WITH THE GUNS
IN THE
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| CONTENT: 2nd Captain Webber of the Royal Artillery joined Captain Maxwell's 9-Pounder Brigade at Zafra in August 1812 during the Peninsular War. His remarkable and hitherto unpublished journal covers the period up to June 16th 1813, just before the battle of Victoria. It is remarkable on two counts: firstly through his descriptions of events usually recorded on the actual day they happened and, secondly,because as well as the military significance of the day he records his impressions of the countryside and its people and customs, with a discriminating and often controversial eye. His Journal describes his personal experiences during the advance up to and along the Tagus to Aranjuez, the reversal of fortunes during the autumn of 1812, the difficult retreat into winter quarters in Portugal and finally the brigade's part in the brilliant campaign of 1813 which saw the French pushed back across the Ebro. Webber gives vivid accounts of engagements with the enemy along the way:notably around Alba de Tormes during the retreat, and on the heights outside Burgos prior to the crossing of the Ebro. The late Lt-Colonel Laws has set the Journal within the context of the Peninsular War and outlined Webber's military career, which culminated at Waterloo, where he was wounded. An account of Webber's life and family background is given by the editor, a direct descendant of his sister. This fascinating record of a gunner officer's career, daily life and experiences in Wellington's Peninsular army,provides an important addition to the Napoleonic Library. |
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