I have not attempted to trace the strategical or tactical movements of the armies of which the Battalions have formed part, for two reasons: my own inability to record what has been so well described by abler pens; and also because any attempt to have done so would have swelled this book to an extent altogether disproportionate to its object. For it must be borne in mind that I profess to be the historian, not of wars, but of this particular Corps only, and of that part it alone bore in them. So, in like manner, I have not recorded the deeds of other regiments which may have acted with the Riflemen, save in a very few instances where it was impossible to separate the narrative of their movements from that of the movements of regiments which fought beside, or supported them. In the case of their old and most frequent companions in arms, the 43rd and 52nd, it was unnecessary that I should record their actions, since the histories of both these distinguished Corps have been fully and well written.[10] And if others who have fought, and fought well, beside the Riflemen are here unnoticed, and as yet without a special history, they must believe that their gallant deeds, albeit unrecorded here, live in the recollection and the praise of many Riflemen. To some readers some of the facts and anecdotes I have here recorded may appear trifling and unworthy of mention. But it must be borne in mind that I write for Riflemen, at the desire of Riflemen, and to preserve the memory of the deeds of Riflemen. By them I am sure nothing will be considered trivial, nothing out of place in a history of the Regiment, which records the valour, the acts, the sufferings or even preserves an anecdote of any (of whatever rank) of the members of that brotherhood. W. H. C. BRAMSHILL: _December 1876_. FOOTNOTES: [1] ‘Sketch of the Field Services of the Rifle Brigade from its Formation to the Battle of Waterloo.’ London, 1838, pp. 32. [2] ‘Rough Sketches in the Life of an Old Soldier.’ London, 1831. [3] ‘Twenty-five Years in the Rifle Brigade.’ Edinburgh, 1833. [4] The order for keeping regimental records is dated September 1822. The 3rd Battalion was disbanded in 1818. [5] ‘Adventures in the Rifle Brigade’ and ‘Random Shots from a Rifleman.’ [6] ‘Adventures of a Soldier.’ London, 1852. [7] Edited by Henry Curling. London, 1848. [8] ‘Alphabetical List of the Officers of the Rifle Brigade from 1800 to 1850.’ London, 1851. [9] He joined the 1st Battalion in April 1808. [10] ‘Historical Records of the 43rd Regiment.’ By Sir Richard G. A. Levinge, Bart. 1868. ‘Historical Records of the 52nd Regiment.’ Edited by Capt. W. S. Moorsom. 1860. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE