Sweat, Blood & Dust

The early career of one of the Napier brothers

The Napier brothers were once known as 'Wellington's Colonels' such was their renown in the 'Old Peninsular Army' which could 'go anywhere and do anything'. Several young officers who served with Wellington in Spain, Portugal, the South of France and in the Waterloo campaign as staff or regimental officers went on to have illustrious military careers as senior officers in the British Army. Others found fame as politicians and diplomats. William Napier became the author of a renowned history of the Peninsular War, whilst brother James became commander in chief of the British Army in Cape Colony. Early promotion eluded Charles Napier, though he was acknowledged to be a fine soldier of extraordinary intellect and insight. Much against his inclinations he served ultimately in India where he annexed the province of Scinde after a short but brilliantly managed campaign. This book, however, does not feature the military life of Charles Napier in high command. In its pages we find him at the sharpest end of war, fighting against Napoleon's French Army in the Peninsular War as a regimental officer and in America in the War of 1812. Some of the battlefield recollections, particularly at Corunna, have rarely been surpassed in their graphic portrayal of the experience of battle in the Napoleonic era as British soldier knew it. Contains maps and illustrations not present in earlier presentations of the text.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket; our hardbacks are cloth bound and feature gold foil lettering on their spines and fabric head and tail bands.