| CHAPTER I. |
| Summary survey of Europe—Aristocracy of France—France previous to the Revolution—Revolutionary Symptoms—The Great Powers, 1792–6—William Pitt—Execution of Louis XVI.—The Allies against France—Siege of Toulon—Invasion of Holland—Napoleon—His early youth—Thirteenth Vendemiaire—The Campaign in Italy—Rapid victories of Bonaparte—Expedition to Egypt—Return of Bonaparte—First Consulate—The passage of the Alps—Second Campaign in Italy—Napoleon Emperor—War with England—Alliance between the Great Powers, 1805—Indecision of Prussia—Alexander visits the tomb of Frederick the Great—Battle of Austerlitz—Treaty of Tilsit—Secret understanding respecting Turkey—British orders in Council—Battle of Wagram—Annexation of Finland—Campaign of Moscow—The Grand Alliance, 1813—Battle of Leipsic—Allies enter Paris, | 1 |
| CHAPTER II. |
| Origin of the War in the Peninsula—Siege of Saragossa—Murderous Character of the War—Success of the French in Portugal—Battle of Rolica—Battle of Vimiero—Convention of Cintra—The French evacuate Portugal—Preparations of Napoleon for another Campaign—He subdues the Country, and enters Madrid—Address to the Spanish People—Napoleon recalled by the War with Austria—Soult and Ney intrusted with the Command of the French Army in Spain—Retreat of Sir John Moore—Battle of Corunna—Death of Sir John Moore—The British Army sail for England, | 50 |
| CHAPTER III. |
| Joseph Bonaparte again King of Spain—His Difficulties with Soult—Second Siege of Saragossa—Another English Army, under Sir Arthur Wellesley, lands at Lisbon—Battle of Talavera—The English retire into Portugal—Siege of Gerona—Principal Events of the Campaign of 1810—The English Troops make a Stand at Torres Vedras—Retreat of Massena—Siege of Cadiz—Escape of French Prisoners—Opening of the Campaign of 1811, | 99 |
| CHAPTER IV. |
| The Author, with his Regiment, leaves Gibraltar, for Tarifa—Dissensions between the Spanish and English Officers—Battle of Barossa—Retreat of the French—Suffering of the Pursuing Army—Guerillas—Don Julian Sanchez—Juan Martin Diaz—Xavier Mina—Continued Privations of the British Army—Adventures of the Author in Search of Food—Arrival of the Commissariat with Provisions—Extravagant Joy of the Troops—Departure of the British Army for Badajos, | 123 |
| CHAPTER V. |
| Badajos—Its Capture by the French—Attempts to retake it by the English—Wellington invests it in Person—Assault upon Fort Christoval—Storming of the Town—Terrific Conflict—The place sacked by the Victors—Disgraceful Drunkenness and Debauchery of the Troops—The Main Body of the Army depart for Beira, | 160 |
| CHAPTER VI. |
| Brief Summary of Events for Four Years preceding the Battle of Waterloo—Author’s Narrative resumed at that Period—Preparation of Troops for the Battle—Skirmishing preceding its Commencement—Reception of the News at Brussels—Departure of the English for the Field of Battle—Disposition of the Forces—Attack upon Hougomont—Progress of the Battle—Arrival of the Prussian Reinforcements—Charge of the Old Guard—Flight of the French, | 199 |
| CHAPTER VII. |
| TURKEY AND RUSSIA. |
| Origin of the Ottoman Empire—Siege and Capture of Constantinople by the Turks—Mahomet—The Sultans—Abdul Medjid—His popularity and power—The Koran. |
| The Russian Empire—Area and population—Social organization—Religious policy—Nobility—Serfs—Conscription—The Army—Progress of Russia and extension of her frontiers—Nicholas—Poland, | 231 |
| CHAPTER VIII. |
| HISTORY OF THE WAR. |
| Arrival of Menschikoff at Constantinople—Demands of the Czar—The Sultan—Occupation of Moldavia and Wallachia—Conference of Vienna—Protest of the Porte—Turkish forces—Commencement of hostilities, | 258 |
| CHAPTER IX. |
| OMER PACHA. |
| Anecdote—His Birth—Reforms—Sultan Mahmud—Enlistment in the Turkish army—His application—Expeditions among the wild tribes—Appointed Generalissimo—Present high position—Domestic life—Marriage—Personal habits—Kossuth and Hungarian refugees—War on the Danube—Battle of Oltenitza, | 268 |
| CHAPTER X. |
| SCHAMYL, THE PROPHET-WARRIOR OF THE CAUCASUS. |
| Caucasus—Character of the tribes—Circassian slave trade—Birth of Schamyl—Personal appearance—Form of government—His army and body-guard—Financial rule—Struggles with Russia—Personal habits—Legend—Circassian women in battle—Escape from the Russians, | 283 |
| CHAPTER XI. |
| SINOPE. |
| Town of Sinope—Osman Pacha—The Mussulmans—The Black Sea squadron—Exploit of Captain Drummond—Sebastopol harbor—Achmet Pacha—Citate—The Battle—Turkey, as a military power—Christian population—War in Asia—England and France—Declaration of War—Embarkation of Troops, | 298 |
| CHAPTER XII. |
| TREATY OF ALLIANCE. |
| The Five Articles of the Treaty—War on the Danube—General Luders—The Pestilence—Decree of the Czar—Governor of Moscow—Loss of the frigate Tiger—Captain Gifford—Black Sea fleet—Duke of Cambridge—Arrival at Varna—Captain Hall—Admiral Plumridge—General Bodisco—Silistria—The Siege—Mussa Pacha—Evacuation of the Principalities by the Russians, | 309 |
| CHAPTER XIII. |
| CRIMEAN EXPEDITION. |
| The Crimea—The Fleet—Appearance in the Bay of Baltjik—Sail from Varna—Land at Eupatoria—March inland—Battle of the Alma—Lord Raglan—Appearance of the Troops—Distance from Sebastopol—The morning of battle—Advance to the river Alma—Russian Position—The Zouaves—Storming the heights—March to Sebastopol—Death of Marshal St. Arnaud—General Canrobert, | 323 |
| CHAPTER XIV. |
| SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL. |
| Bay of Balaklava—Landing of the Siege guns—Russian guns—Sebastopol—Its appearance—Military harbor—Fortifications—Vessels of war—The country around Sebastopol—Allies opening trenches—Message of the governor to Lord Raglan—Bombardment—Lancaster guns—Explosion in the French batteries—Russian powder magazine explodes—The Allied Fleet—The Cannonade—Riflemen—Battle of Balaklava—British and French Position—The Combat—The Turks—The Highlanders—The Russian Cavalry—Captain Nolan—Lord Cardigan, | 344 |
| CHAPTER XV. |
| SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL. |
| Lord Raglan—His life—Battle of Inkerman—Morning of battle—Sons of Emperor Nicholas—The attack—Troops engaged—Fierce encounters—Sir George Cathcart—His death—Russian cruelty—French infantry—The Zouaves—Chasseurs—Russians retire—Renewed attack—Repulsed by the French—Defeat—Sorties—Night after battle—Treaty with Austria of 2d Dec.—Negotiations for peace—The four points—Landing of Omer Pacha at Eupatoria—Death of the Emperor Nicholas—Alexander II.—Fall of Sebastopol, | 372 |
| CHAPTER XVI. |
| SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL. |
| Siege of Sebastopol continues—Sardinia joins the Western Alliance—Battle of Eupatoria—Sudden death of Emperor Nicholas—His love and pride for his Army—His last Words—Alexander II. ascends the Throne—His Manifesto to his Subjects—A Sketch of him—Recall of Prince Menschikoff from command in the Crimea—His abilities and failings—His Successors—Gortschakoff’s Military Career, | 393 |
