Brave Men in Action; Some Thrilling Stories of the British Flag (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878. Excerpt: ... PREFACE. IIN presenting this Volume to the Public of Great Britain and Ireland, there is but little need of a formal Preface, for the title with the table of contents speak amply for the matter, and there are but few points calling for remark. In the mass of Military and Naval history which we have as a nation by this time accumu lated, individual efforts, in contra-distinction to the greater operations of Armies and Fleets, are apt to become forgotten--we lose sight of the Soldier or Sailor in the vast labours of the Commander-in-Chief or the Admiral. "brave Men In Action" is intended to make the Person more prominent than the Force, and therefore in most of the articles Incidents are brought boldly into the foreground of the picture, while the Action is only outlined so far as is needful to the proper comprehension of the selected deed of daring. The personal courage of all ranks--the General and the Foretopman, the Admiral with "Tommy Atkins," and the Marine--has been illustrated; and the greatest care has been taken, by means of a judicious collation of the best Narratives, Reports, and Despatches, to make the whole book as historically accurate rfs may be. At the same time, the author would point out that in such a work there must be errors, not necessarily on his part or through his fault, but because of the inevitable conflict of evidence about events occurring in the fiery excitement of action, and hurriedly described by the actors therein in order that their Superiors, or Friends at home, may have the earliest information. "Brave Men In Action" has been written for no class--the Youth, it is beheved, will "adly read of the bold deeds of his countrymen in both services, who have borne our Flag proudly in various parts of the world: Soldiers like a...