Lord John and the Custom of the Army Section 5 is focused on a battle. We also see Lord John Grey have to save a life, while almost losing his own.
I love how much is going on in this chapter. While I don’t see the point in the short story as a whole, except for the Malcolm Stubbs parts, I do appreciate seeing Lord John Grey in action. He is a soldier after all, and we need to be reminded of that.
We also get introduced to Simon Fraser, who I do believe is the same Simon Fraser as one in the main Outlander books.
Breaking down Lord John and the Custom of the Army Section 5
It is two weeks after the previous section, and now it’s time to go into battle. John continues to think about Hal’s comments about how Wolfe is melodramatic. This comes up in the section, with Wolfe’s actions leading to him getting killed. Fortunately, it’s not because of him that John almost ends up dead.
We do meet Simon Fraser, who is pulled into the battle because he can speak French. I’m surprised there isn’t a mention of Fraser from John’s point of view. Wouldn’t he think of Jamie? This did make me question after first if it’s the same Simon Fraser who Jamie comes across in Written in My Own Heart’s Blood—at least, I think it’s that book. It could be An Echo in the Bone. I do love how Simon is used. Because of his ability to speak fluent French, he’s able to trick the French sentry into believing that they are part of the French Army.
We do get a lot of the battle happening through John’s eyes. We see the type of officer he is. He is capable in battle, which isn’t that surprising after reading all about Crefeld. However, he’s stopped in his tracks when he sees Malcolm Stubbs on the ground without his right leg from the knee down. Malcolm wants to die, but John refuses to let that happen.
A French soldier comes after John, but an English soldier steps in and saves John’s life. John and this soldier then get Malcolm to the medics. Who is the solider? It only happens to be the corrupt Siverley, which is a great reminder that a corrupt soldier isn’t always someone who won’t do their part in war.
Could this chapter be used in a TV series adaptation?
One of the reasons to include Lord John and the Custom of the Army if there was ever a Lord John Grey series would be to show this battle. It reminds us of the time period, and it brings us plenty of drama. At the same time, we see Simon Fraser as a younger man and we see Lord John Grey in action. I just don’t see this short story being used if there was an adaptation.
If it was, though, yes, this chapter would be needed. Not only does it give us war, but it also gives us the reason Malcolm Stubbs ends up back in England. He can’t fight with only one leg. It also brings us that moment with Siverley, which is sure to play a part in Carruthers’s court martial.
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