Memoirs of British Generals Distinguished in the Peninsular War

Book excerpt: Although biographies of Duke of Wellington abound, there few biographies of the generals that fought alongside him and executed his orders (or in some cases disobeyed them). The author John William Cole was well placed to provide the details of their lives being a long serving soldier in the British Army; his portraits are full of descriptive detail, without being too biased, he discusses the contentious issues as well as the victories they achieved. From the fiery, foul-mouthed Picton, respected but not loved by his men, to the quiet dignified “Daddy” Hill, who was adept at taking care of his own troops as well as surprising the French; the British generals were a diverse group worthy of individual attention that the author gave them. This volume chronicles the lives of No. VIII. — SIR THOMAS PICTON. No. IX. — LORD LYNEDOCH. No. IX. — EARL OF HOPETOUN. No. X. — LORD HILL. No. XII. — MAJOR-GENERAL LE MARCHANT. No. XII. — MAJOR-GENERAL ROSS. No. XIII. — SIR EDWARD PAKENHAM. Author – John William Cole (????-1870)