‘Is all well, Sar’nt-Major?’

He didn’t need to elaborate. Their long association meant that the enquiry gave Armstrong licence to say whatever he wanted.

‘There’s not a thing to be troubling over, Colonel. I gave the SMs a rousting the other day, just in case.’

‘I can imagine.’ But Hervey narrowed his eyes. ‘You’ll allow the SMs their share of shot and shell, then, Sar’nt-Major – not try to take it from them?’

Armstrong smiled knowingly. ‘I reckon I’ve had my fair share, Colonel.’

‘Indeed you have.’

And that was that. He’d said what he needed to, and Armstrong had answered favourably. But when the time came … ?

It was useless to think on it. They’d (both) do their duty as they saw need. There was no other way.

Hervey and Major Parry worked long into the night, having sent immediately to Fort William a copy of Fairbrother’s despatch. Hervey was determined to lay before the governor-general as complete a submission as possible before they set out, signing the covering letter in the small hours.

Sthambadree

February 1st, 1835

The Governor-General and Commander-in-chief

At Fort William

My Lord,

I am this day commencing operations in Chintal with the object of restoring good order to the country. I judge that I must do so without delay in order that the insurgents are given no time to consolidate their position, thus occasioning greater loss to my command, and also to take advantage of the favourable moon.

My method shall be to relieve the royal palace at Chintalpore presently invested by the insurgent force of the chief minister, and in which the Ranee of Chintal has taken refuge. Upon liberation of the Ranee, I shall take such steps to disband the present forces of Chintal as may be expedient, and to enter upon a provisional treaty with Her Highness for the establishment of a subsidiary force.

The troops available to me at the present time, and which comprise what Your Lordship was earlier pleased to designate the Chintal Field Force, are as follows:

Artillery

Four batteries of howitzers and cannon (32 pieces)

Three troops Horse Artillery (24 pieces)

Sappers

200

His Majesty’s Cavalry

6th Light Dragoons (400 sabres)

13th Light Dragoons (300 sabres)

Native Horse (brigaded under Sir John Gordon)

Squadron 3rd Madras Light Cavalry (100 sabres)

4th Cavalry (Gordon’s Horse), Haidarabad Contingent (400 sabres)

5th Cavalry, Haidarabad Contingent (300 sabres)

1st Brigade (Col Lindesay)

13th (Somersetshire) Light Infantry

39th (Dorsetshire) Foot

2nd Brigade (Col Craigie)

55th (Westmoreland) Foot

3rd Madras Native Infantry

My intention is as follows:

Exploring Force (13 Lt Drgns, & Sqdn 6 Lt Drgns) to discover strength and disposition of insurgent forces on roads west to Chintalpore, and situation in city.

1st Brigade to advance on northern road, 2nd Brigade on southern, covered each by sqn 6 Lt Drgns.

Reserve (Native Cavalry Brigade) on southern road. Sqdn Madras Light Cavalry to maintain communications with Sthambadree. It is my intention to keep the Nizam’s contingent from the fighting to the greatest extent possible so as not to excite stronger resistance than may be.

Your Lordship will understand that such intelligence that I possess at this time is very little, and that I can only state broadly a plan of deployment. Your Lordship will further understand that the troops available to me are considerably fewer than those for which I had at first made plan, and that if it becomes necessary for prolonged siege operations I shall rely on the timely arrival of such other troops as have been promised from both Madras and Agra. I shall of course endeavour to inform Your Lordship of the progress of operations so far as is practicable.

I am Your Lordship’s Obedient Servant, &c &c

M. P. Hervey, Brevet Col & Local Maj-Gen