Sketch of the Field Service of the Rifle Brigade

Thomas William Taylor's letters span the entire brief but era defining 1815 campaign, they were written without affectation, without thought for a wider audience and the immediacy of an eye-witness recollecting events that occurred moments before. The letters although brief are an important source for the events of the campaign, as the author's pen sketches the life around him before the battle, the movement of troops and the encampments and their thoughts of family far away. The first letter on the great battle are written the morning afterward, the text written by "half straw, half pencil", the notes are poignant, pungent and accurate to the flow of the battle as it has been reconstructed. He writes of the battle itself, Wellington's well known dislike of the British cavalry arm, the heartfelt loss of his comrades such as "Poor Gunning killed in the last charge, and I write it in tears", French brutality of prisoners and pointedly the decisive effect of the Prussian engagement during the early evening of the battle. The pursuit of the routed French army is recounted as is the occupation of Paris as he wishes to be back home with his wife and children whilst earnestly wishing for promotion.
A fine short collection of letters, unspoilt by any embellishment.
Author Thomas William Taylor [????-1854]

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