Gonneville of the Cuirassiers: the Personal Recollections of a French Cavalryman of the First Empire

At war for the Emperor with the horsemen of the Cuirassiers

Among students of the Napoleonic Wars there has long been an enthusiasm for the memoirs of soldiers of Napoleon's army. Comparatively few books of this kind have been translated into English, though several have become well known and highly regarded. Some accounts have come from the pens of infantrymen, others from the ranks of the Imperial Guard and yet others from dashing light cavalrymen. This book, originally published in two substantial volumes and brought together in this special Leonaur edition, is quite different. It is the story, told in his own words, of De Gonneville, a heavy cavalryman--a cuirassier officer, and a member of an old Norman family. It offers modern readers a uniquely detailed insight into the activities of those armoured warriors who would charge into battle with legendary ferocity and elan. This highly recommended account of his military career, which hurls the reader into action very early in these pages. brought him into conflict with the Prussians and Austrians at Heilsberg and, most notably, in Spain against the Spanish army on the eastern flank particularly at Sagunta. This Leonaur edition contains many illustrations and maps which were not present in original books.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.