Introduction to 2014 Edition

Five years ago, In Love and War was published. The book told the story of the extraordinary lives of Sir Harry and Lady Smith and their abiding love, which sustained them through so many adventures.

It seems fitting, to mark the 200th anniversary of the momentous year of 1814, which saw the end of the war between Britain and America, that the book should be brought out again in this new format. The battle of New Orleans, although taking place in early 1815 because the news of the Treaty of Ghent had not been received, was the most significant American success of the war. For Harry, ever the professional soldier, this was the nadir of his achievement to date but, nevertheless, it was his advice to General Lambert to call it a day which, ultimately, saved many lives on both sides. Harry himself conveyed the British surrender terms to General Jackson who received him with utmost civility.

Although Harry returned to Juana in the deepest gloom, their lives were to be crowned with many successes at Waterloo, South Africa and India, gaining the admiration of both Wellington and Queen Victoria.