Excerpt from the story The General

The General and his aides were waiting as the still-mounted officer was brought to them. The hatless rider, his uniform plastered with mud and blood, slid from his trembling mount and would have collapsed on his shaky legs had the others not caught him. The general saw at once that the man was wounded. He seated the young man in his field chair and sent an orderly to fetch the surgeon.

Well let the surgeon take you and treat that wound before you make your report, lieutenant, he said.

With your permission, sir, I believe it is more important for you to hear what I have to tell you

The general regarded the man keenly. Could this officer be carrying some vitally needed information? He was anxious to hear the mans report, but first he was curious to know how the lieutenant had gotten into the French line.

Sir, in the battle yesterday I was wounded and knocked from my horse not far from the French line. I must have lost consciousness and when I came to it was almost dark. The battle was over and the two sides were finishing their retreat to their lines, taking the wounded with them. I was taken for dead. Lying near me was a dead French soldier and when it got dark I was able to roll him out of his overcoat, wear it over my uniform and creep into the French line. There was a lot of disorganization and confusion after the battle, and in the dark I was able to pass unnoticed and answer the challenges.

Are you fluent in French? asked the general.

Yes, Sir.

Continue with you account

Well, sir, I spent the entire night reconnoitering and listening to every conversation I could. It was difficult to stay under cover as it got light, but I hid until I saw a chance to steal a horse, throw off the French disguise and make a dash for our line.

Were you able to make any assessment of the strength and disposition of their forces? The general asked.

Yes, sir. They are barely half our number, and they know it. Of course, they have been dispatched to halt or delay our progress to Waterloo. Their front is relatively weak, but their commander has put a lot of strength on view to discourage you from making a frontal attack. At the same time he has hidden his forces on his flank on the higher ground by the trees. I believe he thinks he can induce you to attack there. He has half his cannon hidden by the low hills, and cavalry waiting in the woods.