Recollections of Rifleman Harris (old 95th)

Recollections of Rifleman Harris (Old 95th) by Benjamin Harris is a remarkable firsthand memoir of a common soldier who served in the 95th Rifles during the Napoleonic Wars. Offering a rare enlisted man's perspective, Harris recounts his experiences in the brutal Peninsular Campaign under the Duke of Wellington, detailing battlefield engagements, harsh marches, discipline, camaraderie, and the daily realities of life in the British Army. Unlike official military histories, this vivid narrative captures the voice of an ordinary rifleman, revealing the courage, endurance, and hardships faced by soldiers in early nineteenth-century warfare. Rich in historical detail and personal observation, the memoir provides valuable insight into British military tactics, regimental life, and the wider conflict against Napoleonic France. Essential reading for enthusiasts of military history, Napoleonic studies, British Army history, and war memoirs, this classic account remains an important primary source on the era's warfare and soldierly experience.