The Life of a General in Napoleon's Light Cavalry: The Memoirs of Jean-Nicolas Cur?ly [Hardcover]

This is the first English translation of the memoirs of Jean-Nicolas Cur?ly. Born in 1774, son of a laborer, Cur?ly rose through the ranks to become a General in Napoleon's Light Cavalry.Although Cur?ly did not fight in many of the most famous battles of the First Republic and the Napoleonic Wars, this reflects the role of the light cavalry; scouting ahead of the army, conducting reconnaissance to the flanks and launching raids. He did, however, take part in all Napoleons great campaigns, including Austerlitz, Heilsberg, Essling, Raab, Wagram, Beresina, Wachau, Leipzig, Craonne and Laon, and served as an aide de camp to many of the French armys most famous light cavalry generals.Cur?lys memoirs give a unique and detailed glimpse into the day-to-day life of the light cavalry from someone who, although of lowly birth and with no education, became an exceptional General. He was a hussar at 19 years, second lieutenant at 32, squadron commander at 35, Colonel at 38 and General at 40. He became Cavalier of the L?gion dHonneur in 1806, and was wounded five times in his career.His account describes in great detail the many actions he was involved in and the many exceptional scrapes he escaped. However, his narrative does not only describe combat but also the lengths he went to for the welfare of his men and horses, particularly during the retreat from Moscow which he survived with a hundred men and nearly all his officers still battleworthy.Stretching from Cur?ly's enrolment with the Hussars in 1793 to Waterloo, capitulation of Paris and the disbandment of the army, this book is a 'must have' for anyone with an interest in the Napoleonic Wars.First English translation of the memoirs of Jean-Nicolas Cur?ly.Although of lowly birth, Cur?ly rose though the ranks; he became hussar at 19 years, second lieutenant at 32, squadron commander at 35, colonel at 38 and general at 40.A detailed insight into the everyday life of the light cavalry.Covers many of Napoleon's great campailSÍ