The Fox of France - Chapter 489 (Patreon)

Chapter 489: Retreat

Although the British army is very methodical about retreating, especially when allied or auxiliary forces are involved, the lines have become increasingly difficult to hold as the forces gradually withdraw. This has led to the most critical moment.

Now, any further reduction of the defense area or withdrawal of troops has become impossible. Even minor withdrawals could likely lead to a precipitous deterioration of the front lines. Therefore, the British are no longer contemplating small-scale retreats but are preparing for a total withdrawal. They plan to load as many people as possible onto ships in a very short time, before the enemy can react.

Achieving this requires significant throughput capacity at the ports and high organizational abilities among the troops. Dublin naturally has some advantages in this respect.

Dublin is Ireland's largest and most important port, with relatively good facilities for the era, capable of berthing a large number of ships. Its relatively sheltered location in the Irish Sea also allows more people to be loaded onto ships.

Moreover, after the war entered a stalemate phase, the Duke of Norfolk had further expanded Dublin Port, adding several new docks. The original rationale was to facilitate troop reinforcements, but these smaller docks were likely also designed with rapid withdrawals in mind.

Thus, the first condition for a rapid withdrawal has been met. The next challenge is how to organize the retreat efficiently.

Over the past few days, the Duke of Norfolk has been busy meeting with commanders of the "security forces," speaking to them and awarding medals.

After Napoleon established a system of medals, the British created their own, even more detailed system. It includes medals like the Royal Cross, generally awarded only to royal family members serving in the military and senior officers. Lower than that is the "Distinguished Gallantry Medal," which, despite its name, is mainly awarded to commissioned officers. Regular soldiers and junior officers rarely receive such distinctions.

Even lower is the Military Medal, awarded for bravery in combat to soldiers and junior officers. This medal is generally only awarded to genuine British forces, not to mixed units like the "security forces."

Then there are "shoulder badges"—bronze oak leaves affixed to the uniform's shoulder, a more common decoration within the British forces. However, only the staunchest collaborators in the "security forces" receive these.

Overall, the British military's medal system at this time is complete and distinctly reflective of the era's social stratification: higher decorations for higher ranks and lower ones for the lower ranks. Unlike in some future countries, where the highest honors go to front-line soldiers.

This time, the Duke of Norfolk has spent quite a sum to award numerous Military Medals to various leaders within the "security forces," with prominent figures like Captain Jarvis even receiving a Distinguished Gallantry Medal, causing some dissatisfaction among the regular British forces.

"Who awards a fighting dog such high honors?" Duke's aide-de-camp, Tony Alkin, remarked.

"Ah, Tony, it's just a few plaques. What's the big deal?" the Duke replied nonchalantly.

"But Duke, these awards require approval from the Parliament and the King. If we were continuously winning, a one-time request for so many medals might pass. But now... they will surely have something to say."

The Duke smiled slightly and said, "Ah, Tony, you are so young, so naive. Who told you I was going to ask for approval from Parliament and the King? Why bother with such formalities?"

At this time, mass awarding of medals indeed gave rise to suspicions that this might be akin to a last meal before an execution. However, during his meetings, the Duke of Norfolk seriously conveyed the retreat plans, including the timing and order of embarkation. He also emphasized the need for strict secrecy and pointed out that any unit showing premature movement would be moved to the end of the retreat sequence.

Most of the staunch collaborators were given favorable positions in the retreat sequence. For example, Captain Jarvis was assigned an excellent spot. His unit would follow the authentic British regiments, which were scheduled to withdraw first thing in the morning. Once they had withdrawn, it would soon be Jarvis and his men's turn. At the signal of the bugle, Captain Jarvis could lead his men to the docks for retreat. A ship was specifically reserved for Jarvis and his men. Once aboard, they would be safe.

"Captain Jarvis, the matter of retreat must be kept in utmost secrecy. We suspect that there are spies from the rebels in your ranks. Therefore, the retreat operation must not be disclosed until the bugle sounds. No one must know beforehand," the Duke of Norfolk said earnestly.

Jarvis knew that among his men, there were likely none currently in contact with the "rebels"—after all, there were battle lines and barbed wire. But many probably hoped to establish such contacts—a fact evident from their recent looks.

The other side had mentioned that obtaining significant intelligence could be as commendable as securing a general's head. If his men knew of this, who knows how

 many would attempt a "significant act of merit"? If not for the blood on his hands, Jarvis himself might have contemplated such an act.

"Governor, I will ensure utmost secrecy," Jarvis saluted sharply.

"And if your soldiers see other units pulling back, how will you explain that?" the Duke of Norfolk asked further.

"Governor, I will tell them that they are retreating to the next line of defense."

In reality, there was indeed another line of defense behind them. Thus, most soldiers in the "security forces" believed they would first fall back to this final line, hold for a while, and then execute a total retreat. However, the true purpose of this so-called final line was merely to foster this misunderstanding.

"Very good, Captain Jarvis, very good!" the Duke of Norfolk said, "When we reach England, I hope to see you still serving the United Kingdom."

"It is our greatest honor to fight for the United Kingdom," Captain Jarvis responded.

Captain Jarvis, wearing a silver-white Distinguished Gallantry Medal, proudly returned to his defensive position. It was mealtime, a rare moment of quiet during the siege.

Taking advantage of this time, Captain Jarvis ate his meal and tidied up his personal belongings. He knew that no matter the arrangements, the retreat could easily become chaotic. He also had no intention of being the last man standing at his post. Once the situation became confused, who knew what might happen? If something went wrong and he couldn't board the ship, everything would be lost.

In his room, Captain Jarvis checked his two revolvers, loading them with bullets, and carefully looked out the window. Seeing no one outside, he withdrew his head, closed the window, drew the curtains, and then unlocked a cabinet. Inside was a safe, from which he took a long belt and a stack of gold coins.

Over the years, Captain Jarvis had made quite a sum by collecting protection money, engaging in speculative trading of important supplies, participating in smuggling and counter-smuggling, and then re-smuggling seized goods. Through these means, he had accumulated a fair amount of money. Captain Jarvis had little trust in paper money, even British currency, so over the years, he had converted part of his earnings into gold coins, and some, well, he had bought properties and houses in mainland Britain during his vacations. Given the current situation, Captain Jarvis had proven to have a knack for investment. Yet, he was not entirely pleased with himself; he felt that had he chosen to buy a house in France back then, it would have been even better.

Captain Jarvis picked up the specially made belt, which was essentially a long pocket that could hold small items.

He began to stuff the gold coins into the belt one by one, then folded several documents—deeds—into long strips and carefully inserted them as well. He then took off the belt he was wearing and replaced it with this one, patting it down with his hand. The coins were tightly packed inside, making no sound.

Satisfied, Captain Jarvis touched the belt containing his fortune. Before the siege, he had sent his wife to Britain. The authorities were very pleased with this, considering it a show of loyalty to the United Kingdom. But for Jarvis, this was hardly significant. He didn't really trust anyone, including the woman who might be his wife or his mistress, so his money, his truly important possessions, were all here with him.

Because the belt was heavy with gold coins, it felt reassuringly weighty. He then holstered his two loaded revolvers and went out to inspect the positions.

By evening, a full moon lit up the night, providing good visibility, so Jarvis set about organizing the night's defenses.

He told his "security forces" soldiers that tonight, they would abandon their current positions and fall back to the final line of defense.

"The British to our side and behind us are retreating first. After they secure the key positions, we will be able to pull back around dawn."

This procedure had been typical of previous retreats, so most soldiers didn't suspect anything. Those who were suspicious were mainly concerned that, if the final line of defense failed, the British might abandon them. They didn't realize that this so-called final line was designed not to confront the Irish independence forces but to deceive them.

At midnight, rustling sounds came from behind and to the side of the position held by Jarvis's "security forces," indicating that the British were beginning their retreat. Jarvis let his deputy supervise the men while he excused himself to coordinate with the retreating British on the rear guard arrangements.

This was a common enough occurrence, so the deputy didn't suspect anything. Jarvis indeed saw the British orderly retreating and followed them towards the docks. However, at the dock area, he was stopped by military police who told him that the "security forces" could only retreat once the assembly bugle sounded.

Thus, Jarvis had to wait there, watching one group of British after another board the ships, watching ship after ship arrive

 at and leave the docks.

At the docks, wave after wave of British arrived and quickly embarked, leaving in an endless stream as if they could keep boarding and boarding until the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse sounded their trumpets, signaling the end of the world.

"Ah, Captain Jarvis, you're quite early," a voice called out.

Jarvis turned and saw several people heading his way. He recognized them all—they were certified "staunch collaborators" from the independence army, although Jarvis felt that some of them hardly deserved that title.

"What are you doing here?" Jarvis asked.

"Cut it, why are you here? That's why we're here," one collaborator, who had always disliked Jarvis, retorted.

"Let's not quarrel now," another collaborator said.

"The military police will board soon. Then it'll be our turn," another person said. "But look, how many ships are left at the dock? Clearly, these few ships won't be enough to take all of our men. If we hadn't come now, we might not have a ship to board at all."

This argument struck a chord, so everyone fell silent.

At that moment, a carriage arrived at the dock. It was the Duke of Norfolk, accompanied by a group of servants and his pet dog, ready to board a ship.

As the Duke alighted, he noticed the "staunch collaborators" and gestured to others before approaching with a few guards.

"Governor, you're here too?" Jarvis immediately stood at attention.

"Yes, I must also leave. But Captain Jarvis, rest assured, we will return!"

"Yes, Your Excellency, we will definitely return," Jarvis replied.

"Hmm, Captain Jarvis, your unit isn't scheduled to retreat yet," the Duke of Norfolk said, pulling out a pocket watch and adopting a stern tone. "And you others, it's not your time either. You should return to your posts now."

The nearby military police began to gather around.

"Governor, you misunderstand. We just came to inspect the situation to ensure a smooth retreat later," Captain Jarvis quickly said.

"Well, have you finished your inspection? Then go back. Return to your posts immediately," the Duke of Norfolk said sternly.

"We're going right now," Jarvis quickly said.

Then the collaborators exchanged glances and collectively saluted the Duke of Norfolk before turning to run away.

But they didn't really return to their units; instead, they turned a corner and stopped behind a building.

"Are we going back?" someone asked.

"Go back my ass," Jarvis said. "Look at how many ships are left. They can't fit all these people. Let's not let anyone go back!"

While speaking, Jarvis drew his revolver.

"Right, no one goes back. We'll just wait here for the assembly signal," the others agreed.

As dawn broke in the eastern sky, and the morning star appeared, the dock's activity dwindled. The Duke of Norfolk's entourage had boarded a large ship, which then left the dock. Now, few ships remained at the dock. The military police also began to board.

"Damn, why hasn't the assembly signal sounded yet?" a collaborator said anxiously.

"My goodness, the police have gone! Ah, those ships are preparing to leave, aren't they going to wait for us?"

"It must be that the bugler ran off, forgetting to sound the signal!" Captain Jarvis said. "Ah, the last ship is also gathering its ropes now. Let's hurry over!"

By then, only one ship remained at the dock, the rest sailing towards the open sea. There were no ships waiting outside the harbor.

Several "staunch collaborators" sprinted towards the dock, panting as they ran toward the last ship still untying its ropes.

"Wait, wait for us," they shouted as they ran.

But it seemed no one was waiting for them. Just as they were about to reach the ship, it gathered its ropes and started moving away from the dock.

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