Chapter I: Preface

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 one author, “often calculate upon men as though they were blocks of wood, or movable machines.” Yet every one of these nameless soldiers has feelings as acutely alive to suffering and to honor as those who look upon them thus.

It is well sometimes to turn away from the glare and tinsel of rank, from the glitter of arms and the pageantry of war, to follow the common soldier in his partings and wanderings, to cast the glance of pity upon his sufferings, and allow the heart to be moved with compassion while regarding the temptations which must ever beset his path. It is only thus that a true knowledge of the evils and miseries of war can be obtained; and only when this knowledge is spread far and wide, that we may hope to see the banner of peace unfurled, and the olive-branch waving in quiet, where now the sword spreads its desolation, and the vulture feasts on the unburied dead.

Thoughts like these may, perhaps, lend interest to the unpretending narrative of one who now presents himself and the scenes of his times before an indulgent public, with none of the advantages of rank, or birth, or fame, to recommend him to its notice. Simply one of the rank and file, he was an actor and participator in the scenes he has endeavored faithfully to represent.

It is his ardent wish, by this little volume, to awaken more interest in this class of his fellow-beings, so often forgotten in the lustre of that halo which rarely fails to surround the victor’s name.

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.--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.--Departs for
England.--Incidents of the Voyage.--Sails for the Peninsula.--The Ship
on Fire.--A Terrific Storm.--Arrives in Spain.--Gibraltar.--A
Flogging, 7

CHAPTER II.

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 Sir John
Moore.--The British Army sail for England, 50

CHAPTER III.

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, 99

CHAPTER IV.

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, 123

CHAPTER V.

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, 160

CHAPTER VI.

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, 199

CHAPTER VII.

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
Camp-follower.--Carried to the Hospital, and thence taken to
England.--He quits the Service, and emigrates to
America.--Conclusion, 217

MILITARY ADVENTURES.