Journal of the Waterloo Campaign

"An outstanding picture of the haste, confusion, and uncertainty of both the campaign and the battle, written by a man who definitely was there!"--Col. John R. Elting, author of Swords Around a Throne: Napoleon's Grande Armee





Journal of the Waterloo Campaign remains one of the most famous personal accounts of the climactic three days which ended the military career and empire of Napoleon Bonaparte. Captain Cavalié Mercer (1783-1868), commander of G Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery in Wellington's army, was a skilled writer who recorded the day's events each evening. As a result, readers can experience through Mercer's keen eye the turbulence and graphic immediacy of the entire campaign: the news of Napoleon's return from Elba; the landing of Wellington's forces in Belgium; the lulls and hard marching; the battle at Quatre Bras (where Mercer fired a few rounds at Napoleon himself); Wellington's retreat; the ferocious fighting at Waterloo; and Mercer's own bold contribution to the larger Allied victory.

Captain Cavalie Mercer (1783-1868) was commander of G Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery in Wellington's army.