William Aburzzino
Early life
Nico Abruzzino was born in Florence, Italy in 1793. He was born into a military family where his father was made officer as a retirement present by some fat duke. Therefrom, Nico was known as a noble man. He also was not spoiled and his family possessed the same nobility as Nico, however, lacking coin. At the age of 12, Nico was sent to one of the best military academies in Rome by that same fat duke. There, he was taught the skills of a musketeer. Although, he was not trained with a sword, as one would think an officer should. He learnt the musket bayonet tactics, and how to discipline soldiers. After almost two years of learning at the academy in Rome, he graduated early since he was one of the best students. It was as if war was in his blood. Nico was then sent to Milan shortly after graduating to command some counts palace guards. It was a good job, and with average pay, he was his own boss with no problems. Soon, Nico grew bored with the easy task and began thinking to himself, "Why was I sent here? How could a soldier like me not fight?" He began to break down, he could no longer drill these men, nor wake up at dawn. Instead, he spent his coin on wine, whores and gambling. He was getting in trouble with the law, and having spent one more night in jail for sleeping with the counts wife, life was rough thereafter. Nico was in a dilemma, and he knew it. He would often question himself, “Why not just go and join an army that is at war?" He knew this question was a great question, however, he only had two options: join the French Army as an officer, which was led by Napoleon, and conquer Europe. Alternatively, join the British where they were not fairing off so well against the French, but were making a step to begin an invasion of Spain. Moreover, there was something about fighting with the underdog, and those shiny redcoats that made Nico chose Britain, over France.
War years
In 1810, Nico changed his name to William to sound more English. After reaching London, William went straight to the horse guard, which at the time was the Headquarters of the entire British army. After explaining to the desk sergeant in broken English, he was able to explain to him that he was an Italian officer that had come to join the British army. After the sergeant had stopped laughing at this young man in his green uniform, he went to talk to his officer. When he left, an officer came up to William at started talking to him in Italian asking him if he really wanted to join the British army. This British officer was no nobleman, but a soldier. Nico could see from his expression, and from his hard black eyes that he had been all over Europe fighting for King George. William, still young and ignorant, answered him with anger. “Why of course I do. Why do you suppose I am here? Someone has to help the British army learn how to fight.” The officer began to laugh, he commented, “I am Colonel Hugonaut, but you can call me Hugo. I’m in command of the 29th Worcestershire Regiment of Foot, and I have just returned from America with my regiment. I’m here for some fresh new officers, and you look like a man who wants to get their feet wet.” William hopes rose a tenfold with Hugo’s words. He responded, “Yes sir! I would very much like to join your regiment, sir!” Hugo replied, “Splendid, I will go talk to Wellington about your commission, Ensign.”
So began William’s transition into the British army. He traded in his Italian uniform for a red one, and life in the British army suited him well even as a mere Ensign. It was much better than guarding some fat counts home. William’s task was to train the new company, which suited him well since the rest of the regiment were veterans and he was not. William’s English improved during those first two months drilling the men. He was now able to have full conversations with his company, with some help from Col. Hugo. However, everything changed after word got back to division that they were going to invade occupied Spain.
Once in Spain, he was involved with every engagement. He fought at the Third Battle of Ushant, The Battle of Roliça, The Battle of Vimeiro, The Battle of Grijo, The Battle of Talavera, and The Battle of Albuera. Talavera was the battle where William received a cut on his face from 1er Régiment de Polish Lanciers de la Garde Impériale and the battle where he received his promotion to Captain due to the lack of officers. After his actions in Spain, the 29th were sent back to England to recruit more men. There were talks that they were going back to Spain to help with the invasion France, but that was all shattered when the Americans decided to go to war with Britain. Since most of the British army was in Spain and India, the 29th were sent to fight in America. There were stationed as garrison units in British North Armerica. However, when Napoleon Bonaparte had broken out of exile from Elba, the 29th were sent back to Britain than to France, ready to fight. Once the 29th were established and ready, Wellington sent them to Waterloo. Although, when they arrived at the battle, it was already over.
Last Fight
After arriving to Waterloo, and seeing thousands of bodies littering the battlefield, William gave a quick smile for he was glad he chose the British army and not the French. However, he was also sad that the war was over. He could go and fight in Italy for they were in a civil war since Napoleon left. Although, there were rumors that the 29th were going to be downsized in number when they got back to Britian, and William was certain that he was going to be discharged simply because he was not English. In addition, if he were to be discharged, his loot was not going to be enough to retire on. Thus, he went out onto the battlefield, and began looting the dead. Sadly, there was next to none loot to collect. A Prussian soldier came up to William and look excited about something, he told William that he needed his help with something. His name was Jorvasker from the 1st East Prussian Infantry, and he knew where to find some great treasure. Napoleon had left in a hurry, and was trying to escape from being capture and forgot his gold in the process. In addition, this Prussian knew where it was. He said an Old Guard had told him. William decided it was worth the risk and helped this Prussian. After following for what seemed to be forever, they came to a tavern that seemed alive with drunken soldiers. After getting closer, he could see they were French soldiers from the 63e. All of them where drunk. They were talking about how they had all the gold in the world. When William walked in, there were five of them at a table near the far corner of the room. In a plan that I had made with the Prussian Jorvasker, I walked straight into the tavern wearing a cloak hiding my musket. I then ordered my drink, and went over to the table. The leader of the group was a French Colonel by the name of Karth and he asked William, “Where are you from my friend? Your French sounds funny.” William replied that he was an Italian. Karth then asked what brought him so far north. William looked straight at karth and said. “I’ve came here to steal your gold my friend.” All of the Frenchmen stopped talking, and looked straight at William. Then William started to laugh, and the Frenchmen began to laugh too, letting down their guard. Quickly, William tore off his cloak and raised his musket at the first Frenchman’s heart that stood up and fired. The Frenchman thudded against the wall, and went down dead. The four other Frenchmen quickly got out of there seats, reached for their weapons, but another gunshot went off. This time from the staircase, another Frenchman went down with a thud. The man who shot that shot, was Jorvasker. However, there were still two Frenchmen left and Karth simply sat in his chair and watched. The other two French men pulled out their swords and charged William, but with a quick throw of his musket like a javelin, the musket struck one of the Frenchmen in the chest and went down he went. The last one charged with his sword, and he slashed wildly at William who just back peddled until he was back near his musket sticking out of the dead Frenchmen. Pulling the musket out of the dead man and in one fast motion, spun around, stuck the bayonet into the last Frenchman’s chest, and pushed him back against the wall. The Frenchmen was still alive and still trying to slash William, but William was out of reach and after a while, the Frenchman went still. William then backed away, leaving the musket in the Frenchman’s chest. Turning back to Karth, who was still sitting in his chair he let out a sigh and said, “I'm sure we can work out a deal, I suppose” William though about it for a second and said, “If you tell me where the treasure is, I wont stab you, sounds good?” Karth could see from William’s expression that he was not joking, and responded, “It’s in the barn out back in the wagon.” William then sent Jorvasker out to the barn to see if he was telling the truth, which he was. William then turned his back to Karth and said, “You are free to go my friend.” Both Jorvasker and William began heading to the barn when they heard a cocking of a pistol it was Karth’s pistol. Pointing a Harpers Ferry Model 1803 pistol straight at them he fired his shot, and died. William waited for the smoke to clear, and realized that it was not Karth who fired, but a man sitting at the back of the tavern. William said, “Thank you for your help. Do you by any chance want any of the gold?” the man sat back into his chair looked at Karth’s body, and said to William, “No, I don't want the gold. It was reward to kill him.” The stranger began walking to the door when William stopped him, “Stranger, what’s your name? The stranger replied, “The names Blitz, Blitz the Pirate, and I’ll see you in hell.” After that, William and Jovasker were on their way back to camp when a gunshot went off, and William went crashing to the ground. After regaining consciousness, William could hear laughter from Jorvasker who thinking William had died. “Silly Italian, you really though I was going to split this with you?” He cracked the whip, and the wagon began to move with him still laughing. William used his entire strength to get onto his knee to fire his shot straight at Jorvasker’s back. However, his vision began to blur, and he was losing consciences. Knowing that he was, William fired and fell over unconscious.
When William woke up, he was in a tent. It was dark and he saw there was a man sitting on a chair near him in prayer it seemed. William began to speak and the man raised his head, it was Hugo he said, “you gave me a damn fine scare you bastard. Any who, I've got a few things I want to ask you: why did we find you half dead, near the road, beside this dead Prussian, near a wagon full of French gold?” William told him the whole story and Hugo, after listening, got up and said, “Hmm, all I heard was that you found a lot of loot, and where coming back when you fell off your wagon.” William then asked his questions, he asked for his discharge papers, he asked how to donate to the widows of the 29th, and he asked if he could donate one million pounds of gold to the regiment. After mustering out, and leaving behind one million pounds of gold for the regiment, William began his long journey back to Italy thinking of how many houses he was going to buy for his family, yet to come.
