Bronwen Evans | A Touch of Passion
April 22, 2015
Dear Readers, Waving hello from New Zealand, where I write Regency historical romances. In my
current Regency series, The Disgraced Lords, several of the
characters, their friends, and siblings, fought at the battle of Waterloo. As 2015 marks the 200th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo 18-20th
June 1815, in Belgium, I thought I’d learn a little bit about the epic battle.
The battle was considered a monumental event in the early 1800’s. The impact on
families from across Europe and through the spectrum of classes was huge. When you read about the troop numbers (67,000 men under Wellington’s command and
72,000 under Napoleon) you begin to understand how the battle generated over
55,000 men either wounded, killed or missing in action. I work part-time as Executive Director for a surgical society in New Zealand,
and when I saw the enormous numbers of wounded I immediately wondered how many
surgeons they had available, who treated what sort of injuries, and what skills
did the surgeons actually have. I can’t imagine their equipment or drugs were
conducive to pain free attention. Essentially the medical services were organized into three parts: Army Medical Department Ordnance Medical Department (for the artillery) Separate establishment for household troops How did these medical departments work during the battle? If a soldier fell wounded in battle, no help came. They had approximately 180
army surgeons. If a wounded man was lucky, his colleagues or friends would carry
him to a first line dressing station situated over the ridge near the battle.
Close friendships form in regiments, and you needed to know that the man beside
you would help when required. Friendships played a key role in the saving of my
hero, Christian Trent, Earl of Markham who is badly burned in the battle at
Waterloo. Read how he got his burns in a FREE prequel on my website – the book is
A KISS OF LIES. As the hostilities progressed, medical assistance had to be moved back to
Mont-St-Jean and Waterloo and other buildings well away from the battlefield.
Therefore, the wounded had to either walk, be carried on stretchers, placed in
country carts, or they sometimes used the royal wagon trains. Often the wounded were moved to the general hospitals at Brussels, Antwerp,
Ghent, Bruges, and Ostend. There is no doubt that these hospitals would have
been overwhelmed with the numbers of badly wounded men who descended on them. Just how effective were the regimental surgeons in alleviating suffering and
saving lives? With so many men to treat, it’s hard to say. Treatment was
hampered by a lack of proper facilities, the terrible wet conditions (it had
poured with rain the night before), lack of medical supplies, and fresh, clean
water. As it is today, it’s also likely that the proficiency of the surgeons varied
considerably. Fear of infection and death often meant limbs were amputated immediately and
lead to some men losing limbs that could have been saved. Bloodletting was still
thought to be of use and a way to stop gangrene. Unfortunately, the practice did
see those with serious injuries go into shock due to blood loss. Diluted spirits and some opiates were all they had for pain relief. Assistant
surgeon, James wrote in his journal, “Our work behind lines was grim in the
extreme, and continued far into the night. It was all too terrible to commit to
paper, but this I will say, that the silent heroism of the greater part of the
sufferers was a thing I shall not forget.” Many a story has been told of bravery and fortitude in the face of adversity.
For example, it has been recorded that not a word left Lord Raglan’s mouth as
his arm was amputated, until he called out in his usual casual voice, “Hello.
Don’t carry away the arm until I have taken off the ring.” At the end of the battle, the surviving men were so tired it took over fours
days to remove all the wounded to hospitals. Thankfully many of the locals,
especially the women, helped care for the wounded, many left in the streets
because the hospitals could not cope with the numbers of men needing attention.
Treatment took weeks to months with some patients not returning to England until
early 1816. My hero in A
TOUCH OF PASSION, Grayson Devlin, Viscount Blackwood, tried to help his
friend, Robert, as he lay dying on the battlefield. When he couldn’t save
Robert, he promised to look out for Portia, Robert’s sister. That promise sees
him be lead a very frustrating, sensual, and dangerous journey to his happy ever
after. GiveawayTell me which country the battle of Waterloo took place in, and be in to WIN a
FREE audio book of my bestselling WICKED WAGERS THE COMPLETE TRILOGY. About A TOUCH OF PASSION
Independent and high-spirited, Lady Portia Flagstaff has never been afraid to
take a risk, especially if it involves excitement and danger. But this time,
being kidnapped and sold into an Arab harem is the outcome of one risk too many.
Now, in order to regain her freedom, she has to rely on the deliciously packaged
Grayson Devlin, Viscount Blackwood, a man who despises her reckless ways—and
stirs in her a thirst for passion. After losing his mother and two siblings in a carriage accident years ago,
Grayson Devlin promised Portia’s dying brother that he’d always watch over his
wayward sister. But having to travel to Egypt to rescue the foolhardy girl has
made his blood boil. Grayson already has his hands full trying to clear his best
friend and fellow Libertine Scholar of a crime he didn’t commit. Worse still,
his dashing rescue has unleashed an unforeseen and undesired consequence:
marriage. Now it’s more than Portia he has to protect . . . it’s his battered heart. "This series just gets better and better. A TOUCH OF
PASSION is mesmerizing...filled with romance and mystery."~Fresh Fiction
Reviewer Sandra Wurman. Read our full
review. About Bronwen EvansUSA Today bestselling author, Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She
writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who
likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Evans is a
two-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown and has been nominated for an RT
Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand with her dog Brandy. Bronwen loves hearing from avid romance readers at [email protected].
You can keep up with Bronwen’s news by visiting her website, Facebook,
or Twitter.
Comments
28 comments posted.
Re: Bronwen Evans | A Touch of Passion
Ooh, seems intriguing...Gotta love the cover! ;D (H J 5:35pm April 22, 2015)
Oh, and the Battle of Waterloo took place in present-day Belgium which once used to be part of the United Kingdom of the Neterlands c: (H J 5:37pm April 22, 2015)
The Battle of Waterloo took place in present day Belgium. (Lynn Bruce 9:17pm April 22, 2015)
Present day Belgium (Susan Jang 10:01pm April 22, 2015)
The Battle of Waterloo took place in what is now Belgium. (Janie McGaugh 10:45pm April 22, 2015)
present day Belgium (Sandy Xiong 12:28pm April 23, 2015)
The Battle of Waterloo took place near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. (Cathy Phillips 1:49am April 23, 2015)
The Battle of Waterloo took place in Belgium. I wanted to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed reading your posting this morning. It explains why you get so many writing awards. Perhaps you should get one for this posting as well!! ;-) I'm looking forward to reading your latest book, and know it's going to be an adventure that I won't forget!! Thank you for coming here today, and reminding us how important it is to stay on our toes when it comes to History. Thank you also for keeping it alive in your expressive way!! (Peggy Roberson 11:08am April 23, 2015)
present day Belgium (Jean Benedict 11:30am April 23, 2015)
Belgium (Angela Parrish 11:31am April 23, 2015)
Thank you for the lovely comments everyone! (Bronwen Evans 3:43pm April 23, 2015)
The battle of Waterloo took place in Belgium. (Linda Harrison 3:52pm April 23, 2015)
What an interesting post! The battle of Waterloo took place in Belgium. (Bonnie H 9:12pm April 23, 2015)
The Battle of Waterloo took place in now known as Belgium. (Marissa Yip-Young 6:01am April 24, 2015)
Belgium (Heather Rizzuti 8:03am April 24, 2015)
Thank goodness for google. History was never my subject! The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday, 18 June 1815, near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands (Joanne Schultz 3:33pm April 24, 2015)
I haven't read any of your books before but I'm going to start. Earlene (Earlene Gillespie 4:06pm April 24, 2015)
Belgium - thanks for the info on emergency care (Beth Elder 8:06pm April 24, 2015)
The battle of waterloo, happened near Waterloo, now known as Belguim..Thanks for the chance. (Donna Graham 1:31am April 25, 2015)
Belgium tammy ramey [email protected] (Tammy Ramey 1:55am April 25, 2015)
Present day Belgium (Lesley Walsh 7:16am April 25, 2015)
Present day Belgium (Bonnie Capuano 10:15am April 25, 2015)
Ummm, Belgium? I can't wait to read your books. I love finding a new author! (Kelly Burch 11:05am April 25, 2015)
Belgium (Cecilia Rodriguez 12:42pm April 25, 2015)
Had no idea you were in NZ. thought Uk for sure. Anyway your books a are HOT and I love them. Can't wait to get this one. (Kantu Malhotra 1:49pm April 25, 2015)
Belgium (Denise Austin 2:41pm April 25, 2015)
Present day Belgium. (Debra Wolsleben 8:29pm April 25, 2015)
Belgium. (Laura Gullickson 11:55pm April 25, 2015)
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