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

• Autore: Napier K.C.B. General William Francis Patrick
• Pubblicazione: San Francisco : , : Wagram Press, , 2011; ©2011
• Edizione: 1st ed.
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (428 pages)
• Soggetto topico: Peninsular War, 1807-1814; Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815
• Nota di contenuto: Intro -- TABLE OF CONTENTS -- LIST OF PLATES. -- NOTICE. -- BOOK THE TWENTIETH. -- CHAPTER I.-1812 to 1813 -- Political affairs-Their influence on the war-Napoleon's invasion of Russia-Its influence on the contest in the Peninsula-State of feeling in England-Lord Wellesley charges the ministers and especially Mr. Percival with imbecility-His proofs thereof-AbilitSecret overtures made to Joseph by some of the Spanish armies -- CHAPTER II.-1813 to May 1813 -- Critical state of Portugal-Wellington's difficulties-Improper conduct of the English ships of war-Piratical violence of a Scotch merchantman-Disorders in the military system-Irritation of the people-Misconduct of the magistrates-Wellington and Stuart grapBoth offers are refused -- CHAPTER III.-1813 -- Napoleon's embarrassed position-His wonderful activity-His designs explained-The war in Spain becomes secondary-Many thousand old soldiers withdrawn from the armies-The partidas become more disciplined and dangerous-New bands are raised in Biscay and GuipJoseph's complaints not altogether without foundation -- CHAPTER IV.-December 1812 to April 1813 -- Operations south of the Tagus-Eroles and Codrington seek to entrap the governor of Taragona-They fail-Sarsfield and Villa Campa unite, but disperse at the approach of Pannetier and Severoli-Suchet's position-Great force of the allies in his front-The younRemarks -- OPERATIONS SOUTH OF THE TAGUS. -- BATTLE OF CASTALLA. -- CHAPTER V.-1813 to June 1813 -- Operations north of the Tagus-Position of the French armies-Palombini marches from Madrid to join the army of the north-Various combats take place with the partidas-Foy fails to surprise the British post at Bejar-Caffarelli demands reinforcements-Joseph mOperations of the partidas on the great line of communication -- OPERATIONS NORTH OF THE TAGUS. -- NORTHERN INSURRECTION. -- SIEGE OF CASTRO. ; CHAPTER VI.-May 1813 -- Wellington restores the discipline of the allied army-Relative strength of the belligerent forces-Wellington's plans described-Lord W. Bentinck again proposes to invade Italy-Wellington opposes it-The opening of the campaign delayed by the weather-State oIts movements previous to the opening of the campaign -- CHAPTER VII.-May 1813 to June 1813 -- Dangerous discontent of the Portuguese army-Allayed by Wellington-Noble conduct of the soldiers-The left wing of the allies under general Graham marches through the Tras os Montes to the Esla-The right wing under Wellington advances against Salamanca-CombThe French armies concentrate in the basin of Vitoria behind the Zadora -- CHAPTER VIII.-June 1813 to July 1813 -- Confused state of the French in the basin of Vitoria-Two convoys are sent to the rear-The king takes up a new order of battle-The Gallicians march to seize Orduña but are recalled-Graham marches across the hills to Murguia-Relative strength and position oObservations -- BATTLE OF VITORIA. -- OBSERVATIONS. -- BOOK THE TWENTY-FIRST. -- CHAPTER I.-June 1813 -- Lord Wellington blockades Pampeluna, besieges St. Sebastian-Operations on the eastern coast of Spain-General Elio's misconduct-Sir John Murray sails to attack Taragona-Colonel Prevôt takes St. Felippe de Balaguer-Second siege of Taragona-Suchet and MauricObservations -- CONTINUATION OF THE OPERATIONS ON THE EASTERN COAST. -- ENGLISH SIEGE ON TARAGONA -- CHAPTER II.-June 1813 to September 1813 -- Danger of Sicily-Averted by Murat's secret defection from the emperor -Lord William Bentinck re-embarks-His design of attacking the city of Valencia frustrated-Del Parque is defeated on the Xucar-The Anglo-Sicilians disembark at Alicante-Suchet prepares tObservations -- COMBAT OF ORDAL. [See Plan 4.] -- OBSERVATIONS. -- CHAPTER III-June 1813 to July 1813. ; Siege of St. Sebastian-Convent of Bartolomeo stormed-Assault on the place fails-Causes thereof-Siege turned into a blockade, and the guns embarked at Passages-French make a successful sally -- THE SIEGE OF SAN SEBASTIAN. -- ASSAULT OF SAN BARTOLOMEO. -- THE ASSAULT. -- CHAPTER IV.-July 1813 -- Soult appointed the emperor's lieutenant-Arrives at Bayonne-Joseph goes to Paris-Sketch of Napoleon's political and military situation-His greatness of mind-Soult's activity-Theatre of operations described-Soult resolves to succour Pampeluna-Relative positions and numbers of the contending armies described -- CHAPTER V.-July 1813 to August 1813 -- Soult attacks the right of the allies-Combat of Roncevalles-Combat of Linzoain-Count D'Erlon attacks the allies' right centre-Combat of Maya-General Hill takes a position at Irueta-General Picton and Cole retreat down the Val de Zubiri-They turn at HuarteObservations -- BATTLES OF THE PYRENEES. -- COMBAT OF MAYA. [Plan 7.] -- OBSERVATIONS. -- BOOK THE TWENTY-SECOND -- CHAPTER I.-August 1813 -- New positions of the armies-Lord Melville's mismanagement of the naval co-operation-Siege of St. Sebastian-Progress of the second attack -- RENEWED SIEGE OF ST. SEBASTIAN. [See Plan.] -- CHAPTER II.-August 1813 to September 1813 -- Storming of St. Sebastian-Lord Wellington calls for volunteers from the first, fourth and light divisions-The place is assaulted and taken -The town burned-The castle is bombarded and surrenders-Observations -- STORMING OF SAN SEBASTIAN. -- OBSERVATIONS. -- CHAPTER III.-August 1813 to September 1813 -- Soult's views and positions during the siege described-He endeavours to succour the place-Attacks Lord Wellington-Combats of San Marcial and Vera-The French are repulsed the same day that San Sebastian is stormed-Soult resolves to adopt a defensive systemObservations. ; CHAPTER IV.-September 1813 to October 1813 -- The duke of Berri proposes to invade France, promising the aid of twenty thousand insurgents-Lord Wellington's views on this subject-His personal acrimony against Napoleon-That monarch's policy and character defended-Dangerous state of affairs in CataloniObservations -- CHAPTER V.-October 1813 -- Soult retakes the redoubt of Sarre-Wellington organizes the army in three great divisions under Sir Rowland Hill, marshal Beresford, and Sir John Hope-Disinterested conduct of the last-named officer-Soult's immense entrenchments described-His correspondenLord Wellington organizes a brigade under Lord Aylmer to besiege Santona, but afterwards changes his design -- FALL OF PAMPELUNA. -- CHAPTER VI.-1813 -- Political State of Portugal-Violence, ingratitude, and folly of the government of that country-Political state of Spain-Various factions described, their violence, insolence, and folly-Scandalous scenes at Cadiz-Several Spanish generals desire a revolutioHe expresses his fears that the cause will finally fail, and advises the English ministers to withdraw the British army -- BOOK THE TWENTY-THIRD. -- CHAPTER I.-November 1813 -- War in the south of France-Soult's political difficulties -Privations of the allied troops - Lord Wellington appeals to their military honour with effect-Averse to offensive operations, but when Napoleon's disasters in Germany became known, again yields tDeaths and characters of Mr. Edward Freer and colonel Thomas Lloyd -- WAR IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE. -- BATTLE OF THE NIVELLE. [Plan 9.] -- OBSERVATIONS. -- CHAPTER II.-November 1813 to December 1813. ; Soult occupies the entrenched camp of Bayonne, and the line of the Nive river-Lord Wellington unable to pursue his victory from the state of the roads-Bridge-head of Cambo abandoned by the French-Excesses of the Spanish troops-Lord Wellington's indignatioObservations -- PASSAGE AND BATTLES OF THE NIVE. [Plans 10-11.] -- OBSERVATIONS. -- APPENDIX -- No. I.-Letter from the duc de Feltre to king Joseph, Jan. 29, 1813 -- No. II. Letter from the duc de Feltre to king Joseph, Jan. 29, 1813 -- No. III-Letter from the duc de Feltre to king Joseph, Feb. 12, 1813 -- No. IV. Letter from the duc de Feltre to king Joseph, Feb. 12, 1813 -- No. V. Two Letters from the duc de Feltre to king Joseph, March 12 and 18, 1813 -- No. VI-Letter from Joseph O'Donnel to general Donkin -- No. VII.-Letter from the marquis of Wellington to major-general Campbell -- No. VIII.-Extract. Letter from the marquis of Wellington to lieutenant-general Sir John Murray, April 6, 1813 -- No. IX.-General states of the French army, April 15, May 15, 1812, and March 15, 1813 -- No. X.-Especial state of the army of Portugal, June 15, 1812 -- loss of ditto -- No. XI.-Strength of the Anglo-Portuguese army, July, 1812 -- No. XII.-Losses of the allies, July 18, 1812 -- No. XIII.-Strength of the allies at Vitoria -- No. XIV. Lord William Bentinck's correspondence with Sir Edward Pellew and Lord Wellington about Sicily. -- No. XV.-General Nugent's and Mr. King's correspondence with Lord William Bentinck about Italy -- No. XVI.-Extracts from the correspondence of Sir H. Wellesley, Mr. Vaughan, and Mr. Stuart upon Spanish and Portuguese affairs -- No. XVII.-Justificatory pieces relating to the combats of Maya and Roncevalles -- No. XVIII.-Justificatory pieces relating to the combat of Ordal [This Appendix is referred to at page 180, as No. XIX.].
• 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 fifth volume (early 1813 to December 1813), Napier follows the Allied forces in their march to the French frontier and beyond. As Napoleon attempts to recover from the shattering failure of the 1812 Russian campaign and regain the initiative in Germany, the Duke of Wellington's army, British, Portuguese and Spanish, begins to assert a dominance over their French opponents in the Peninsular. Despite further political manoeuvring the Spanish and with the Regency in Portugal, Wellington sent his army of a brilliant series of outflanking moves, culminating in the crushing of the French armies at Vitoria. Although he was enabled by this victory to push to the French frontier, he was left with two sieges at Pamplona and St Sebastian behind his lines,and a re-organized French army under Soult to his front. Eventually defeating the French offensive designed to relieve Pamplona, despite some less than spectacular performances by some of his subordinates, Wellington was able to invade France proper. A number of battles such as St. Pierre, and the Nivelle, all allied successes, resulted in a proper push toward final victory.Napier also covers the events in other parts of Spain, where the very capable Marshal Suchet was able to fight off a number campaigns in Catalonia or aiming for Catalonia, despite the British command of the seas.
• 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. V
• ISBN: 9781908902221; 1908902221
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Record Nr.: 9910165119803321
• 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