Celer et Audax

This ebook is purpose built and is proof-read and re-type set from the original to provide an outstanding experience of reflowing text for an ebook reader. During the Peninsular War, the services of the 95th Rifles led to fame and frequent mentions in despatches as their united battalions in the Light Division fought with distinction. No less of a band of skirmishers were the 5th Batt. 60th Rifles, the eyes and ears of the other divisions; why they did not receive the same plaudits as their brother riflemen of the 95th is one of the injustices of the Peninsular War, even though it disbanded soon after war end. The men of the 5th Batt. 60th never fought as a united body being distributed in companies amongst the British brigades, and as such never received the attention that they deserved. This book, written by an officer of the 60th, seeks to rectify that error. The 60th were in fact raised by the father of all British riflemen, General de Rottenburg, an émigré officer of the French service. He wrote influential books on skirmishing and out-post duties that were to become the backbone of the drill of the 60th as well as the 95th. This is the story of their battles (Vimiero, Talavera, Busaco, Fuentes d'Oñoro, Ciudad Roderigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, the Nive, Nivelle and Toulouse), anecdotes of the out-post struggles, their men, and their training based on original manuscript diaries as well as a host of regimental sources.