Leaves From The Diary Of An Officer Of The Guards

Originally written under the nom de plume of “A Veteran Comrade”, the leaves of Sir John Cowell-Stepney’s diary make for a fascinating read as he recounts his experiences during the Peninsular Campaign and his other anecdotes of his military career. Commissioned in the Grenadier Guards in May 1809 as an Ensign, and rose to the rank of Lt-Colonel in 1830. In his later life he was active in politics as a Liberal Member of parliament and the High Sheriff of Carmarthenshire.
Focusing on the campaigns of 1810 and 1811 in particular, the author describes his experiences vividly from his initial landing in Portugal, throughout his varied trials of the British army officer in the Peninsular. Major battles that his was involved in such as Fuentes D’Oñoro, Albuera and perhaps the best account of the siege and assault of Cuidad Rodrigo, are covered in his inimitable style.
Reminiscent in tone to Kincaid’s “Adventures in the Rifle Brigade”, with a jaunty self-deprecating humour, and eye for detail.
A classic of the Genre.
Author- Sir John Cowell-Stepney (1791-1877)