within the last decade of the history of great britain, some very important books have been added to her literature, and especially to that particular division which treats of her wars and splendid victories, during the same period. “the fifteen decisive battles of the world,” by sir e. s. creasy, chief justice of ceylon; “the twelve great battles of england,” inscribed to the british volunteers of 1860; “england’s battles by sea and land,” “russell’s crimea and india,” “emerson’s sebastopol,” &c., are valuable in themselves, as describing those victories which have raised “dear old england” to the very first rank among the nations. but the object of the present publication embraces a larger and more extended field of research. it embraces the whole of the principal battles, by land and sea, that have ever taken place, from the earliest recorded action of which we have in history any distinct and reliable information, to the very last event of military importance which has transpired previous to going to press.
i need scarcely say here that that event is the unprecedented and unheard of invasion of our country, by a band of lawless brigands and filibusters, from the neighbouring republic, ycleped fenians, who have shed blood, and wantonly invaded the territory of a friendly power. it gives me much pleasure to insert in the “cyclop?dia of battles” some account of how they were met by our brave volunteers, at ridgeway and pigeon hill; for it proves that the volunteers of canada will compare favorably with those of the mother country: and let it be borne in mind that one-half of the[vii] men who greatly contributed to the victory of waterloo were recruits—raw troops—drafts from the militia—soldiers who had never been engaged before; and the same indomitable pluck—the same unconquered spirit—the same manly virtue of england’s offshoot sons, was seen in the attack at ridgeway.
in the first general engagement in the great rebellion of the united states—which was fought at bull run—american volunteers were also for the first time under fire, but what was the result? a total pell-mell rout—a scattered army hurrying on—cavalry, artillery, and infantry—in one mighty, confused mass—treading down and overthrowing each other, in their eagerness to escape from the manly chivalry of the south. our brave volunteers charged with the “spirit of their fathers,” and gained the day.
it has been said that canada was neither a military nor a literary colony. the events of the last few weeks fully proves to the contrary, regarding her military ardor. her sons nobly responded to the government call; and had necessity required, as fair and fully equipped an army would have trod the battle-field as ever stood arrayed before an enemy;—and these sons of hers were scions of all stocks—from the son of the learnèd divine or lawyer, to the peasant’s only boy. as regards her literary fame she has produced works which will compare favorably with sister colonies, and may rank side by side with the mother country. to refute the assertion, too, may be here remarked, what an agent for some of the largest publishers both of england and the united states said not long ago; “in the last three months he had sold twenty complete copies of one of the largest and best encyclop?dias, and nearly double that number in parts,” added to the hundreds of other publications which are being scattered broadcast over the country, prove that the canadians are cultivating their minds as well as their “broad acres.” for my own individual part, i can bear ample testimony[viii] to the generous patronage given to my publications. the first, published some years ago was rapidly sold. the second issued, was accepted by the unanimous voice and vote of the council of public instruction as the standard school reader for lower canada, and received the approval of the government. the whole edition of the third, issued last christmas, was sold in two weeks. the present work bids fair to receive as large if not a larger circulation.
to the people of canada who have advanced and are advancing literature, by subscribing to and supporting literary institutions and productions, i tender my sincere thanks for all the patronage hitherto bestowed upon my humble endeavours to elevate the literature of this, my adopted country, and to perpetuate, in book form, among the “battles of the world,” canada’s engagements with foreign foes—her battles by land and sea.
j. douglas borthwick.
montreal, 24th july 1866.
postscript.—since the above preface has been in type events which were looked for, have transpired in europe and by the accounts received some battles have already been fought on continental soil. as far as practicable, insertion will be given to those of which we have received reliable information as regarding statistics, &c.
j. d. b.
