AUT PREFACE. THIS work makes no pretensions to absolute originality, being partially a compilation, with incidents in the life of the Author, who was an actor in many of the scenes narrated. He has striven to be judicious in selecting, from the most authentic sources, only that which would be interesting, at this crisis, to the general reader. Some extracts are given entire; in other cases, long passages have been abridged and condensed. Information from a vast variety of sources has, in many instances, been put together, and presented in a new and more graphic form. Minute details, as far as practicable, have been avoided; whilst the whole ground has been, more or less, completely surveyed. The Author has sought to make a popular volume, which might be read with pleasure, and be permanently serviceable as a book of reference. The bloody sieges of Saragossa, Gerona, and Badajos, have been referred to more in detail to afford the opportunity of comparison with that of Sebastopol; while the battles of Austerlitz and Waterloo have been described for comparison with those of Alma and Inkermann. The origin and progress of the present war are detailed. The biographies of the principal characters now engaged in the East will be found entertaining; and the Author confidently hopes it may prove a volume of interest and permanent value. New York, Feb. 7, 1855. H. F. G. ransfer from Circ ༔ 、 ག CONTENTS. Summary survey of Europe-Aristocracy of France-France previous to the Revolution-Revolutionary Symptoms-The Great Powers, 1792-6 -William Pitt-Execution of Louis XVI-The Allies against France- Siege of Toulon-Invasion of Holland-Napoleon-His early youth- Thirteenth Vendemiaire-The Campaign in Italy-Rapid victories of Bonaparte-Expedition to Egypt-Return of Bonaparte-First Consu- late The passage of the Alps-Second Campaign in Italy-Napoleon Emperor-War with England-Alliance between the Great Powers, 1805-Indecision of Prussia-Alexander visits the tomb of Frederick the Great Battle of Austerlitz-Treaty of Tilsit-Secret understanding respecting Turkey-British orders in Council-Battle of Wagram- Annexation of Finland-Campaign of Moscow-The Grand Alliance, Origin of the War in the Peninsula. Character of the War. — Success of the French in Portugal. — Battle of Rolica. Battle of Vimiero. - Convention of Cintra. - The French evacuate Portugal. — Preparations of Napoleon for another Campaign. He subdues the Country, and enters Madrid. — Address to the Span- ish People. — Napoleon recalled by the War with Austria. — Soult and Ney intrusted with the Command of the French Army in Spain. — Retreat of Sir John Moore.— Battle of Corunna, - Death of Sir John - - Joseph Bonaparte again King of Spain. - His Difficulties with Soult.- Second Siege of Saragossa. Another English Army, under Sir Arthur Wellesley, lands at Lisbon.- Battle of Talavera. - The English retire into Portugal. - Siege of Gerona. — Principal Events of the Campaign of 1810. The English Troops make a Stand at Torres Vedras. - Retreat of Massena. - Siege of Cadiz.- Escape of French Prisoners. — ^^ The Author, with his Regiment, leaves Gibraltar, for Tarifa. - Dissensions between the Spanish and English Officers. — Battle of Barossa. — Retreat of the French. Suffering of the Pursuing Army. - Guerillas. - Don Julian Sanchez. - Juan Martin Diaz. — Xavier Mina. - Continued Pri- vations of the British Army. - Adventures of the Author in Search of Food. Arrival of the Commissariat with Provisions. — Extravagant Joy of the Troops. - Departure of the British Army for Badajos, . 123 - - Badajos. Its Capture by the French. - Attempts to retake it by the English. Wellington invests it in Person. - Assault upon Fort Chris- toval. - Storming of the Town. — Terrific Conflict. — The place sacked by the Victors. Disgraceful Drunkenness and Debauchery of the tion of the News at Brussels. — Departure of the English for the Field of Battle. Disposition of the Forces. Attack upon Hougomont.— Progress of the Battle. Arrival of the Prussian Reinforcements. Charge of the Old Guard.-Flight of the French. The Author wounded, and left upon the Field. Rescued by a Camp-follower. Carried to the Hospital, and thence taken to England. - He quits the CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Summary survey of Europe-Aristocracy of France-France previous to the Revolution-Revolutionary Symptoms-The Great Powers, 1792-6 -William Pitt-Execution of Louis XVL-The Allies against FranceSiege of Toulon-Invasion of Holland-Napoleon-His early youthThirteenth Vendemiaire-The Campaign in Italy-Rapid victories of Bonaparte-Expedition to Egypt-Return of Bonaparte-First Consulate-The passage of the Alps-Second Campaign in Italy-Napoleon Emperor-War with England-Alliance between the Great Powers, 1805-Indecision of Prussia-Alexander visits the tomb of Frederick the Great-Battle of Austerlitz-Treaty of Tilsit-Secret understanding respecting Turkey-British orders in Council-Battle of WagramAnnexation of Finland-Campaign of Moscow-The Grand Alliance, 1813—Battle of Leipsic-Allies enter Paris. "THE fate of the East depends upon yon petty town," was the exclamation of Bonaparte to Murat, as he pointed towards Acre, which even his military genius was unable to subdue. Repeated and desperate assaults proved that the consequence which he attached to the taking of it was as great as the words expressed. The imagination reverts from the position of the army of Egypt before that oriental city, and rapidly traversing the events of succeeding history, runs down to the position of the army of the successor of Bonaparte, and of his English and Turkish allies, who, on nearly the precise parallel of longitude, are unitedly engaged in besieging one of the first strongholds of Europe. In recounting some of the great events of the times |