Narrative of the Operations of a Detachment in an Expedition to Candy, in the Island of Ceylon, in the Year 1804 / With Some Observations on the Previous Campaign, and on the Nature of Candian Warfare, etc., etc., etc.

The Project Gutenberg eBook, Narrative of the Operations of a Detachment in an Expedition to Candy, in the Island of Ceylon, in the Year 1804, by Arthur Johnston
WITH SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN, AND ON THE NATURE OF CANDIAN WARFARE, ETC., ETC., ETC.
BY MAJOR JOHNSTON. Of the Third Ceylon Regiment, then Captain Commandant of the Detachment.
DUBLIN JAMES M c GLASHAN, 50 UPPER SACKVILLE-STREET.
WM. S. ORR AND CO., PATERNOSTER-ROW, LONDON.
MDCCCLIV.
Dublin: Printed by George Drought, 6, Bachelor's-walk.
HIS EXCELLENCY
SIR DAVID DUNDAS, K.B.,
General and Commander-in-Chief, &c.
Sir,
The operations of any part of the British troops, and the means by which they may be rendered more effectual, cannot be a matter of indifference to the Commander-in-Chief. Whatever contributes to the improvement of military knowledge will, I am persuaded, be favourably received by your Excellency, to whom the service is already so much indebted for its present proficiency in military tactics. It is the object of this narrative to relate and explain a species of warfare in which the British troops have been little engaged, and are, consequently, less experienced than in European tactics. If I succeed in benefiting the public service, by showing in what manner the difficulties which pressed so severely on the detachment I had the honour to command may, in any future operations, be either removed or lessened, I shall feel myself amply repaid for the trouble I have taken; and shall, I trust, stand exculpated from the apparent presumption of having obtruded myself on your Excellency's attention.