# Colonel Gardiner — Waverley character guide

> Colonel Gardiner in Waverley by Walter Scott.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** James, Gardiner, Colonel James Gardiner

**First appearance:** 0040-part-ii-vi-a-volunteer-sixty-years-since

## Snapshot

A brave and excellent English officer whose intercepted letters and unanswered summonses leave Waverley superseded, disgraced, and unable to explain himself.

## Who they are

Gardiner commands Waverley's regiment and writes him the final summons that never reaches him, so that his apparent neglect of orders becomes the pretext for his removal. He is a man of honor whose good opinion Waverley desperately wants, and the discovery that his letters were intercepted by Donald Bean's schemes forces Waverley to make amende honorable to his memory. His fate at Prestonpans hangs over the narrative as a reminder of what the rebellion costs men of principle.

## In the story

### [VII: A Horse-Quarter in Scotland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-vii-a-horse-quarter-in-scotland)

Commanding officer of Waverley's regiment, described as tall, handsome, active, and a religious enthusiast with a mysterious conversion story.

### [News from England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xxv-news-from-england)

Sends a peremptory order for Edward to join the regiment; Edward writes a cold resignation in response.

### [A Conference and the Consequence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-a-conference-and-the-consequence)

Waverley's commanding officer; wrote letters to Waverley about his conduct and the mutiny in his troop.

### [An Old and a New Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xi-an-old-and-a-new-acquaintance)

His regiment is mentioned as one of the two horse regiments that threatened the Highlanders.

### [XVII: The Eve of Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii-the-eve-of-battle)

Rides into view to reconnoitre, nearly shot by Callum Beg, but spared by a seer's intervention.

### [The Conflict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii-the-conflict)

Falls in battle, receiving multiple wounds and dying after a sorrowful look at Waverley.

### [Rather Unimportant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi-rather-unimportant)

Mentioned as deceased; Edward expresses sorrow for his death.

### [XXII: Intrigues of Love and Politics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii-intrigues-of-love-and-politics)

Writes letters to Waverley expressing concern and later revises his opinion after Houghton's testimony.

### [Chapter of Accidents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxi-chapter-of-accidents)

His dying look and gesture haunt Edward's memory, reinforcing his regret over the civil conflict.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/endnotes)

His death at the Battle of Prestonpans is described, with a quotation from Doddridge's account.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/colonel_gardiner
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters