National Army Museum acquires Napoleonic War soldier archives

The National Army Museum in London has acquired an exceptional archival collection through private donations. The collection consists of personal letters written by soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars, providing firsthand accounts of the battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo.

Among the records are the writings of Henry Weyland Powell, a Lieutenant and Captain in the First Regiment of Foot Guards. Powell’s accounts detail the intense combat starting from the Battle of Quatre Bras on June 16, 1815, through to Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo. His descriptions include the harrowing effects of French artillery fire and the decisive moment when the French Imperial Guard was repelled.

In addition to written accounts, the archive includes a hand-drawn sketch map of the battlefield created by Powell, offering a visual perspective of the combat locations from a contemporary eyewitness.