Chapter 112: Little Regard For Collateral Damage

General Bertrand's orders were simple, unleash an unrelenting barrage of grapeshots into the buildings. The men willingly complied without a second thought. They did not have an ounce of compassion for the mongrels who carried out such heinous acts upon a general of the Luxenberg army.

If the city was not fully awake, they were sure to be awoken by the thunderous sound of cannons in the heart of their city. Many citizens panicked as the sound of cannon fire was prevalent throughout the city.

Wooden buildings were torn to shreds by the malicious volleys of grapeshot. Although the wooden buildings took the brunt of the carnage, the rebels and civilians inside the buildings were not able to escape a similar fate.

The people inside the buildings could only pray that they were able to avoid the Luxenberg cannon fire. For those unfortunate enough to be caught up in it, they were met with a gruesome fate.

Bodies were mauled by grapeshot, severed limbs flailed about and blood spraying was all over the place. Civilians and rebels alike were suffering, the Luxenberg cannons did not discriminate, being unable to show mercy for those cowering in fear.

General Bertrand did not feel remorse or compassion for the civilians tangled up in the bloody affair. It was merely their fault for associating with such troublesome individuals. None of the soldiers could will themselves to regret their actions that resulted in civilian casualties.

For 2 hours the Luxenberg cannons roared, levelling half the buildings around the square, resulting in over a thousand deaths, both civilian and rebel. Bertrand was satisfied with what message he had left to the people of Joltz. 'Brutality will be met with brutality'

As Bertrand and his corps reassembled at the Hirschmann Palace, news of both the tavern raid and the city square carnage were spread throughout the city, enraging and scaring the populace.

Rebels were calling for blood, while civilians were boarding their houses shut. The streets would no longer be safe for them with the arrival of an enraged Luxenberg general. Many knew that more death was to come, and the civilians would have to pay the price for the foul actions of their peers.

Back at the Hirschmann Palace, General Bertrand was eager to see the convalescing General Tauentzien. He was still recovering from the musket ball that had been lodged in his left eye. It was unfortunate for Tauentzin that the eye could not be salvaged, instead, all he could do was wear an eye patch until he found a suitable replacement for where his eye used to be.

"My old friend, look what those swine did to you. I will see that you and Vandamme are properly avenged. I have already levelled the square and butchered rebels in a tavern. This is only the beginning, my friend. Just wait and see, I will level this whole city until every ounce of rebellion is crushed," General Bertrand said passionately to his injured friend.

Tauentzien remained silent, processing his friend's words before replying. "Have you recovered his body? If you have, I must see it and pay respects to him. He is the very reason why I am still alive, if not for me, maybe he would have been able to escape the ambush."

General Tauentzien was heartbroken to hear of Vandamme's death. He felt responsible for Vandamme having to stay behind, while he and the other remaining cavalrymen fled. Bertrand was unsure if the injured general would be able to cope with seeing the decomposing and defiled corpse of his friend, nevertheless, it would be cruel to deny him any form of closure. 

With the assistance of General Bertrand, Tauentzien finally came to face to face with the body of his deceased friend. His one working eye began to swell with tears, and his lip quivered at seeing what had become of General Vandamme.

His body exhibited a plethora of stab wounds, and his hands and feet were missing. His skull was cracked and multiple bones could be seen protruding out of his rotting flesh. It was hard to see, even for men who have participated in many battles and seen the aftermath of such devastating affairs. This incident, however, was beyond barbaric.

"Those savages, look what they did to him. If not for his uniform, we may not have been able to recover him. (whimper). What type of god would allow such an act to happen? Those savages need to pay. I wish to stare upon their mutilated corpses with my one good eye," Tauentzien said, while his hands trembled, feeling an intense flurry of emotions.

Bertrand rested a hand on the crouched down general's shoulder and began to console him. "Do not worry my friend, those mongrels shall be dealt with. We will match their brutality and make it so that they can never dare try anything against the soldiers of the Luxenberg army. We shall avenge Vandamme, and soon he will buried alongside our old comrade, General Kienmayer."

Tauentzien felt some relief in Bertrand's words, seeing Vandamme's body was a bit too much for him to fully handle, hence why his friend tried to ease his mind and assure him that they would get revenge.

After seeing the body, Bertrand ordered a company of 100 infantrymen and 50 cavalrymen to load the body in a wagon and escort it for a 10 week journey back to Hannover. He was to be honoured in the Luxenberg War Museum, dedicated to the army's history and heroes.

General Bertrand and Tauentzien stood atop the eastern wall watching the wagon and its escort journey off into the distance. The warm glow from the afternoon sun graced the party with a peaceful and relaxing departure.

While looking at the party, Bertrand whispered, "Farewell, Dominique-Joseph René Vandamme, General of the Luxenberg 4th Corps and Duke of Joltz. May you find peace in the afterlife, I am sure we will meet again one day.

With the securing of the general's body, Bertrand and the wounded Tauentzien could now focus on venting rage.