Shadrach Byfield, History and Conversion of a British Soldier (London, 1851)

Abstract

This document is a transcription of the 1851 memoir of War of 1812 veteran Shadrach (or Shadrack) Byfield. The transcript, prepared by Dr Eamonn O'Keeffe, is based a scan of the only known extant copy, held by the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland, Ohio. It is made available to the public alongside O'Keeffe's forthcoming scholarly article on Byfield in the Journal of British Studies. 'History and Conversion of a British Soldier' comprises a memoir of Byfield's experiences as a homecoming veteran followed by a near-verbatim reprint of the author's earlier military autobiography, first published as 'A Narrative of a Light Company Soldier's Service, in the 41st Regiment of Foot, during the Late American War' (1840).