Leaves From The Diary Of An Officer Of The Guards

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910164254103321
• Autore: Cowell-Stepney Sir John
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: San Francisco : , : Wagram Press, , 2011; ©2011
• ISBN: 1-908692-45-6
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (129 pages)
• Altri autori (Persone): PublishingPickle Partners
• Disciplina: 940.274092
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Nota di contenuto: Intro -- PREFACE. -- CHAPTER I. -- DEPARTURE FROM ENGLAND.-TRANSPORTS.-VOYAGE TO LISBON. - CONVOYS. - THE TAGUS.- MASSENA. -FIGUEIRAS.-MARCH TO COIMBRA. -- CHAPTER II. -- LORD WELLINGTON.-SOBRAL.-FRENCH CAVALRY.-THE BRIGADIER.-MASSENA RETIRES. -ALEMQIIER.-CAUSEWAY OF CALHARIZ -END OF THE CAMPAIGN. -- "TOLLING" TO PARADE -ANECDOTES OF WELLINGTON.-OLD COMRADES. - THE MARQUIS DE LA BOMANA. - GENERAL ALAVA.-"CAPTAIN TAYLOR."-STRENUWITZ.-CAMPAIGN OF 1811.-PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY.-WELLINGTON'S DESPATCH. -- CHAPTER IV. -- CASAL NOVA.-THE NAPIERS.-REPULSE OF NEY.-WANT OF PROVISIONS. -SABUGAL.-COLONEL WATERS.-CONDUCT OF THE MINISTRY.-ENTRY INTO SPAIN.-ALMEIDA.-MASSENA'S ADVANCE.-BATTLE OF FUENTES.-ANECDOTES. -- CHAPTER V. -- HANOVERIAN HUSSARS.-FRENCH CHARACTER.- PORTUGUESE GOVERNMENT.-DIFFICULTIES OF THE CAMPAIGN.-OFFICERS. -THE ENGLISH CABINET.-BATTLE OF ALBUERA. -- CHAPTER VI. -- CAMP OF ST. OLAYA.-FEVER.-SIR B. SPETCER.-AN ESCAPADE, -ANTIQUATED NOTIONS.-EFFECT OF A HOT CLIMATE.-A DUEL.-ADVANCE OF THE FRENCH.-GALLANT RENCONTRE: EL BODON.-FUENTE GUINALDO.-RETREAT OF BOTH ARMIES. -- CHAPTER VII. -- AMATEURS. - TEMPORARY INACTION. - THE DUKE AND THE GUARDS.- SICKNESS. -AMUSING CHARACTFRS -DISCIPLINE. -THE ENEMY SURPRISED.-A WINTER MARCH.-SCARCITY.-ELEGY.-A FAMILY MANSION.-SECRET PREPARATIONS. -- CHAPTER VIII. -- SIEGE OF CIUDAD RODRIGO.-FORT RENAUD.-A COLD NIGHT.-CHANGE OF PLAN.-; WORKING 1N THE TRENCHES.-UNWELCOME VISITORS.-THE METHODICAL CAPTAIN.-OPENING OF THE BATTERIES: CRAUFURD'S ELOQUENCE.-STORMING THE TOWN.-LOOKING FOR THE GOVERNOR.-SURRENDER. -- CHAPTER IX. -- LOSSES IN EACH ARMY.-MMIISRETRY AND ARTILLERY.-HONOURS. -GENERAL MACRINNON.-SPANISH BIGOTRY.-CHARACTER OF THE ARMY.-NEW CLOTHES.-ABRANTES.-PIPE-CLAY.-DEFICIENCY OF STORM-CHARACTER OF WELLINGTON. -- CHAPTER X.; OPERATIONS AGAINST BADAJOS.-APATHY OF THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT.-AGREEABLE SOCIETY. GASTRONOMY.-SPANISH CHARACTER.-FEMININE INGENUITY: THE ENEMY'S CORPS.-FORCED MARCH.-ALBUERA.-STORMING BADAJOS.
• Sommario/riassunto: Originally written under the nom de plume of "A Veteran Comrade", the leaves of Sir John Cowell-Stepney's diary make for a fascinating read as he recounts his experiences during the Peninsular Campaign and his other anecdotes of his military career. Commissioned in the Grenadier Guards in May 1809 as an Ensign, and rose to the rank of Lt-Colonel in 1830. In his later life he was active in politics as a Liberal Member of parliament and the High Sheriff of Carmarthenshire.Focusing on the campaigns of 1810 and 1811 in particular, the author describes his experiences vividly from his initial landing in Portugal, throughout his varied trials of the British army officer in the Peninsular. Major battles that his was involved in such as Fuentes D'Oñoro, Albuera and perhaps the best account of the siege and assault of Cuidad Rodrigo, are covered in his inimitable style.Reminiscent in tone to Kincaid's "Adventures in the Rifle Brigade", with a jaunty self-deprecating humour, and eye for detail.A classic of the Genre.Author- Sir John Cowell-Stepney (1791-1877)