The Letters of Private Wheeler: An eyewitness in action at the Battle of Waterloo

by B.H. Liddell Hart

'In a later age he would have become a successful war correspondent ... We have no more human account of the Peninsular War from a participant in all its battles. Vivid images - of people, landscapes, events - flows from his pen ... One of military history's great originals' John Keegan, DAILY TELEGRAPH

These letters, in the form of a frank and amusing diary, were written by a private in Wellington's army who fought throughout the Napoleonic Wars. Private Wheeler's record covers the Peninsular Campaign, keeping order during the coronation of Louis XVIII (whom he called 'an old bloated poltroon') and his later posting to Corfu.

Most of all, Wheeler's account of the historic Battle of Waterloo - written before the muskets of battle had cooled - reveals him to be a master of lively anecdote and mischievous characterisation.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Military History, Military Fiction

292 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

British military authority Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart early advocated tank and air warfare.

Usually known as captain before his knighthood, this English soldier and historian led theorists.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._H._L...

Reviews

[Monty Milne]

Written accounts of the Napoleonic wars by private soldiers are as rare as hens' teeth, and it is wonderfully serendipitous that a box full of Private (later Sergeant) Wheeler's letters survived in his family for several generations before finally being discovered and published in relatively recent times. Wheeler undoubtedly had a gift and his occasionally erratic spelling and grammar only give added power to his forthright style.

All of this is well worth reading. Wheeler wears his prejudices on his sleeve: his Protestant bigotry is not surprising, but it is interesting to see his admiration for Napoleon and his disdain for the French Royals. Often, his prejudices are so pungently expressed that you have to laugh: here he is on the entry of the victorious British army into Madrid, to the wild enthusiasm of their Spanish allies:

"Amidst all this pleasure and happiness we were obliged to submit to a custom so unenglish that I cannot but feel disgust now I am writing. It was to be kissed by the men. What made it still worse, their breath was so highly seasoned with garlick, then their huge mustaches well seasoned with sweat, dust and snuff, it was like having a hair broom pushed into one's face that had been daubed into a dirty gutter."

Wheeler had a number of lucky escapes but did not escape injury. I liked his account of his friendship with a Frenchmen he befriends when they are both recovering from their wounds - whom he meets again (slight spoiler) in Paris after Waterloo - this is heart warming and delightful and reads like an episode in a Bernard Cornwell novel. I was also fascinated by his account of peacetime garrison duty in British occupied Corfu in the 1820's, particularly his friendship with an old Swiss veteran of a Sicilian regiment, who is a wonderfully well drawn character. Thoroughly recommended!

[Rob Markley]

First rate memoir of a ranker... rare itself. Made even more interesting by the famous Liddell Hart editing and commenting.

[Aidan Walsh]

The definitive account of the life of a ranker in the Napoleonic Wars.

Absolutely full of insights into how Wellington's infantry lived and fought.

[Brandon]

Noteworthy primary source that gives a refreshing view of military life in the Napoleonic era.

[lukas]

veľmi pekná zbierka prameňov a listov

[James]

I love first hand historical accounts. Wheeler describes his life in the British army from 1809 to 1828, through the Napoleonic wars and beyond. His perspective from the position of a common soldier gives you a different understanding than something written as an official account.

My interest in this book was to understand what was going on in Europe at this time, my having an ancestor in the British navy. I found it enlightening.

[Rupert Matthews]

Brilliant, just fantastic. Anyone with an interest in military or Napoleonic history must read this book. It is the collection of letters written by Private (later Sergeant) Wheeler back home to his family while he served in the Peninsular, then at Waterloo and later on garrison duty in the Med. I learned a huge amount about the battles and about daily life, routine and discipline as well as anecdotes about the famous commanders and all sorts of trivia. A brilliant read.

[Ben]

Loved this book. Private Wheeler is just simply a great human being with a superb flair for letter writing. A great insight to the battles and day to day life in the British army serving in the Napoleonic war. You don't have to be a military buff to enjoy this book.

[Marshall]

The soldier's point of view of war and peace in the 19th century. Excellent.

[Bill]

First rate personal account of life in the army of Great Britain during the Napoleonic wars and after.

[Adrian Greenwood]

One of the best primary sources for the Peninsular War, expressed with great style. Highly quotable.