Adventures of a Soldier; or Memoirs of Edward Costello, K.S.F. Formerly a Non-Commission Officer in The Rifle Brigade..

• Autore: Costello Edward
• Pubblicazione: San Francisco : , : Wagram Press, , 2011; ©2011
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (205 pages)
• Disciplina: 940.274092
• Altri autori: PublishingPickle Partners
• Nota di contenuto: Intro -- CHAPTER I. -- Introduction of myself to the reader-To the service-Who would not be a Soldier?-A recruit-Wilkie-Cupid's Row-dow-The service endangered by another-Arrival at Liverpool-I am made prisoner, but not by the French-Recaptured by our sergeant-Lichfield round-hoGreat numbers of rank and file burnt alive. -- CHAPTER II. -- I join Captain O'Hare's company-He falls in a passion-The "fair" and "unfair" appointment-Disappointment-Things of a private nature-Tom Crawley-An example-The Hem-How to catch "flats" in "squads"-New way to tap a barrel-A Rifleman's plan for sweeping chimThe regiment embark for Portugal. -- CHAPTER III -- Tom Plunket's Military Career. -- CHAPTER IV. -- Arrival in Portugal-Crawford's forced marches-Teetotalism with a vengeance-The effect of the opposite extreme-Spanish mode of keeping a man from stealing wine-False reports-Talavera-We arrive the day after the fight-A battle scene-Sir Arthur Wellesley-GenGerman discipline. -- CHAPTER V. -- Old Trowsers-Sleeping and waking-O'Hare again-Colonel Beckwith-Two upon one-Meagher-Barba del Puerco-General Crauford taken by surprise-The Portuguese incorporation with the light division-Roderigo-Gallegos-The Beacon night scenes on picquet-Lord WellingtWe retreat to Fort Conception. -- CHAPTER VI. -- Villa de Mula-Night expedition to Villa de Puerto-Both parties retire,-Death of Colonel Talbot-A soldier's grave-The effects of a miscarriage-fort Conception blown up-A mistake and no mistake-Another mistake, a ball in the right knee-The bridge over the CWe arrive at Fraxadas, -- CHAPTER VII. ; Mondego-The Coimbra-Figueras-The maggots-Lisbon-Battle of Busaco-Retreat to Torres Vedras-Lord Wellington's Generalship-Belem-Jack ashore and Jonathan also-Yankey and Lankey-Billy Mc.Crabb the Highland Kite and Lowland tail-Josh. Hetherington-Sperum Poco-Our enemies laugh at Tom in his glory. -- CHAPTER VIII. -- The enemy retire upon Santarem-We retire upon Vale-The Bridge over the Rio Mayor-The French out-lying sentries-Their camp ground-Comparative quietude-The still-Escape from assassination-Tom Crawley's Ghost-story-The "Death and Glory men"-The charms of a BA comment on both sides. -- CHAPTER IX. -- General Crauford leaves for England-Sir William Erskine takes the command-Mounseer Strauss-We enter Santarem-Scenes of horror-Mile posts of the "grande armee"-Retaliations of the Portuguese-Two upon one-Pombal-Smart work-German gallantry-Auction-A new divA return of favours. -- CHAPTER X. -- Our march upon Condacia-Tom Crawley again-Hot and cold-Affair of Casal Nova-Death of Major Stewart-The French continue retreating-The two brothers-Night scene-The French continue their havoc-The Cacadore-The Pet Goat-Lord Wellington again-Our old Colonel-Expedition and disappointment in search of a convoy. -- CHAPTER XI. -- Our advance videttes, and the French cavalry-Manoeuvring in front of Villa Formosa-The Suttlers and the Dragoons-Sergeant-Major Sharp-Morning of the 5th May-General Crauford returns-Portuguese welcome-Fuentes d'Onor-French Dragoons challenge to single comThe German fratricide. -- CHAPTER XII. -- Almeida closely invested by the 5th division, but not close enough-Evacuation by the French-Suicide of the Colonel of the 4th-Sabugal-We cross the Coa-The comet-Much ado about nothing-Tom Crawley's fears-March through Castello Branco-Portalegre, & -- c., to CCure for a skulk. -- CHAPTER XIII. ; Cold reception-Preparation to storm Rodrigo-I join the "Forlorn Hope"-The breaches-General Crauford killed-Uniacke mortally wounded-Major Napier wounded-Taking of the town-A rough customer-Wilkie again-Death of Wilkie-A gift-The left breach after the battWe enter El Bodon. -- CHAPTER XIV. -- Burial of General Crauford-Anecdote of Ladrone! Ladrone!-Corporal Miles-Burial of Uniacke-A French seat of honour in jeopardy-A wolf! a wolf!-Deserters shot-Scene of execution-March to Castello de Vide across the Tagus-Execution of Corporal Ormond for desA French curative or an ill-wind, & -- c. -- CHAPTER XV. -- Storming of Badajos-I join the Forlorn Hope again-Presentiments of Major O'Hare and Captain Jones-Their deaths-The Stormers-The Ladder-men-I am wounded-The French prisoner-O'Brien-Sacking of the town-Scene of horror-Reflections-The Duke of Wellington and His opinion of the British Soldiers. -- CHAPTER XVI. -- I recover from my wounds and rejoin my regiment at Ituera-"Nine holes"-March for Salamanca-Sergeant Battersby-The grenadier and the murder of his wife, & -- c., & -- c.-Marmont out-manoeuvred-Assault of Fort St. Vincent-Retreat of the enemy-We arrive at Rueda-ThePratt and his prisoner. -- CHAPTER XVII. -- Battle of Salamanca-My wounds break out afresh-I go into the Hospital at Salamanca-The Germans and their prisoners-A recognition-Michael Connelly-His death and burial-Josh Hetherington again-A new acquaintance-His accounts of the Guerillas, & -- c.-A keepsakeFinish of the Burgos retreat. -- CHAPTER XVIII. -- Head-quarters at Grenalda-Don Julian Sanchez, the celebrated Guerilla Chief-Weakness of our numbers-Incorporation of Spaniards into our regiments-A thief-Punishment of, and opinion of the men-General orders for a collection among the men and officers to rGerman brotherhood again. -- CHAPTER XIX. ; We encamp near Puebla, on the road to Vittoria-Battle of Vittoria-A man obliged to hold his jaw-Affair of Bayonets-The 88th-Blanco-Daly-French defeated-A prisoner rescued-The carriage of Joseph Napoleon-His wife, & -- e.-His baton-A prize-Attempt to rob me-SeRemarks, & -- c. -- CHAPTER XX. -- We encamp on the banks of the Bidassoa-Scenes on the water-edge-A narrow escape with a lady in question, "Ah there's the rub."-Tom Crawley and the biscuits.-Our 3rd battalion carry the heights of Vera-The French camp, "the last of the French"-The PyreneesDeath messengers fly fast. -- CHAPTER XXI. -- 9th December. Our picquets driven in-We are nearly outflanked-We retire-A rally under the eye of Wellington-Lieutenant Hopwood and Sergeant Brotherwood killed-Excellent feeling between the French and English soldiers-Consequent General Order-Johnny Castle"A Rifleman on the look out. -- CHAPTER XXII. -- We continue to pursue the enemy on their retreat-Halted on the second day-A carriage brings Soult and Peace-French troops disbanded-Friendly intercourse with our men-Castle Sarazin-Our men prefer the ground for a bed, in preference to a feather one-The FrTheir meeting and parting. -- CHAPTER XXIII. -- Quartered in Dover-Receive our new clothing, & -- c.-May, 1815-Receive orders to embark for Ostend-We arrive safe-Bruges-Ghent-Brussels-15th of June-Belong to the 5th Division under General Picton-Descend the wood of Soignies to Waterloo-Duke of Wellington arThe fair surgeon. -- CHAPTER XXIV. -- Brussels' hospitals-The British and French soldiers under amputation-I lose my finger-Another loss also-I leave the hospital and am removed to the Provost guard-The Belgian marauders bared to the skin-The point of honour-Sensation produced on their comradWe part. -- CHAPTER XXV. ; Disembark at Dover-Shorn Cliff Barracks-I am invalided, and pass the board at Chelsea-Augustine's arrival-Sixpence a day-Sir Andrew Barnard-Sir David Dundas-My hopeless condition-Blood-money-The Honourable Doctor Wellesley-Mr. Woodford-Augustine returns wDeath of Augustine. -- CHAPTER XXVI. -- I enter the British Legion as Lieutenant-I raise a regiment of Riflemen-Appoint the non-commissioned officers-Recruiting districts-The peer and the dustmen-General Evans thanks-Embark at Gravesend-Voyage across the Bay of Biscay-Arrival in Spain.-We land Lieutenant Robinson drowned. -- CHAPTER XXVII. -- Intention of the Spanish Government respecting our winter quarters-March to Vittoria-Enemy oblige us to go round-The rear of the legion engaged-Baggage divided from it-Commencement of the plunder at Bilbao-Arrival at Castro-Enemy supposed to be in the vicThe veteran Colonel. -- CHAPTER XXVIII. -- Vittoria as it then was-A bad wind that blows nobody any good-Rifles rather comfortable at first-Severe weather-Morning scenes and cries in Vittoria-The flogging system-Men not starved-A comparison of facts-Hospitals get crammed with sick-Singular economySharp winter of 1835. -- CHAPTER XXIX. -- Return to Vittoria-The mortality and state of the hospitals-Deaths among the medical officers-Scenes in the wards-Legion supposed to be poisoned-Don Jose Elgoez-His first ordeal-A discovery-Execution of the two bakers-Description of the "Garotta"-Legion mFrequent desertion. -- CHAPTER XXX. -- Sudden and unjust dismissal of the officers-Copies from General Orders-Spanish compliments to the French and British Legions-Cordova between two fires-Some French officers resign-Difference betwixt the British and French Legion-Parting moments between a FMy opinion of the Legion. -- CHAPTER XXXI. ; Embark for San Sebastian-A 32-pounder, and no mistake-A bloody farce-Brains where they were wanted, unfortunately-A prize-Arrival at San Sebastian-Anticipated attack-Colonel de Rottenberg taken ill-Major Fortescue-Opinions-His maiden speech-Two companies My letter to my wife.
• Sommario/riassunto: Edward Costello enlisted into his local militia regiment in Ireland in 1806, and transferred, not without having a few adventures in his native Ireland, to the 95th Rifles. Not quite well drilled enough to join in Sir John Moore's 1808-1809 campaign, he narrates some stories of his comrades who did, including Tom Plunket, famous for shooting the French General Colbert.His service in the Peninsular campaign, started almost immediately with the epic forced march to Talavera under General "Black Bob" Crauford, a fierce discipliarian, but liked by his men as Costello points out. Numerous skirmishes, affairs of outposts and combats punctuate Costello's narrative, along with amusing asides of his comrades and their japes, drinking and occasionally their punishment by the lash. Present at the battles of Fuentes d'Oñoro, El Bodon, Salamanca, Vittoria, Nivelle and the storming of Cuidad Roderigo and bloody Badajoz, he captures the mood of the men and the hellish atmosphere of a battle, and the sorrow of lost friends.After a brief break in his active service Costello once more engages during the Waterloo campaign, and is heavily engaged at Waterloo and Quatre Bras. After the fall of Napoleon Costello's career turns to the British Legion , which is no sinecure despite his elevation to Lieutenant as he is posted to join the expedition to Spain and sees the vicious civil war at first hand, with scenes that remind him of the savagery of his experiences between the Guerillas and the French many years before.A gem in the sparkling vein of memoirs written by the men and officers of the famed Rifle brigade during their adventures in the Peninsular war. Costello writes with a verve and wit, and some idiosyncratic spelling, often only found in the works of the officers of his regiment such as Kincaid.A justly acclaimed classic.
• Titolo autorizzato: Adventures of a Soldier; or Memoirs of Edward Costello, K.S.F. Formerly a Non-Commission Officer in The Rifle Brigade.
• ISBN: 1-908692-70-7
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Record Nr.: 9910164252603321
• Lo trovi qui: Univ. Federico II