Merkovan Cossacks (2)

The meeting with Colonel Von Clemens was quite convivial and the Colonel had immediately arranged for a courier to inform Count Vladislav of the Hetman’s arrival

“ Hopefully he will inform us shortly of your role, it the meantime it would be helpful if you could patrol the Frundsberg border” he explained “we will of course organise sufficient rations for your men. Did you have any questions I could help you with?”

“Well, where exactly is the border?”

“if you look at this map, it runs along the ridgeline, but the road itself, the Altweg, is on the Frundsberg side of the border, in the winter it’s the only dry east-west route”

“And that large hill that rises over the plain, there seems to be something on top of it”

“Yes, we know of it, it is some sort of signalling station used by the Frundsbergers.  I should also warn you of one of the Frundsbergers favourite tricks, which is to lure you into an ambush, their patrols usually fall back past cover, which conceals jaegers backed up by militia”

“Now these militia, do they wear grey uniforms?”

“Yes, unlike the regulars who wear yellow, have you seen any?”

“Yes, I mean I have seen the Militia, but no regulars apart from their cavalry patrols”

“Hmm I wonder where they are?”

Merkovan Cossacks (1)

As they rode back into Bruckewasser, Major Gripple heard how the Cossacks had trekked across Poland and Germany, the only difficult stages were those when they had to cross Prussian territory given their mutual dislike. It appeared that the Hetman was married to one of Count Vladislav’s sisters and had received a request from the Count for assistance.

“Since we didn’t have much to do as the Polish/Turkish border is quiet at the moment I decided to bring some of my men for some sport”

“And how did you come to cross Pommaine?” asked the Major.

“Well it wasn’t our intention, but we ran into a large force of Prussians and had to avoid them. We then ended up somewhere on the hills over there” pointing north."

“Hmm in Frundsberg, didn’t they attack you?”

“No not directly, we had a little bit of trouble at times with riflemen sniping at us and bridges being removed, but we seemed to be able to find a route here”

“Sounds like you were carefully shepherded out of their lands, your force could have been trapped and destroyed in those flat lands.  Ah here we are at the Commanders residence!”

Unwelcome visitors (4)

While the major waited for his visitors to organise themselves he had a look around at his troops and the progress on the fortifications. The northern suburb of Bruckewasser was not normally defended, as the river provided a more than adequate defence in that direction. However the Colonel had decided to build some light fortifications there to prevent any surprise attack and to reduce interference with the river traffic. It would consist of a ditch backed by an earth rampart. A shambling figure now came into sight, Lieutenant Uston.

The sergeant had also spotted him and his heart sank. The Lieutenant would probably give a different reason for his absence and he would be in trouble. The Lieutenant climbed the earth bank behind the ditch, saw the Major and waved before tumbling into the ditch.

Just then the Major heard a cough. “We are ready now Major”

“Very good, please accompany me”

As the Major passed the sergeant he called out “When you are relieved tell Lieutenant Uston that I would very much like to see him”

Unwelcome visitors (3)

Major Gripple didn’t like what he could see, a small force of his men was blocking the road, but beyond there must be well, there must be, over four hundred cavalry.  The good news was that they were not acting aggressively, but that could mean they might be about to summon the city to surrender.  Putting such thoughts to one side he rode up to meet the person who seemed to be in charge who was conversing with the sergeant of the guard, who looked up as he approached.

Passing the sergeant he asked “Where’s Lieutenant Uston?”

“At the latrine sir, it must have been something he ate”

Turning to the obviously foreign commander he stated “I am Major Gripple of the Von Clemens Regiment and I would be pleased to hear why you have entered Pommaine”

“I am Sergai Orlov, Hetman of the Merkovan Host and I have brought my Cossacks to assist Pommaine at the direct request of Count Vladislav,  I have a letter of introduction here” and handed over a letter.

Quickly studying the letter, the major confirmed “Yes it seems in order, but we were not warned of your approach.  Would you like to accompany me to see Colonel Von Clemens to discuss how we can assist you?  Oh and please bring a along some of your officers.”

“Very well.”  Turning to the rider next to him “Micha tell the men to wait here and send Alexandr to accompany me”