A Gentleman Volunteer. The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War

GLOVER, Michael [Ed.].

Publication Date: 1812

About this Item

GLOVER, Michael [Ed.] A Gentleman Volunteer. The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War 1812-1813 London: Heinemann, 1979 8vo., specially bound by Zaehnsdorf in full black morocco, single-ruled border in gilt to both boards; onlaid red morocco silhouette piece to upper board with oval embossed gilt border; five raised bands to spine, with borders and titles gilt direct and the Zaehnsdorf device in red morocco to foot; fully gilt turn-ins, all edges gilt, and watered red silk endpapers; pp. [xiv], 181, [v]; with six double-sided photographic plates on glossy paper, as well as numerous maps and reproduced sketches throughout; the dustwrapper from the trade edition bound in at rear; fine, housed in the original fleece-lined slipcase which has a couple of tiny mottling marks. Special limited edition, one of just 25 copies reserved by arrangement with the publishers for fine binding by Zaehnsdorf. This copy no. 4 with no recipient's name beneath, signed by both Michael Glover, the editor, and Antony Read , who provides the introduction. The Peninsular War, that part of the Napoleonic Wars fought on the Iberian Peninsula, was one of several which eventually contributed to the Emperor's downfall. These letters, written by George Hennell between 1812 and 1813, cover his service in the Forty-third Light Infantry, beginning with his joining of the British camp just two days before the storming of the citadel at Badajoz and ending with the victorious army descending through the Pyrenees to invade France. Together, they offer a first-hand account of the events which occurred throughout the campaign. Born to the son of a ribbon manufacturer, Hennell volunteered early for Wellington's army, and over the course of these twenty-six letters (all but two previously unpublished), Hennell provides in-depth insights into life as a young officer on active duty, witnessing the unfolding events and forming his own impressions of the horrors of war, illustrating them in drawings and sketches which are reproduced throughout the book and which include such scenes as the Battle of Vitoria and the action at San Milan. Michael Glover is a recognized authority on Wellington and his period and has written extensively on the subject throughout his career. The introduction is provided by Antony Read, a senior British Army officer who was for awarded the Military Cross for gallantry during the campaign against the Italian Army in East Africa in 1941 and the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership and gallantry whilst in command of 1 Gambia Regiment in Burma in 1945. A soldier for over 40 years, he draws a great many parallels with Hennell over the course of his foreword: "I too was commissioned in the 43rd some hundred and twenty years later", he writes, before concluding "I would love to have had him as a subaltern when I commanded the regiment." A beautiful copy.

Seller Inventory # 5

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Gentleman Volunteer. The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War
• Publication Date: 1812
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)