‘Prospects for our success remain excellent, I’m happy to say. The strength of the enemy is as we heard before and there appears no reinforcement contemplated. Should we make our stroke with boldness and speed, we shall be able to avoid a protracted campaign.’
Beresford coughed discreetly. ‘That is all very well, sir, but may we be told where such information has come from? Do you have sources of intelligence among the Dons that can be trusted to reveal all to us?’
Popham looked pained. ‘Sir, as in most expeditions of my experience, the usual fishermen, merchants and others are well capable of providing a picture of their circumstances, which, taken in the round, can establish the situation better even than a lone spy or traitor. They have nothing to gain by giving false information, which will be discovered later, and everything to gain when it is over and we are in power.’
The general harrumphed but offered no further question.
‘I’m interested to know how your revolt is to be managed,’ rumbled Honyman. ‘Are they to play in our show? When will we know they’re of a mind to rise up and such?’
‘I’ve an envoy passed ashore to speak with the chief of the rebels, and another courtesy of Captain Kydd. Their task is to bring them to a meeting with ourselves with the object of co-ordinating our attack with their rising. Their instructions are to proceed with the utmost celerity.’
‘Have you communication from them?’
‘I expect it hourly, General.’
‘So, no word yet after three days. We cannot delay matters for them,’ Beresford came in sharply, ‘and, further, it’s my opinion that no reliance whatsoever be placed on the services of irregular troops, whatever their dedication. Are they to be under my express command? If not, then they cannot appear in my order of battle.’
‘Neither do we expect to see them there, sir,’ Popham replied smoothly. ‘Any accession to strength from these irregulars is to be welcomed but not relied upon. Our expectation is that any revolt will be more in the character of a general and spontaneous uprising in the population as a whole, following the example of our assault, which will go on to overwhelm the Spanish forces.’
‘Hmph,’ glowered Beresford. ‘Let us now consider the reduction of the Montevideo fortress. We’ve little enough in the way of siege engines and such, and you admitted before, did you not, that this is the chief stronghold for the entire River Plate?’ He looked about him significantly.
‘I’m not saying we’ve no chance of success, merely that our planning has to be meticulous. Therefore this is what I propose. We land well to the east, marching rapidly for a hooked advance from the interior instead of-’
Popham held up his hand. ‘Thank you, General. Before we discuss these details I wish to advise that in the light of recent intelligence I’ve been looking at quite another strategy as it offers itself.’
‘Recent intelligence?’ the general growled. ‘Should we not be told of this?’
‘All will become clear in a moment, sir,’ Popham said patiently. ‘The intelligence comes from an unimpeachable source – the chief pilot of the viceroyalty, lately taken. He may be considered the first major figure coming over to us. He’s laid before me the defensive situation of the Spanish, and this is that all their regular troops have been moved to Montevideo on the assumption that that city will be our objective.’
‘Any fool knows this.’
‘He further specifies that, as a consequence, the city of Buenos Aires is defenceless, a paltry militia battalion only.’
‘Are you seriously suggesting-’
‘It crosses my mind that as this is the chief city and seat of power, its loss will, at a blow, paralyse the Spanish and give heart to the people in their rising.’
‘This is a foolish notion that flies in the face of military science. To leave an enemy position of strength in the rear of one’s advance is of the first rank of idiocy and I cannot countenance such an act.’
‘Umm. Not only this, General, but you may not be aware that in the city treasury lie untold millions in silver that cannot be freighted to Spain for want of ships . . .’
There was an immediate stir of interest. ‘Purely out of curiosity, dear fellow, but should this be confiscated, for the Navy . . . will it be put forward as in the nature of, er, prize money?’ Captain Byng asked.
‘There is precedent, George. I rather feel that Droits of the Crown will not be asserted in this case,’ Popham murmured.
Another voice came in: ‘Ah. Then-’
‘Shall we get back to the matter in hand?’ Beresford broke in heavily. ‘Montevideo will not easily be taken by storm with the forces I have to command. Therefore we will-’
‘General. I have shown how a successful assault on the Spanish might be contemplated. Should we not consider this before going into operational details of any one stratagem?’
Beresford looked at him in amazement. ‘You really desire us to make a direct assault on the capital? With less than a thousand and a half under arms? Ridiculous! A city of what, thirty or forty thousand, a central fortress and an unknown number of defenders under the command of the viceroy himself? Preposterous!’
Popham leaned forward and spoke forcefully. ‘It’s effectively an open city for we’ve heard that it is drained of their best troops, who have gone to Montevideo. As well, it’s the last thing the Spanish expect, a rapid and direct move on their capital – and you’ve not considered the effect on the population of a confident and well-conducted thrust against their military. Recollect, sir, there has in history never yet been a full-scale field engagement on the soil of South America. Consequently their troops must be accounted quite untried and will certainly flee when confronted by soldiers of the quality of your Highlanders.’
‘A single bold stroke straight to the heart of the Spanish. I confess I do like it, sir.’
‘Thank you, Captain Honyman,’ Popham said modestly, and shifted his gaze to the captain of L’Aurore.
The talk of silver had disturbed Kydd. Renzi’s words about venal motives still echoed in his ears, but the attraction of a daring thrust straight for the centre over a methodical reduction in the usual way was undeniable. ‘I, er, agree,’ Kydd said, adding, ‘particularly as we haven’t the resources for a lengthy engagement.’
‘Quite!’ barked Beresford. ‘I would have thought it elementary that we first take Montevideo – if we can – before embarking on any other adventure.’
‘Few resources, yes,’ Popham said, with equal energy, ‘then how much better it would be to use these in going straight for Buenos Aires and leave Montevideo to wither alone.’
Colonel Pack was the first to speak up from the Army side. ‘Damn me if there isn’t some sense in what he says, sir. If we’re to be short o’ men, throw ’em at the main objective and be buggered to hanging back waiting.’
Beresford winced and looked about for support. Seeing none, he stiffened. ‘For the record of proceedings I want it known that my counsel is to take Montevideo and, defending same, to send dispatches to England advising reinforcement for a later assault on Buenos Aires.’
Kydd knew this was a course Popham would never take. The initiative would be lost and command would be passed to an Admiralty nominee who would succeed to the honour of taking the city, let alone the certainty of losing the opportunity while the Spanish warships were absent.
Popham gave a curt nod. ‘Thank you, sir. Your position is abundantly clear. However, also for the record, I’d be interested to know of the officers here how many would consider a direct assault on Buenos Aires preferable to a more . . . circumspect approach.’
Looks were exchanged around the table and hands went up hesitantly. Besides Kydd, all the Navy captains, save Donnelly of Narcissus, indicated support, with Pack leading more than half of the Army.