G. R. Gleig

Broschiertes Buch

The Subaltern

the Experiences of an Officer of the 85th Light Infantry During the Peninsular War

Beschreibung

A young officer at war against the Napoleonic French Army Gleig is a well known author of military works on the Napoleonic era and after. He has left us several histories-all well written-and most notably he was responsible for publication of the stories of several ordinary soldiers who-without his support and penmanship-would not have been able to tell their stories in print; such a loss would have been great for history. Gleig's interest was not simply academic. however. He served in a British regiment of light infantry under Wellington and saw action in the latter stages of the Peninsular campaign including the crossing of the Pyrenees and the final battles of the war in the south of France. Every first hand account is worthwhile, but Gleig brings a talent to his writing which makes his own experiences both informative and a pleasure to read. His further adventures in the War of 1812, some of his histories and his 'ghost written' accounts of soldiers' experiences are also published by Leonaur.

Autor

George Robert Gleig was a Scottish soldier, military writer, and clergyman who lived from 20 April 1796 to 9 July 1888. Gleig was raised in Scotland's Stirling. His parents were Janet, née Hamilton, the youngest child of Robert Hamilton of Kilbrackmont, and George Gleig (1753-1840), the Bishop of Brechin from October 1808. Stirling Grammar School was Gleig's original school. At the Battle of Vitoria in Spain on June 21, 1813, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, achieved his final significant triumph against the French. A month later, George Robert Gleig, a young divinity student, turned down a scholarship to Balliol College in order to enlist in Wellington's army and serve as an ensign in the 85th Light Infantry. Although he adds that the cost at which he could purchase easily exchangeable gold pieces was low-he had to pay 6s for every gold dollar and £5 for a doubloon-his father, who was by that time the Bishop of Brechin, gave him £20, a sizeable amount. Wellington made his first entry into France on October 7. Napoleon resigned on April 6, 1814, although Wellington was not informed until April 12. By then, he had fought and emerged victorious from Toulouse's pivotal fight on April 10.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: LEONAUR
• Seitenzahl: 256
• Erscheinungstermin: 14. Juli 2009
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 216mm x 140mm x 15mm
• Gewicht: 366g
• ISBN-13: 9781846777110
• ISBN-10: 1846777119
• Artikelnr.: 26841753