History and Campaigns of the Rifle Brigade

This is the story of The Rifle Brigade, from its formation in 1800, its organization, uniform, equipment, arms, training, and battles, ending at Corunna in January 1809. The Rifle Brigade was formed in 1800 by detachments from various regiments as the 'Experimental Corps of Riflemen' initially and then 'Rifle Corps'. It was under this name that the new regiment first made its mark under Nelson in the following year at the Battle of Copenhagen. In 1803 it was designated the 95th (Rifle) Regiment and in 1816, after Waterloo, it was taken out of the numbered regiments of the line and styled 'The Rifle Brigade.' In this first part the author, who served in the regiment, traces the evolution of the Rifle Corps with the advent of the rifle, which replaced the musket, and its effect on tactics. Dress, drill, equipment, and armament all feature, as well as the important period spent at Shorncliffe when Sir John Moore, the father of the Light Brigade, commanded the garrison; he was then regarded as the best trainer of troops England has ever possessed. The first taste of action came with the Ferrol Expedition in 1800, which had the destruction of the Spanish base. The 'Experimental Corps of Riflemen' contributed detachments numbering 170 under the command of Stewart. They were first ashore on 25 August, and it was the only corps in action on that day, which henceforth was celebrated as the birthday of the Regiment. During the next nine years covered in this book, the regiment served on many fronts: Copenhagen, Germany, Monte Video, Buenos Ayres, and finally the Iberian Peninsula. This is where the 2nd Battalion arrived on 12th July 1808, and fought its first action against the French, at Rolica on 17th August. This first part ends with the terrible retreat to and battle of Corunna in January 1809 where Moore was struck down by a round shot. The ball carried away his left shoulder and leaving his arm hanging by the exposed tendons. Moore died of his wounds that same evening.

History of Rifle Brigade from 1809 to 1813 - mainly Peninsular War in which the regiment was involved from start to finish. On 10th May 1809 the strength of the 1st Battalion was 1,536 and the 2nd 1,579 and so a 3rd Battalion was formed. The unfortunate 2nd Battalion was involved in the Walcheren expedition August to December 1809 and when our troops evacuated the place battle deaths had amounted to 111, deaths from disease numbered over 4,000. But the main subject in this volume is the Peninsular War in which the regiment played a very active part from beginning to end. All three battalions were involved and seventeen Battle Honours were awarded, the highest number for any regiment in that campaign. The descriptions of operations are in detail, supported by superb maps. Throughout his account the author draws upon contemporary sources, official correspondence, despatches, reports, letters, diaries, reminiscences and on the work of such historians as Fortescue and Oman.