PFC 42. Make him appreciate your kindness.
42. Make him appreciate your kindness.
Wellesley granted Duggan extensive authority, allowing him to freely select elite troops from all British forces in India to supplement the newly formed 108th Infantry Regiment.
Wellesley stated that whether it was infantry, cavalry, or artillery, as long as Dugan deemed them suitable, they would be given priority for allocation to Dugan.
Dugan was also very thick-skinned and not polite at all. He first asked to be transferred to an artillery company to form the regimental artillery unit of the 108th Infantry Regiment.
Since 1800, the British Army has abolished the "regimental artillery" system. Since 1800, the British Army has abolished the old system of "each infantry regiment being equipped with two battalion artillery pieces". Artillery has been completely centralized and placed under the unified command of the Royal Artillery (RA). Artillery batteries/platoons are temporarily attached to infantry brigades/regiments and return to their original units after combat.
But Wellesley didn't care at all.
He himself was the Governor of Mysore, and his brother was the Governor of India. They held absolute control over the Indian colonial army, and could mobilize both the British troops and the East India Company's private soldiers at will with just a word from him.
"Granted." Wellesley waved his hand and immediately made the decision. "I will immediately order an artillery battery to be temporarily assigned to you from the artillery corps, led by Captain Chrysler, who has been promoted from captain to major, to serve as the commander of your regimental artillery battery and will be under your command at all times."
Dugan then made a new request: "Major General, I also need a grenadier battalion, the one belonging to the 57th Flintlock Regiment. I hope to transfer it to the 108th Infantry Regiment."
Dugan's request for this unit was not solely based on its combat capabilities, but also stemmed from a favor to his friend Glass.
Previously, when Dugan dealt with Major Leowood, who had solicited bribes from him, he used Glass's connections and, through Colonel Richard, who was in charge of logistics, successfully sent Leowood to the gallows.
Colonel Richard quickly learned that Duggan was in charge of expanding the 108th Infantry Regiment, so he took the initiative to find Duggan and mentioned that he had a distant Prussian relative.
His name was Anthony Douglas Falkenhausen. Because of his straightforward nature, he had a bad relationship with his colleagues in his original unit and was ostracized everywhere. He hoped that Dugan could transfer him to his command and take care of him.
Dugan, always one to reciprocate kindness, immediately agreed.
Anthony Douglas Falkenhausen, whose surname alone indicates that he was Prussian, was indeed of Prussian descent. He later joined the British Army as a German mercenary in Britain, where he fought bravely and was skilled in tactics, exactly the kind of talent Dugan needed.
After learning the reason, Wellesley did not ask any further questions and readily agreed to transfer the grenadier battalion in, appointing Anthony Douglas Falkenhausen as the battalion commander and promoting him to captain.
In addition to the artillery units, Dugan also ordered a battalion of grenadiers, originally belonging to the 57th Flintlock Regiment, commanded by Anthony Douglas Falkenhausen.
This fellow Anthony is clearly Prussian just by looking at his surname. His father was indeed Prussian and joined the British army as a German mercenary.
The reason for wanting this unit actually stemmed from Dugan's good friend Glass.
Previously, Dugan dealt with Major Leowood, who had solicited bribes from him, by using Glass's connections and through Colonel Richard, who was in charge of logistics, to send Leowood to the gallows.
Colonel Richard was aware of Dugan's plan to expand the 108th Infantry Regiment, so he approached Dugan.
He said he had a distant Prussian relative who, because of his straightforward nature, had a bad relationship with his colleagues and was ostracized everywhere. He hoped to come to Dugan's place and ask Dugan to take care of him.
Dugen readily agreed, returning the favor in kind—it's only natural.
Thus, the officer corps of Dugan's 108th Infantry Regiment was quickly formed.
In the order of battle, the 108th Infantry Regiment consisted of a regimental headquarters, four infantry battalions, one cavalry battalion, one artillery battery, one grenadier battalion, one supply company, and one military police company.
Joffrey was promoted to captain and appointed commander of the 1st Infantry Battalion.
Horn was promoted to captain and appointed commander of the 2nd Infantry Battalion.
Silva was promoted to captain and appointed commander of the 3rd Infantry Battalion.
Arsenal was promoted to captain and appointed commander of the 4th Infantry Battalion, whose adjutant was Second Lieutenant Amir, and whose main personnel were Indian.
Beckham was promoted to captain and appointed commander of the cavalry battalion.
Chrysler was promoted to major and appointed commander of an artillery battery.
Anthony was promoted to captain and appointed commander of the grenadier battalion.
Tom was promoted to second lieutenant and appointed commander of the military police company.
Cook was promoted to captain and appointed commander of the supply battalion.
Finally, Dugan realized he was missing a deputy.
Since everyone knew that Dugan was now a favorite of Major General Wellesley, many people tried to use their connections to recommend themselves to become Dugan's adjutant, and Dugan's final choice was unexpected.
"Sir, I would like Major McKenzie to serve as my deputy regimental commander," Dugan said to Wellesley.
Wellesley's request to Dugan was also peculiar: "I don't object to you choosing anyone to be your adjutant, but given Major McKenzie's current health condition, is he capable of fulfilling the role?"
Dugan said, "I believe that the inhuman torture Major McKenzie endured while captured by the Marathas gave him an incomparable strength."
Wellesley frowned, already having his own understanding.
Dugan saved Mackenzie and is now giving her important responsibilities and promoting her.
Given the debt of gratitude for saving his life and recognizing his talent, it's no wonder Mackenzie is completely devoted to Dugan. He's such a good right-hand man.
Wellesley then signed an order appointing McKenzie as deputy commander of the 108th Infantry Regiment, and promoting him from major to lieutenant colonel.
"Consider this a favor as yours," Wellesley said with a smile.
"Thank you, sir." Dugan was also very grateful.
Dugan took the order and turned to leave.
Wellesley called out to Dugan, "Wait a minute, I haven't had that egg pie with steak we had on the ship in ages."
Dugan thought for a moment and said, "I'll go and find out if the cook is on that warship. Once I find out, I'll try to get him to Bangalore."
Wellesley nodded in satisfaction and waved, indicating that Dugan could leave.
After leaving the Governor's Palace, Dugan went straight to the Bangalore Military Hospital.
The military hospital was filled with a faint smell of medicine. The wards were neatly arranged, and the groans of the wounded soldiers mingled with the footsteps of the medical staff, creating a sense of oppression.
Dugan walked down the corridor to Mackenzie's ward, pushed open the door, and saw Mackenzie lying half-reclined on the bed, her body wrapped in bandages, her face still pale, and her left arm in a thick cast, clearly her injury had not yet healed, but her eyes were much brighter than before.
"Thank God you're still alive!" Dugan said without a single polite word.
Mackenzie slowly turned her head and saw Dugan walk in. She smiled and said, "As you can see, thanks to your concern and God's blessing, I am still alive."
Dugan smiled, then sat down on the chair beside the hospital bed and handed over the appointment order. "I have some good news for you."
McKenzie extended his uninjured right hand, took the order, and his gaze fell on the paper. When he saw the words "McKenzie appointed as deputy commander of the 108th Infantry Regiment, promoted to lieutenant colonel," his body jolted, and he looked at Dugan with an incredulous expression.
"Is this true?" MacKenzie asked, her eyes filled with gratitude and emotion.
"No, it's fake. Give it back to me, or I'll tear it up." Dugan said with a serious expression.
"Damn it..." Mackenzie actually shed tears, which slid down her cheeks.
Just as Wellesley had predicted, the double blessing of being saved and recognized made Mackenzie devoted to Dugan.
"You're just unlucky," Dugan patted him on the shoulder.
Mackenzie nodded vigorously, wiped away her tears, her eyes hardening with determination as she struggled to get out of bed: "Don't worry, Commander, I will never betray your trust, even if it costs me my life! I want to be discharged now."
Dugan laughed and said, "Don't do it now, I don't want my adjutant to die on the way."
"If the Marathas can't kill me like this, I believe God doesn't want to see me right now."
McKenzie readily agreed, and with the help of medical staff, she managed to put on an officer's uniform, wrapped in bandages and a cast, and leaned on a cane, insisting on leaving the military hospital with Dugan.
Dugan then sent someone to summon Anthony Douglas Falkenhausen, and the group left Bangalore in a grand procession, speeding towards the town of Omarazi.