ADVENTURES OF A SOLDIER

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

BEING

THE MEMOIRS

OF

EDWARD COSTELLO, K.S.F.

FORMERLY A NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN THE RIFLE BRIGADE,

LATE CAPTAIN IN THE BRITISH LEGION, AND NOW ONE OF THE WARDENS OF

THE TOWER OF LONDON;

COMPRISING

NARRATIVES OF THE CAMPAIGNS IN THE PENINSULA UNDER THE

DUKE OF WELLINGTON,

AND THE SUBSEQUENT CIVIL WARS IN SPAIN.

What, must I tell it thee?

As o’er my ev’ning fire I musing sat

Some few days since, my mind’s eye backward turn’d

Upon the various changes I have pass’d—

How in my youth with gay attire allur’d,

And all the grand accoutrements of war,

I left my peaceful home: Then my first battles,

When clashing arms, and sights of blood were new:

Then all the after-chances of the war;

Ay, and that field, a well-fought field it was.

COUNT BASIL.

Second Edition.

LONDON:

COLBURN AND CO., PUBLISHERS,

GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET.

1852.

[ii]LONDON:

Printed by Schulze and Co., 13, Poland Street.

[iii]TO

GENERAL SIR A. F. BARNARD, K.C.B, K.C.H.

&c. &c. &c.

COLONEL OF THE RIFLE BRIGADE,

AND GOVERNOR OF CHELSEA COLLEGE,

THIS VOLUME

Is most respectfully Dedicated,

BY THE AUTHOR,

EDWARD COSTELLO.

[v]