History And Campaigns Of The Rifle Brigade Vol. II (1800-1809)

Book excerpt: History of Rifle Brigade from 1809 to 1813 - mainly Peninsular War in which the regiment was involved from start to finish. On 10th May 1809 the strength of the 1st Battalion was 1,536 and the 2nd 1,579 and so a 3rd Battalion was formed. The unfortunate 2nd Battalion was involved in the Walcheren expedition August to December 1809 and when our troops evacuated the place battle deaths had amounted to 111, deaths from disease numbered over 4,000. But the main subject in this volume is the Peninsular War in which the regiment played a very active part from beginning to end. All three battalions were involved and seventeen Battle Honours were awarded, the highest number for any regiment in that campaign. The descriptions of operations are in detail, supported by superb maps. Throughout his account the author draws upon contemporary sources, official correspondence, despatches, reports, letters, diaries, reminiscences and on the work of such historians as Fortescue and Oman. —Print Ed.