The Subaltern: the Experiences of an Officer of the 85th Light Infantry During the Peninsular War

A young officer at war against the Napoleonic French Army

Gleig is a well known author of military works on the Napoleonic era and after. He has left us several histories-all well written-and most notably he was responsible for publication of the stories of several ordinary soldiers who-without his support and penmanship-would not have been able to tell their stories in print; such a loss would have been great for history. Gleig's interest was not simply academic. however. He served in a British regiment of light infantry under Wellington and saw action in the latter stages of the Peninsular campaign including the crossing of the Pyrenees and the final battles of the war in the south of France. Every first hand account is worthwhile, but Gleig brings a talent to his writing which makes his own experiences both informative and a pleasure to read. His further adventures in the War of 1812, some of his histories and his 'ghost written' accounts of soldiers' experiences are also published by Leonaur.