PREFACE.
A natural wish to become acquainted, to a certain degree, with the characters of my contemporaries in a profession to which I am most ardently attached, and to which almost all my life has been devoted, first led me to enquire into the services of the Officers whose Memoirs I now present to the public. In gratifying this desire I collected much information; and, as I gathered, arranged it. My materials, in time, became considerable; and, thinking that what I had found both pleasing and useful to myself, might not be uninteresting to others, I resolved, after some hesitation, to publish that collection in the form here offered. I was, however, chiefly determined to do so by reflecting, that in my researches, I had discovered, that many gallant exploits had been achieved which were either wholly unknown, or had been but little regarded. Every person is aware that it is not always in the events most important to the country, that the greatest skill and courage have been exhibited; and yet, it is only when bravery and superior tactics have been displayed in acts of great public interest, that the reputation they deserved has been bestowed. This work having for its object the
