Book review: The Waterloo Archive, volume I: British Sources

Although it is quite possible that more has been written on Waterloo than any other battle in history, eminent Napoleonic era historians such as Gareth Glover and Andrew Uffindel insist that facts and personalities involved in the battle and Napoleon's campaign of 1815 still cry out for reconsideration. For example, the majority of historians believe that only forty-two men of the 2nd Light Battalion of the King's German Legion survived the heroic defence of the farm complex of La Haye Sainte. But if we read more carefully the report of Major George Baring, who was in command at the farm, we discover that forty-two men stayed around him throughout the battle, suggesting that many more may have survived in other nearby enclaves. 

Faced with those problems, Gareth Glover, a foremost authority on British archival material, has taken upon his shoulders the task of rewriting the true history of Waterloo, which will mark its bicentennial in June 2015. In volume one, devoted to British sources, Gareth collects letters and journals, many of which have not been seen or read by the general public. Of much historical importance is the discovery of drawings that Captain of Artillery Alexander Mercer drew to accompany his journal, the account written by Elizabeth Ord, stepdaughter to Thomas Greevey, and the full records of the court-martial against Sergeant Archibald Johnston of the 2nd Regiment of Dragoons, on 7 May 1815. 

Glover successfully uses the wealth of material at hand to reconstruct the British perspective on the battle. From the general viewpoint of those officers, sergeants, privates, doctors and civilians, the real winner of the battle was the British army; the Belgians deserted and the Prussians waited until the British victory was clear before launching their attack. Of great importance from a military standpoint is the statement that the battle in reality was a one of artillery, as well as the important role played by the defence of Hougomont in the final victory. Something that also may surprise the common reader is the very good use of English language from the sergeants, a literacy attributable to the rise of Methodism in the army during these years.

Glover, with the help of Martin Mittelacher, an American with German roots, has prepared translations of German and Dutch source material for upcoming installments. After reading The Waterloo Archive, volume I, Napoleonic enthusiasts will no doubt await publication of the next five volumes of that monumental project with high expectations and perhaps some impatience.