A History Of The British Army – Vol. VII – (1809-1810)

A History Of The British Army – Vol. VII – (1809-1810)
Author: Hon. Sir John William Fortescue
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Total Pages: 741
Release: 2014-06-13
Genre: History
ISBN: 178289134X

Sir John Fortescue holds a pre-eminent place amongst British military historians, his enduring fame and legacy resting mainly on his life’s work “The History of the British Army”, issued in 20 volumes, which took him some 30 years to complete. In scope and breadth it is such that no modern scholar has attempted to cover such a large and diverse subject in its entirety; but Sir John did so and with aplomb, leading to a readable and comprehensive study. According to Professor of Military History Brian Bond, the work was “the product of indefatigable research in original documents, a determination to present a clear, accurate, and readable narrative of military operations, and a close personal knowledge of the battlefields, which enabled him to elucidate his account with excellent maps. Most important, however, was his motivation: namely, a lifelong affection for the old, long-service, pre-Cardwell army, the spirit of the regiments of which it largely consisted, and the value of its traditions to the nation. An important part of his task was to distil and inculcate these soldierly virtues which, in his conservative view, contrasted sharply with the unedifying character of politicians who habitually meddled in military matters.” ODNB. This seventh volume covers the period from 1809-1810, after a disastrous raid into French held Holland, the British government decided to use all their power to the strike at Napoleon at his weakest point, Portugal and Spain. After the British foray into Spain in 1809 culminating the bloody victory at Talavera, the British troops retreated into Portugal before the overwhelming French numbers. Inflicting a punishing check to the French invasion force under Masséna at Bussaco, the British army marched to the massive and impenetrable lines of Torres Vedras close to Lisbon. BROAD ARROW.—"This is a worthy successor to the volumes which have preceded it, and the whole forms a great work by a great, an impartial, and a bold writer,"

Fortescue's History of the British Army

Fortescue's History of the British Army
Author: J. W. Fortescue
Publisher:
Total Pages: 433
Release: 2004-01-01
Genre:
ISBN: 9781843427377

Vol. VI - 1807-1809. The Napoleonic War continue, with further details of operations in Egypt and in the Mediterranean. The Swedish situation is covered, the British pre-emptive expedition to destroy the Danish fleet at Copenhagen and the beginnings of the Peninsular War in Portugal and Spain.

FORTESCUE'S HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ARMY

FORTESCUE'S HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ARMY
Author: The Hon. J. W. Fortescue
Publisher: Naval & Military Press
Total Pages: 686
Release: 2021-10-04
Genre:
ISBN: 9781474535540

This work, which is an evergreen classic, covers the history of the British Army from the Norman Conquest down to the Cardwell reforms of 1870, when commission by purchase was finally abolished. The very last chapter of the work looks at the British Army up to 1914.The Naval and Military Press have reprinted this valuable and timeless work in its entirety, faithful to the originals in all respects. The contents of the individual volumes are as follows: Vol. VII - 1809-1810. This volume is concerned mainly with these two years in the Peninsula, but also covers the expedition to the Scheldt and operations in the East Indies, Mauritius and Java.

Fortescue's History of the British Army: Complete Set - 19 Volumes (Including Five Separate Map Volumes.)

Fortescue's History of the British Army: Complete Set - 19 Volumes (Including Five Separate Map Volumes.)
Author: John William Fortescue
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2004-01
Genre: Great Britain
ISBN: 9781843427124

This work, which is a classic, covers the history of the British Army from the Norman Conquest down to the Cardwell reforms of 1870, when commission by purchase was finally abolished. The very last chapter of the work looks at the British Army up to 1914. Naval and Military Press have reprinted this valuable and timeless work in its entirety, faithful to the originals in all respects. The contents of the individual volumes are as follows: Vol. I - from the Battle of Hastings to the end of the Seven Year s War (1713). Includes such battles as Bannockburn, Crecy, Agincourt, Flodden, the battles of the English Civil War, Dunkirk Dunes, Tangiers, and the battles during Marlborough s campaigns. The volume also traces the development of European Armies, infantry, cavalry and artillery, and the specific changes in Britain during the period. Vol. II - covers from the 1713 to 1763 and includes the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, the scandals of the reign of King George I, the war with Spain and the dispute over the Austrian Succession, and the Battles of Fontenoy and Culloden. It also covers the situation in India and the contest for mastery with the French. The expansion into North America is described and the differences that arose between the French and the British, together with Wolfe s campaigns in North America. The volume includes much material on the development of the British Army, and the problems that arose with regard to recruitment and conditions of service at that time. Vol. III - continues the story from 1763 to 1792. The continuing problems in North America are joined by the growing pains of Empire. The loss of the Americas is covered in detail, as is the state of the British Army, especially in the light of Cornwallis disastrous contributions to the American failure. Developments in India follow, and again Cornwallis makes a contribution to failure. Viol IV Part I - Deals with the French Revolution from 1789 to the Treaty of Amiens in 1798. It includes British operations in the Netherlands, the West Indies, South Africa and Ireland. The whole European area is described with the French and Allied nations included. Naval matters are also included, and the campaigns in Egypt and the Mediterranean are treated in detail. At the same time a close eye is kept on developments within the British Army. Vol. IV Part 2 - continues the theme of the previous part, and goes up to 1801. The examination of the British Army is also expanded, and an important appendix gives exact details of British Army pay. Vol. V - the period 1803 to 1807. Detailed treatment of the situation and operations in the East Indies and Ceylon, the West Indies, Europe and the Mediterranean. There are important chapters on conditions at home,and the air of war-weariness that was appearing. Finally, there is a description of operations in South America. Vol. VI - 1807-1809. The Napoleonic War continued, with further details of operations in Egypt and in the Mediterranean. The Swedish situation is covered, the British expedition to Copenhagen and operations in Portugal. The Spanish theatre is also examined in fine detail. Vol. VII - 1809-1810. This volume is concerned mainly with these two years in the Peninsula, but also covers the expedition to the Scheldt, and operations in the East Indies, Mauritius and Java. Vol. VII - 1809-1810. Maps Vol. VIII - 1811-1812. This volume covers two more years of the campaign in the Peninsula, together with the War with the United States. There are details of many battles, including Barosa, Badajoz, Fuentes de Onoro, Albuera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca and others of fame during the Peninsula War. Vol. IX - 1813-1814. The French invasion of Russia is followed by descriptions of the situation in the Peninsula, and in North America. Throughout developments in Europe are covered so that the picture of the war for the reader in these years is complete, and second to none in detail. Vol. X - 1814-1815. The whole of Europe was aflame i

A History Of The British Army – Vol. VI – (1807-1809)

A History Of The British Army – Vol. VI – (1807-1809)
Author: Hon. Sir John William Fortescue
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Total Pages: 589
Release: 2014-06-13
Genre: History
ISBN: 1782891331

Sir John Fortescue holds a pre-eminent place amongst British military historians, his enduring fame and legacy resting mainly on his life’s work “The History of the British Army”, issued in 20 volumes, which took him some 30 years to complete. In scope and breadth it is such that no modern scholar has attempted to cover such a large and diverse subject in its entirety; but Sir John did so and with aplomb, leading to a readable and comprehensive study. According to Professor Emeritus of Military History at King’s College, Brian Bond, the work was “the product of indefatigable research in original documents, a determination to present a clear, accurate, and readable narrative of military operations, and a close personal knowledge of the battlefields, which enabled him to elucidate his account with excellent maps. Most important, however, was his motivation: namely, a lifelong affection for the old, long-service, pre-Cardwell army, the spirit of the regiments of which it largely consisted, and the value of its traditions to the nation. An important part of his task was to distil and inculcate these soldierly virtues which, in his conservative view, contrasted sharply with the unedifying character of politicians who habitually meddled in military matters.” ODNB. This sixth volume covers the period from 1807-1809, particularly the initial stages of involvement of the British Army in the struggle in the Iberian Peninsular. Written as always with superb detail and authority, Sir John details the opening of the British campaigns in Portugal, the battles at Roliça and Vimiero, before the brutal retreat and battle of Sir John Moore at Coruña. SPECTATOR.—"The new volumes of A History of the British Army are of the same high quality as those which have gone before. We can give no higher praise, for Mr. Fortescue can only be compared with himself. " A MUST READ for any military enthusiast.