The Principles of War Exhibited in the Practice of the Camp and as developed in a Series of General Orders of Field Marshall The Duke of Wellington K.G. in the Late Campaigns on the Peninsula with Parallel Orders of George the Second, the Duke of Cumberland, the Duke of Marlborough, Earl of Albemarle, Lord Stair, General Wole &c &c &c., published by Cadell & Davis, Strand; Black, Parry, and Co., Leadenhall Street and all Booksellers 1815. 1st (only?) edition. 338pp and 37 page index. Half red leather, marbled paper covered boards and marbled edges to text block. Gilt titles to spine. Mild rubbing / scuffing to corners but really, a rather handsome copy of this exceptionally rare title. Pale foxing to endpapers, else internally very good. The aim of the book is outlined by the anonymous editor in the introduction. The events of war, however splendid and useful they may be in themselves, would, in the contemplation of the judicious, and the eye of the soldier, lose a considerable portion of the reputation, otherwise claimable for them, if they should appear to flow from a felicitous circumstance, rather than as a consequence from a train of well-digested measures, moving to a known and anticipated conclusion. What follows is a digest of the General Orders issued by Wellington when in command of the British army in the Peninsular Campaign. That is to say, the orders covering the behind the lines life of the ordinary soldier. Chapters include Discipline; Work parties; Markets and provisioning; post and letters; Chaplains; Pay; hospitals &c &c. Upon this solid administration the editor argues was built the successes in the field. The volume demonstrates an important insight into this aspect of Wellington's approach to war. It appears to be rare in commerce and offers an excellent addition to any library of the Napoleonic / Peninsular wars.