Featured battle : Castalla

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 13 April 1813

Murray had fallen back before the French and, while his rearguard delayed the enemy, prepared positions at Castalla. In a classic French column versus British line the French lost over 350 men in 5 minutes. The French defeat could have been far worse but Murray chose caution and continued his withdrawal to the ships rather than a pursuit.

Peninsular and Waterloo General

Marcus de la Poer Beresford
Here we have a life story which would stretch credulity as a novel but this is no imaginary creation. Denis Pack not only attended many battles but got into the thick of most of them. Multiple times he left the battlefield wounded and as many times he stayed on the battlefield wounded. He lead men in battles in South Africa, South America, the Peninsular and at Waterloo. He knew both defeat and victory and as well as wounds he also suffered imprisonment. He died in London of a ruptured blood vessel aged only 46 years old. His character both as a man and as a commander of men is beautifully drawn out in this book.
This is a large well-researched book which contains material not previously published presented in an easy readable style. Also there are a number of sketch maps and a good set of relevant photographs.
A jolly good read which we highly recommend.

Pen & Sword Military, 2022