A ragged fence of bayonets

…and the muskets of the infantry squares came to the present in a ragged fence of bayonets that must be ridden under as that magnificent sea of men and horses engulfed us. I never saw the like in my life, I who watched the great charge against Campbell’s Highlanders at Balaclava — but those were just Russians, while these were the fathers of the Guides and Probyn’s and the Bengal Lancers, and the only thing to stop them at full tilt was a horse soldier as good as themselves.


Flashman and the Mountain of Light, p.260, Fontana Paperback edition, 1991.



Tags: Flashman, Flashman quotes, cavalry.

Informally attired

Within ten minutes I’d replaced my soiled garments with a fine tussore coat, coolie pants, solar helmet, and umbrella, with a handsome morocco toilet case in my back pocket — and if you think that outlandish, let me tell you that armies were a deal more informally attired in my day. Campbell at Lucknow looked like a bus conductor, and old Raglan in the Crimea appeared to have robbed a jumble sale.

Flashman and the Dragon, p.157, Fontana Paperback edition, 1986.



Tags: Flashman, Flashman quotes, uniforms.

Gentlemen of the press

I knew it was as good as over when Billy Russell of The Times showed up to join Campbell’s final march on Lucknow – it’s a sure sign of victory when the correspondents gather like vultures.

Flashman in the Great Game, p.263, Pan edition, 4th printing, 1979.

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Flashman, Flashman quotes.

Old Slowcoach

     I knew Campbell, of course, so I wasn't a bit astonished at the way he greeted me, when he realized who I was.
    'It's no' you again?' says he. like a Free Kirk elder to the town drunk. 'Dearie me - ye're not looking a whit better than when I saw ye last. I doot ye've nae discretion, Flashman.' He sighed and shook his head, but just as he was turning away to his tent he looked back and says: 'I'm glad to see ye, mind.'

Flashman in the Great Game, p.259, Pan edition, 4th printing, 1979.

Tags:
Flashman, Flashman quotes, Colin Campbell.

Their heathenish slogans

‘Damn your eagerness!’ cries he. ‘Stand fast! Reload!’
   They dropped back, snarling like dogs, and Campbell turned and calmly surveyed the wreckage of the Russian ranks.... they began to laugh and cheer, and yell their heathenish slogans…

Flashman at the Charge, p.85, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

Tags:
Flashman, Flashman quotes,Colin Campbell, Crimean War, 93rd Regiment of Foot,The Thin Red Line.

Ye must stand!

'Ninety-third!’ he shouted. ‘there is no retreat from here! Ye must stand!’

Flashman at the Charge, p.83, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

Tags:
Flashman, Flashman quotes,Colin Campbell, Baron Clyde, 93rd Regiment of Foot.