A Cavalry Officer In The Corunna Campaign 1808-1809 : The Journal Of Captain Gordon Of The 15th Hussars

• Autore: Gordon Captain Alexander
• Pubblicazione: San Francisco : , : Wagram Press, , 2011; ©2011
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (110 pages)
• Disciplina: 940.274092
• Nota di contenuto: Intro -- INTRODUCTION -- PREFACE -- CHAPTER I -- Departure from England-The Voyage to Corunna- Disembarkation-Corunna in 1808-The Place and the People-King Joseph and King Ferdinand -- CHAPTER II -- Captain Gordon leaves Corunna-Rumoured Abandonment of the Advance-Lugo-Nogales, Retreat commenced-French reported near Astorga-Joins 15th near Benevente-Zamora reached-Signs of the Enemy-Arrival at Morales -- CHAPTER III -- Whole of the Cavalry at Tordesillas-In Touch with the French-Orders to Advance-Severe Cold- Mayorga-Night March to Sahagun-The Action -- CHAPTER IV -- Advance to attack Soult at Saldana-Counter-orders-The Retreat begins-Pass through Sahagun-The Affair at Mayorga-Condition of the Horses- Recross the Ezla-Action at Benevente-State of Romana's Army-The Stragglers-Bembibere- "A Shocking Spectacle"-Action ofScenes of Suffering -- CHAPTER V -- Straggling and Disorganization increase-The Halt at Lugo-Moore offers Battle-Retreat resumed- The 15th save some of the Treasure-Army reaches Corunna-Slaughter of the Cavalry Horses-Embarkation-Arrival in England-Final Comments -- APPENDICES -- APPENDIX A. -- APPENDIX B. -- APPENDIX C. -- APPENDIX D. -- APPENDIX E -- APPENDIX F. -- APPENDIX G. -- APPENDIX H. -- APPENDIX I. -- APPENDIX J. -- APPENDIX K. -- APPENDIX L. -- APPENDIX M.
• Sommario/riassunto: Captain Gordon led a troop of the 15th Hussars during the first of the British army's campaigns into Spain, commanded by Sir John Moore. Unearthed and published many years after it was written by the esteemed Regimental historian Colonel Wylly, his diary bears testimony to the events of the retreat to Corunna.Gordon writes of his adventures with verve, wit and in some places a little venom when talking of his erstwhile commander Moore; he is fulsome in his description of the Portuguese and Spanish people to whom the British had come to aid. For example when relating the qualities of a local wine he could "only compare the taste of it to a mixture of vinegar and ink"On military matters he is no great respecter of rank, and distributes blame and praise where he believes they should be rightly apportioned. He gives a great first-hand account of the famed skirmish of Sahagun, to which he believes started a moral ascendancy of the British cavalry over their French counterparts. Despite some defective equipment and, as Gordon attributes it, dilatory conduct by the commander, he reaches Corunna unlike a number of his comrades and fellow country-men.A fine read, which despite its format as a journal retains some pace, it gives a great view of the retreat from an expert military eye.Author - Captain Alexander Gordon (1781-1872)Editor - Colonel Harold Carmichael Wylly (1858-1932)
• Altri titoli varianti: A Cavalry Officer In The Corunna Campaign 1808-1809
• Titolo autorizzato: A Cavalry Officer In The Corunna Campaign 1808-1809
• ISBN: 1-908902-00-0
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Record Nr.: 9910164251603321
• Lo trovi qui: Univ. Federico II