INTRODUCTORY NOTICE.

In almost every history of campaigns and of battles, ancient and modern, it has been the endeayour of the writer to direct the sympathy of his readers exclusively to the heroes who have led their fellow-creatures to victory and to slaughter; and the mind has been withheld from the consideration of the mass of misery which war has inflicted upon the hundreds of thousands of unnoticed soldiers, equally susceptible of every feeling of pain, and more exposed to hardships and privations than the commanders-who alone reap the laurels, and the few solid emoluments of the field of battle.

It is hoped that this little Work, however humble its pretensions, may be found useful in counteracting the pernicious influence of the generally received maxim, that there is something

peculiarly honourable in the profession of arms— that it is more glorious to be employed as an instrument of terror and destruction, than in promoting the arts that gladden the life of man-in being mere tools in the hands of others, either to oppose or minister to ambition-to resist the violence of oppression, or rivet the chains of despotism, just as they shall be directed by their supe

riors.

The Publishers have made repeated inquiries after the Author of the Journal of a Soldier, but without effect. The last time he was seen about Edinburgh, he was employed on the Calton Hill, with a number of poor labourers thrown out of regular employment, who were supported at the rate of five shillings a-week by the subscriptions of the public. From this miserable employment he found means to remove himself, and it is supposed emigrated to South America. In all probability he never heard of the success of a production which does him so much credit, and which might have been the means of alleviating the indigence which was the conclusion of so many toils and sufferings, in what is called the service of his country.

CONTENTS.

THE Writer's parentage and education-Attempts the Stage,
and fails-Joins a recruiting party, and sails for the Isle
of Wight-Adventure there. SAILS for South Ameri-
ca-Arrival at Madeira-Arrival at the Cape of Good
Hope, and account of Cape Town-Arrival at the Ri-
ver la Plata-Situation of the English army-Battle of
Monte Video-Account of the Inhabitants-Introduced
to a Spanish priest. ARRIVAL of General Whitelock
with reinforcements-Departure for Buenos Ayres-At-
tack of the town-Unfortunate result-Anecdote of a
sergeant-Generous behaviour of the Spanish priest.
ARRIVAL at Cork-Correspondence with his brother-
Sails for Portugal, with an expedition under Sir Arthur
Wellesley-Battle of Roleia-Description of Vimeira-
Battle of Vimeira- Behaviour of the peasants after the
battle. MARCHED to Escurial-Retreat to Salamanca-
Disappointment of our soldiers at not being allowed to
attack the enemy.
COMMENCEMENT of the retreat to
Corunna-Indignant feelings of the soldiers-Duke of
Ossuna's Palace at Benevente much destroyed-Skir-
mish at Benevente-Arrival at Astorga, and account of
the situation of General Romana's army. SUFFERINGS
of the army between Astorga and Villa Franca-Cruel-
ty of the French-March from Villa Franca to Castro-
March to Lugo-Bravery of the stragglers-Affect-

ing occurrence-Skirmishes at Lugo-Relaxed state
of discipline, and its consequences. ARRIVAL at Co-
runna-Destruction of our horses on the beach-
Battle of Corunna-Noble conduct of the Spaniards
—Arrival in England, and kindness of the people—
Sails with the expedition to Walcheren-Description of
the bombardment of Flushing-Sally under Colonel
Pack into one of the enemy's batteries-Takes the fe-
ver, and is sent back to England—Melancholy discovery
at the hospital. SAILS for the Peninsula-Description
of Lisbon-Joins the army at Sabral-Actions at Sa-
bral-Retires behind the British lines-Retreat of the
French to Santarem-Their atrocities on the way-Mor-
tifying discovery in a wine store-Retreat of the French
to the Aguida. BATTLE of Fuentes de Honore-Con-
trast between the French and British soldiers when ad-
vancing to charge-Distressing march to Albuera-
Pursuit of General Girard-Surprise and total rout of
his army. MARCH to Almarez-Storming of Fort Al-
marez-Retreat from Burgos-Skirmishes, &c. at Alba
Tormes-ludicrous incident there. GOES into winter
quarters at Boho-Manners of the Spanish peasants-
Adventure in a church-yard-Description of the Fan-
dango-Departure from Boho. BATTLE of Vittoria-
Arrival before Pamplona-Skirmish in front of Maya-
Battles in the Pyrenees-Battle before Pamplona-
Sufferings of our army on the heights-Crosses the
Nive-Battle of Bayonne-Severe fighting before Aris.
BATTLE of Toulouse-Remarkable occurrence-Returns
to Ireland-Embarked for North America-Returns to
England-Sails for Antwerp-Marched to Leuse-Ar-
rival at Waterloo. BATTLE of Waterloo-March to
Paris-Anecdotes there-Gets his discharge, and returns

to Scotland-Conclusion.