History Of The War In The Peninsular And In The South Of France, From The Year 1807 To The Year 1814 - Vol. IV

• Autore: Napier K.C.B. General William Francis Patrick
• Pubblicazione: San Francisco : , : Wagram Press, , 2011; ©2011
• Edizione: 1st ed.
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (481 pages)
• Soggetto topico: Peninsular War, 1807-1814; Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815
• Nota di contenuto: Intro -- TABLE OF CONTENTS -- LIST OF PLATES. -- NOTICE. -- BOOK THE FIFTEENTH. -- CHAPTER I.-September 1811 to November 1811 -- State of the war in Spain-Northern provinces-State of Gallicia-Attempt to introduce English officers into the Spanish service-Trafficked for by the Spanish government-Repelled by the Spanish military-The English government encourage the partidas- Lord WelThese movements parts of a great plan to be conducted by Napoleon in person -- STATE OF THE WAR IN SPAIN. -- CHAPTER II.-August 1811 to October 1811 -- Conquest of Valencia -Suchet's preparations described-Napoleon's system eminently methodical-State of Valencia-Suchet invades that province-Blake concentrates his force to fight-His advanced guard put to flight by the French cavalry-He retires to the cityObservations -- CONQUEST OF VALENCIA. -- SIEGE OF SAGUNTUM. -- CATALONIA. -- BATTLE OF SAGUNTUM. -- OBSERVATIONS. -- CHAPTER III.-November 1811 to February 1812 -- Suchet resolves to invest the city of Valencia-Blake reverts to his former system of acting on the French rear-Napoleon orders general Reille to reinforce Suchet with two divisions-Lacy disarms the Catalan somatenes-Their ardour diminishes-The French destObservations -- SIEGE OF VALENCIA. -- BATTLE OF ALTAFULLA. -- OBSERVATIONS. -- CHAPTER IV.-1811 to January 1812 -- Operations in Andalusia and Estremadura-Description of Soult's position-Events in Estremadura-Ballesteros arrives at Algesiras - Advances to Alcala de Gazules-Is driven back-Soult designs to besiege Tarifa-Concludes a convention with the emperor of MoroccHill returns to the Alemtejo -- OPERATIONS IN ANDALUSIA AND ESTREMADURA. -- SURPRISE OF AROYO MOLINO. -- CHAPTER V.-November 1811 to January 1812. ; Soult resolves to besiege Tarifa-Ballesteros is driven a second time under the guns of Gibraltar-Laval invests Tarifa-Siege of Tarifa-The assault repulsed-Siege is raised-The true history of the siege exposed-Colonel Skerrett not the author of the success -- SIEGE OF TARIFA. -- ASSAULT OF TARIFA. -- BOOK THE SIXTEENTH. -- CHAPTER I.-1811 to November 1811 -- Political situation of king Joseph-Political state of Spain-Political state of Portugal-Military operations-Julian Sanchez captures the governor of Ciudad Rodrigo--General Thièbault introduces a convoy and a new governor into that fortress-Difficulty of mThe allied army being pressed for provisions takes wide cantonments, and preparations are secretly made for the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo -- CHAPTER II.-1811 to January 1812 -- Review of the different changes of the war-Enormous efforts of Napoleon -Lord Wellington's situation described-His great plans explained-His firmness and resolution under difficulties-Distressed state of his army-The prudence and ability of Lord Fitzroy SLord Wellington seizes the opportunity to besiege Ciudad Rodrigo -- CHAPTER III.-January 1812 -- Means collected for the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo-Major Sturgeon throws a bridge over the Agueda-Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo-Colonel Colborne storms fort Francesco-The scarcity of transport balks Lord Wellington's calculations -Marmont collects troops-Plan of tObservations -- SIEGE OF CIUDAD RODRIGO. -- ASSAULT OF CIUDAD RODRIGO. -- OBSERVATIONS. -- CHAPTER IV.-January 1812 to March 1812 -- Execution of the French partisans and English deserters found in Ciudad Rodrigo-The works are repaired-Marmont collects his army at Salamanca-Bonnet abandons the Asturias-Souham advances to Matilla-Hill arrives at Castello Branco-The French army harassed Falls sick, but recovers rapidly -- CHAPTER V.-March 1812 to April 1812. ; The allies cross the Guadiana-Beresford invests Badajos-Generals Graham and Hill command the covering army-Drouet retires to Hornaches in the Llerena-Third English siege of Badajos-Sally of the garrison repulsed-Works impeded by the rain-The besieged rakeThe fortress is stormed with a dreadful slaughter and the city is sacked by the allies -- THIRD ENGLISH SIEGE OF BADAJOS. -- ASSAULT OF PICURINA. -- ASSAULT OF BADAJOS. -- CHAPTER VI.-April 1812 -- The state of Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida obliges Lord Wellington to relinquish his design of invading Andalusia-Soult's operations described-He reaches Villa Franca-Hears of the fall of Badajos and retires - Penne-Villemur and Morillo move from the Niebla The allied army is spread in wide cantonments and the fortresses are victualled -- CHAPTER VII.-1812 -- General observations-The campaign considered-The justice of Napoleon's views vindicated, and Marmont's operations censured as the cause of the French misfortunes-The operations of the army of the centre and of the south examined-Lord Wellington's operatioLord Wellington's conduct vindicated -- GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. -- BOOK THE SEVENTEENTH. -- CHAPTER I.-1812 to May 1812 -- Summary of the political state of affairs-Lord Wellesley resigns-Mr. Perceval killed-New administration-Story of the war resumed-Wellington's precautionary measures described-He relinquishes the design of invading Andalusia and resolves to operate in the Difficult moral position of English generals -- SURPRISE OF ALMARAZ. -- CHAPTER II-April 1812 to July 1812 -- Progress of the war in different parts of Spain-State of Gallicia-French precautions and successes against the partidas of the north-Marmont's arrangements in Castille-Maritime expedition suggested by Sir Howard Douglas-He stimulates the activity of the n Miserable state of Catalonia -- OPERATIONS IN ARAGON AND CATALONIA. ; CHAPTER III.-April to May 1812 -- Operations in Valencia and Murcia-Suchet's able government of Valencia-O'Donnel organizes a new army in Murcia-Origin of the Sicilian expedition to Spain-Secret intrigues against Napoleon in Italy and other parts-Lord William Bentinck proposes to invade IEvil effects of bad government shown by examples -- OPERATIONS IN VALENCIA AND MURCIA. -- CHAPTER IV.-April 1812 to July 1812 -- Operations in Andalusia end Estremadura-Advantage of Lord Wellington's position shown-Soult's plans vast but well-considered-He designs to besiege Tarifa, Alicante, and Carthagena, and march upon Lisbon-Restores the French interest at the court of MoroccoHis disinterested conduct -- OPERATIONS IN ANDALUSIA AND ESTREMADURA. -- CHAPTER V.-1812 -- Political situation of France -Secret policy of the European courts-Causes of the Russian war-Napoleon's grandeur and power-Scene on the Niemen-Design attributed to Napoleon of concentrating the French armies behind the Ebro-No traces of such an intentionJoseph talks of assembling a Cortes at Madrid, but secretly negotiates with that in the Isla -- POLITICAL SITUATION OF FRANCE. -- CHAPTER VI.-1812 -- Political state of Portugal-Internal condition not improved-Government weak-Lord Strangford's conduct condemned-Lord Wellesley resolves to recal him and send Lord Louvaine to Rio Janeiro-Reasons why this did not take place-Lord Strangford's -mischievous cHe permits a contraband trade to be carried on with Lisbon by Soult, for the sake of the resources it furnishes -- POLITICAL STATE OF PORTUGAL. -- BOOK THE EIGHTEENTH. -- CHAPTER I.-May 1812. ; Numbers of the French in the Peninsula shown-Joseph commander-in-chief-His dissensions with the French generals-His plans-Opposed by Soult, who recommends different operations and refuses to obey the king-Lord Wellington's plans described-His cumbers-ColoHis measures for that purpose, and the state of the French army described and compared with the state of "a British army and Wellington's measures -- CHAPTER II.-June 1812 to July 1812 -- Campaign of 1812-Wellington advances to the Tormes-Marmont retires-The allies besiege the forts of Salamanca-General aspect of affairs changes and becomes gloomy-The king concentrates the army of the centre-Marmont returns to the Tomes and cannonades the Extreme difficulty and distress of Wellington's situation -- CAMPAIGN OF 1812. -- SIEGE OF THE FORTS AT SALAMANCA. -- CHAPTER III-July 1812 -- Bonnet arrives in the French camp-Marmont passes the Duero-Combat of Castrejon-Allies retire across the Guarena-Combat on that river -Observations on the movements-Marmont turns Wellington's flank Retreat to San Christoval-Marmont passes the Tormes-BattleAnecdote of Mrs. Dalbiac -- FRENCH PASSAGE OF THE DUERO. -- BATTLE OF SALAMANCA. -- CHAPTER IV.-July 1812 to September 1812 -- Clausel passes the Tormes at Alba-Cavalry combat at La Serna-Chauvel's cavalry joins the French army-The king reaches Blasco Sancho-Retires to Espinar on hearing of the battle-Receives letters from Clausel which induce him to march on Segovia-Wellington dObservations -- OBSERVATIONS. -- BOOK THE NINETEENTH. -- CHAPTER I.-July 1812 to August 1812. ; State of the war-Eastern operations-Lacy's bad conduct-French army of the Ebro dissolved-Lacy's secret agents blow up the magazines in Lerida-He is afraid to storm the place-Calumniates Sarsfield-Suchet comes to Reus-The hermitage of St. Dimas surrenderedMaitland is reinforced from Sicily and entrenches a camp under the walls of Alicante.
• Sommario/riassunto: A masterful, epic account of the Spanish Ulcer that drained Napoleon's resources and played a pivotal role in the end of his domination of Europe.The author served with distinction in the actions of the Light Division, such as the epic march to Talavera, the battles of Fuentes d'Oñoro, Salamanca, Nivelle, Orthes and Toulouse. He left the service a General and Knight Commander of the Order of Bath. Napier's History would rank as the most important history to be written by an actual participant, and was as controversial with his countrymen as amoung his contemporaries on the Continent.In this fourth volume (end-1811 to December 1812), covers the major Anglo-Portuguese offensive of 1812, whilst Napoleon embarks on his disastrous campaign to Russia, Wellington struck into mainland Spain. Although hampered by numerous supply issues, not least caused by the Spanish government or lack thereof, Wellington drove through the southern corridor between Portugal and Spain, taking the key fortresses of Cuidad Rodrigo and Badajoz. The last siege was a particularly bloody affair and cost Wellington a great many soldiers ending in an infamous orgy of lotting. Wellington manoeuvred to keep his prizes whilst Marmont with a similarly sized French army sought to cut him off from Portugal. These movement culminated in the battle of Salamanca, which was described at the time by a French officer, as the 'beating of forty thousand men in forty minutes.'. It was a masterpiece of timing and skill, and is widely regarded as Wellington's masterpiece.Despite all of the favourable items in the Allies favour, the concentration of the French armies led to the abandonment of Madrid after a brief period of occupation by Wellington's troops, and the futile attempt to lay siege to Burgos. The Spanish and Anglo-Sicilian attempts in the eastern provinces ended in failure and in some cases ignominy. Much further fighting lay ahead before the French would be ejected from the Peninsular.
• Altri titoli varianti: History Of The War In The Peninsular And In The South Of France, From The Year 1807 To The Year 1814
• Titolo autorizzato: History Of The War In The Peninsular And In The South Of France, From The Year 1807 To The Year 1814 - Vol. IV
• ISBN: 9781908902214; 1908902213
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Record Nr.: 9910164077503321
• Lo trovi qui: Univ. Federico II
• Serie: History Of The War In The Peninsular And In The South Of France, From The Year 1807 To The Year 1814