Chapter I: Front Matter

RECOLLECTIONS
OF
RIFLEMAN HARRIS,
(OLD 95TH.)
WITH
Anecdotes of his Officers and his Comrades.

EDITED BY
HENRY CURLING, Esq.,
HALF-PAY 52D FOOT,
AUTHOR OF "JOHN OF ENGLAND."

"This story
The world may read in me: my body's mark'd
With Roman swords;
And when a soldier was the theme, my name
Was not far off."

Shakespeare.

LONDON:
H. HURST, 27, KING WILLIAM STREET,
CHARING CROSS.

1848.

CLAYTON AND CO, PRINTERS,
16, HART STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

NOTICE.

Since the printing of this volume was commenced, "Rifleman Harris" has removed from Richmond Street, Soho, to 4, Upper James Street, Golden Square.

TO THE MOST NOBLE
THE MARQUESS OF LONDONDERRY,
G.C.B. AND G.C.H.,
COLONEL OF THE SECOND LIFE GUARDS, _&c._ _&c._,
This Volume,
IN TOKEN OF HIGH ADMIRATION OF HIS LORDSHIP'S
CHIVALROUS BEARING
DURING THE BATTLES OF THE PENINSULA,
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,

BY HIS OBEDIENT SERVANT,
THE EDITOR.

_London, March, 1848._

ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR.

The following pages, describing the chequered life of a private soldier, who served during the most glorious period of our military history, speak so plainly for themselves, as scarcely to need any introductory remarks from the editor, further than the assurance of his own sincere conviction of their truth. Such works as the narratives of Rifleman Harris, from the very nature of their details, afford occasionally more graphic sketches of the actual scenes of war, in its stern realities and concomitant circumstances, than the more stately and largely-grouped pictures of the Historian.

Nor are these humble records without their moral.

Many abuses and grievances are incidentally brought to light, that can be but rarely heeded in the excitement and bustle of active service, but which, nevertheless, for the good of the soldier, may be of sufficient importance to require correction.

The main source of our military superiority over foreign nations has been almost universally ascribed to the incomparable discipline of the British army. That the well-being and judicious treatment of the private soldier is the basis of this system can (we think) scarcely be doubted. To maintain this discipline it is surely incumbent on the officers to become acquainted with the nature and peculiar characteristics of the men they have to conduct and control, both in the elation of victory and the more difficult emergencies consequent upon retreat. How this is best effected--by what potent influence this mastery is exercised--and by what sort of standard the "rough and ready" private soldier estimates, and accordingly respects and obeys his officer, will be duly shewn in the autobiography of. Rifleman Harris.

Henry Curling.

_March, 1848._

RECOLLECTIONS

OF

RIFLEMAN HARRIS (OLD 95TH).