WHO WAS A SOLDIER IN THE ARMY OF LORD WELLINGTON DURING THE MEMORABLE PENINSULAR WAR AND THE CONTINENTAL CAMPAIGNS FROM 1811 TO 1815; INCLUDING FULL HISTORIES OF THE BLOODY BATTLE OF BAROSSA, AND THE MEMORABLE SIEGE OF BADAJOS; TOGETHER WITH A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO, TERMINATING WITH THE OVERTHROW OF NAPOLEON; IN ALL OF WHICH HE WAS AN ACTOR. ILLUSTRATED BY SIX SPLENDID ENGRAVINGS. WORCESTER: PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR BY EDWARD LIVERMORE. 1851. Entered according to Act of C

The history of times and events, of men and their characters, must ever be replete with interest and instruction. Chronicles of the great and wise, the noble and the learned, are often presented to the world; and the military hero and chieftain finds everywhere his biographer. We read of campaigns that his mind has traced out, of battles which his plans have won; and we forget, in our admiration of his skill and power, those by whom the heroic deeds were done, the victory gained. Generals, says

Introductory Remarks.—The Author’s Birth.—Parentage.—Prevalence of the Military Spirit.—Two of his Brothers enlist, and are killed in the Service.—Author apprenticed to a Carpenter.—His Desire for a Military Life.—Leaves Home without the Consent of his Parents.—Reaches Belfast, and enlists.—Dissatisfied with his new Position.—Deserts, and returns to his Native Village.—Again enlists, at Navan.—Still dissatisfied, and again deserts.—Enlists a third Time.—Marches to Dublin, and thence to Cork.—Dep

Origin of the War in the Peninsula.—Siege of Saragossa.—Murderous Character of the War.—Success of the French in Portugal.—Battle of Rolica.—Battle of Vimiero.—Convention of Cintra.—The French evacuate Portugal.—Preparations of Napoleon for another Campaign.—He subdues the Country, and enters Madrid.—Address to the Spanish People.—Napoleon recalled by the War with Austria.—Soult and Ney intrusted with the Command of the French Army in Spain.—Retreat of Sir John Moore.—Battle of Corunna.—Death of

Joseph Bonaparte again King of Spain.—His Difficulties with Soult.—Second Siege of Saragossa.—Another English Army, under Sir Arthur Wellesley, lands at Lisbon.—Battle of Talavera.—The English retire into Portugal.—Siege of Gerona.—Principal Events of the Campaign of 1810.—The English Troops make a Stand at Torres Vedras.—Retreat of Massena.—Siege of Cadiz.—Escape of French Prisoners.—Opening of the Campaign of 1811. Having closed the history of this unfortunate army, let us now return to Spain.

The Author, with his Regiment, leaves Gibraltar, for Tarifa.—Dissensions between the Spanish and English Officers.—Battle of Barossa.—Retreat of the French.—Suffering of the Pursuing Army.—Guerillas.—Don Julian Sanchez.—Juan Martin Diaz.—Xavier Mina.—Continued Privations of the British Army.—Adventures of the Author in Search of Food.—Arrival of the Commissariat with Provisions.—Extravagant Joy of the Troops.—Departure of the British Army for Badajos. Having given to my readers some slight sketc

Badajos.—Its Capture by the French.—Attempts to retake it by the English.—Wellington invests it in Person.—Assault upon Fort Christoval.—Storming of the Town.—Terrific Conflict.—The place sacked by the Victors.—Disgraceful Drunkenness and Debauchery of the Troops.—The Main Body of the Army depart for Beira. Badajos, the capital of the Spanish province of Estremadura, is situated near the Portuguese frontier, at the confluence of the small stream of the Rivillas with the Guadiana. It is very stro

Romantic Adventures of Sir Colquhoun Grant.—The Author ordered, with a Convoy, to Brussels.—Description of the Route.—The Pass of Roncesvalles.—Memorable Defeat of the Army of Charlemagne there.—A sudden Attack and Repulse.—The Author arrives at Brussels, and joins the Garrison of that Place. Soon after our army left Badajos, the remarkable and interesting adventures of Sir Colquhoun Grant, who was an officer in our army, attracted general attention; and, though I did not myself learn all the pa

Brief Summary of Events for Four Years preceding the Battle of Waterloo.—Author’s Narrative resumed at that Period.—Preparation of Troops for the Battle.—Skirmishing preceding its Commencement.—Reception of the News at Brussels.—Departure of the English for the Field of Battle.—Disposition of the Forces.—Attack upon Hougomont.—Progress of the Battle.—Arrival of the Prussian Reinforcements.—Charge of the Old Guard.—Flight of the French.—The Author wounded, and left upon the Field.—Rescued by a Ca