Author
Cavalié Mercer
1783-1868
Cavalié Mercer (1783-1868) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by Cavalié Mercer
Journal of the Waterloo campaign, vol. 2 (of 2) : $b kept throughout the campaign of 1815
"Journal of the Waterloo campaign, vol. 2 (of 2): kept throughout the campaign..." by General Cavalié Mercer is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The work details the personal observations and experiences of General Mercer, who commanded the 9th Brigade Royal Artillery during the Waterloo campaign. The likely focus is on the daily life, logistics, challenges, and encounters of British forces and their allies as they advanced through France in the turbulent aftermath of the famous battle, providing both military and human perspectives. The opening of this journal offers a vivid chronicle of the Allied army’s arduous post-Waterloo march through northern France. Mercer describes in detail the chaotic congestion of troops, artillery, and baggage trains on muddy roads; tense interactions and even scuffles with allied contingents; and the often indifferent, rural peasantry who persist with their daily lives despite the foreign occupation. He captures scenes of makeshift bivouacs, the hardship of moving through monotonous landscapes, and the fragile discipline within the armies—contrasting British restraint with reports of Prussian and allied plundering. The narrative depicts moments of hospitality from local French families, the practicalities of finding food and shelter, and the poignant passage of King Louis XVIII amid grateful royalist citizens. As the journal progresses, Mercer’s reflections move between logistical frustrations, the beauty or desolation of the countryside, and the shifting morale and uncertainty among troops as they approach Paris, blending military movements with cultural observations and personal anecdotes.
Journal of the Waterloo campaign, vol. 1 (of 2) : $b kept throughout the campaign of 1815
"Journal of the Waterloo campaign, vol. 1 (of 2): kept throughout the campaign…" is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work presents a detailed personal diary by General Cavalié Mercer, focusing on his experiences as commander of the 9th Brigade Royal Artillery during the pivotal Waterloo campaign of 1815. Rather than a strategic military overview, the journal offers firsthand observations, daily hardships, and immediate impressions of the campaign, making it particularly valuable for readers seeking an intimate, ground-level perspective on this significant historical event. The opening of the journal begins with a preface by Mercer's son, explaining the diary’s origins in nightly notes and outlining its focus—what Mercer saw and experienced himself from the troop’s mobilization in England to their landing in Belgium. The early chapters detail the urgency and confusion following Napoleon’s return from Elba, with vivid descriptions of preparations, the chaotic embarkation of troops and horses, and the challenging conditions upon landing at Ostend. Mercer recounts logistical struggles, inclement weather, interactions with locals, and first impressions of Belgian towns and countryside, painting a rich and lively picture of the opening phase of the campaign. Through these initial entries, the narrative immerses readers in the everyday realities and personal challenges faced by British artillerymen on the eve of a historic battle.