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Memoirs of the Late War, Vol 1 (of 2): Comprising the Personal Narrative of Captain Cooke, of the 43rd Regiment Light Infantry; the History of the Campaign of 1809 in Portugal, by the Earl of Munster; and a Narrative of the Campaign of 1814 in Holland, by Lieut. T. W. D. Moodie, H. P. 21st FusileersCooke, John Henry, Sir

History

Memoirs of the Late War, Vol 1 (of 2): Comprising the Personal Narrative of Captain Cooke, of the 43rd Regiment Light Infantry; the History of the Campaign of 1809 in Portugal, by the Earl of Munster; and a Narrative of the Campaign of 1814 in Holland, by Lieut. T. W. D. Moodie, H. P. 21st Fusileers

Name: Memoirs of the Late War, Vol 1 (of 2): Comprising the Personal Narrative of Captain Cooke, of the 43rd Regiment Light Infantry; the History of the Campaign of 1809 in Portugal, by the Earl of Munster; and a Narrative of the Campaign of 1814 in Holland, by Lieut. T. W. D. Moodie, H. P. 21st Fusileers
Author: Cooke, John Henry, Sir

Cooke, John Henry, Sir

Europe -- History -- 1789-1815

Offensive operations of the Duke of Dalmatia—Partial retrogression
    of the British—Ill success in the storming of the breaches at
    St. Sebastian—Movements of the various divisions—Great extent
    of the British line along the Pyrenees—Interesting domestic
    scene attending the departure of the Author's Division from the
    town of Bera—Battle of Pampeluna—Embarrassing situation of
    the light division through an accidental separation from the
    army—Successes obtained over the French, and their consequent
    retreat—Active movements, and capture of the enemy's baggage—A
    trait of character—Continued advantages gained over the French,
    who are driven beyond the Pyrenees.                              300




  PERSONAL NARRATIVE
  OF
  CAPTAIN COOKE.




  MEMOIRS
  OF
  CAPTAIN COOKE.




CHAPTER I.

    Initiation into military life—State of the militia
      force—Preparations against the expected invasion from
      Boulogne—French prisoners—An accident—The author occupies
      a  dull post near Grimsby—An enlivening incident connected
      with the tender passion—Love cooled by aqueous immersion,
      and rekindled by bright eyes—Earl Fitzwilliam—Quarters in
      Bristol—A fatal affray—Clifton—The author engaged in an
      affair of honour—Anecdote—The author enters the line—Return
      of the  British army from the Peninsula—Severe drilling.


On the 24th of January, 1805, I made my _début_ on the parade as
ensign in the first West York, powdered and equipped in full uniform,
with an artificial tail of considerable length tied round my neck, a
cocked hat square to the front and a sword five inches shorter than
the regulation, made in proportion to my height, being only four feet
eleven inches, and within one month of attaining my fourteenth year.

My diminutive figure soon attracted the attention of the leading
company of the regiment, composed of gigantic Yorkshire grenadiers[1],
and excited so much merriment among them, and so encreased my previous
confusion, that my eyes became dim and my feet seemed scarcely to touch
the ground. However, some kind expressions from the officers who came
forward and surrounded me, and their gay appearance soon dispelled my
inquietude.

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