Archibald Forbes / F W / John Malcolm
Two eye-witness accounts from the Highlanders at Walcheren and the Peninsular WarThis Leonaur edition of a private soldier’s first-hand experiences during the Napoleonic Wars is without doubt one of the finest books of its kind. ’John’ -for that is all we are told of his identity-, recounts his story in an immediate and highly detailed style which carries the reader into the life of a regular Scottish infantry soldier in the British Army of the day. The memoir recounts his 12-year service after he recklessly enlists in the famous 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot - The Black Watch. His service-which is one of dogged survival- spanned the Peninsular War, as the author served under both Moore and Wellington. ’John’ was also deployed to the Netherlands for the infamous Walcheren Expedition, during and after which hundreds of soldiers died of disease, rather than in combat. The principal theatre of war in his account concerns the campaigns against Napoleon’s forces in Spain and Portugal and it includes stark descriptions of deprivation and perpetual foraging for food, enduring severe weather, harsh military discipline and sackings of cities following siege assaults. This is military history told from the sharpest end of conflict as this veteran recounts the battlefields at Corunna, Salamanca, Burgos, Vittoria, The Pyrenees and Toulouse. The second account by, Ensign John Malcolm provides a companion view of many of the same events during the later stages of the campaign from the perspective of a young officer. This edition also includes a history of the 42nd Foot on campaign during this period by Forbes, for context. Contains illustrations and maps not included in original editions.Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.
