Fantasy Magic and Musket (ACT I) IC

Where The Fourth Dragoons Regiment departs Bad Gastein….
From the Heidelberg University archives, as remembered thirty years later by the thoughtful middle Kortig sister, Anna Maier nee Kortig.

I often think back to this time in my adolescent mind, when everything was perfect in the world. The Klosterstein sky was cobalt blue and there was a warm southern Fuern wind. The troopers’ uniforms were lily white and the polished metal shined in the spring morning sun. It was perfect moring in the august days of the empire. It was before things changed and all hell broke…. Oh wait, I will save that for another story…
In the two weeks preceding the Dragoons’ muster and departure from Bad Gastein, there was a flurry of activity surrounding the depot. Colonel Graf O’Leary, whom my father and Uncle Franz Joseph affectionately called the “old man” was promoted to General of the Cavalry Brigade and assigned to the War Office in Wien. Second, Lt. Colonel Franz Joseph Ketterling took over a Colonel of the regiment. Uncle Franz Joseph selected my father to be the executive officer or the second in command over Major Kirchgasser. This came as a big surprise not only to Kirchgasser but to my parents as well. In retrospect, this decision might have been due to Ketterling wanting additional experienced officers on active duty. But more than that, Ketterling and Papa went back to the day he got his officer’s commission. The unintended consequence of this decision was that it created a week’s worth of conflict and arguments between my parents that did not get resolved until there was heavy breathing and grunting at four o’clock in the morning on the day of departure.

At 5AM, Papa departed our townhouse for the army depot to make sure all of the supplies, weapons, and ordinance was packed and ready to go. At 6AM, Mutti roused both my sisters and I as well as every servant in our townhome. By 8:30AM, my sisters and I were dressed in drindls and ready to go out the door. There are times in a woman’s life that she should take great care in their appearance so that the man in her life will remember that moment for a lifetime. Today was such a day. To the town square of Bad Gastein, we travelled in an open air carriage. The Baroness Elsa Kortig nee Holzknecht wore a Lena Hoschek dress that was casual yet elegant and sophisticated. Her lips were such a brilliant shade of red that she could only be compared to Snow White. The dress would excite the genes of any red blooded Klosterstein man. She wore this:



With her, she brought a new sword in wooden scabbard as a gift for my father. The cavalry broad sword had been hidden in Mutti’s wardrobe closet for some time. Later, I learned that sword was made by Karl Eichhorn of Solingen and must have cost two year’s worth of rental income to afford it. But by 8:35AM, we were out the door and into an open air carriage that took us to Bad Gastein central square. There were plenty chaos with the junior officers running around and reviewing their check lists. The troopers were being counted. The corporals and sergeants were checking each trooper’s saddle as well as shoes on every the horse shoe. No would want to see their prized mount left behind. Colonel Ketterling emerged from the town hall and then came over to talk to my mother.

Uncle Franz Joseph walked over and said to Mutti, “If it isn’t Elsa Kortig nee von Holtzknecht. I guess it isn’t a surprise that you came to the square today.” He jokingly added “I am surprised that you did not bring three large travel trunks and two servants with you. Part of me thought that you might try again to be part of the camp followers’ contingent.” Mutti chuckled and replied “It is surprising what a young seventeen year old girl will do for love. Inconveniently though, I am now twenty eight and a mother of three young girls. So, we will venture no further than my father’s estates.” She went on “Is my Bernard close by, we have a gift for him.” Ketterling asked the Sergeant Major to go find Papa.
By this time, the townspeople were filling up the square. Every teenage or twenty something girl had come to wavy her hanky at the troopers as well as smile coyly and giggle. Every boy aged ten to fourteen skipped school to see their older brothers and cousins off. Also, they dreamed that someday they might wear the lilly white kit and the double eagled helmet of the Fourth Dragoons. They hoped that they could ride a charger and wield a broadsword and carbine.

When Papa returned he a look of consternation on his face. He rode his mare, Constance. He was worried that something was amiss. Uncle Franz Joseph said “Good you’re here, I think one of the townsfolk has a gift for you.” He then pointed to my mother. Relieved Papa went over to see her. “Liebchen, you look beautiful. I am so glad that you and the girls came to see me off.” Mutti said “We have a gift for you, Bernard. I hope that it will see you safely through this tour of duty and whatever lies beyond. It is a sword forged by Karl Eichhorn of Solingen. I spared no expense.” Papa replied “Karl Eichhorn, I have heard of such a man. It must have cost you a fortune.” Mutti said “Although we can always get more money, I cannot find another you. All of us wanted you to have the best equipment for when you must face the enemy.” Papa looked sheepish. “Don’t worry everything will work out in the end.” Papa then kissed her all the passion in his heart since this kiss would have to last them two or three years.

At that time, Colonel Ketterling nodded to the Colour Sergeant. Weber shouted “ATTENTION!!” 850 men all faced forward. Ketterling then yelled to his men “Kirchgasser, Mize, Schmitt, and Kortig are your men ready?” They all nodded. The commander went on “Today gentleman, we depart for Macron. Today, we start our voyage. We will ride to Cortina then take a ship to Macron and make our way to its capital. It will be an opportunity for the Fourth Regiment to show what it can do. I will be an opportunity to demonstrate that our regiment is not to be trifled with. And we, gentleman, will seize it. I assure you. So, I have waited some time to say this and I am loath to squander such golden opportunity.” Uncle Franz Joseph then exclaimed “Mount up boys, we ride!!” He then said “Forward at a walk.”

First squadron under Kirchgasser started off on the cobblestone street to Cortina. Ketterling embedded with them. Then, second squadron followed under Mize. Third squadron under Schmitt departed next. This whole time, papa starred longingly at Mutti. She appeared stoic, but inside I know she was crying. Last, the supply wagon got under and my father tipped the rim of the helmet to my mother. She blew him a kiss. Then, he fell in and the Dragoons were departing from Bad Gastein. Hankies were waved by frauleins. Blessings and farewells were said. Clack clack went the 850 horses hooves on the cobblestone streets. Then, the fifty year old and dignified Color Sargeant Weber started the cadence and the troopers repeated it. Somehow his voice carried over all of the cacophony.

Round here neck she wore a yellow ribbon
She wore it in the spring time and in the month of May
And if you ask, why the hell she wore it
She wore for that young Dragoon that is far far away
Far away – far away

She wore it for that young Dragoon that is far, far away.
Around the block she pushed a baby carriage
She pushed in the spring time and in the month of May
And if you ask, why the hell she pushed it
She pushed for that young Dragoon that is far far away
Far away – far away

Behind the door her daddy stored a musket
He stored it in the spring time and in the month of May
And if you ask, why the hell she stored it
He stored to so he could blow that young Dragoon’s ass away
Far away – far away