1837-1839 The Dispatches of Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington, K.G. During his various campaigns in India, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, The Low Countries, and France, from 1799 to 1818. Compiled from Official and Authentic Documents

Description

First Edition, Illustrated, Leather Binding

The complete thirteen volume set of this work. With volumes I-IX being new editions and volumes X-XIII being the first editions. This work was intended to be a companion to Gurwood's previous work 'General Order's and Regulations' which received a favorable reception. To the preface Gurwood notes that permission for this work was granted by Wellington 'in terms that excited every exertion to seek for official authorities which might tend to elucidate the personal detail of his Grace's professional services, contained in his public Dispatches'. These 'Dispatches' give a deeper look into Wellington as a leader. His early Indian campaigns were not frequently written about, and here we have a first-hand account of the events as they unfolded. Here Gurwood conveys the dispatches of Wellington from 1799 to 1815 and therefore provide the reader with an insight into the role of commander during the Napoleonic wars. To the conclusion in volume XII he notes 'It has been thought advisable here to conclude this work, and not to insert in it, as was proposed in the Introduction, the Dispatches of the years 1816, 1817 and 1818, the period of the occupation of France by the Allied Army under the Duke of Wellington. The publication of these papers, even at this distance of time, would, for many reasons be inconvenient, notwithstanding the change of circumstances.' Bound in a J Mackenzie binding, with the binder's stamp to the verso of front endpaper. With errata to volumes XI and XII to volume XII. Ownership signature of H.R. Twyford to front blank of each volume, and his bookplate to front pastedowns. Colonel John Gurwood was a cavalry officer who had a long-standing career with the British Army. He served in the 'Light Division' of Wellington's army throughout the early Peninsular campaigns and lead the 'Folorn Hope' at Ciudad Rodrigo, resulting in a severe injury. Gurwood continued in his career, becoming injured several times during the preliminary actions to Waterloo. Following the battle of Waterloo Gurwood turned to a literary career. Gurwood was the Duke of Wellington's private secretary for many years and Wellington entrusted Gurwood with editing this 'Despatches' which he began in 1834. This became a major work, and earned Gurwood a Civil List Pension of £200. A smart set of this important work and first-hand historical source regarding the Duke and the Napoleonic Wars.