Charge!

Dramatic charges of the Napoleonic wars Details the different mounted troops of the era and their various roles The colour, panache and drama of Napoleonic battle 'If you want to know what it must have been like among the foam and the fetlocks as you drew your sabre for what you feared might be the last time, then this is the book for you.' - Andrew Roberts in The Daily Mail 'A dramatic and spirited narrative, Digby Smith brings to life some of the most exciting and illustrative examples of cavalry in action in the Napoleonic Wars' - Military Illustrated Cavalry was the queen of the Napoleonic battlefield. Surging squadrons of dragoons, dashing hussars or the awesome might of heavy cuirassiers often snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and decided the fate of kingdoms. In this dramatic and spirited history of cavalry in the Napoleonic period, Digby Smith examines how battles could be decided by the skilful use of cavalry. He outlines the development of the mounted arm - describing the various types of mounted unit, their roles and abilities - and then sets out to describe how cavalry could turn the tide of battle.
By examining such key battles as Marengo, Eylau, Albuera, the crossing of the Beresina and Waterloo, Charge! reveals how cavalry could be deployed in an offensive and defensive capacity or how an effective and well-timed cavalry charge could overcome almost any obstacle. The scenarios have been carefully selected to reveal how leadership, training, weather, terrain and the condition of the horses could affect the success of a charge. Replete with eyewitness accounts and tales of outstanding courage, Charge! is a dramatic read as well as a fascinating insight into the role and performance of cavalry on the Napoleonic field of battle.Digby Smith is a respected historian of the Napoleonic Wars and the author of a number of acclaimed books on the period.