((Not as far as I know. Hasty and biased though court martials were, they were always held for the 50-some men Wellington had hanged or shot during the Peninsular War.))
Charles frowned. Valdiner seemed to want to make a bad impression. "Major Johnston will want a word. Lieutenant Valdiner, Lieutenant Gripton, with me. The Major will likely need a report on the situation. I expect he will be in the captain's quarters with Colonel Pierce." He said, stepping out the door, only to get soaked to the bone by a large wave. Swearing loudly, he pulled off his bearskin, shook it by its chinstrap, and swore again, his hessian boots squelching with every step.
By the time they reported to Major Johnston, Goddington was a positively furious grenadier. Major Johnston and several other officers were clustered around a table, arguing over a map. Charles snapped to attention, his wet wool coat hanging from his frame like a cloak of lank doghair. "Captain Goddington, reporting for duty and orders,Sirs." He said, snapping to attention and saluting.
Majo Jonston was the only one who turned. He was an old man, in his early seventies, and nearing retirement age, despite his relatively low rank, a product of an impoverished family. He bore all the scars of a veteran, in particular a long and very deep one along his jaw, from a Scottish claymore at Culloden, where he had been a drummer boy in the 8th Regiment of Foot.That wound should have killed him, but he had survived, and his father had carried him home to become a soldier once more. He still hated the Scots, and that showed in his very eyes as he turned to survey Goddington. The Major saluted Charles, and nodded approvingly. "I see you have met our Lieutenants, Mister Goddington. Are the men to your satisfaction?"
"I believe that, faced with an enemy that would murder them, they shall do thier duty, if only to survive. I hav not seen them in combat, so I fear that I cannot judge them just yet."
"A wise decision, Captain, and you, Mister Valdiner, Mister Gripton?" He asked, leaning on the table for support.