Military Dispatches

‘I entered the town about noon, and found the white flag flying, every body wearing white cockades, Buonaparte’s statue thrown out of the window of the Capitol, and the eagles pulled down’

The Duke of Wellington was not only one of Britain’s greatest military commanders, but also a prolific and powerful writer. This new selection of his military dispatches provides a unique record of the war with Napoleon, from its desperate beginnings in Portugal in 1808 to triumph at Waterloo. Vividly recording everything from his strategic vision to the heat of battle and the condition of his men, Wellington’s writings are remarkable for their clarity, attention to detail and often brutal honesty. With maps and an introduction by military historian Charles Esdaile describing the extreme odds against Wellington, this book gives an unrivalled insight into a military genius, out-thinking his enemies at every turn.

Edited with an introduction by Charles Esdaile.