THE LIFE OF A GENERAL IN NAPOLEON'S LIGHT CAVALRY: The Memoirs of Jean-Nicolas Curely

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English translation of the memoir of Jean-Nicolas Curely. Born in 1774, son of a laborer, Curely rose through the ranks to become a General in Napoleon's Light Cavalry. He was a hussar at 19 years old, second lieutenant at 32, squadron commander at 35, Colonel at 38 and General at 40. He became Cavalier of the Legion d'Honneur in 1806, and was wounded five times in his career.

His memoir reflects the role of the light cavalry; scouting ahead of the army, conducting reconnaissance to the flanks and launching raids. He took part in all Napoleon's great campaigns, including Austerlitz, Heilsberg, Essling, Raab, Wagram, Moscow, Beresina, Wachau, Leipzig, Craonne, and Laon, and served as an aide de camp to many of the French army's most famous light cavalry generals.