The British Army 1793-1802 – Four Lectures Delivered At The Staff College And Cavalry School

Book excerpt: Sir John Fortescue holds an un-rivalled place among the historians of the British Army, having written the best-known and most comprehensive account of its operations from its foundations in Norman times to the first World War. He may have rivals for certain periods of warface, notable Sir Charles Oman, regarding the Peninsular War, with whom he was friends and shared research, however his breadth and depth of knowledge was unparalleled. Sir John was invited by Colonels Sir Henry Rawlinson and Julian Byng, both would go on to have distinguished careers as Army commanders in the First World War, to lecture at the Staff College and Cavalry School. Although he gave four lectures on the development of the army as a whole and the cavalry in particular, he added two additional essays on the St Lucia campaign of 1776 and the history of the transport and supply. An excellent read by a world famous authority on the subject. Author – Hon. Sir John William Fortescue K.C.V.O. – (28th December 1859 – 22nd October 1933)