Faulconer Legion

The Faulconer Legion is a fictional regiment of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Confederate Army. It is the central unit of the Starbuck Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell. The unit bears some similarities with the South Essex Regiment of Cornwell's Sharpe novels.

Formation

Shortly after the beginning of the war, Washington Faulconer was determined to set up a regiment free of state government control because he was unimpressed by Robert E. Lee and his lack of support. After returning from Richmond he finds recruitment for the Legion is in full swing, and at least 10 companies have been recruited, along with a squadron of cavalry and two crews of artillery. Faulconer is the regiment's first colonel, his senior officers are Major Pelham, a veteran of the Mexican-American War, and Major 'Pecker' Bird, Faulconer's brother-in-law and a schoolmaster by profession. Major Danson is the Legion's initial surgeon and the local doctor. Shortly after the enlistment of Thomas Truslow and his backhills men, Faulconer leads an attack on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad which fails. It was an unfortunate start to the war for Faulconer and, during the attack he shows a distinct lack of military judgement; although Falcouner thinks of himself as a competent soldier and tactician. Faulconer however puts it behind him and prepares for war.

First Battle of Manassas

On the Fourth of July the fully equipped Legion marched to Seven Springs to be sworn into the Confederate army, however Major Pelham suffers a heart attack and dies before the Legion leaves, a great blow to the men as Pelham was a popular leader. The Legion then marched to Roskill railhead, They bundle on to a train to Manassas and are assigned to Colonel Nathan Evans' brigade. Faulconer does not trust Evans' military judgement and seeks out General P.G.T. Beauregard to be moved closer to where he believes the action will be (on the Confederate right). Nathaniel Starbuck, whom Faulconer has dismissed and sent back to the Union lines, has discovered the advancing Union troops under David Hunter and Samuel P. Heintzelman. He informs Evans of their positions and the Legion, under the command of Major Bird, marches to repel the Federal attack. The regiment fights the advancing Union troops well, but Faulconer and his aide Ethan Ridley return and Faulconer is disgusted by both Bird and Starbuck's insubordination. In the renewed Union attack Captain Adam Faulconer is wounded and the Legion collapses, Faulconer tries to rally them but is himself wounded. In the panic Truslow and Bird save the colours. Faulconer claims that Starbuck killed Ethan Ridley, but this is put down to delirium, his claims are true however. After the battle an embittered and wounded Faulconer is promoted to brigadier general and Major Bird takes command of the Legion.

Colors

The colors of the Faulconer Legion are composed of the Confederate Battle Flag and the Faulconer coat of arms with the motto "Forever Ardent."