1809 Campaign of the British Army in Spain : J Moore : Peninsular War : Maps

A Narrative of the Campaign of the British Army in Spain, Commanded by His Excellency Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, K.B. &c.&c.&c. Authenticated by Official Papers and Original Letters

By James Moore, Esq.

Lieutenant-Colonel William Maxwell's own copy . . he fought at the Battle of Corunna

London; Printed for Joseph Johnson, 1809. Second Edition. Published the same year as the Battle of Battle of Corunna. 4to, half-leather binding bound by Blair Jeary, Stamford. xii, 238, 89 (Appendix). Illustrated with two engraved folding maps. Also included within the book is a small hand-written piece of sheet music that includes two tunes, 'Rule Britannia' and 'Tis the Last Rose of Summer' by Thomas Moore.

This work focuses on Sir John Moore's command of British forces in Spain, most notably the Battle of Corunna. This battle took place on 16 January whereby a French corps under Marshal of the Empire Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult attacked Moore's army. This battle was a result of a French campaign led by Napoleon. Moore passed away in this battle following a fatal wound caused by a cannon shot.

PROVENANCE
This was Lieutenant-Colonel William Maxwell's own copy, and came from the library at Monreith House, home of the Maxwell family. His signature is found to the inside front board along with his personal bookplate.

Lieutenant-Colonel William Maxwell of Monreith served with the 26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot, which was active from 1689 to 1881. The regiment was known for its participation in various significant battles and was eventually amalgamated to form the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in 1881. Maxwell served in the 26th Foot and lost his left arm at the Battle of Corunna on 16th January, 1809.

CONDITION
The leather binding is in good condition. Endpapers good. All contents present and pages good throughout with the odd mark to the odd margin. K3 written in pencil to front endpaper (this denotes the shelf number where the book resided in the Monreith library). No other writing to the book other than that of Lieutenant-Colonel William Maxwell's signature to the inside board. Maps are good but one has a small closed tear at the gutter. Overall a good copy with strong provenance.

(GC2)