TALL TALES

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Take a letter Mr Murphy to Captain George. Short and sweet, Lowell Manor will be under attack shortly so we need all the weapons we have at our disposal. In addition sir, we only have room for a dozen casualties. With respect write Benjamin Harrison at his plantation/property in Millstown if in need of extra space to attend to casualties. Finish with take care, God bless you all.
''Please have that delivered to Capt George asap and Mr Murphy you have burned the original letter''? Yes he had.

Walt knew Benjamin Harrrison would provide room for casualties as while he 'visited' his neibor under the noses of the enemy he was able to talk him into joining the Southern Continental cause. Harrison, a man of middle age with a ruddy complexion, also said at the meeting that he would ride to the Jackson Plantation just to his north in Ralton to convince the owner to do the same. Walt also told him to locate a doctor and nurses as they'd be needed when casualties arrived from Charlestown.
''What about the Redcoats Mr Lowell''.
''Arm yourself , your family and your servants then take care of our enemy as you wish. If you need help I can spare some of my militia men''.
 
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With cannon balls whistling, crashing and exploding all around. Lt. Marshall told his men again to keep their heads down in the trenches they'd dug. Two of the American cannons and crew had been hit being more exposed necessarily. Both sides had exploding cannon balls which Eddie had made some of but mostly solid balls which were faster to make, load and safer. Deadly to the few they hit.
The French had two howitzers with shells that flew up into an arc and down exploding with decent accuracy. Eddie had a good look at them and was impressed noting and even measuring. A French Sergeant gave him a bottle of wine.

The two Surgery and little hospital tents had been moved back behind a small wood for safety. Likewise the wagons and supplies, especially the gunpower and exploding round shells. Some of the long wagons were being loaded with the supplies for a quick departure.

At night, mainly, the American Militia cavalry would patrol looking for incursions through the wetlands either side of the Neck. There were some skirmishes mostly dealt with. Nine spies were captured and gave vital information when interrogated. Eddie shied away from that scene and was sick enough seeing his fellow patriots being blown to bits.
Still a few Americans were wounded or killed patrolling on horse. The Militia had their hidden lookouts watching, but some spies may have snuck through. Dark Negroes armed with sharp daggers, promised their freedom, were hard to spot and one lookout was killed. Guards had to be set at the camp hospital and supply pile where two more spies were caught, one with a fire striker.

Another long wagon was being loaded with ten more wounded, eleven French troopers and two French Calvary to head to Lowell and Marshall manors. Commanded by a corporal Philippe Bonapart.

The bulging twin manors were already overflowing.
 
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'Old Fancy pants' Dankworth had spilled his guts after an hour of interrogation from the fearsome Lt Murphy, telling him he was in charge of commandeering local properties as military headquarters/command centres. ''We already know this'', said the giant, thick set Irishman. I am running out of patience. I can inflict much more pain on you Sasanach'' (a derogatory term the Irish used against the British over bitter historical tensions and conflicts) .
''Give me vital intelligence that can assist the poor men defending their capital city from you invading British swine. NOW!!''
 
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Lowell and Marshall manors were now on a full war footing as dawn settled over Sommersville. Between them they had 100 men and women to defend both properties, 35 protecting Eddie and Julia's home and the remainder doing the same at Walt and Elizas. Rose was busy pep talking the female non combatant servants and other white women, then seeing that they all knew their tasks once the Redcoats came. Angus had his cannoneers carrying out drills. Six cannon were now secreted in the nearby woods along with 15 Frenchmen and 10 Militia set up in defensive positions. The other two cannon were at upstairs windows to be used only as a last resort should the others be put out of action or the manor was threatened . Lt Murphy and Sgt Robbie had assembled their 55 men, either indoors or entrenched outside at the front and back of both houses. Each with a muskets, bayonet and side arm, while those inside had an extra musket, because as they were accompanied by female loaders, they were able to load and fire twice as fast as the Redcoats. The prisoners had been locked away in the workers huts. But not 'old fancy pants' as Walt figured he may be used as a bargaining chip should there be a need to surrender.
Meanwhile Lt Murphy had sent out two scouts.
 
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People at the manors were surprised to see a masked heavily armed and armoured rider coming from the stables at Marshall manor on a very large barded brown horse. The warrior had two muskets in holders, two twin shot pistols, two long daggers and a heavy long sabre. Also the blue sash of the Continentals.
Most distinctive was the lance the soldier carried.

Rose was out on the veranda of Lowell manor prunning as the rider trotted through the rose garden. She saw the mask and her mind flashed back decades to old England. It was Jake's from their bad old days robbing rich toffs on the highways around Romley.
Seeing the bandaged leg Rose knew who it was but said nothing. The rider waved at her and instinctively Rose waved back. Everyone was looking at the strange warrior though as he rode out onto the road with an air of confidence all could see.
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Walt too stopped in his tracks and looked across at Rose, formerly Molly from their time robbing rich toffs. A time Walt had tried very hard to put behind him as he was now a respected businessman in his adopted and new nation. Surely this can not be Eddie wearing the disguise Jake use to wear during their raids on isolated roads in the mid England town of Romley. The answer was to come when the horseman stopped his large black stallion and started to remove his helmet...
 
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The rider took off his helmet and mask only to reveal it was not a man but a woman.
It was Corporal Milicent who gave them a big smile.
 
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Milli said to the two Cavarlry men she knew well:

"Seen any Redcoats skulking about? I was fed up recuperating stuck in a bed and don't need my leg much to ride my horse, so I came out to see if I could find any of those bustards. To capture of course.
We're close to the Harrison plantation so why don't we spy on it from a distance. I have a telescope and we can take cover in the trees. Let me show you how to use a scope.
Fancy some roast chicken cooked this morning?"

The two men were behind Milli when she had led the charge through the Redcoat's column, and knew she was a bit crazy, tough as nails and out ranked them. Still, they were Cavaliers.
They followed her to the wood 200 yards in front of Harrison's plantation entrance and shared the chicken, a bottle of beer and telescope as they watched and waited.
Cavalier Hugo was on watch as Milli fed his older brother Simon chicken, sometimes by her hand. She knew Simon had an eye for her. He was tall, strong, brave, calm and intelligent, but not handsome or rich.
'When we've driven off Charles' damn redcoats, maybe I shoud get married and have children' thought Milli looking at Simon chuckling as she pushed chicken into his mouth. She liked him.

After three hours they'd seen nothing and left looking to check other areas riding along narrow back tracks. Meeting an old man and his wife on a potato cart pulled by a mule they stopped and chatted. Milli knew of them as residents around Millstown. They had seen a dozen Redcoats in the distance and left the main track to avoid them.
Milli thanked them and gave them the rest of her chicken to their delight. They returned the favour with a dozen nice potatoes.
 
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More and more American Militia and French Regulars were being wounded or killed at the Neck. Cannons wrecked too. The French howitzers could be better dug in directed by a spotter.
Militia Captain George and French Captains Ulysse and Leon agreed upon a plan of a staged retreat. Many more barrel mines were being laid by the sappers and they would be last to retreat on fast horses doing their worst to the English and delaying them.

"Dead of night we head to Lowell Manor with many troops already marching next to laden long carts filled to overflowing with wounded, equipment, supplies, ... tents too. I've sent a fast rider ahead to alert Mr Lowell to our visit."

 
Walt met the rider sent by Eddie and told him to head back and tell Lt Marshall to redirect some of the wounded to the the Harrison and Jackson properties and to probably expect to confront Redcoats that may have commandeered their homes. Also tell the Lt that Lowell and Marshall manors are on a war footing as we could be under attack any time. So would appreciate any assistance as soon as possible, ammunition and manpower....
 
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Eddie and his convoy met the messenger who told him of Walt's request.
With troops and Cavalry to protect them Lt. Eddie directed the carts of wounded to head to Harrison's and Jackson's manors.

Sore and tired Milli had headed back to Lowell manor with her two Cavaliers. Soon she was fast asleep in her comfortable bed snoring gently with cavaliers Simon and Hugo sleeping on her bedroom's floor.
She and the brothers woke before Dawn hearing the sound of men, rumbling carts and horses.

When Eddie arrived at Lowell manor just before dawn with troops, calvary and long carts laden with supplies, gunpowder and ammunition.
His men were exhausted and were happy to sleep on the ground in Lowell's Rose garden. Soon big pots of hearty thick soup was cooked up for them.
 
I knew you would never let us down Eddie, said a grateful Walt hugging his long time friend. The ammunition and weapons are needed as Lt Murphy has put us in a dangerous situation. Walt explained to Eddie how Murphy had gone against Walts suggestion to avoid blood shed when a platoon of Redcoats approached Lowell plantation property three days previously. He also asked had Eddie diverted the wounded to his neibors properties. ''Yes I have Walt." As the two were talking, Robbie and three of his men stored the supplies in one of the two remaining empty rooms and the ammunition in the old workers huts. Then dinner was served.
 
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"Sorry to hear Lt. Murphy was overly zealous with his onslaught of the Redcoats Walt" said Eddie. "Like me he's just Militia, not trained proper like the regulars defending Charly Town.
Perhaps ..., through in my inexperience, we over designed that horrid killing zone, more is better I thought. Murphy is a brave, decent, physically strong and huge man. That's why he was made the Lieutenant of his platoon. He's no genius though."

Just then, a local scout rider came galloping into the Rose garden yelling " Columns of men marching this way, they're coming, they're coming this way, they're coming, ..."

Men once sprawled in and outside Lowell manor rose in a panic spilling food, drink and cards.
It took a while to settle the men and the panicky rider. Silly fellow made bedraggled French Captain Ulysse laugh when he descibed the colour of the uniforms the same as his.
"That'd be Captain Eduard's lost Company of four French platoons." said French Ulysse smiling.
 
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When a relieved Captain Eduard saw his fellow captain the two embraced with a peck on each cheek as was the way of the eccentric French. Eduard then explained how his company had become separated from the main French contingent. For the next hour Mrs Fletcher the cook and servants Leticia, Lena and Rosalie had the Lowell kitchen in full swing with warm vegetable soup and bread for the exhausted Frenchies. It was then decided between Walt, Eddie and Capt. Eduard that his men were to be commissioned to protect Lowell, Harrison and Jackson properties after Eddie told Walt that it was almost certain Charleston would fall to the Redcoats within days and that the South Carolina Continental forces needed to fully prepare for an expected British push inland.
Eddie then said in a plaintive manner, '' Walt I have seen many good Americans cut down in the most brutal manner, so I am far from done with those power hungry, murdering Redcoats''
 
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Chaired by Mr Lowell, the four Captains, seven Lieutenants and five neighbouring plantation owners sat and stood around Walt's great mahogany dinning table. Lt. Murphy stood by the curtains.
It was a meeting of strategy and planning.

Milli was out riding again on patrol with her two Calvary men. Two French riders from the Lost Company joined them with some English words.
Milli knew a little French .
The French Company had four platoons with a third of the 150 men being Cavalry. They had carts, supplies and small cannons too.
Milli liked they had some nice red wine in barrels and bottles. They did a zig-zagging patrol southwards towards the Neck and walking their horses quietly through a wood of Elms they could hear cannons firing. The forlorn hope manning the last American cannons and mines, and yet the British kept coming surging into the breach. That's when Hell itself erupted as the Redcoats' main frontal force, standing in a field of mines, were mostly blown to bits. A huge set of exposions shaking the Earth itself. Hundreds lay dead, dying or wounded. Horses going crazy ... bedlam.

Milli and the French Sergeant Piere could see through their telescopes tbe chaos below. The American bombadiers and cannoniers were now fleeing theur positions by horse and cart followed by half a dozen English cavalry charging out of the smoke.
Milli yelled "LA CHARGE!"
 
The meeting of strategy and planning went better than Walt expected as he and his fellow plantation owners had not always seen eye to eye, in fact there had been occasions when they were enemies. But that was mostly to do with business and this was war not business.. Already Richard Jackson and Jeremiah Harrison had teamed with Walt, now it was the turn of Stefan Shultz a German migrant and Irishman Sean Flaherty to join them. It was decided that their homes and surrounding property be turned into a fortress, protected by four small canon, 25 militia, one platoon of Frenchmen, each with two muskets and a sabre for mounted cavalry. Tonnes of sand bags were to be placed front and back of each house and trenches dug also front and back of each house. Sentries were to be placed at the front of each property and scouts were to be on duty round the clock....
 
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As the Redcoat riders closed in on the long carts fleeing the scene a dozen American musket troopers stepped out of the woods and formed up on the track to unleash a musket volley. Horses and men went down in a tangle as Milli and her men rode into the fray with sabres striking those still standing and resisting surrender. A wounded officer was captured along with a two others. They were tied up and hauled onto a cart to be delivered to Lowell manor.
Corporal Bonaparte kissed Milli on the cheek and her fancy man Simon looked jealous so she went and kissed him on the mouth to the cheers of the men.
 
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Eddie was glad he could stay and defend Lowell manor and particularly his own Marshall manor. His men were depleted by wounds and deaths, but the remainig men were somber and steely eyed. French troopers swelled his ranks as did his volunteers. Old men, women, boys and even some brave girls. Many trained in loading and firing muskets.

He wasn't too surprised to see his Milli ride into the rose garden with two long carts filled with men, casks of gunpowder and four short cannons. They were flanked by some ten riders including Milli who seemed to have eyes for one of his cavaliers he knew by the name of Simon. One of his best. Simon was a volunteer militia horseman under the employ of Benjamin Harrison of Millstown, and sponsored by his master. Simon only had eyes for Milli too and rode close next to her. He certainly wasn't handsome thought Eddie..
Eddie waved and smiled at them.
They waved back also smiling, with big grins too big.

Soon mines were being laid to the approaches of his Marshall manor with two manned shot cannons filled by sharp metal off cuts from his forges. Trenches and barricades were constucted. His men and others worked frantically nourished by food and weak ale from good women folk.
Other women were loading all the last fifty muskets in Eddie's armory, even a French howitzer he 'borrowed' for his last two casks of brandy

Despite all the haste Eddie imagined what grandchildren his Millicent and her Simon might have. It lifted his mood which spilled over to his men. "...why's ya smiling Sir..?"
 
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