Campaigns with the 71st Regiment

A voice from the ranks of the Scottish light infantry

The principal work in this special Leonaur edition was originally titled,'Vicissitudes in the Life of a Scottish Soldier' which was written anonymously and has, perhaps, suffered confusion by the existence of another autobiographical work also written by a British soldier (John Green of the 68th regiment) who also wrote his recollections of the Peninsular War under the title of 'Vicissitudes'. Written following another first hand account written anonymously by a soldier of the same regiment -the 71st regiment of foot-then known as the Glasgow Regiment, the author first experienced action at the Battle of Rolica (Roleia) followed by the Battle of Vimeiro, 1808 in Portugal. Following evacuation of the British Army from Coruna the 71st took part in the disastrous Walcheren Expedition of 1809 before returning, once again, to the Peninsular War. The author fought at Fuentes de Onoro, Arroyo dos Monlinos, Almarez, Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Orthez and Toulouse. Although the regiment fought at Waterloo the author's account concludes on his return home where we are told he was just one of four survivors of his company of over 100 men. Possibly because the author remained anonymous his account is extraordinarily candid as he reveals the horrors of the battlefield, the hardships of life on campaign and the failings of the army including several severe criticisms of those in command. This edition has been enhanced by the inclusion of Richard Cannon's history of the 71st covering the period of the author's account, but also for added interest its services during the Waterloo Campaign of 1815.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.