Product Description

These are letters written by a private in Wellington's army who fought through the Napoleonic Wars.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #443723 in Books
• Published on: 1994-04-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 292 pages

Customer Reviews

A private soldier's view of the Peninsular War and Waterloo
Private(later Sjt)Wheeler joined the 51st Foot (later the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry)in time for the abortive Walcheren Expedition. He then went with his regiment to Portugal and fought with Wellington throught the Peninsular and into France. He was present at Waterloo and later served in Corfu (then a British Protectorate) Unusual for his time he was literate with a keen eye for detail and his description of a soldier's life makes it all come to life. He comes over as kindly and courteous and a contrast to our modern ideas of the brutal soldiery.His description of life in camp with his regiment in the Bois de Boulogne after Waterloo is masterly. The letters on which this book is based are considered to be a classic in military literature.

A delightful cameo of both military and social history
Whether you're into military history or "The Ragged Trousered Philantropist" Private Wheeler's letters are very hard to put down. Beware though if you are a history teacher you will not like him - he was loyal, brave and patriotic. However, do read it if you're into a tremendous yarn told with panache including a Parisiene mademoiselle parachuting into their camp from an hot air balloon - nearly causing an end to the detente between the allied occupation forces in France of 1815.