Adventures with the Connaught Rangers

by William Grattan

William Grattan was a young Irish Lieutenant who served in the famous Connaught Rangers [the 88th regiment] in some of the hottest engagements of the Peninsular War. His first battle was the bloody encounter at Busaco, when the Duke of Wellington himself commended the Connaughts’ clearing of the heights as the most gallant charge he had ever witnessed. Grattan’s second battle was the engagement at Fuentes d’Onoro. In the fierce fighting of the years covered by his memoirs, his unit, the 1st battalion of the Rangers, lost almost 50 percent of its officers [49 out of 103] killed or wounded, and gained no fewer than eleven battle honours, earning them the soubriquet ‘The Devil’s Own’. It was a well-deserved nickname. Vividly written and accompanied by maps, this is deservedly one of the most famous fighting memoirs of the Peninsula War and should not be missed.

Genres: History, Ireland, Military History

372 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Rob Markley · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Grattan writes a breezy account, but his humorous anecdotes fall into the category of 'you had to be there' rather than working in his retelling. He definitely contributes as far as understanding more about the reality of the fog of battle, yet he is rather too modest or unassuming about his own contribution or experiences despite being in the thick of it - including leading an assault on Fuentes de Oñoro village. For overall campaigns and reassembling history his contribution is less valuable.

Also of value are his opinions. It provides interesting perspective on the likes of Picton his Division commander and Wellington - of note complaints of the unfairness of the criticism of the disorders following the Burgos/Madrid retreat, he expresses surprising distain for Portuguese troops in general. The feel I get from this memoir, is that perhaps Wellington might have been onto something because there is no evidence of planning, preparation or proactivity as an officer of men, rather seeing his job to remain an aloof object of loyalty - little different from the colours or regimental pride.

Overall reading between the lines there is a great deal of value here if read in conjunction and comparison with the many other regimental officer memoirs.