RECOLLECTIONS
OF
RIFLEMAN HARRIS,
(OLD 95th.)
WITH
EDITED BY
HENRY CURLING, Esq.,
HALF-PAY 52D FOOT,
AUTHOR OF "JOHN OF ENGLAND."
"This story
The world may read in me: my body's mark'd
With Roman swords;
And when a soldier was the theme, my name
Was not far off."Shakespeare.
LONDON:
H. HURST, 27, KING WILLIAM STREET,
CHARING CROSS.
1848.
CLAYTON AND CO, PRINTERS,
16, HART STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
NOTICE
Since the printing of this volume was commenced, "Rifleman Harris" hasremoved from Richmond Street, Soho, to 4, Upper James Street, GoldenSquare.
TO THE MOST NOBLE
THE MARQUESS OF LONDONDERRY,
G.C.B. and G.C.H.,
COLONEL OF THE SECOND LIFE GUARDS, &c. &c.,
This Volume,
IN TOKEN OF HIGH ADMIRATION OF HIS LORDSHIP'S
CHIVALROUS BEARING
DURING THE BATTLES OF THE PENINSULA,
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,
BY HIS OBEDIENT SERVANT,
THE EDITOR.
London, March, 1848.
ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR.
The following pages, describing the chequered life of a privatesoldier, who served during the most glorious period of our militaryhistory, speak so plainly for themselves, as scarcely to need anyintroductory remarks from the editor, further than the assurance of hisown sincere conviction of their truth. Such works as the narrativesof Rifleman Harris, from the very nature of their details, affordoccasionally more graphic sketches of the actual scenes of war, in itsstern realities and concomitant circumstances, than the more statelyand largely-grouped pictures of the Historian.
Nor are these humble records without their moral.
Many abuses and grievances are incidentally brought to light, that canbe but rarely heeded in the excitement and bustle of active service,but which, nevertheless, for the good of the soldier, may be ofsufficient importance to require correction.
The main source of our military superiority over foreign nations hasbeen almost universally ascribed to the incomparable discipline ofthe British army. That the well-being and judicious treatment of theprivate soldier is the basis of this system can (we think) scarcelybe doubted. To maintain this discipline it is surely incumbent onthe officers to become acquainted with the nature and peculiarcharacteristics of the men they have to conduct and control, both inthe elation of victory and the more difficult emergencies consequentupon retreat. How this is best effected—by what potent influence thismastery is exercised—and by