Origins of Modern Warfare

Manuscripts

MSS 012 - World War 1914-1918 photograph collection
Black and white photographic record of Australian Infantry Forces during and after World War I, including trench warfare.

MSS 145 – Papers of General Sir Cecil James East
Three bound manuscript journals written by General Sir Cecil James East, KCB, covering East's military career from 1854-1898, including accounts of service in the, the Indian Mutiny and his career as a staff officer in India. 

Example: Box 1/Folder 1 Journal, 4 April 1854- 24 May 1872, including siege of Sevastopol (Ukraine)

MSS 162 – Guide to the Papers of Establishments of His Majesty's Land Forces, March 1775
Original handwritten manuscript recording the number of British Land Forces and Garrisons deployed throughout the world in March 1775.

MSS 236 – Papers of John Gurwood
Lieutenant Colonel John Gurwood served with the 52nd Regiment from the commencement of the Peninsular War till 1812, when he was promoted to Captain in the African Corps for distinguished conduct at Ciudad Rodrigo. He subsequently served at the battles of the Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse and Waterloo, and was the compiler of Wellington's despatches, general orders and parliamentary speeches.

Example: Box 2/Folio 1 Seven letters from John Gurwood to his brother Dick (Richard) Gurwood,
(7 May 1808 to October 1812), relating to John Gurwood's military service in the Peninsula War;
4-page letter by Gurwood to My dear Napier, dated 14 June 1843, concerning inaccuracies in Napier's account in his book entitled History of the war in the peninsula of the 52nd Foot Regiment at Sabugal, together with a typescript copy. Gurwood also copied out and included at the bottom of this letter the contents of a note sent to him about Napier's book ‘that I was paraded all over England as an Imposter’, dated 11 July 1842

MSS 247 - Papers of John Fox Burgoyne
Field Marshall Burgoyne was a senior British officer who was present at the siege and battle of Salamanca, and following the Battle of Vittoria, rising to Commanding Engineer under Lord Wellington in 1813.  In 1853 he accompanied Lord Raglan's headquarters to the East, superintended the disembarkation of the army on the Crimean Peninsula, and was a principal adviser to the English commander during the first part of the siege of Sevastopol.

Example: Box 1/Folder 2  Crimean correspondence of General Sir John Burgoyne, 1 January to 30 March 1855, including: Letters to George and Margaret Wrottesley; Letter to Wrottesley from Geo Stopford, 4 January [1855]; Memorandum on a sum of field allowance, 19 January 1855; Letter to My dear General from [Egerton?] regarding the soldiers and the Sabbath, 11 February 1855; Letter to My Dear Sir John regarding soldiers and the Sabbath, undated; Letter to My dear General regarding soldiers and the Sabbath, 12 February 1855; Confidential letter regarding General ? and soldiers and the Sabbath, 14 February 1855; Two sketch maps; Meteorological table of climate, 1854; Copy of order given by Lord Raglan to Lord Lucan stating that 'Lord Raglan wishes the cavalry to advance rapidly to the front, follow the enemy, and try to prevent the enemy carrying away the guns. Troop of Horse artillery may accompany. French cavalry is on your left. Immediate’, 1868

MSS 267 – Papers of the HMS Pegasus
Leather bound logbook of HMS Pegasus while on service in Canada and the West Indies, 21 March 1786 to 12 March 1788; official ship's log; including references to Prince William Henry (later William IV) and Captain Horatio Nelson (later Admiral).

Rare Books

Ancient Warfare

De re militari
Author: Flavius Vegetius Renatus; Sextus Julius Frontinus
Subjects: Military art and science -- Early works to 1800; Rome -- Army
Description: Complete contents: De re militari [Books 1-4] / Flauii Vegetii Renati -- Stratagematum [Books 1-4] / Sexti Iulii Frontini -- Modeftus de re militari ad Theodofium Auguftum -- De inftruendis aciebus / Aelianus -- De optimo Imperatore / Onofander -- Military institutions of the Ancient Romans -- --Selection, training and discipline of recruits -- ----Drill -- ----Arms -- ----Marches -- --Organization, officers, ancient system of promotion -- ----Pay -- ----Guard duty -- --Formation of the Legion for battle -- ----Engines for hurling missiles (ballista) -- ----Mechanical slings (onagri) -- ----Workmen -- --Tactics and strategy -- ----Use of reserves -- ----Encircling pursuit -- ----Knowing character of enemy -- --Attack and defence of fortified places -- --Naval operations
Publisher: Rome : Eucharius Silber
Date: 1494
Format: ca. 210 p.
Language: Latin
Available at Canberra Special Collection (U35 .V53 1494)

De re militari romanorum liber : opus posthumum
Author: Claude Saumaise 1588-1653.
Subjects: Rome -- History, Military
Publisher: Leyden : Elsevier
Date: 1657
Format: 243 p. : ill.
Language: Latin
Available at Canberra Special Collection (U35 .S25 1657)

The Commentaries of C. Julius Caesar, of his wars in Gallia : and the civil wars betwixt him and Pompey. Translated into English
Author: Julius. Caesar; Clement Edmondes
Subjects: Gaul -- History -- 58 B.C.-511 A.D; Rome -- History -- Civil War, 49-45 B.C; Rome -- History -- Republic, 265-30 B.C
Description: Ms. note on a medal of Julius Caesar found at Seringapatam, in 1799, tipped in; Title in red and black; Wing C200
Publisher: London : Printed by Tho. Newcomb, for Jonathan Edwin, 1677
Format: [46], 332, [6] p. : fol. illus., fold., plans, port
Language: English
Edition: rev, corr, and enl.
Available at Canberra Special Collection (DC62.C2 E3)

Military character of the different European armies, engaged in the late war : with a parallel of the policy, power, and means of the ancient Romans and modern French
Subjects: Armies -- Europe -- History; Military art and science -- Europe -- History
Publisher: London : T. Egerton, Military Library, Whitehall, 1804
Format: 190 p. ; 22 cm.
Language: English; French
Edition: 2nd ed.
Available at Canberra Special Collection (D25.5 .M5 1804)

The viking age : the early history, manners and customs of the ancestors of the English-speaking nations
Author: Paul B. Du Chaillu (Paul Belloni), 1831-1903
Subjects: Vikings; Northmen; Ethnology -- Scandinavia
Description: VOLUME TWO -- Marriage -- Divorce -- Birth and bringing-up of children -- Arvel, or inheritance feast -- Foster-brotherhood -- Weapons -- War customs -- Rock-tracings -- War-ships -- Fleets of Northmen -- Naval warfare -- Sea battles -- Traders and trading-ships -- Debts and robbery -- Halls and buildings -- Feasts, entertainments -- Dress -- --Men -- --Women -- Bracteates -- Occupations and sports -- Idrottir -poetry or scaldship, music and mental exercises -- Conduct of life -the Havamal -- Sorrow and mourning -- Champions and berserks -- Expeditions and deeds of great Vikings -- Discovery and settlement of Iceland, Greenland, and america -- Orkneys and Hebrides -- Frankish Chronicles -- Facsimiles of sagas -- Coins found in Scandinavia
Publisher: London : John Murray, 1889
Format: 2 v. : ill., map
Language: English
Available at Canberra Special Collection (DL65 .D8 1889)

The history of the kingdom of Ireland : being an account of all the battles, sieges and other considerable transactions, both civil and military, during the late wars there, till the entire reduction of that country, by the victorious arms of our most gracious sovereigh, King William. To which is prefixed, a brief relation of the ancient inhabitants and first conquest that nation, by King Henry II, and of all remarkable passages in the reign of every king to this time; particularly of the horrid rebellion and massacres in 1641; with the popish and arbitary designs that were carried on there in the last reigns
Author: Richard Burton
Subjects: Ireland -- History -- 1625-1649; Ireland -- History -- Rebellion of 1641
Publisher: Westminster London : Machell Stace, 1811
Format: 145 p. : ports
Language: English
Edition: New ed.
Available at Canberra Special Collection (folio DA941.5 .B8 1811

Siege Warfare

Defense de Sebastopol : expose de la guerre souterraine 1854-1855
Author: M. M. Frolow
Author: E. de Todleben
Subjects: Intrenchments; Blasting; Sevastopol (Ukraine) -- History -- Siege, 1854-1855 -- Engineering and construction
Publisher: Saint-Petersbourg sic : Nekludow, 1870
Format: 213 p.
Language: French
Available at Canberra Special Collection (DK 215.7 .F7 1870)

Gunpowder

Momumenta pulveris pyrii : reproduction of ancient pictures concerning the history of gunpowder, with explanatory notes
Author: Oscar Gutmann 1855-1910
Subjects: Gunpowder -- History
Description: Number 214 of 270 numbered copies; English, German and French; Bound in half-leather with plywood boards secured by clasps
Publisher: London : Printed for the author at the Artists Press, 1906
Format: (v) 34 (104) p. : ill., ports.
Language: English; German; French
Available at Canberra Special Collection (folio TP272 .G87 1906)

The complete gunner; in three parts
Subjects: Ballistics -- History; Artillery -- Early works to 1800
Description: Facsimile reprint of 1st ed. London, R. Pawlet, T. Fassinger and B. Hurlock, 1675
Publisher: Eng. : S. R. Publishers, 1971
Format: ill.
Language: English
Available at Canberra Special Collection (UF144 .C65)

A treatise of artillery
Author: Guillaume Leblond 1704-1781
Subjects: Artillery -- Early works to 1800
Description: Translation of Elements de la guerre des sieges, ou Traite de l'artillerie, de l'attaque et de la defense des places, a l'usage des jeunes militaries; First published in French Paris, C.-A. Jombert, 1743; Facsim. reprint. Original t.p. in English reads A treatise of artillery, or Of the arms and machines used in war since the invention of gun powder. Being the first part of Leblond's Elements of war ... London, Printed by E. Cave, at St. John's gate, and sold by M. Cooper ... P. Vaillant ... and J. Brindley, 1746
Related Titles: Series: Limited edition military series
Publisher: Ottawa : Museum Restoration Service, 1970
Format: 134, [2] p. : fold. ill.
Language: English; French
Available at Canberra Special Collection (UF144 .L4613 1743)

15th-17th Century Warfare

Letters and papers illustrative of the wars of the English in France during the reign of Henry the Sixth, King of England
Author: Joseph Stevenson 1806-1895
Subjects: Hundred Years' War, 1339-1453
Publisher: London : Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts and Green, 1861-1864
Format: 2 v. in 3
Language: English
Available at Canberra Special Collection (DA 25 .B5 1861)

Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of England, France, Spain, and the adjoining countries : from the latter part of the reign of Edward II, to the coronation of Henry IV
Author: Jean Froissart 1338?-1410?; Thomas Johnes 1748-1816.
Subjects: Hundred Years' War, 1339-1453; France -- History -- House of Valois, 1328-1589; Europe -- History -- 1476-1492; Great Britain -- History -- 14th century
Description: "The engravings are traced from the finest illuminations in our libraries and in that of France": Advert. to 1st ed.; Includes index: v. 12
Publisher: London : Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme...and J. White, 1808
Format: 12 v.+ 1 v. of plates (22 cm.)
Language: English; French
Edition: The third edition, to which is prefixed, a life of the author, an essay on his works, a criticism on his history, and a dissertation on his poetry.
Available at Canberra Special Collection (D202.8 .J6 1808)

Les Discours militaires
Author: Du Praissac
Subjects: Military art and science -- Europe -- History; Military policy -- Political aspects; France -- History, Military -- 1610-1643
Description: Consists of 5 parts bound as one; Translation of title: Military dissertations
Publisher: Paris : M. Guillemot et S. Thibovst, 1622
Format: 219, 137 p. : ill.
Language: French
Edition: 2e ed de nouveau corige [sic] et augmente.
Available at Canberra Special Collection (U101 .D85 1622)

The art of war and the way that it is at present practised in France : in two parts : wherein the duties and functions of all the officers of horse and foot, artillery and provisions from the general of the army to the private souldier are treated of
Author: Louis de Gaya
Subjects: France. Armee; Military art and science -- Early works to 1800
Description: Translation of: Art de la guerre et la maniere dont on la fait a present
Publisher: London : Printed for Robert Harford, 1678
Format: [16], 79, [1], 118, [2] p., plates : ill
Language: English; French
Available at Canberra Special Collection (U101 .G315)

Les memoires de messire Philippe de Commines, Chevalier, seigneur d'Argenton
Author: Philippe de Commynes ca. 1447-1511
Subjects: Louis XI, King of France, 1423-1483; Charles, VIII, King of France, 1470-1498; France -- History -- House of Valois, 1328-1589; France -- History -- Medieval period, 987-1515
Description: Includes indice des chapitres
Publisher: Leide : Elzeviers, 1648
Format: 1 v. (various pagings)
Language: French
Edition: Derniere ed.
Available at Canberra Special Collection (DC106.9 .C7 1648)

Revolutionary Warfare

Autour du drapeau tricolore, 1789-1889 : campagnes de l'armee francaise depuis cent ans
Author: Charles Antoine Thoumas 1820-1893
Subjects: France -- History, Military -- 19th century; France -- History, Military -- 1789-1815
Description: Campaigns of the French Army from 1789-1889 -- --Valmy and Jemmapes -- --Nerwinden and Mayence -- --Wallignies, Wissembourg and Toulon -- --Fleurus and Montagne-Noire -- --Amsterdam and Loano -- --Montenotte, Rivoli and Neuwied -- --Les Pyramides, Mount Thabor, Heliopolis -- --Novi, Zurich and Bergen -- --Genes, Marengo, Hohenlinden -- --Boulogne, Ulm, Austerlitz -- --Iena, Auersterlitz -- --Eylau, Dantzig, Friedland -- --Baylen, Somo-Sierra, Saragosse -- --Eckmuhl, Essling, Wagram -- --Spain -- --Moscow and Beresina -- --Lutzen, Dresden and Leipzig -- --Montmirail, Montereau and Paris -- --Ligny and Waterloo -- --Le Trocadero and Algiers -- --Anvers, Constantine, Mouzaia -- --Isly, Siddi-Brahim, Zaatcha -- --Rome and Sebastopol -- --Solferino, Pekin, Puebla -- --Sedan and Metz -- --Coulmiers, Paris, Belfort -- --Algeria, Tunisia and Tonkin
Publisher: Paris : A. Le Vasseur et cie, 1889
Format: xvi, 518 p. : ill.
Language: French

England's battles by sea and land : from the commencement of the great French Revolution to the present time, including a retrospective view of the celebrated epochs of the British military history, also, a history of the present volunteer movement
Author: William Freke Williams; W. C Stafford (William Cooke), 1793-1876
Subjects: Great Britain -- History, Military -- 19th century
Description: Vol. 1. Wars caused by the French Revolution, 1792-1812 -- v. 2. The French War, from 1812 to its close -- v. 3. England's campaigns in India and China and of the Indian Mutiny, 1857-1859 -- v. The Volunteer movement, 1858-1863 and of the war with Russia, 1854-1856 -- VOLUMES ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR. -- Affghan war -- Algiers -- Anglo-American colonial -- Buonaparte, Louis, king of Holland -- Campaign (French) of 1792 -- Canning, Lord, governor-general -- China, causes of irritation with that country -- Crimean war -- Egypt, objects of the French invasion -- French, the, land on the Welsh coast -- International Anglo and Franco-American colonial war -- Marlborough, Duke of, his first campaign -- Murat, as king of Naples -- Mutiny in the British fleet (1797) -- Naples, the king of -- Naval encounters in 1793 -- Naval history and battles of England -- Nelson's gallantry in the battle off Cape St., Vincent -- Outram, Major (afterwards Sir James) -- Roman, the, wars in Britain -- Sikhs, war with the -- Spain -- Volunteer movement, history of -- Wellesley, Lord, his administration in India -- Wellington, the Duke of, goes to Belgium
Publisher: London : London Printing and Publishing Company, 1836
Format: 4 v. in 6 : ill.
Available at Canberra Special Collection (DA 68 .W54 1864)

Campaigns of King William and the Duke of Marlborough : with remarks, on the stratagems by which every battle was won or lost, from 1689, to 1712
Author: Richard Kane 1661-1736
Subjects: Marlborough, John Churchill, Duke of, 1650-1722; Kane Richard, 1661-1736; Great Britain -- History -- 1660-1714
Description: Not for loan
Publisher: London : J. Millan, 1747
Format: 140 p. : col. maps
Language: English
Edition: 2nd ed.
Available at Canberra Special Collection (DA 462 .C36 1747)

Traite des grandes operations militaires : ou, histoire critique des guerres de Frederic le Grand comparees au systeme moderne : avec un recueil des principes les plus importants de l'art de la guerre
Author: Antoine Henri Jomini baron de, 1779-1869.
Subjects: Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Military art and science; Seven Years' War, 1756-1763 -- Campaigns; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786
Description: Translation of title: Treatise on great military operations or, A critical history of the wars of Frederick the Great compared to the modern system; Translation of title: Treatise on great military operations or, A critical history of the wars of Frederick the Great compared to the modern system -- VOL.1 -- War of Austrian succession -- --Battles of -- ----Molwitz -- ----Czaslau -- ----Hohenfriedberg and Soor -- Seven years war -- --Causes -- --Campaign of 1756 -- ----Invasion of Bohemia -- ----Battle of Prague -- ----Invasion of Hanover -- ----Battle of Hastenbach, Rosbach -- ----Austrian invasion of silesia -- ----Battle of Breslau, Leuthen -- ----Operations against the Russians and Swedes -- ----Battle of Jaegerndorf -- VOL.3. -- Campaign of 1758 -- --Battle of Creveldt -- --Invasion of Moravia -- --Siege of Omutz -- --Operations against the Russians -- ----Battle of Hoenkirch, Kay, Kunersdorf -- --Operations in Saxony and Silesia -- Campaign of 1760 -- --Siege of Dresden, Breslaw -- --Battle of Hignitz -- --Dawn isolated in Silesia -- --Russians take Berlin -- --Battle of Torgan -- Campaign of 1761 -- --Operations of the French in West Phalia -- --Frederick in Silesia -- --Siege of Colberg -- Campaign of 1762 -- --Battle of Wilhenstal -- --Operations in Silesia -- --Operations in Saxony, Battle of Freyberg
Publisher: Paris : J. Dumaine, 1851
Format: 3 v.
Language: French
Edition: 4e ed considerablement augm.
Available at Canberra Special Collection (special 161147 0)

Art militaire
Author: Denis Diderot 1713-1784.
Subjects: Military art and science -- Early works to 1800
Description: Extract from the Encyclopedie of Diderot
Publisher: Paris? : s.n., 1751?
Format: 7 p., [38] plates : chiefly ill.
Language: French
Available at Canberra Special Collection (folio U101 .A78)

Twenty-one plans with explanations of different actions in the West-Indies during the late war
Author: John. Matthews
Subjects: United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Naval operations; West Indies -- History
Description: Contents: Battle of Grenada, July 6, 1779 -- Martinique, April 29, 1781 -- St. Christopher, January 25-26, 1782 -- and Dominicca, April 9 and 12 , 1782; Dedication signed: John Matthews
Publisher: Chester, Eng. : J. Fletcher, 1784
Format: 24 p. : 21 folded plans
Language: English
Available at Canberra Special Collection (G1301.S3 M37 1784)

The battle of Waterloo, also of Ligny and Quatre-Bras
Author: John Booth
Subjects: Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
Publisher: London : J. Booth etc., 1817
Format: 2 v. in 1 : front. (ports.) plates (1 col.) fold. maps, fold. plans
Language: English
Edition: 10th ed.
Available at Canberra Special Collection (DC242 .B7)
Military Tactics

Infantry tactics, for the instruction, exercise, and manuvres of the soldier, a company, line of skirmishers, battalion, brigade, or Corps darmee
Author: Silas Casey 1807-1882
Subjects: United States. Army -- Infantry -- Drill and tactics -- Handbooks, manuals, etc; Infantry drill and tactics -- Handbooks, manuals, etc
Description: v. School of the soldier and company. Instructions for skirmishers and music. - v.2. School of the battalion. - v.3. Evolutions of a brigade and corps darmee; Includes music for the drum: v.1, p. [234]-272
Publisher: New York : D. Van Nostrand, 1862
Format: 3 v. (279 279 ; 183 p.) : ill.
Language: English
Available at Canberra Special Collection (UD160 .C37 1862)

An essay on field fortification : intended principally for the use of officers of infantry
Author: J. C. Pleydell
Subjects: Fortification, Field -- Early works to 1800; Military field engineering -- Early works to 1800; Military art and science -- Early works to 1800
Description: Probably by Pleydell himself.--ESTC; Advertisements at front; Printed on wove paper
Publisher: London : Printed for F. Wingrove successor to Mr. Nourse, 1794
Format: xiv, [2], 184 p., plates : ill
Language: English
Edition: New ed.
Available at Canberra Special Collection (UG400 .E87)

Album militaire de l'Armee francaise
Subjects: France. Armee. Infanterie -- Pictorial works; France. Armee -- Cavalry -- Pictorial works; France. Marine -- Pictorial works
Description: Cover title: Album militaire : scenes de la vie du soldat; Consists of photographic scenes from the daily life of French Infantry, Cavalry and Navy of the period
Publisher: Paris : Boussod, Valadon et Cie, 1900?
Format: 1 v. : chiefly col. ill. ; 25x32 cm.
Language: French
Available at Canberra Special Collection (DC 45 .A43 [1900])

Trench maps: [France and Belgium].  There are 100+ historic WWI trench maps in Special Collections
Author: Great Britain. Ordnance Survey.
Subjects: World War, 1914-1918 -- Trench warfare -- France -- Maps; World War, 1914-1918 -- Trench warfare -- Belgium -- Maps; France -- Maps, Topographic; Belgium -- Maps, Topographic
Description: Sheet 28 Bas Warneton S.W. 4 & S.E. 3 (parts of) ed. 1 B--sheet 28. Gheluvelt N.E. 3 (ed. 6 A)-- sheet 28 Kortewilde S.W. 2 & 28 S.E. 1 (parts of) (ed. 1 B)--sheet 28 Ploegsteert S.W. 4 (ed. 4 B)--sheet 28 Ploegsteert S.W. 4 (ed. 5 A)--sheet 28 Poperinghe N.W. 3 (ed. 2)--sheet 28 Roncq S.E. 4 (ed. 3 A)--sheet 28 Ypres N.W. 4 ( ed. 3)--sheet 28 Zonnebeke N.E. 1 (ed. 7 A)--sheet 36. Quesnoy N.E. 1 (ed. 8 A)--sheet 57. Bapaume N.W. 3 (ed. 3 A)--sheet 57. Gueudecourt S.W. 1 (ed. 2 A)--sheet 57. Gueudecourt S.W. 1 (ed. 3 A)--sheet 57. Longueval S.W. 3 (ed. 2 F); Relief shown by contours.; Panel title on verso of some sheets.; Panel title varies: France; Belgium; Belgium and France.; Includes various issues of some sheets.; Some sheets include index to adjoining sheets, compilation diagram, and 1 other diagram.; Index to adjoining sheets and glossary on verso of some sheets.
Related Titles: Series: GSGS (Series) ; 3062
Publisher: Southampton : Ordnance Survey, 1915-
Format: maps : some col. ; 50 x 80 cm., some folded to 17 x 12 cm.
Language: English
Available at Canberra Special Collection (plancab G5720 s10 .G7)


Collated by Special Collections: Mar 2019
Updated: February 2024