Armies of the Napoleonic Era provides a complete overview of the
tactics, organisation, uniforms, equipment, weapons and actions fought
during those dynamic years 1792-1815, when revolutionary France reshaped
Europe before being forced back into a more conventional pattern of
life. Digby Smith has studied first class source data from many European
museums, archives, numerous regimental histories, contemporary official
handbooks and private diaries, and has distilled this mass of
information into a work covering all the standing armies of the
Napoleonic era. Technical data on the artillery of the various states
include the chemical make-up of gunpowders, fuzes and incendiary bombs;
the dimensions, performances and effects of cannon, howitzers and
mortars, shot, shell and canister; and the dimensions, calibre and
performance of muskets, carbines, rifles and pistols. The tactics of
artillery, cavalry and infantry-are explained and each nation has its
own section in which uniform development and regimental history are
described. A brief summary of the campaigns and actions in which that
nation was involved is also included. An appendix gives an overall
summary of all battles and major clashes between 1792-1815. A wide
selection of illustrations and diagrams complements this unique work,
which will be of incalculable value as a reference work to serious
students of the period, modelers and wargamers.
