A Soldier's Experience; or, A Voice from the Ranks Showing the Cost of War in Blood and Treasure. A Personal Narrative of the Crimean Campaign, from the Standpoint of the Ranks; the Indian Mutiny, and Some of its Atrocities; the Afghan Campaigns of 1863

"A Soldier's Experience; or, A Voice from the Ranks" by T. (Timothy) Gowing is a firsthand account chronicling the author's time as a soldier in the Royal Fusiliers during the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, and Afghan campaigns. Told from the common soldier's point of view, Gowing recalls his early life and decision to enlist. The book dives into his motivations for joining amid the excitement of war, describing the public's fervor and the soldiers' preparations for heading east. Gowing vividly recreates his voyage, the bonds formed between soldiers, and the initial shock of military life's harsh conditions, like disease and constant marches. These experiences shape his outlook as he shares details about the brutal realities of battle, including fierce fighting, and the everlasting impact of losing fellow soldiers.