Narrative of the Operations of a Detachment in an Expedition to Candy, in the Island of Ceylon, in the Year 1804 (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Arthur Johnston

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0364089229 ISBN 13: 9780364089224

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Inside this eyewitness account, discover a detailed portrait of early 19th‑century Ceylon war and life.

This narrative follows a British detachment's 1804 expedition to Candy, offering a grounded look at battlefield strategy, terrain, and the daily realities of marching through a rugged island landscape.

The text blends personal memoir with field notes, explaining the country, its people, and a form of warfare shaped by forested passes, monsoon rivers, and local alliances. It discusses why traditional European tactics faltered, how guides and locals shaped campaigns, and what drove decisions when supplies ran low and danger closed in.

• Understand the geography and climate that influenced military operations in Ceylon
• Learn how irregular warfare adapted to forests, hills, and river crossings
• Explore the roles of locals, guides, and merchants in coaching or hindering expedition progress
• See how leadership, fatigue, and discipline affected command decisions in tight spots

Ideal for readers of military history and colonial-era campaigns, who want a ground‑level view of command decisions, terrain, and the realities of 1800s frontier warfare.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0364089229
• ISBN 13: 9780364089224
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 152