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Prologue and Chapter 1

• It is 1809 and the French have taken Madrid. Major Blas Vivar has a strong box he is trying to keep out of French possession.

• The British forces abandon a hundred drunk and unconscious soldiers in a village.

• The lieutenant takes ammunition from crates and tells a soldier to burn the rest but the soldier says it will kill the others.

• Major Dunnet tells the lieutenant quartermaster to abandon the crates and join the troops. He hates the lieutenant.

• Riflemen are left to guard the rear so the artillery can be pulled out. A soldier comes and warns of approaching French.
• French cavalry attack the riflemen and they hold but then the French dismount to attack on foot. The men are told to retreat.

• Major Dunnet panics and orders the riflemen in the square to retreat. The lieutenant countermands the order.

• It is too late for...

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