| Habakkuk Biddiscombe | |
| Fictional Character | |
| Atlantis POD: c 85,000,000 BCE; Relevant POD: 1452 | |
| Appearance(s): | The United States of Atlantis |
| Type of Appearance: | Direct |
| Nationality: | British settler of Atlantis |
| Date of Death: | 1778 |
| Cause of Death: | Execution by hanging |
| Occupation: | Soldier, Cavalry commander |
Habakkuk Biddiscombe was the chief Atlantean cavalryman in General Victor Radcliff's army during the Atlantean War of Independence. He later gained infamy as a traitor after he defected back to the British
Brave and bold, Biddiscombe was one of General Radcliff's more aggressive soldiers. Biddiscombe came to the fore early in the War, Radcliff ordered then-Captain Biddiscombe to lead a skirmish against British General William Howe's advance on Weymouth. Biddiscome impressed Radcliff with his rudimentary understanding that speed and urgency were required. Biddiscombe's cavalry succeeded in its task, allowing Radcliff's men to pull the firearms and gunpowder stored in Weymouth out and shift them down to New Hastings.
Biddiscombe was also ambitious, and often clashed with his superior officer over tactics and general strategy. While Biddiscombe had his "victories", such as convincing Radcliff to campaign during the war's first winter, more often than not, Radcliff found Biddiscombe's schemes too dangerous. Things came to a head after a heated argument during the march to Hanover, when Radcliff shot down Biddiscombe's scheme to kidnap Charles Cornwallis, the British commander.[1] Biddiscombe defected to the British[2] and was promoted by General Cornwallis to the rank of colonel. Several broadsheets were issued from the British military headquarters and loyalist printers, boasting of their new colonel and of "Biddiscombe's Horsed Legion".[3]
The Horsed Legion took part in the campaign leading to the Siege of Croydon. When the siege itself was finally broken, [4] the fate of Biddiscombe's Horsed Legion became a point of contention for both sides. Cornwallis did not want Biddiscombe or his men harmed, whereas Radcliff made it clear they had been deemd traitors in Atlantis and would be treated as such. Cornwallis elected to take 24 hours to consider Radcliff's demands.[5] Radcliff in turn debated with himself and his men as to what should be done about Biddiscombe, and whether letting Biddiscombe go would be a small price to pay for victory.[6] However, the decision was made for him: when Biddiscombe realized that the British probably were going to hand him over to Radcliff,[7] Biddiscombe's Legion fought their way out of Croydon, and the issue was rendered moot. The surrender proceeded, and the war was effectively over.[8]Biddiscombe and his legion were declared outlaws and eventually run to ground at Kirkwall, north of Croydon. Biddiscombe and his men were given a court-martial in Croydon and hanged en masse on the Croydon Meadow.[9]
See Also
- Benedict Arnold, upon whom Habakkuk Biddiscombe is based.
References
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