked by no very un common incidents ; snow, rain, and sleet, rendered it cold and dreary ; still the life, the bustle, the continued traffic of the road, the change of horses, and all the accompani ments of the system — so soon to be abolished — had always a peculiar charm to our passen ger. For instance, those good old Yorkshire inns, such as the hostels of Barnby and Scarth ingMoor, still remained. Those roy stering inn yard hangers on too, in the shape of helpers, post-boys, and ostlers, not yet "trade fallen," those pretty chamber damsels of the interior, that nondescript animal, y'clept boots, not to mention your real old English landlord and landlady, still existed — still "joyed" and welcomed a guest in the hearty English style. 0 for the days of bye-gone travel, some few years before this period — what dramatic scenes, what adventures, what fun, what peculiar manners and customs and episodes of life did ye not present.

Our traveller thought of all these matters as he whirled due north, and gazed upon the ever varying glorious English scenery, he was passing through. Now a lordly mansion in the distance, standing in its park-like grounds, the stately trees encrusted with glittering crystals, speaking of days gone by when old world revels were rife ; then came the deep woodlands, and the broad furze clad common, with a shadowy and dusky outline of trees on its far-off margin ; and beyond that, blue hills that seemed to tell of sweet haunts in some strange fairy land the traveller panted to seek, and enjoy the mysteries of. Then came some quaint village, whose timbered and red bricked dwellings, spoke of the days of Queen Bess, together with fine old Norman churches standing in all their grandeur and antiquity, and seeming to remain alone to record the days of the Crusades.

A winter's journey can however never be so full of interest and enjoyment, as the same journey in spring or summer. Our hero yet remembers the aspect of Manchester, as the mail whirled through the streets at day break, with its ugly buildings and smoky factories, the huge pulsating business-like town, seeming (at that moment) to be actually taking a wink of sleep, during its feverish work-a-day existence. And as the vehicle stopped to change horses, only the relay and a few hangers on, stood revealed in the old gateway to help it onwards. He re members, too, the onward journey thence, over a dreary landscape, and so following across the wastes of Cumberland, and then over the Border ; and recollects looking with interest upon the first glance of " bonnie Scotland." It was evening. Cold as Siberia seemed the blast, when the guard proclaimed to the passengers that they were at length across the Border.

What interest was in the word, for at that time all the world was in love with Bob Boy, and every man and boy in the land, possessing a single grain of romance in his composition, would have given much to stand for half-an-hour in the Tolbooth of Glasgow, the Clachan of Aberfoil, or even in the Wilds of Northumberland. Every one too was passionately in love with Di Yernon, and looked upon him who could mount a broken backed hunter, and clear a five-barr'd gate amidst the hills, as the happiest of men. Yes, the mighty wand of the en chanter had indeed given an interest to scenes which, without his descriptive powers, would perhaps have been comparatively unknown. He saw " Cheviot's Mountains lone " of " Marmion," and as his eye peered through the landscape, he almost realized those scenes which once read and dwelt on, become as fixed, as rooted in the mind, as if they had been really and truly participated in — scenes which indeed have become as palpable and as much mixed up with our thoughts as the revelries of East-Cheap, and the doings of Falstaff and Brince Hal.

Nay, even the hard-worked mill-men, the unwashed artificers of Great Britain, the men of iron nerves and blackened visages, of clanking machinery and blazing founderies, — even they in their moments of leisure have sympathised with the Bold Outlaw Bob — admired the glorious Diana — and execrated the rascal Bashleigh. And 0 if they of the hard hands and harder lot, can appreciate those descriptions, what may not those feel whose course of life is more refined ? whilst dwelling upon scenes so wonderfully told.* Osbaldiston Hall, we can almost behold its grey walls as we look amongst the green Cheviots, and imagine the wild district beyond. Nay, we can almost fancy we hear the hunter's horn and behold the sot Berceone, the bully Thorncliffe, the jockey Diccon, the burly old Knight, and all the rout — and above all, that wild and wilful huntress, lovely as the goddess from whom she had been named, a form of life and light, careering amongst the sweet scenery, the pack in full cry, with the somewhat pragma tical but deeply-smitten Francis, spurring to keep his jaded hack, beside her bridle rein.

That scene is indeed the most charming * Shakespere and Sir Walter Scott are the favourite authors of the working men of the manufacturing dis tricts. episode in a young man's life that ever au thor conceived. All that follows, all that goes before, is inimitably told; but to the youth of romance, that love-chase, and that huntress — alone, unprotected, and reckless (apparently) as the steed she rides, and that bright exciting hour — is worthy an age of common-place life. Sir Walter was living when Beresford first visited Edinburgh on this occasion, and had he not been tied to time, perhaps he might have gained an introduction to him. As however his orders to join without delay were pe remptory, he had but one night, or rather, but half a night, to spend in the " old roman tic town," and five o'clock on a raw Scottish morning saw himself and about half a dozen passengers on board the rolling ferry-boat, which (enveloped in a thick fog) crossed the firth of Forth to the lang toun o' Kirkaldy, as it was called in the kingdom of Fife.

During the passage across, whilst trying to look ahead, the harsh wind roaring an ac companiment to the boiling surging Forth, a b2 rough looking Chiel, with a Northumberland burr, accosted the traveller. " Ye '11 be ganging further North, young man," he said. " And ye'll be soldiering, for the first time, I'm thinking." Beresford told him his destination. " Hout, tout," he said. " But ye'll hae a roughish time o 't, if ye 're ganging there. It's far North, and some of your Begiment out away yonder on the hills, are getting hardish work." " Do you know that part of the world," enquired Beresford. " Aye, do I," he replied, " I have been a gauger in my time, and employed in looking after the smugglers. Some of your regiment have lately been sent into the hills to aid the revenue officers, I'm told.

They talk of sending a detachment further up the country too, as the whisky brewers are getting unco' strong and over much for our folks in that country." " It is just the sort of life I should choose," replied the traveller. " Faith, I'm na sa sure o' that," said the gauger. "Hae ye ony experience of the highlands, in winter." " None ; this is my first excursion there." " Gad, then ye'll be sair tried, I'm think ing. Ye are an Englisher, and no used to the cutting cold during this winter time. Ugh, I've seen many a Highlander perish in those regions. They tell me your regiment is to furnish two detachments in the wild Basses of Glenturbert. Why there has na been a soger up therwa sin Montrose crossed it." "And what accommodation is there for troops in that district," enquired Beresford. " Just none at all," replied the gauger.

" Ther s an old ruin up in Glenturbert. and a great strong tower in Stratheden. but they're mere walls, without a stick or a beam left. How they 're going to make em fit for troops, I cannot say." " N'importe," replied the other, the harder the life, the more fit for a soldier. I shall volunteer for the service as soon as I reach my destination.

Chapter II. First Joining

The traveller arrived at the town in which he was to be quartered at night. The lights gleamed and glittered as he neared it from the long waste moor, Dugald Dalgetty has described as " his barren inheritance ;" and as he gazed upon their reflection in the waters of a goodly stream, and as they here and there shone out like stars amongst the darkened buildings, it looked like a dramatic scene. The Scotch jarvies in those days made a great shouting and noise when they neared their destination, holding a sort of " hout tout," " get along," " gang forrets," " hand up jade," dialogue, with their somewhat sorry steeds, and, as the coach whirled through the squalid suburbs, (late as it was) large numbers of urchins flocked after the wheels, crying, " Weel done, little weelie ; weel done, big weelie ; " as if the hind and fore wheels of the vehicle were whirling in chase of each other.

On their arrival in the high street of the town, the coach stopped at a goodly hotel, and alighting, Beresford was shewn into a neat, snug room, where tea, accompanied by delicious bannocks, haddies and eggs galore, were quickly served. There is indeed, nothing like a Scotch hostel after all, for abundance, comfort and good attendance. There was something exquisitely comforting, exhilirat ing and restorative in the process of imbibing the fragrant tea, delicious haddies, eggs and bannocks, after a long journey per mail thro' a bleak, cold, sea-girt region; and the traveller felt at once, altho' all was murky, snow bound and chill without, that he had at length arrived at a charming town, full perhaps, of pleasant people, and every way new and en chanting. The screaming skirl of a bagpipe was heard too without, and in the next room a jovial party (amidst a chorus of laughter) trolled forth one of their popular songs.

" For we are na sou, we 're na that sou, But just a wee drap in our 'ee." Oh, how the sea did roar on that night ; the first our hero passed upon that iron-bound coast. He could not sleep, notwithstanding the long journey he had taken — strong tea, or perhaps the variety of feelings consequent upon first joining a regiment, and anticipa tions of what he was to see, and who he was to make acquaintance with on the morrow, kept him wakeful for many hours. When he arose next morning, he looked with curiosity from the window, in order to observe the aspect of the locality. The keen caller air, so peculiar to Scotland, immediately " recommended itself into his senses." He felt the influence of the country at once, and that the northern region which Scott had given so great a charm to, and made every Southron so desirous of seeing, was now really and tridy reached.

It was a bright morn ning, and the hour being early, few were about the streets, but those whose avocations called them there. The brawney porter with his broad blue bonnet, the itinerant piper, the fishwonian with her creel and her cry of caller herring, the town crier with his drum, together with certain desultory pipers, being all that were to be observed. The hostel was situated in the principal street, and the town looked so clean, so bright, so unlike the aspect of a more southern city, that Beresford felt still more delighted with his first view. After breakfast, he sallied out, and sought the barracks. Like all youngsters, he felt anxious to become ac quainted with his regiment, and as several of the soldiers passed, he looked at them with interest, as part and parcel of that corps to which he felt proud to belong.

The barracks were situated on a hill just beyond the town, on the seaward side, a spot called the Castle-hill, having a view of the links (as the green meadows were called) and the broad waves of the Atlantic beyond. Barade was over when he entered the barrack square, and, as several officers were promenading up and down, he advanced and introduced himself. A fresh importation, a griffin, as he is called in the East, is always an object of interest and curiosity ; and our hero felt that he was scanned and estimated (for good or ill) in a few minutes. The ad jutant eyed him, the chief looked him hard, the juniors took a glance of observation, as he was successively introduced to them ; and, all and each, as before said, made an in stant estimate of their new companion in arms. The acting-chief, Major Topsawyer, was rather a pompous person, but still a soldier and a gentleman ; you could see that in a moment, as he stood stiff as a ramrod, with his steel scabbard under one arm, and an empty sleeve doing duty for the other.

After a short complimentary dialogue, they adjourned to the mess-room, and he was then further introduced to one or two other offi cers and the Assistant-surgeon, the Bay master, and to the Quarter-master of the depot. " I am glad you have come amongst us at once, Mr. Beresford," said the chief, " before the period allowed to officers is expired on first joining ; it shows zeal for the service, and, as we are rather hard worked here, and have to supply two detachments on the hills, we shall be the more glad of your company. Mr. Drillhard," he continued, turning to the adjutant, " you will shew our new friend his quarters : we shall hope to see you at mess to-day, if quite agreeable," he added as Be resford bowed and moved off w*ith the Ad jutant and the Quarter-master, in order to be shewn his quarters.

A room on the top story of the barrack, a table, a chair, and an iron coal box, was ac cordingly appropriated to his use, and an honest man (if one was to be found) was to be picked out from amongst the rear ranks, as a servant ; and thus, in a few minutes, he was housed and installed, and entered upon the strength of the regiment. FIRST DAT AT MESS.

Chapter III. First Day At Mess

The first day at 'mess, served to shew Be resford the characters of his brother officers of the depot, such as were present at that time ; they mustered ten in number, the juniors. The acting Commandant, the Adjutant, and a senior Captain being married men, dined in their own rooms. After dinner, there was an attempt to draw out the newly joined, in order to see what sort of stuff he was made of, whether a greenhorn or otherwise ; but the effort was a failure, the griffin was not easily to be caught. He shewed both tact and discretion. There was no whistling him drunk, or getting him to commit himself in any way. If he shewed simplicity or igno rance of anything, there was a design in it, and he played off each antagonist and " fooled him to the top of his bent;" the conversation therefore turned upon desultory or home subjects, by which he learned that the younger portion of the officers present were not well pleased with their quarter, being somewhat repudiated in the society of the place, in consequence of indulging in various eccentric practices — night rows, larks and sprees, especially foreign to the tastes and feeling of the staid and sober citizens.

" The people in this town are a Buritanical set of muffs," said Ensign Fast. " They don't like us youth ; since we marched in from Berwick, now nearly six weeks, not a man of the regiment has been asked out, or even called upon." "You have yourselves to thank for that, Cornet, my boy," returned Lieut. Slowbody, an old Beninsular Subaltern, with one fin absent. " How so," enquired young Shakelbow, a F1EST DAY AT MESS. rather fast specimen, who had been obliged to exchange from the cavalry. " Why because your deeds and doings have not been very orderly or creditable," replied Slowbody. "Why my dear fellow, to hear you talk, one would think you never saw a regiment before." " And yet I was fighting under the great Duke, in Spain, before you were born." " Well, but old chap, a lark's a lark," said Shakelbow.

"Why should the inhabitants be offended by a lark?" "The inhabitants are not offended by a lark," returned Slowbody. " They are of fended because you boys have overstepped the bounds of propriety in your nightly pranks." "What do you call overstepping pro priety," enquired Shakelbow. " Smashing windows, assaulting watch men, pulling down signs, awaking decent people in the dead of night, by reeling half drunk thro' the streets, and yelling and screaming like a crew of bacchanals," returned Slowbody. " Anything more, old fellow ?" "Yes, plenty more, and as long as such practices are rife, you need not expect the inhabitants of this, or any other place, to ask us out." " Happy the natives of the moral north,'' said Fast, laughing. " 'Twas snow that brought St. Anthony to reason." " Ah well, my lads," said Slowbody, who was a staid, religious old Subaltern, and consequently somewhat starched in his ideas, "do as you like, carry on the war here as you did in the last quarter, if you will, but, depend on't you'll never be noticed or looked upon as gentlemen, as long as you reel the streets nightly, and offend the respectable inhabitants.'' "A fig for the inhabitants then,'' said Fast, "we can do without them."

"Berhaps so, just now, but anon there will be balls, parties, music meetings, and all that sort of thing, and then mcthinks you will repent." " Bshaw, the red coats are always in request." " Not unless they are gentlemen in bear ing and manners," said Slowbody. " Con duct is fate, my dear Cornet. You will find that the Scotch will not away with your larks, as you call them. You must reform. I am afraid you'll find this northern quarter but dull, Mr. Beresford," he added, turning to our hero, " for unless we get a few invitations to cheer us up in the long winter evenings, a depot-barrack becomes somewhat tiresome." Beresford quickly perceived that the old one-armed Sub., was the most gentlemanlike person of the present party ; the youngsters being for the most part, fast, precocious and overbearing lads.

" We must hope for the best," he re turned. " Luckily, I have several letters of introduction, and as I shall quickly deliver them, they may prove the means of intro ducing us all." "Come, that's good," said Shakelbow, (who was getting a little influenced by the good wine.) " By jingo, here's a newly joined Ensign, volunteering to bring us all into notice the first night of his arrival. Who are your letters to, and who are they from, I should like to know ?" The question was not polite, but never theless Beresford answered it. "Well, I'll bet a five pound note that when delivered, not a single one will be re sponded to." "I never bet," said Beresford. "But why do you make such an assertion ?" " Because I know the nature of the people here. They hate the military." " Well," replied Beresford, " we will try at any rate ; the first opportunity I will ride forth and deliver my credentials."

" Berhaps you'll have to hire a sedan and a flambeau (as was customary in the old time), and send it round to return the return visits," replied Fast, with a sneer. " When he gets them," said Lieut. Shuffleton. Beresford again surmised that the two last speakers were naturally of a coarse and rude disposition, and felt that to an officer, newly joined, their behaviour was especially obtrusive ; but he wisely kept his temper, and avoided a sharp reply ; and as the old Beninsular Sub., quickly diverted the conversation, a quarrel was avoided. " Come," said Slowbody, " let us have an extra glass, in honour of our new friend, and then adjourn." " A song, a song." Come, send round the wine, and leave points of belief, To simpleton sages, and reasoning fools." " I dare say you are good at a stave your self," said Shakelbow, to our hero.

"If so, come away (as many as will) to my room, and we'll have a cup of coffee and a quiet game of ecarte, before you go to your hotel." " I bar that," said Fast. " Of wine and wassail we've had enough. Fitzmaurice, 0' Conner and myself, invite our new friend to a stroll in the town. We volunteer to do the honours of the place." Come, " let's away together. ' We have been merry twice and once ere now,' and we'll shew you a capital room, in a capital Inn, where the whisky is first-rate, the cigars exquisite, and where some roaring blades, some choice and master spirits do love to congregate." Shakelbow renewed his invitation to a quiet chat, and a cozey cigar. But Beresford excused himself. He thought it would seem unsociable if he refused the offer of his more juvenile comrades ; and, in truth, he wished to see a sample of their outdoor exploits.

Accordingly, putting on their cloaks, they sallied forth, passed the sentinel at the bar rack gate, and sought the town. A driving, cutting wind blew the snow in showers in their teeth, as they descended the Castle-hill, turned down half adozen closes and alleys, threaded as many bye streets, and so up a narrow entry, lighted by one dim lamp at its further extremity. A quaint antiquated house of entertainment was situated at this spot, and Beresford and his companions entered it, turning off in the middle of a long passage, into a large, low roofed apartment, having a long oaken table in the middle, plentifully supplied with pipes, and appliances for social enjoyment. " Mr. Belcour, you are welcome to Scot land," said Fast, who, in addition to his other accompbshments, was a great admirer of the drama.

"This is our Alsatia — our c Eastcheap; and this hostel, I have named the Boar's Head — by the same token it is kept by a worthy man, fat, witty and jovial ; an actor by profession ; one of a company which performs in this town. Here he comes." As Fast spoke, the landlord entered, and took his place at the head of the table ; and, several others (natives of the town) soon afterwards followed and seated them selves. As several of the party were also actors, the diversions might be said to partake of a dramatic character, and the host being some thing of a wit, affected a jovial Falstaffian style of conversation, which contrasted well with the broad Scotch and dry humour of the natives. There was also a teacher of elocu tion amongst the party, whose ears tingled like the enraged musician by Hogarth, at the accent of the Scotch portion of the party ; every now and then interrupting their " hoarse, grunting guttural," and trying to make them pronounce a word properly, so that as the party became more excited, and as the whiskey became more potent, and the smoke enveloped them, the conversation sounded more like the cross-reading of a country newspaper, than anything else.

We have said that mine host was a player, as well as a tavern-keeper. The company to which he was attached, were just then ex pected in the town, and our hero could see, from his obsequious attention to his military friends, that he considered the gentlemen of the blade, as his especial patrons. There is, indeed, much in theatrical representation, which would seem to be especially fascinat ing to the soldier's spirit ; and mine host, doubtless, well knew that a bespeak from the barracks, would be likely to procure him a plentiful account of full benches ; and Beres ford overheard a dialogue, which promised something of the sort. "The players are coming to our town," said Fast, to our hero. " Mine host of the Garter, tells me they will be here next week." " They shall be welcome," Beresford replied.