Verner`s History & Campaigns of the Rifle Brigade Part II 1809-1813 (Hardcover)

The author begins with a very interesting account of the development of rifle fire in the British Army between 1800 and 1815 and describes various European rifle corps, sharpshooters and light infantry that served in British (60th Rifles, later KRRC) and continental armies. The uniform of rifle green with black facings was probably inspired by the dress of continental riflemen. It was certainly a change from the scarlet of the other regiments and that and the uniqueness of the regiment proved quite a draw for recruits to make good the losses following withdrawal from Portugal in 1809. On 10th May 1809 the strength of the 1st Battalion was 1,536 and the 2nd 1,579 and so a 3rd Battalion was formed. The unfortunate 2nd Battalion was involved in the Walcheren expedition August to December 1809 and when our troops evacuated the place battle deaths had amounted to 111, deaths from disease numbered over 4,000. But the main subject in this volume is the Peninsular War in which the regiment played a very active part from beginning to end. All three battalions were involved and seventeen Battle Honours were awarded, the highest number for any regiment in that campaign. The descriptions of operations are in detail, supported by superb maps. Throughout his account the author draws upon contemporary sources, official correspondence, despatches, reports, letters, diaries, reminiscences and on the work of such historians as Fortescue and Oman. In a separate appendix Verner discusses the sources upon which his account is based.