Random Shots from a Rifleman

by John Kincaid

This is a copy of the original book. In this series, we are bringing old books back into print using our own state-of-the-art techniques. Generally, these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way that the author intended. However, as we are working with old material, so occasionally there may be certain imperfections within the text. We are so pleased to ensure these classics are available again for generations to come.

Genres: History, Research, Nonfiction, Military History

210 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 1998

About the author

Sir John Kincaid of the rifle brigade was born at Dalheath in January 1787. He was educated at Polmont school, and served for a time as lieutenant in the North York militia. On the formation of the old 3rd battalion (afterwards disbanded) of the 95th rifles, now the rifle brigade, at Hythe, Kent, in 1809, Kincaid joined with a draft of militia volunteers from the North York, and received a second lieutenancy in the 95th, with which corps he served through the Peninsular campaigns of 1811–14 and at Waterloo. He led the forlorn hope at one of the assaults of Ciudad Rodrigo; was severely wounded, and had a horse shot under him as acting adjutant at Waterloo. He attained the rank of captain in the rifle brigade in 1826, and retired by sale of his commissions 21 June 1831. For his Peninsular services he afterwards received the medal with clasps for Fuentes d'Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, and Toulouse. Kincaid was appointed exon of the royal bodyguard of yeomen of the guard on 25 Oct. 1844, and, on becoming senior exon in 1852, was knighted according to custom. In 1847 he was appointed government inspector of prisons for Scotland, and in 1850 Sir George Grey [q. v.] conferred on him the appointment of inspector of factories and prisons for Scotland, which he resigned through ill-health shortly before his death. He died at Hastings, unmarried, on 22 April 1862, aged 75.

Kincaid was author of ‘Adventures in the Rifle Brigade’ (London, 1830; 2nd edition, London, 1838) and ‘Random Shots of a Rifleman’ (London, 1835). Cope, the historian of the rifle brigade, says that, although written with too much levity, they contain many facts of interest, and the dates and statements are confirmed by more formal authorities.

Reviews

[Mick Scrimshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Peninsular War was probably the first war where so many of its surviving participants when on to put pen to paper and share their memories, and any and every history on the conflict has therefore had a variety of original and available source material to call upon, and this is a perfect example of the recollections of one of the participants and one from the famous 95th Rifles no less, but I do still think you need to have an interest in the Peninsular War to fully enjoy this book. Written by Captain Kincaid about his own experiences, its style and language is old fashioned and hard to follow in places, although gives a wonderful and sometimes humorous insight into his experiences. Because of this, and his more famous previous book ‘Adventures in the Rifle Brigade’, the author is well known to anyone who has read histories of the war as he have been quoted by historians and commentators alike. Having his exploits descried first hand however really does make any struggling with the language worthwhile, as it adds a realism to his anecdotes that could never be given third hand. The many stories and observations are a little disjointed and the book isn’t particularly well structured, and as the title suggests, a bit random at times, but to anyone with an interest in the field, this book has to be recommended and after reading this I certainly intend to read other contemporary publications.

[Rob Markley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good memoir

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am in the process of reading the books which Georgette heyer used in her book The Spanish Bride. This was excellent but only for those people who are fascinated with the Peninsular War.