Adventures in the Connaught Rangers. Vol. II

• Autore: Grattan Lt.-Colonel William
• Pubblicazione: San Francisco : , : Wagram Press, , 2011; ©2011
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (199 pages)
• Disciplina: 940.274
• Nota di contenuto: Intro -- CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. -- CHAPTER I. -- The sacking of Badajoz-Neglect of the wounded-Spaniards and their plunderers-Disgraceful occurrences-Calamities of War-Fine sayings of the Duke of Wellington-Extent of plunder-Martin of Galway, and his servant-Paddy Aisy's opinion of the Duke-The French consider the capture of Badajoz a mystery. -- CHAPTER II. -- Departure from Badajoz-The wounded left to the protection of Spanish soldiers-Subsequently removed to Elvas-Capture of forts on the Tagus-The author leaves Elvas to join the army-Spaniards and Portuguese-Rodrigo re-visited-A Spanish ball-Movements of MarsAmicable enemies. -- CHAPTER III. -- State of the opposing armies, previously to the Battle of Salamanca - Preliminary movements - Nelson at Trafalgar-Pakenham's division-The Duke of Ragusa's false movement-Pakenham engaged with the enemy's left-Defeats the division under General Thornier-ReComplete defeat of the French army. -- CHAPTER IV. -- Importance of the Battle of Salamanca-Consequences of defeat-Gallantry of Captain Robert Nickle-Pursuit of the defeated Army of Marshal Marmont-French Infantry in square broken and destroyed by Cavalry-March on Madrid-Frolics at St. Ildefonso-Sudden attacDisgraceful conduct of the Portuguese Dragoons. -- CHAPTER V. -- The British army approach Madrid-Enthusiastic welcome-. Preparations to carry by assault the Fortress of La Chine-It surrenders-Description of Madrid-The Puerto del Sol-The Prado-Unsociability of English officers-Seizure of a Spanish priest-Proved to be aHis execution by the garrotte. -- CHAPTER VI. -- Arrests at Madrid-Advantages of speaking French-Seizure of Don Saturio de Padilla by the police-The author effects his liberation-Bulls and bull fights-A bull day at Madrid -Lord Wellington in the Plaza de los Toros-A courageous bull. -- CHAPTER VII. ; The entertainments of the Plaza de los Toros continued-A cowardly bull- Private theatricals-Frederick Meade--,-Horrors of amputation-Lord Wellington leaves Madrid-Qualities of French and English soldiers-The retreat from Burgos-Evacuation of the capital-Disasters of the retreat. -- CHAPTER VIII. -- Sufferings of the army on the Retreat-Jokes of the Connaught Rangers-Letter of Lord Wellington-The Junior Officers-Costume of the Author during the Retreat-An unusual enjoyment-Lord Wellington's censure on Officers of Regiments. -- CHAPTER IX. -- Shocking effects of excess in eating-The neighbourhood of Moimenta de Beira-Wolves--The author employed to cater for his regiment on St- Patrick's day-le attacked by wolves on his return-Measure for measure-The priest and his plate. -- CHAPTER X. -- Priests carousing-San Carlos gambling house at Lisbon-Cocking the card-The author quits the Peninsula-Arrival at Spithead--Visit to Vauxhall Gardens-The lobster feast-The priest of St. Omers-Pay of French priests-Adventures on the road-The author's returnIrish farmers. -- CHAPTER XI. -- Breaking up of the British Peninsular army at the abdication of Napoleon-Separation of the soldiers wives-The elopement-Thorp, the Drum-major-The Connaught Rangers embark for. Canada-Obeying orders-Provisions for the voyage-A comfortable fight-A main of cDr. Crowe's disaster. -- CHAPTER XII. -- Commencement of the voyage to Canada-Absence of the Commodore-Tempestuous weather-Excessive sea-sickness-Our Captain-Arrangements on ship-board-United Irishmen-Being fond of the button-Melancholy accident-The fleet in full sail-Culpable conduct of Lord GeDisastrous effects of the tempest. -- CHAPTER XIII. ; Dancing at sea-Employment of time-Curious cases of Somnambulism-Icebergs a-head-Alarm on the approach of a strange vessel-Our Ship visited by a Privateer-Her reception, and subsequent capture-A duel prevented-Scarcity of water-Stopping a run on the bank-TThe Somnambulist awakened. -- CHAPTER XIV. -- Cod fishing off Newfoundland-The Green family-Moll Thornpson's mark-Fine sport-Change of diet-Peggy Cleary's disaster-Repairing a broken nose-Symptoms of a storm-Arrival at the mouth of the St. Lawrence. -- CHAPTER XV. -- Jerry the pilot-Our ship strikes on a rock-Approach to Quebec -First impressions of the city-Superfluous stores-Description of Quebec-A relic of Wolfe-Abundance of fish-Preparations for a journey to Three Rivers-A love adventure-French reading of the English marriage service. -- CHAPTER XVI. -- Travelling between Quebec and Three Rivers-Arrangements on the road-Peasantry of the district-Description of Three Rivers-Convent of St. Ursula-Visit to Montreal-Indian village-Arrival of the troops at Three Rivers-Ragged heroes -Inefficiency of our fleetDiscreditable want of judgment in our Commanders. -- CHAPTER XVII. -- Departure from Three Rivers-Meeting old comrades-Sentimental reflections-The officers ball-Visit to Three Rivers to invite the guests-The sleigh party to the ball- Seasonable supply of noyeau-Rashness of O'Hara-Wonderful escape of Mrs. Gugy. A promising set of young men. -- CHAPTER XVIII. -- March to St. John's-A Yankee ball-A general row-A lady worth a Jew's eye-The officers' subscription for the banker's widow-The apothecary damaged-News in Canada of the return of Buonaparte from Elba-The Peninsular army unrewarded-The Connaught Rangers set sail for Europe. -- CONCLUSION -- APPENDIX. -- VINDICATION OF THE CONNAUGHT RANGERS FROM THE CHARGE PREFERRED AGAINST THEM IN THE LIFE OF SIR T. PICTON.
• Sommario/riassunto: Born into a well-known and respected family in Dublin, William Grattan has left no sketch of himself or his reasons for joining the 88th Regiment of Foot, the most Irish of all the Irish regiments according to Oman, as a subaltern in 1809. It is conceivable that he thirsted for adventure, and advancement, however little did he know that he would be joining as hard fighting, drinking and pilfering regiment that ever fought in the Peninsular under Wellington. Christened "The Devil's Own" by their divisional commander Picton, the Connaught Rangers as they were also known are detailed in all their varied adventures by Grattan.The "Adventures" are particularly well written by an author who had two sterling attributes as a writer above and beyond his contemporaries, the first an un-erring ability to describe the actions, skirmishes and battles that he was involved in despite smoke, carnage and confusion around him at the time. The second is an ability to provide a plethora of details and anecdotes that breathe life into normal day-to-day events in the army and more specifically his famous regiment.Wellington was to famously to congratulate them along with four companies of the 45th Regiment of their charge at Busaco; "Upon my honour, I never witnessed a more gallant charge than that just now made by your regiment."Grattan would eventually leave the service in 1817, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, but his association with the regiment that he dearly loved would continue on his continued writings in defence of Sir Thomas Picton, his divisional chief and his regiment in the pages of the United Service Magazine and monographs of his own.Warmly recommended.This is the second volume of the original two volume account left by Lieutenant-Colonel Grattan, rather than the heavily edited version commonly found.
• Altri titoli varianti: Adventures in the Connaught Rangers
• Titolo autorizzato: Adventures in the Connaught Rangers. Vol. II
• ISBN: 1-908692-75-8
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Record Nr.: 9910164252303321
• Lo trovi qui: Univ. Federico II
• Serie: Adventures in the Connaught Rangers