Memoirs of the Late War, Vol 2 (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 2 (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
Cooke, John Henry, Sir
Europe -- History -- 1789-1815
CONCLUSION OF CAPTAIN COOKE'S NARRATIVE.
CHAPTER I.
Page
Dwellings and habits of the farming classes in Navarre—Military
quarters—The Author obtains leave to proceed to St. Sebastian
as a spectator of the assault—Situation of that city,
and appearance of the breaches—Groups collected from the
neighbouring parts to witness the storming—Advance of the
"forlorn hope," and death of Lieut. Mac Guire—Critical situation
of the attacking troops—Seasonable measure adopted by General
Graham—Effect produced by the heavy artillery—Destructive
explosion among the French—Capture of the city after continued
difficulties. 1
CHAPTER II.
The Duke of Dalmatia crosses the Bidassoa—Sharp contest at
the heights of St. Marzial and the Bridge of Bera—Touching
scene witnessed by the Author on his way to rejoin his division
at Santa Barbara—A present from England—Passage of the
Bidassoa by the English troops on the 6th of October—Active
fighting—The French driven over the mountains into their
own territory—Delights of good quarters after hard
work—Reconnoitring—Habits and condition of the Spanish
soldiery—A mock fight—Military pastimes—Preparations for the
invasion of France. 16
CHAPTER III.
Advance of the light division—Singular nocturnal
orgies—Skirmishing preliminary to the battle of the
Nivelle—Details of that battle—British head-quarters
established at St. Jean de Luz—More skirmishing, and a slight
reverse—Combative anecdotes—Advance of the British line of
picquets. 40
CHAPTER IV.
Tolerable quarters—Beguiling of time on picquet duty—The
army again in motion—A critical position—French cunning,
and occasional politeness—Skirmishing affairs preceding the
battle of the Nive—Details of that engagement—Its advantageous
consequences to our army—Acts of complaisance between the
vanguards of the opposed forces—Christmas festivities. 56
CHAPTER V.
An unproductive alarm—The Duke d'Angoulême visits the British
army—Orders received by the Duke of Dalmatia—General position
of Napoleon's affairs—The author visits Bera on leave of
absence—Remarks on the mischiefs committed by camp followers—A
scene for contemplation—The author's friends at Bera—Love
inimical to harmony—Return to quarters—Movement for penetrating
into the interior of France—The author's regiment enters St.
Palais, crosses the Gave, and passes through Sauveterre to
Orthes. 75
CHAPTER VI.
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