The Shadow of Great Britain

Capítulo 1666: Chapter 48: Scotland Yard’s 89th Regiment (Part 3)

Subsequently, the regiment was dispatched to Ireland, where, under the command of Lord Blaine, they suppressed the Irish rebellion and achieved a glorious victory over the rebels at the Battle of Wine Mountain. It was their relentless pursuit of the rebels that earned them the nickname “Blakeney’s Hounds.”

After this, they were ordered to set off to defend Hanover, but on the way, they encountered a storm and lost the regimental flag in the waters off the Netherlands.

During the Peninsular War, under the command of Lord Blaine, they launched a bayonet charge at the Battle of Fuengirola. However, the battle ultimately ended in defeat, with most soldiers vanquished and captured, and the regiment leader Lord Blaine was imprisoned by the French for four long years.

Of course, the 88th Regiment wasn’t always defeated. Their most remarkable achievements weren’t in Europe but in North America and Asia.

During the War of 1812 between the British and Americans, their outstanding performances in battles like Chrysler Farm and Buffalo were commendable. Moreover, they were the first unit to advance along the Irawaddy River into Ava during the First Anglo-Burmese War of 1824.

Nevertheless, putting the wartime histories of both regiments on display, anyone would know which regiment had the stronger fighting capacity.

“If I must choose the strongest between these two regiments…” Arthur placed his teacup down steadily, “Then I can only say, the 88th Regiment is the sharpest bayonet on the battlefield, while the 89th Regiment is the most durable old rifle.”

Victoria blinked: “A durable old rifle?”

“Exactly,” Arthur smiled. “A bayonet might deliver a fatal blow, but it must be at close range, whereas a rifle does not. A bayonet earns the honor of a single charge, while a rifle holds the line in a prolonged war of attrition. Moreover, Your Highness…”

His tone changed, becoming slightly more serious: “The 89th Regiment, though lacking the dazzling battle record of the 88th, endured the most inglorious, unromantic, and trying kind of warfare—failed expeditions, lost flags, commanders captured—yet they never disbanded or faltered in discipline. They endured the longest of confinements and won the most unnoticeable of victories, at places like Chrysler Farm, Buffalo, and Longwoods. There’s no glory, but there is sacrifice…”

Victoria listened very intently; after pondering for a moment, she understood the subtext in Arthur’s words: “They… never gave up.”

Arthur nodded slightly, “Never.”

The Duchess of Kent couldn’t help but smile: “Listening to you, I find myself more fond of the 89th Regiment. As a mother, I appreciate those who know they’re not the strongest but persist to the end. They fight on despite repeated defeats, never giving up, Sir, you are also Scotland Yard’s 89th Regiment.”

Arthur originally used the term “old rifle” to deflect Victoria’s question, to soothe the young lady’s feelings without saying too much he didn’t mean.

Who would’ve thought that the Duchess of Kent would go with the flow, turning the remark into an appraisal of “Scotland Yard’s 89th Regiment.”

Arthur choked a little, unable to respond immediately, and finally managed a smile, “If I am truly Scotland Yard’s 89th Regiment, then I must thank the time under the Tower of London when at least I wasn’t encircled by rioters.”

“Encircled?” Victoria was puzzled.

“It’s soldier slang,” Lady Leisen interjected calmly: “It refers to being completely surrounded by the enemy during battle.”

Victoria suddenly understood: “Then Lord Blaine… was he encircled at Fuengirola?”

Conroy nodded slightly, “But he didn’t flee. He knew the charge was doomed to fail, yet he led the men into it. Because it was the order, it was duty.”

At this moment, Victoria suddenly straightened up, as if recalling something.

“Louisa!” she called softly, and a young maid immediately stepped forward briskly.

“Your Highness, what are your commands?”

“Go to the storeroom and fetch my small writing box inlaid with turquoise. The one I brought when I went to Devonport last year, with the 89th Regiment’s insignia sticker on it.”

Louisa blinked, then curtseyed: “As you command.”

Victoria turned to her mother, explaining softly: “Mother, do you remember that notebook I started writing after the flag-giving ceremony last year? I recorded the 89th Regiment’s uniforms, insignia, anthems, and even their marching pace, but never finished it… Listening to Sir Arthur’s stories today, I want to write this part down too.”

The Duchess of Kent did not stop her, but merely glanced at Arthur with a grateful smile: “It seems you’ve told us a good story today, one that even sparked Delina’s curiosity.”

“It is my honor, Your Highness.”

Arthur’s smile was sincere, but when he heard the term “writing box,” his brow couldn’t help but furrow slightly.

In a place like Kensington Palace, there were surely many writing boxes, but could the one Victoria referred to be the ivory one?