The British archives of the Napoleonic wars are unique; brimming with personal letters to family and friends or journals that record their innermost thoughts. The human aspect of war comes to the fore; the humor and exhilaration; the fears and miseries; the starvation and exhaustion; the horror and the joy.It is usually accepted that very few common soldiers of this period could read or write and that the few letters and journals that do exist emanate from more senior officers; who were required to be able to write to perform their duties. Volume I proved this to be a fallacy; and this volume continues with a further three accounts; and shows how the ordinary soldier saw things; giving a different aspect to our studies. Also included:* The poignant final letters of older family men such as Major Arthur Heyland; jar noticeably with the bawdy and carefree scribbles of youth by such as Ensign Kinchant (including describing his visits to bordellos) who also lost his life that day. * A long series of letters by Lieutenant Frederick Johnston of the 6th Inniskillings and of Lieutenant George Blathwayt of the 23rd Light dragoons sheds important light on cavalry regiments who have few previously published memoirs. * A very interesting letter by Second Lieutenant Richard Cocks Eyre of the 2nd Battalion 95th Rifles makes a mockery of the myth that British troops did not openly plunder the local farmhouses before the battle for food and fuel to burn. *A letter by a civilian visitor to the area six weeks after the battle ends this volume; which will engage and fascinate the reader.
#2284591 in Books 2005-09-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.52 x 1.03 x 5.38l; .89 #File Name: 184415288X320 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Personal; yet impersonal; account of Napoleonic warfare.By Bob JarvisI was interested to read this personal war history as I've read quite a number of books from this period. I enjoyed the book at first and found Kincaid's writing to be both interesting and amusing. Later on it became lightweight and flippant; not to say downright boring.Kincaid states at the start that he has absolutely no intention of giving comrades a mention and the benefit of fame through his own autobiographical expertise. In doing so he dooms the "tales" to a casual anecdotal account of a series of minor engagements and severe hardships; mixed in with some jolly japes carried out during mess down-time and winter quarters.We learn little of the tactical campaign; less of the strategies of warfare. Kincaid simply moves forward toward; or away from; the enemy where he is ordered and pots away when opportunity presents itself.He has some amusing turns of phrase and projects himself as a witty officer and gallant gentleman. Be that as it may; the story gets bogged down with Kincaid's daily trials and tribulations; and having no (named) friends he quickly becomes something of an arrogant bore; selfish and self-centred. This lack or comradeship and friendly inter-action with recognisable brother officers; ultimately condemns the book to a pompous prattle about daily wartime routines and how it affects the author. The book has no soul.Although this is an eye-witness historical account and thus not to be discounted; I'm afraid I only managed to get about 50% through the book before I reached a yawn too far gave up. Something I very rarely do.Not recommended.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Understated SoldierBy G. C. EvansI only gave this 3 stars because the language is a bit out dated. The author is telling his story; and I bet; it is really a lottougher than the way he tells it in his set of stories.You follow the author; a junior officer of the 95th Rifles; of the British Army. You go with him and the Duke of Wellington through Portugal and Spain and then to Waterloo. He fights in some pretty historic places and battles. But he downplays his part so much by his use of words and descriptions that you must read between the lines and know a bit about war to realize what is really happening around him. For instance he is part of the line of British troops that fought against Napoleon at Waterloo. Only in a few spots does he really describe the actual horror of the field that day. He uses faint words to describe live and death on that day; downplaying the actual events.He has some great soldier tales of bravery; cowardice; and fooling around. I recommend it for those are interested in soldier culture; a single soldier's view of historic events; and getting a feel for life during those times.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good ReadBy JewelThis was a good read. Kincaid gives a personal perspective and can be rather humorous. Although this is mainly about Peninsular campaigns Kincaid makes no bones about the fact he is the star. There are scenes in this book that dovetail with Leach (Captain in 95th) which I suppose is expected as they were brother officers. Book led me to investigate other occurrences such as the great comet of 1811.
