The work, such as it is, he cheerfully commends to the public, looking with unshaken trust to its kindness and sympathy for the success and encouragement which he hopes it may be his lot to meet.
Worcester, July 4, 1851.
CONTENTS.
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| Introductory Remarks.—The Author’s Birth.—Parentage.—Prevalenceof the Military Spirit.—Two of his Brothers enlist, and are killed in theService.—Author apprenticed to a Carpenter.—His Desire for a MilitaryLife.—Leaves Home without the Consent of his Parents.—ReachesBelfast, and enlists.—Dissatisfied with his new Position.—Deserts, andreturns to his Native Village.—Again enlists, at Navan.—Still dissatisfied,and again deserts.—Enlists a third Time.—Marches to Dublin,and thence to Cork.—Departs for England.—Incidents of the Voyage.—Sailsfor the Peninsula.—The Ship on Fire.—A Terrific Storm.—Arrivesin Spain.—Gibraltar.—A Flogging, | [7] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| Origin of the War in the Peninsula.—Siege of Saragossa.—MurderousCharacter of the War.—Success of the French in Portugal.—Battle ofRolica.—Battle of Vimiero.—Convention of Cintra.—The Frenchevacuate Portugal.—Preparations of Napoleon for another Campaign.—Hesubdues the Country, and enters Madrid.—Address to the SpanishPeople.—Napoleon recalled by the War with Austria.—Soult andNey intrusted with the Command of the French Army in Spain.—Retreatof Sir John Moore.—Battle of Corunna.—Death of Sir JohnMoore.—The British Army sail for England, | [50] |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| Joseph Bonaparte again King of Spain.—His Difficulties with Soult.—SecondSiege of Saragossa.—Another English Army, under Sir ArthurWellesley, lands at Lisbon.—Battle of Talavera.—The English retireinto Portugal.—Siege of Gerona.—Principal Events of the Campaignof 1810.—The English Troops make a Stand at Torres Vedras.—Retreatof Massena.—Siege of Cadiz.—Escape of French Prisoners.—Openingof the Campaign of 1811, | [99] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| The Author, with his Regiment, leaves Gibraltar, for Tarifa.—Dissensionsbetween the Spanish and English Officers.—Battle of Barossa.—Retreatof the French.—Suffering of the Pursuing Army.—Guerillas.—DonJulian Sanchez.—Juan Martin Diaz.—Xavier Mina.—Continued Privationsof the British Army.—Adventures of the Author in Search ofFood.—Arrival of the Commissariat with Provisions.—ExtravagantJoy of the Troops.—Departure of the British Army for Badajos, | [123] |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| Badajos.—Its Capture by the French.—Attempts to retake it by theEnglish.—Wellington invests it in Person.—Assault upon Fort Christoval.—Stormingof the Town.—Terrific Conflict—The place sackedby the Victors.—Disgraceful Drunkenness and Debauchery of theTroops.—The Main Body of the Army depart for Beira, | [160] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| Romantic Adventures of Sir Colquhoun Grant.—The Author ordered,with a Convoy, to Brussels.—Description of the Route.—The Pass ofRoncesvalles.—Memorable Defeat of the Army of Charlemagne there.—Asudden Attack and Repulse.—The Author arrives at Brussels,and joins the Garrison of that Place, | [199] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| Brief Summary of Events for Four Years preceding the Battle of Waterloo.—Author’sNarrative resumed at that Period.—Preparation of Troopsfor the Battle.—Skirmishing preceding its Commencement.—Receptionof the News at Brussels.—Departure of the English for the Fieldof Battle.—Disposition of the Forces.—Attack upon Hougomont.—Progressof the Battle.—Arrival of the Prussian Reinforcements.—Chargeof the Old Guard.—Flight of the French.—The Authorwounded, and left upon the Field.—Rescued by a Camp-follower.—Carriedto the Hospital, and thence taken to England.—He quits theService, and emigrates to America.—Conclusion, | [217] |
MILITARY ADVENTURES.