The private journal of Judge-Advocate Larpent

A series of letters and journal entries by the judge-advocate attached to Wellington's headquarters during the Peninsular War chronicles military operations, sieges, retreats, and the everyday reality of campaigning. It records the administration of courts-martial, legal and logistical duties of a judge-advocate, shortages of provisions, and personal anecdotes about officers and soldiers. The writer balances criticism of discipline with praise for battlefield courage and describes interactions with commanding staff. Postwar passages recount subsequent judicial and investigatory assignments and reflections on public responses to the published letters.