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Primary Sources
© Peninsular War 200
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Aitchison, John An Ensign in the Peninsular War. The Letters of John Aitchison edited by W. F. K. Thompson (London, Michael Joseph, 1981) Original letters home from a young officer in the 3rd Foot Guards, giving a fresh and interesting account of the war.
Bell, Sir George Soldier’s Glory (London, Bell, 1956) A condensed version of Bell’s memoirs, originally published as Rough Notes of an Old Soldier (which can be downloaded from Google Books). One of the most entertaining and freshest accounts of the war from the perspective of a junior officer in the infantry.
Costello, Edward Adventures of a Soldier This famous account of the life of a soldier in the 95th Rifles has appeared in many different editions under several different titles - and with good reason, for it is both immensely entertaining and full of revelations about the reality of life in the army.
D’Urban, Sir Benjamin The Peninsular Journal of Major-General Sir Benjamin D’Urban edited by I. J. Rousseau (London, Longmans, 1930 - reprinted Greenhill, 1988). D’Urban worked closely with Beresford, and this is an important source for the Portuguese army, although it is not as entertaining as some first hand accounts of the war.
Frazer, Sir Augustus Simon Letters of Colonel Sir Augustus Simon Frazer, K.C.B. commanding the Royal Horse Artillery in the Army under the Duke of Wellington (first published in 1859 by Longman, reprinted by Naval & Military Press in 2001) A rich and important source for the campaigns of 1813 and 1814 (and Waterloo).
Gordon, Alexander At Wellington’s Right Hand. The Letters of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander Gordon, 1808-1815 ed by Rory Muir (Army Records Society vol 21, 2003) Alexander Gordon was one of Wellington’s most trusted ADCs, and his remarkably frank letters home shed much new light on the development of strategy in the Peninsula.
Hennell, George A Gentleman Volunteer. The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War, 1812-1813 edited by Michael Glover (London, Heinemann, 1979). A delightful group of letters home from a young officer in the 43rd Light Infantry.
John Frederick Hering. Journal of an Officer in the King's German Legion:
Recollections of Campaigning during the Napoleonic Wars (Leonaur Ltd, 2009).
The King's German Legion was highly regarded in the ranks of the British Army during the Peninsular War. The well-disciplined KGL consisted primarily of Hanoverians who were motivated by their enmity towards the French and their wish to return to their homeland. This book, originally published anonymously, gives an eyewitness account of campaigns in Portugal and Spain, including the decisive Battle of Talavera.
Hibbert, Christopher (ed). A soldier of the 71st: the journal of a soldier in the Peninsular War (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1996) First published in 1819, this memoir covers the entire Peninsular War, the Walcheren expedition and the Battle of Waterloo - where this Scot narrowly escaped death.
Kincaid, Captain Sir John Adventures in the Rifle Brigade and Random Shots from a Rifleman (first published in 1830 and 1835 and reprinted in a single volume in 1909 and on many subsequent occasions). A classic of its kind: a jaunty memoir of life on campaign and in battle, written to amuse and full of good stories, many of them true.
Larpent, Francis Seymour The Private Journal of Judge-Advocate Larpent (Staplehurst, Spellmount, 2000) An invaluable account of the last phase of the war (from late 1812) by an intelligent civilian attached to Wellington’s headquarters. First published in 1853 and much used by subsequent historians, it remains an indispensable source.
Long, Robert Ballard Peninsular Cavalry General (1811-1813). The Correspondence of Lieutenant-General Robert Ballard Long edited by T. H. McGuffie (London, Harrap, 1951) An interesting insight into the travails of one of Wellington’s unhappy cavalry brigadiers.
MacCarthy, Captain. Recollections of the Storming of the Castle of Badajos: By the Third Division, Under the Command of Lieut Gen Sir Thomas Picton GCB, on the 6th of April, 1812 (Spellmount Library of Military History, 2001) A personal memoir by Captain MacCarthy of the 50th Regiment, who was assistant engineer in the 3rd Division. Included are recollections of the storming of Fort Napoleon, Almaraz and the battle of La Coruña.
Mills, John For King and Country. The Letters and Diaries of John Mills, Coldstream Guards, 1811-1814 edited by Ian Fletcher (Staplehurst, Spellmount, 1995) Interestingly opinionated and often critical of the conduct of operations.
Moore, Sir John The Diary of Sir John Moore edited by Major-General Sir J. F. Maurice 2 vols (London, Edward Arnold, 1904) An important biographical source, but with relatively little material on the campaign in Spain. The diary itself is supplemented by an account of the campaign by Maurice.
Page, Julia V. Intelligence Officer in the Peninsular. Letters and Diaries of Major the Hon. Edward Charles Cocks, 1786-1812 (Tunbridge Wells, Spellmount, 1986) One of the most important new sources to have been discovered in the last forty years. Charles Cocks was a dedicated professional officer, who was often employed by Wellington in important observing roles.
Schaumann, August L. F. On the Road with Wellington (first published 1929, reprinted Greenhill 1999, Naval & Military, 2005). One of the most entertaining and amusing Peninsular memoirs; Schaumann was a commissary and a connoisseur of good anecdotes of war, life on campaign, and his many romances. The original edition enhanced by numerous small but attractive colour illustrations by the author.
Smith, Sir Harry The Autobiography of Sir Harry Smith 1787-1819 edited by G. C. Moore Smith (London, John Murray, 1910) The story of Smith’s romance and marriage to Juana, a young Spanish girl who escaped the sack of Badajoz is well known, referred to in other memoirs and retold in fiction by Georgette Heyer as The Spanish Bride and as popular non-fiction in Joseph Lehmann’s Remember you are an Englishman. Smith’s own account is, perhaps, a little touched with discretion; but this is a lively and interesting Peninsular memoir.
Suchet, Marshal Louis G. Memoirs of the War in Spain from 1808 to 1814 2 vols (London, Henry Colburn, 1829, reprinted by Worley in 1986; vol 1 can be downloaded from Google books) Although self-serving and often unreliable, this remains an important source for the French campaigns in the eastern half of the Peninsula, by the only French officer to win a baton in Spain.
Tomkinson, Lt-Col William The Diary of a Cavalry Officer in the Peninsular War and Waterloo Campaign 1809-1815 (London, Swan Sonnenschein, 1895 and often reprinted). One of the most reliable and important sources written by a regimental officer.
Warre, Sir William Letters from the Peninsula, 1808-1812 (London, John Murray, 1909 - reprinted Spellmount, 1999) Warre was Beresford’s ADC and gives much interesting information on the improvement of the Portuguese army as well as the campaigns in which he took part.
Wellington, Duke of General Orders in Portugal, Spain and France from 1809 to 1814, and the Low Countries and France, 1815 compiled by Colonel Gurwood (London, John Murray, 1839; available through Google Books). General Orders arranged by subject (for example, rations, sentries, baggage etc) together with a fascinating long introduction by Gurwood giving many practical details of how the army actually functioned on campaign.
Wellington, Duke of Wellington at War, 1794-1815. A Selection of his Wartime Letters edited by Antony Brett-James (London, Macmillan, 1961) The best single volume selection from Wellington’s correspondence, covering India and Waterloo as well as the Peninsula, supplemented by other sources. This is a good place to begin: those with a really serious interest will go on to explore Wellington’s Dispatches (published in 13 volumes in the 1830s - and reprinted in 8 larger volumes in the 1840s and 1850s; with further correspondence published as his Supplementary Despatches in 15 volumes 1858-1872. Some of these volumes, and much other material, can be downloaded from Google Books).
Wheeler, William The Letters of Private Wheeler, 1809-1828 edited by Captain B. H. Liddell Hart (London, Michael Joseph, 1951). One of the most famous and authentic of the ‘voices from the ranks’, although it is clear that the original letters were somewhat written up for publication.
Bell, Sir George Soldier’s Glory (London, Bell, 1956) A condensed version of Bell’s memoirs, originally published as Rough Notes of an Old Soldier (which can be downloaded from Google Books). One of the most entertaining and freshest accounts of the war from the perspective of a junior officer in the infantry.
Costello, Edward Adventures of a Soldier This famous account of the life of a soldier in the 95th Rifles has appeared in many different editions under several different titles - and with good reason, for it is both immensely entertaining and full of revelations about the reality of life in the army.
D’Urban, Sir Benjamin The Peninsular Journal of Major-General Sir Benjamin D’Urban edited by I. J. Rousseau (London, Longmans, 1930 - reprinted Greenhill, 1988). D’Urban worked closely with Beresford, and this is an important source for the Portuguese army, although it is not as entertaining as some first hand accounts of the war.
Frazer, Sir Augustus Simon Letters of Colonel Sir Augustus Simon Frazer, K.C.B. commanding the Royal Horse Artillery in the Army under the Duke of Wellington (first published in 1859 by Longman, reprinted by Naval & Military Press in 2001) A rich and important source for the campaigns of 1813 and 1814 (and Waterloo).
Gordon, Alexander At Wellington’s Right Hand. The Letters of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander Gordon, 1808-1815 ed by Rory Muir (Army Records Society vol 21, 2003) Alexander Gordon was one of Wellington’s most trusted ADCs, and his remarkably frank letters home shed much new light on the development of strategy in the Peninsula.
Hennell, George A Gentleman Volunteer. The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War, 1812-1813 edited by Michael Glover (London, Heinemann, 1979). A delightful group of letters home from a young officer in the 43rd Light Infantry.
John Frederick Hering. Journal of an Officer in the King's German Legion:
Recollections of Campaigning during the Napoleonic Wars (Leonaur Ltd, 2009).
The King's German Legion was highly regarded in the ranks of the British Army during the Peninsular War. The well-disciplined KGL consisted primarily of Hanoverians who were motivated by their enmity towards the French and their wish to return to their homeland. This book, originally published anonymously, gives an eyewitness account of campaigns in Portugal and Spain, including the decisive Battle of Talavera.
Hibbert, Christopher (ed). A soldier of the 71st: the journal of a soldier in the Peninsular War (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1996) First published in 1819, this memoir covers the entire Peninsular War, the Walcheren expedition and the Battle of Waterloo - where this Scot narrowly escaped death.
Kincaid, Captain Sir John Adventures in the Rifle Brigade and Random Shots from a Rifleman (first published in 1830 and 1835 and reprinted in a single volume in 1909 and on many subsequent occasions). A classic of its kind: a jaunty memoir of life on campaign and in battle, written to amuse and full of good stories, many of them true.
Larpent, Francis Seymour The Private Journal of Judge-Advocate Larpent (Staplehurst, Spellmount, 2000) An invaluable account of the last phase of the war (from late 1812) by an intelligent civilian attached to Wellington’s headquarters. First published in 1853 and much used by subsequent historians, it remains an indispensable source.
Long, Robert Ballard Peninsular Cavalry General (1811-1813). The Correspondence of Lieutenant-General Robert Ballard Long edited by T. H. McGuffie (London, Harrap, 1951) An interesting insight into the travails of one of Wellington’s unhappy cavalry brigadiers.
MacCarthy, Captain. Recollections of the Storming of the Castle of Badajos: By the Third Division, Under the Command of Lieut Gen Sir Thomas Picton GCB, on the 6th of April, 1812 (Spellmount Library of Military History, 2001) A personal memoir by Captain MacCarthy of the 50th Regiment, who was assistant engineer in the 3rd Division. Included are recollections of the storming of Fort Napoleon, Almaraz and the battle of La Coruña.
Mills, John For King and Country. The Letters and Diaries of John Mills, Coldstream Guards, 1811-1814 edited by Ian Fletcher (Staplehurst, Spellmount, 1995) Interestingly opinionated and often critical of the conduct of operations.
Moore, Sir John The Diary of Sir John Moore edited by Major-General Sir J. F. Maurice 2 vols (London, Edward Arnold, 1904) An important biographical source, but with relatively little material on the campaign in Spain. The diary itself is supplemented by an account of the campaign by Maurice.
Page, Julia V. Intelligence Officer in the Peninsular. Letters and Diaries of Major the Hon. Edward Charles Cocks, 1786-1812 (Tunbridge Wells, Spellmount, 1986) One of the most important new sources to have been discovered in the last forty years. Charles Cocks was a dedicated professional officer, who was often employed by Wellington in important observing roles.
Schaumann, August L. F. On the Road with Wellington (first published 1929, reprinted Greenhill 1999, Naval & Military, 2005). One of the most entertaining and amusing Peninsular memoirs; Schaumann was a commissary and a connoisseur of good anecdotes of war, life on campaign, and his many romances. The original edition enhanced by numerous small but attractive colour illustrations by the author.
Smith, Sir Harry The Autobiography of Sir Harry Smith 1787-1819 edited by G. C. Moore Smith (London, John Murray, 1910) The story of Smith’s romance and marriage to Juana, a young Spanish girl who escaped the sack of Badajoz is well known, referred to in other memoirs and retold in fiction by Georgette Heyer as The Spanish Bride and as popular non-fiction in Joseph Lehmann’s Remember you are an Englishman. Smith’s own account is, perhaps, a little touched with discretion; but this is a lively and interesting Peninsular memoir.
Suchet, Marshal Louis G. Memoirs of the War in Spain from 1808 to 1814 2 vols (London, Henry Colburn, 1829, reprinted by Worley in 1986; vol 1 can be downloaded from Google books) Although self-serving and often unreliable, this remains an important source for the French campaigns in the eastern half of the Peninsula, by the only French officer to win a baton in Spain.
Tomkinson, Lt-Col William The Diary of a Cavalry Officer in the Peninsular War and Waterloo Campaign 1809-1815 (London, Swan Sonnenschein, 1895 and often reprinted). One of the most reliable and important sources written by a regimental officer.
Warre, Sir William Letters from the Peninsula, 1808-1812 (London, John Murray, 1909 - reprinted Spellmount, 1999) Warre was Beresford’s ADC and gives much interesting information on the improvement of the Portuguese army as well as the campaigns in which he took part.
Wellington, Duke of General Orders in Portugal, Spain and France from 1809 to 1814, and the Low Countries and France, 1815 compiled by Colonel Gurwood (London, John Murray, 1839; available through Google Books). General Orders arranged by subject (for example, rations, sentries, baggage etc) together with a fascinating long introduction by Gurwood giving many practical details of how the army actually functioned on campaign.
Wellington, Duke of Wellington at War, 1794-1815. A Selection of his Wartime Letters edited by Antony Brett-James (London, Macmillan, 1961) The best single volume selection from Wellington’s correspondence, covering India and Waterloo as well as the Peninsula, supplemented by other sources. This is a good place to begin: those with a really serious interest will go on to explore Wellington’s Dispatches (published in 13 volumes in the 1830s - and reprinted in 8 larger volumes in the 1840s and 1850s; with further correspondence published as his Supplementary Despatches in 15 volumes 1858-1872. Some of these volumes, and much other material, can be downloaded from Google Books).
Wheeler, William The Letters of Private Wheeler, 1809-1828 edited by Captain B. H. Liddell Hart (London, Michael Joseph, 1951). One of the most famous and authentic of the ‘voices from the ranks’, although it is clear that the original letters were somewhat written up for publication.
