Charles Boutflower

Journal of an Army Surgeon in the Peninsular War: the Recollections of a British Army Medical Man on Campaign During the Napoleonic Wars Charles Boutflower

A surgeons view of the war in Iberia

Charles Boutflower was the son of a Yorkshire vicar born in 1782. He studied surgery at the University of Edinburgh and joined the 40th Regiment of Foot-then a Somerset regiment-in 1801 as an assistant surgeon. He served with that regiment in the West Indies, South America and thereafter during the Peninsular War against Napoleon's invading French armies. It is from his time in Spain that his Journal is particularly drawn. Although Boutflower was a medical man his writings are well rounded and comprehensive giving the reader much insight into the campaigns he experienced, scenes of the battlefield and his own perspective on the course of the war in general. Boutflower was promoted to surgeon in 1812 and took his place on Sir Rowland Hill's staff. This is a valuable contribution the our understanding of the war Wellington's Army fought and will be much appreciated by students and casual readers alike.