Harry Lorrequer

Front matter

HARRY

WAR

SERVICE

Chapter I

It was on a splendid morning in the autumn of the year 181 — that the Howard transport, with four hundred of his Majesty’s 4-th Regiment dropped anchor in the beautiful harbor of Cove ; the sea shone under the purple light of the rising sun with a rich rosy hue, beautifully in contrast with the different tints of the foliage of the deep woods already tinged with the brown of autumn. Spike Island lay “ sleeping upon its broad shadow/'* and the large ensign which crowns the battery was wrapped around the flagstaff, there not being even air enough to stir it. It was still so early, that but few persons were abroad ; and as we leaned over the bulwarks, and looked now, for the first time for eight long years, upon British ground, many an eye filled, and many a heaving breast told how full of recollections that short moment was, and how different our feelings from the gay buoyancy with which we had sailed from that same harbor for the Peninsula ; many of our best and bravest had we left behind us, and more than one native to the land we were approaching had found his last rest in the soil of the stranger. It was, then, with a mingled sense of pain and pleasure we gazed upon that peaceful little village, whose white cottages lay dotted along the edge of the harbor. The moody silence our thoughts had shed over us was soon broken : the preparations for disembarking had begun, and I recollect well to this hour how, shaking off the load that op-

HARRY LORREQUER.

pressed my heart, I descended the gangway, humming poor Wolfe’s well-known song :

“ Why, soldiers, why,

Should we be melancholy, boys ? ’*

And to this elasticity of spirits — whether the result of my profession, or the gift of God — as Dogberry has it — I know not — I owe the greater portion of the happiness I have joyed in a life whose changes and vicissitudes have equalled most men’s.

Drawn up in line along the shore, I could scarce refrain from a smile at our appearance. Four weeks on board a transport will certainly not contribute much to the personnel of any unfortunate therein confined ; but when, in addition to this, you take into account that we had not received new clothes for three years — if I except caps for our grenadiers, originally intended for a Scotch regiment, but found to be too small for the long-headed generation. Many a patch of brown and gray variegated the faded scarlet “ of our uniform,” and scarcely a pair of knees in the entire regiment did not confess their obligations to a blanket. But with all this, we showed a stout, weather-beaten front, that, disposed as the passer-by might feel to laugh at our expense, very little caution would teach him it was fully as safe to indulge it in his sleeve.

The bells from every steeple and tower rung gayly out a peal of welcome, as we marched into “ that beautiful city called Cork,” our band playing “ Garryowen ” — for we had been originally raised in Ireland, and Still among our officers maintained a strong majority from that land of punch, priests, and potatoes — the tattered flag of the regiment proudly waving over our heads, and not a man amongst us whose warm heart did not bound behind a Waterloo medal, IV ell — well ! I am now — alas! that I should say it — somewhat in the “ sear and yellow ; ” and I confess, after the experience of some moments of high, triumphant feeling, that I never before felt within me the same animating, spirit-filling glow of delight as rose within my heart that day, as I marched at the head of my company down George’s street.

We were soon settled in barracks ; and then began a series of entertainments on the side of the civic dignitaries of Cork, which soon led most of us to believe that we had only es«

HARRY LORREQUER.

Caped shot and shell to fall less gloriously beneath champagne and claret. I\do not believe there is a coroner in the island who would have pronounced but the one verdict over the regiment — “ Killed by the mayor and corporation,” had we so fallen.

First of all, we were dined by the citizens of Cork — and, to do them justice, a harder drinking set of gentlemen no city need boast ; then we were feasted by the corporation ; then by the sheriffs ; then came the mayor, solus ; then- an address, with a cold collation, that left eight of us on the sick-list for a fortnight ; but the climax of all was a grand entertainment given in the mansion house, and to which upwards of two thousand were invited. It was a species of fancy ball, beginning by a dejeuner at three o’clock in the afternoon, and ending — I never yet met the man who could tell when it ended ; as for myself, my finale partook a little of the adventurous, and I may as well relate it.

After waltzing for about an hour with one of the prettiest girls I ever set eyes upon, and getting a tender squeeze of the hand, as I restored her to a most affable-looking old lady in a blue turban and a red velvet gdwn, who smiled most benignly on me, and called me “ Meejor ,” I retired to recruit for a new attack, to a small table, where three of ours were quaffing “ ponche a la Romaine ,” with a crowd of Corkagians about them, eagerly inquiring after some heroes of their own city, whose deeds of arms they were surprised did not obtain special mention from “the Duke,” I soon ingratiated myself into this well-occupied clique and dosed them with glory to their hearts’ content. I resolved at once to enter into their humor ; and as the “ ponche ” mounted up to my brain, I gradually found my acquaintanceship extended to every family and connection in the country.

“ Did ye know Phil Beamish of the 3-th, sir ? ” said a tall red-faced, red-whiskered, well-looking gentleman, who bore no slight resemblance to Feargus O’Connor.

“ Phil Beamish ! ” said I. “ Indeed I did, sir, and do still ; and there is not a man in the British army I am prouder of knowing.” Here, by the way, I may mention that I never heard the name till that moment.

“ You don’t say so, sir,” said Feargus — for so I must call him, for shortness’ sake. “ Has he any chance of the company yet, sir ? ”

“ Company ! ” said I, in astonishment. “ Pie obtained his u

BARR Y LORREQURR.

majority three months since. You cannot possibly have heard from him lately, or you would have known that ? ”

“ That’s true, sir. I never heard since he quitted the 3-th to go to Versailles, I think they call it, for his health. But how did he get the step, sir ? ”

“ Why, as to the company, that was remarkable enough ! ” said I, quaffing off a tumbler of champagne, to assist my invention. 44 You know it was about four o’clock in the afternoon of the 18th that Napoleon ordered Grouchy to advance with the first and second brigade of the Old Guard and two regiments of chasseurs, and attack the position occupied by Picton and the regiments under his command* Well, sir, on they came, masked by the smoke of a terrific discharge of artillery, stationed on a small eminence to our left, and which did tremendous execution among our poor fellows — on they came, sir ; and as the smoke cleared partially away we got a glimpse of them, and a more dangerous looking set I should not desire to see : grizzle-bearded, hardfeatured, bronzed fellows, about five-and-thirty or forty years of age ; their beauty not a whit improved by the red glare thrown upon their faces and along the whole line by each flash of the long twenty-fours that were playing away to the right. Just at this moment Picton rode down the line with his staff, and stopping within a few paces of me, said : 4 They’re coming up ; steady, boys ; steady now ; we shall have something to do soon.’ And then, turning round, he looked in the direction of the French battery, that was thundering away again in full force. 4 Ah, that must be silenced,’ said he. 4 Where’s Beamish ? ’ ” — 44 Says Picton ! ” interrupted Feargus, his eyes starting from their sockets, and his mouth growing wider every moment, as he listened with the most intense interest. 44 Yes,” said I, slowly ; and then, with all the provoking nonchalance of an Italian improvisatore, who always halts at the most exciting point of his narrative, I begged a listener near me to fill my glass from the iced punch beside him. Not a sound was heard as I lifted the bumper to my lips ; all were breathless in their wound-up anxiety to hear of their countryman who had been selected by Picton — for what, too, they knew not yet, and, indeed, at this instant I did not know myself, and nearly laughed outright, for the two of ours who had remained at the table had so well employed their interval of ease as to become very pleasantly drunk, and were listening to my com founded story with all the gravity and seriousness in the world.

“ ‘ Where’s Beamish ? ’ said Picton. * Here, sir/ said Phil, stepping out from the line, and touching his cap to the general, who, taking him apart for a few minutes, spoke to him with great animation. We did not know what he said ; but before five minutes were over, there was Phil with three companies of light bobs drawn up at our left ! their muskets at the charge, they set off at a round trot down the little steep which closed our flank. We had not much time to follow their movements, for our own amusement began soon ; but [ well remember, after repelling the French attack, and standing in square against two heavy charges of cuirassiers, the first thing I saw where the French battery had stood, was Phil Beamish and about a handful of brave fellows, all that remained from the skirmish. He captured two of the enemy’s field-pieces, and was 6 Captain Beamish’ on the day after.”

“ Long life to him ! ” said at least a dozen voices behind and about me, while a general clanking of decanters and smacking of lips betokened that Phil’s health with all the honors was being celebrated. For myself, I was really so engrossed by my narrative, and so excited by the “ ponche,” that I saw or heard very little of what was passing around, and have only a kind of dim recollection of being seized by the hand by “ Feargus,” who was Beamish’s brother, and who, in the fullness of his heart, would have hugged me to his breast, if I had not opportunely been so overpowered as to fall senseless under the table.

When I first returned to consciousness, I found myself lying exactly where I had fallen. Around me lay heaps of slain — the two of “ ours ” amongst the number. , One of them — I remember he was the adjutant — held in his hand a wax candle (three to the pound). Whether he had himself seized it in the enthusiasm of my narrative of flood and field, or it had been put there by another, I know not, but he certainly cut a droll figure. The room we were in was a small one off the great saloon, and through the half-open folding-door I could clearly perceive that the festivities were still continued. The crash of fiddles and French horns, and the tramp of feet, which had lost much of their elasticity since the enter* tainments began, rang through my ears, mingled with the sounds “ down the middle,” “ hands across,” “ here's your

HARRY LORREQUER.

l6

partner, captain,” What hour of the night or morning it then was, I could not guess; but certainly the vigor of the par:? seemed little abated, if I might judge from the specimen before me, and the testimony of a short plethoric gentleman, who stood wiping his bald head, after conducting his partner down twenty-eight couples, and who, turning to his friend, said, 44 Oh, the distance is nothing, but it is the pace that kills.”

The first anxiety I showed of any return to reason, was a strong anxiety to be at my quarters ; but how to get there I knew not. The faint glimmering of sense I possessed told me that “ to stand was to fall,” and I was ashamed to go on all-fours, which prudence suggested.

At this moment I remembered I had brought with me my cane, which, from a perhaps pardonable vanity, I was fond of parading. It was a present from the officers of my regiment— many of them, alas, since dead — and had a most splendid gold head, with a stag at the top — the arms of the regiment. This I would not have lost for any consideration I can mention ; and this now was gone ? I looked around me on every side ; I groped beneath the table ; I turned the sleeping sots who lay about in no very gentle fashion ; but, alas, it was gone. I sprang to my feet, and only then remembered how unfit I was to follow up the search, as tables, chairs, lights, and people, seemed all rocking and waving before me. However, I succeeded in making my way, through one rooiiji into another, sometimes guiding my steps along the walls ; and once, as I recollect, seeking the diagonal of a room, I bisected a quadrille with such ill-directed speed, as to run foul of a Cork dandy and his partner who were just performing the u en avant but though I saw them tumbled in the dust by the shock of my encounter — for I had upset them — I still held on the even tenor of my way. In fact, I had feeling but for one loss ; and, still in pursuit of' my cane, I reached the hall door. Now, be it known that the architecture of the Cork Mansion House has but one fault, but that fault is a grand one, and a strong evidence of how unsuited English architects are to provide buildings for a people whose tastes and habits they but imperfectly understand — be it known, then, that the descent from the hall-door to the street was by a flight of twelve stone steps. How I should ever get down these was now my difficulty. If Falstaff deplored 44 eight yards of uneven ground as being

HARRY LORREQUER.

*7

threescore and ten miles a foot,” with equal truth did I feel that these twelve awful steps were worse to me than would be M’Gillicuddy Reeks in the daylight, and with a head clear from champagne.

While I yet hesitated, the problem resolved itself ; for, gazing down upon the bright gravel, brilliantly lighted by the surrounding lamps, I lost my balance, and came tumbling and rolling from top to bottom, where I fell upon a large mass of some soft substance, to which, in all probability, I owe my life. In a few seconds I recovered my sense, and what was my surprise to find that the downy cushion beneath snored most audibly ! I moved a little to one side, and then discovered that in reality it was nothing less than an alderman of Cork, who, from his position, I concluded had shared the same fate with myself ; there he lay, “ like a warrior taking his rest ; ” but not with his “ martial cloak around him,” but a much more comfortable and far more costly robe — a scarlet gown of office — with huge velvet cuffs and a great cape of the same material. True courage consists in presence of mind ; and here mine came to my aid at once; recollecting the loss I had just sustained, and perceiving that all was still about me, with that right Peninsular maxim, that reprisals are fair in an enemy’s camp, I proceeded to strip the slain ; and with some little difficulty — partly, indeed, owing to my own unsteadiness on my legs — I succeeded in denuding the worthy alderman, who gave no other sign of life during the operation than an abortive effort to “ hip hip hurra ,” in which I left him, having put on the spoil, and set out on my way to the barrack with as much dignity of manner as I could assume in honor of my costume. And here I may mention (en parenthese) that a more comfortable morning-gown no man ever possessed, and in its wide luxuriant folds I revel, while I write these lines.

When I awoke on the following day I had considerable difficulty in tracing the events of the past evening. The great scarlet cloak, however, unravelled much of the mystery, and gradually the whole of my career became clear before me with the single exception of the episode of Phil Beamish, about which my memory was subsequently refreshed — but I anticipate. Only five appeared that day at mess : and, Lord ! what spectres they were ! — yellow as guineas ; they called for soda water without ceasing, and scarcely spoke a word to

US

each other. It was plain that the corporation of Cork was committing more havoc among us than Corunna or Waterloo, and that if we did not change our quarters, there would be quick promotion in the corps for such as were “ seasoned gentlemen.’’ After a day or two we met again together, and then what adventures were told — each man had his own story to narrate ; and from the occurrences detailed, one would have supposed years had been passing, instead of the short hours of an evening party. Mine were, indeed* among the least remarkable ; but I confess that the air of vraisemblance produced by my production of the aldermanic gown gave me the palm above all competitors.

Such was our life in Cork — dining, drinking, dancing, riding steeple-chases, pigeon shooting, and tandem driving — • filling up any little interval that was found to exist between a late breakfast and the time to dress for dinner ; and here I hope I shall not be accused of a tendency to boasting, while I add, that among all ranks and degrees of men, and women too, there never was a regiment more highly in estimation than the 4-th. We felt the full value of all the attentions we were receiving ; and we endeavored, as best we might, to repay them. We got up garrison balls and garrison plays, and usually performed once or twice a week during the winter. Here I shone conspicuously : in the morning I was employed painting scenery and arranging the properties, as it grew later, I regulated the lamps, and looked after the foot-lights, mediating occasionally between angry litigants, whose jealousies abound to the full as much in private theatricals as in the regular corps dramcitique% Then, I was also leader in the orchestra ; and had scarcely given the last scrape in the overture, before I was obliged to appear to speak the prologue. Such are the cares of greatness : to do myself justice, I did not dislike them ; though, to be sure, my taste for the drama did cost me a little dear, as will be seen in the sequel.

We were then in the full career of popularity. Our balls pronounced the very pleasantest ; our plays far superior to any regular corps that had ever honored Cork with their talents ; when an event occurred which threw a gloom over all our proceedings, and finally put a stop to every project for amusement we had so completely given ourselves up to. This was no less than the removal of our lieutenant-colonel. After thirty years of active service in the regiment he then

HARRY LORREQUER .

*9 commanded, his age and infirmities, increased by some severe wounds, demanded ease and repose ; he retired from us, bearing along with him the love and regard of every man in the regiment. To the old officers, he was endeared by long companionship and un deviating friendship ; to the young, he was in every respect as a father, assisting by his advice, and guiding by his counsel ; while to the men, the best estimate of his worth appeared in the fact that corporeal punishment was unknown in the corps. Such was the man we lost ; and it may well be supposed that his successor, who or whatever he might be came under circumstances of no common difficulty amongst us, but when I tell that our new lieutenant-colonel was in every respect his opposite, it may be believed how little cordiality he met with.

Lieutenant-colonel Carden — for so I shall call him, although not his real name — had not been a month at quarters, when he proved himself a regular martinet : everlasting drills, continual reports, fatigue parties, and ball practice, and Heaven knows what besides, superseded our former morning’s occupation : and, at the end of the time I have mentioned, we, who had fought our way from Albuera to Waterloo, under some of the severest generals of division, were pronounced a most disorderly and ill-disciplined regiment by a colonel who had never seen a shot fired but a review in Hounslow, or a sham-battle in the Fifteen Acres. The winter was now drawing to a close — already some little touch of spring was appearing ; as our last play for the season was announced, every effort to close with some little additional iclat was made ; and each performer in the expected piece was nerving himself for an effort beyond his wont. The colonel had most unequivocally condemned these plays ; but that mattered not ; they came not within his jurisdiction ; and we took no notice of his displeasure, further than sending him tickets, which were as immediately returned as received. From being the chief offender, I had become particularly obnoxious ; and he had upon more than one occasion expressed his desire for an opportunity to visit me with his vengeance ; but being aware of his kind intentions toward me, I took particular care to let no such opportunity occur.

On the morning in question, then, I had scarcely left my quarters when one of my brother officers informed me that the colonel had made a great uproar, that one of the bills of the play had been put up on his door — which, with his avowed

HARRY LORREQt/RR. \ dislike to such representations, he considered as intended to insult him ; he added, too, that the colonel attributed it to me. In this, however, he was wrong — and, to this hour, I never knew who did it. I had little time, and still less inclination, to meditate upon the colonel’s wrath — the theatre had all my thoughts ; and indeed it was a day of no common exertion, for our amusements were to conclude with a grand supper on the stage, to which all the elite of Cork were invited. Whenever I went through the city — and many were my peregrinations — the great placard of the play stared me in the face ; and every gate and shuttered window in Cork proclaimed “ the part of Othello, by Mr. Lorrequer.”

As evening drew near, my cares and occupations were redoubled. My lago I had fears for — ’tis true he was an admirable Lord Grizzle in Tom Thumb — but then — then I had to paint the whole company, and bear all their abuse besides, for not making some of the most ill-looking wretches perfect Apollos ; but, last of all, I was sent for, at a quarter to seven, to lace Desdemona’s stays. Start not, gentle reader — my fair Desdemona — she “ who might lie by an emperor’s side, and command him tasks ” — was no other than the senior lieutenant of the regiment, and who was as great a votaiy of the jolly god as honest Cassio himself. But I must hasten on — I cannot delay to recount our success in detail. Let it suffice to say that, by universal consent, I was preferred to Kean, and the only fault the most critical observer could find to the representative of Desdemona was a rather un lady-like fondness for snuff. But, whatever little demerits our acting might have displayed were speedily forgotten in a champagne supper. There I took the head of the table, and, in the costume of the noble Moor, toasted, made speeches, returned thanks, and sung songs, till I might have exclaimed with Othello himself, “ Chaos was come again ! ” — and I believe I owe my ever reaching the barrack that night to the kind offices of Desdemona, who carried me the greater part of the way on her back.

The first waking thoughts of him who has indulged overnight are not among the most blissful of existence, and certainly the pleasure is not increased by the consciousness that he is called on to the discharge of duties to which a fevered pulse and throbbing temples are but ill-suited. My sleep was suddenly broken in upon the morning after the play by a “row-dow-dow ” beat beneath my window. I

I/ARR V LORREQUER.

if jumped hastily from my bed, and looked out, and there, to my horror, perceived the regiment under arms. It was one of our confounded colonel's morning drills ; and there he stood himself with the poor adjutant, who had been up all night, shivering beside him. Some two or three of the officers had descended ; and the drum was now summoning the others, as it beat round the barrack-square. I saw there was not a moment to lose, and proceeded to dress with all dispatch , but, to my misery, I discovered everywhere nothing but theatrical robes and decorations — there lay a splendid turban, here a pair of buskins — a spangled jacket glittered on one table, and a jewelled cimeter on the other. At last I detected my “ regimental small-clothes," etc., most ignominiously thrust into a corner, in my ardor for my Moorish robes the preceding evening.

I dressed myself with the speed of lightning ; but as I proceeded in my occupation — guess my annoyance to find that the toilet-table and glass, ay, and even the basin-stand, had been removed to the dressing-room of the theatre ; and my servant, I suppose, following his master’s example, was too tipsy to remember to bring them back ; so that I was unable to procure the luxury of cold water — for now not a moment more remained — the drum had ceased, and the men had all fallen in. Hastily drawing on my coat, I put on my shako, and buckling on my belt as dandy-like as might be, hurried down the stairs to the barrack-yard. By the time I got down, the men were all drawn up in line along the square ; while the adjutant was proceeding to examine their accoutrements, etc., as he passed down. The colonel ands the officers were standing in a group, but not conversing. The anger of the commanding officer appeared still to continue, and there was a dead silence maintained on both sides. To reach the spot where they stood, I had to pass along part of the line. In doing so, how shall I convey my amazement at the faces that met me — a general titter ran along the entire rank, which not even their fears for consequences seemed able to repress — for an effort, on the part of many to stifle the laugh, only ended in a still louder burst of merriment. I looked to the far side of the yard for an explanation, but there was nothing there to account for it. I now crossed over to where the officers were standing, determining in my own mind to investigate the occurrence thoroughly, when free from the presence of the colonel, to whom any representation of ill conduct always brought a punishment far exceeding the merits of the case.

Scarcely had I formed this resolve, when I reached the group of officers ; but the moment I came near, one general roar of laughter saluted me — the like of which I never before heard. I looked down at my costume, expecting to discover that, in my hurry to dress, I had put on some of the garments of Othello. No: all was perfectly correct. I waited for a moment, till, the first burst of merriment over, I should obtain a clew to the jest. But there seemed no prospect of this, for as I stood patiently before them their mirth appeared

to increase. Indeed poor G , the* senior major, one of

the gravest men in Europe, laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks ; and>‘-such was the effect upon me, that I was induced to laugh too — as men will sometimes, from the infectious nature of that strange emotion ; but, no sooner did I do this, than their fun knew no bounds, and some almost screamed aloud, in the excess of their merriment. Just at this instant the colonel, who had been examining some of the men, approached our group, advancing with an air of evident displeasure, as the shouts of loud laughter continued. As he came up I turned hastily round, and touching my cap, wished him good morning. Never shall I forget the look he gave me. If a glance could have annihilated any man, his would have finished me. For a moment his face became purple with rage, his eyes were almost hid beneath his bent brow, and he absolutely shook with passion.