Wellington's clash with Massena was one of the most remarkable contests between two commanders in the Peninsular War. These two formidable generals carried on a campaign of maneuver, battle and attrition across Spain and Portugal in 1810 and 1811 which had a decisive impact on the outcome of the war. Wellington's reputation was enhanced, Massena's was ruined.

David Buttery's close analysis of this extraordinary encounter offers a penetrating insight into the personalities of these two outstanding soldiers. Using a variety of sources, in particular eyewitness accounts from both sides, he reassesses the famous confrontations at Ciudad Rodrigo, Almeida, Busaco, the lines of Torres Vedras and the final bitterly fought battle at Fuentes de Onoro.

He sheds new light on this pivotal episode in the Napoleonic Wars and his account corrects the one-sided view of the campaign that has survived to the present day. In particular he reconsiders the true cost of the scorched earth policy that was employed against the French

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"... offers insight into the personalities of these two extraordinary commanders and detailed analysis of their confrontations..."Book News, 07/2008

Edward Costello enlisted into his local militia regiment in Ireland in 1806, and transferred, not without having a few adventures in his native Ireland, to the 95th Rifles. Not quite well drilled enough to join in Sir John Moore’s 1808-1809 campaign, he narrates some stories of his comrades who did including Tom Plunket, famous for shooting the French General Colbert.

His service in the Peninsular campaign, started almost immediately with the epic forced march to Talavera under General “Black Bob” Crauford, a fierce discipliarian, but liked by his men as Costello points out. Numerous skirmishes, affairs of outposts and combats punctuate Costello’s narrative, along with amusing asides of his comrades and their japes, drinking and occasionally their punishment by the lash. Present at the battles of Fuentes d’Oñoro, El Bodon, Salamanca, Vittoria, Nivelle and the storming of Cuidad Roderigo and bloody Badajoz, he captures the mood of the men and the hellish atmosphere of a battle, and the sorrow of lost friends.

After a brief break in his active service Costello once more engages during the Waterloo campaign, and is heavily engaged at Waterloo and Quatre Bras. After the fall of Napoleon Costello’s career turns to the British Legion , which is no sinecure despite his elevation to Lieutenant as he is posted to join the expedition to Spain and sees the vicious civil war at first hand, with scenes that remind him of the savagery of his experiences between the Guerillas and the French many years before.

A gem in the sparkling vein of memoirs written by the men and officers of the famed Rifle brigade during their adventures in the Peninsular war. Costello writes with a verve and wit, and some idiosyncratic spelling, often only found in the works of the officers of his regiment such as Kincaid.

A justly acclaimed classic.

Author – Edward Costello – (26th October 1788 - ????)
Text taken, whole and complete, from the edition published in 1841, London, by Henry Colbourn Original – 410 pages.
Linked TOC

Photo Puzzle, Fountains, Massena Square, Nice, Alpes Maritimes, Provence, France, Europe. Fountains, Massena Square, Nice, Alpes Maritimes, Provence, France, Europe. Chosen by Robert Harding. 10x14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5x7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at 300 dpi. This item is shipped from our American lab.