The Adventures Of A French Serjeant, During His Campaigns In Italy, Spain, Germany, Russia, &c. From 1805 To 1823

London: Henry Colburn, 1826., 1826. 12mo. pp. xvi, 345. contemporary half calf (spine worn & dry, joints cracked, light foxing to title & endleaves). armorial bookplate of Evelyn J.Shirley. First Edition of the English Translation. "[The author] gives a most novel and original account of the discipline, conduct, and opinions of the soldiers and non-commissioned officers of the French army, from 1805 to 1823." (English editor's Preface) Guillemard served under Admiral Villeneuve, and was reputed to be the one who shot Lord Nelson at Trafalgar. After Villeneuve's 'assassination' at Rennes, the circumstances of which Guillemard was summoned to explain to Napoleon himself, he joined the army in Germany, was present at the siege of Stralsund, and fought at Wagram under the celebrated Oudet. He then marched to Spain, and was captured and imprisoned at Cabrera, of which he gives a particularly lively description. He managed to escape after several months and joined he French army then besieging Tortosa. In recognition of his distinguished service during the siege, he was promoted to the rank of Serjeant, and was awarded the cross of the legion of honour. He joined the army in Germany in 1812, fought in the Russian Campaign, and was engaged in the battle of Borodino, after which he was made an officer by Napoleon in person. The next evening he was wounded and taken prisoner, and was sent Siberia, where he remained until 1814. He subsequently served in the Duke of Angoulême's army in the South, and witnessed the massacre of the Protestants at Nismes. Soon afterwards he assisted Joachim Murat, the King of Naples, to escape from Toulon to Corsica, and accompanied him on his expedition to the coast of Calabria, where Murat lost his life.. F.