Description
Book SynopsisBetween 1817 and 1825, 10,000 British mercenaries, many of them veterans of the Napoleonic Wars, left Europe to join the armies and navies of Bolivar, San Martin, and other leaders fighting to liberate their countries from the colonial domination of Spain and Portugal. Very few of these mercenaries came back. Many succumbed to tropical diseases or battles, and the remainder settled in the new states that they helped to create.
This two-volume edition tells the little known story of these freedom mercenaries. Using historical evidence, this work offers a complete study of the struggle of both Britons and South Americans in these Wars of Independence and analyzes their actions in the larger context of the foreign policies of the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Imperial Russia, and the German States. Each volume features self-contained, but complementary chapters that follow one major unit or volunteer. Written in an approachable style, this book offers insight into
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Summary Chapter 3 Outline of Latin American Independence Chapter 4 The Conspirators Chapter 5 The Recruitment Chapter 6 John Robertson: A Canadian in the Bolivarian Saga Chapter 7 Gregor MacGregor: General, Privateer, and Cazique Chapter 8 James English and The Cumana Campaign Chapter 9 George Elsom and the Legion that Never Was Chapter 10 The Irish Legion Chapter 11 The Unknown Volunteer: An Officer of the Colombian Navy Chapter 12 Donald MacDonald and the 1st Lancers Chapter 13 Daniel O'Leary (I): Expedition of the Five Colonels Chapter 14 Daniel O'Leary (II): Bolivar's First Aide-de-Camp Chapter 15 James Rooke and the British Legion Chapter 16 John Mackintosh and the Albion Battalion Chapter 17 Thomas Ferrier and the Second British Legion Chapter 18 Arthur Sandes and the Rifles Battalion Chapter 19 Alexander Alexander Chapter 20 John Illingworth: Father of the Ecuadorean Navy Chapter 21 Notes Chapter 22 Index Chapter 23 About the Author
