“Tea, sir”, asked the Coalition Army’s Chief of Staff, while wrinkling his nose at the mere thought of such a tame libation. “You might as well insist that I drink water and dress up like one of the girly, French officers, sir.”
“As amusing to the men as your parading about in women’s clothes might be”, replied the Coalition Army’s Commander in Chief, “it would not be dignified conduct for a British Guardsmen, regardless of the fact that it is an exceedingly common practice among our French counterparts.”
Despite his trepidation about developing a habit for British tea, the Hanoverian Guardsman was compelled to grin at the humorous remark of his longtime mentor and commanding officer.
“At three in the afternoon you say”, asked the Chief of Staff.
“Promptly”, replied his Commander in Chief.
“Every day, sir”, asked the Chief of Staff.
“Indubitably”, replied his Commander in Chief. “If you are going to function as my second in command, it is essential that you embrace the traditions of our King and Country.”
“Yes, sir, but if I might inquire, what happens if I am engaged in a fierce battle against the perfidious Minions of France at that hour”, asked the Chief of Staff.
“Be certain you resolve the conflict and take the few French survivors, assuming of course that there are any, into captivity before tea time”, replied the Commander in Chief.
“And if they will not willingly go, sir”, asked the Chief of Staff.
“Compel them, General Jones. You seem to be tolerably good at that”, replied the Commander in Chief. “Now as your new duties as the army’s Chief of Staff, and my second in command, preclude you from your previous assignment as the Commanding Officer of the Hanover Brigade, I will need to select your replacement. Do you have any recommendations on who that might be?”
“Well, sir….?”
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It has been my great honor and privilege to command the exemplary officers of the Hanover Brigade for the last three years. The time has come for me to step aside, and allow another deserving officer to advance into that position of command. I have made my recommendation to Andy for my replacement. I leave the final decision, and announcement, up to him.
To the officers of Hanover, and to our Brunswick brethren who I also had the honor to command pro tem, I offer a textbook salute. There are no finer officers with whom I could have ever hoped to serve. Thank you, gentlemen. You hold my deepest affection and respect. Although my new responsibilities as our Army’s Chief of Staff require that I devote equal duty to all of the nationalities of the Coalition, I will ever remain a Hanoverian Jager at heart.
Now, if I can just somehow get used to drinking British tea every afternoon promptly at three….
