I live close to Hanover and have visited the archives on several occasions. Below are my conclusions:
The research done for this book is far from meticulous or painstaking. On the contrary, it is most questionable. For instance, not one of the author's references to the Hanover Archives actually checks out.
The relevant files in the Hanover Archives are:
Hann. 38D - Records of the King's German Legion 1803-1816
Hann. 41 - Files of the General Command, etc.
Hann. 48a I - Army Lists and Journals of the Hanoverian Forces, etc.
On page 372, footnote 25 of this book, the author makes reference to the 'Dornberg MS', saying it is in Hann. 41 XXI 150-6. That is not quite correct. It is in Hann. 41 XXI 152 (6). This mistake could be excused as a typing error. However, the author claims that this file contains 'Major-General Dornberg's own account of the transmission of Grant's information.' It does not.
On page 375, footnote 54, we are told that this 'Dornberg MS' is the same one referred to by the German historian Pflugk-Harttung in his "Vorgeschichte". It is not. Hamilton-Williams is confusing two different MSS. There is one in the Hanover Archives and there was once another in the Berlin Archives that went missing in 1945. Its file ref. was VI. E 58. Pflugk-Harttung printed it in his book, so it would be an easy matter to compare one with the other, if, indeed, the author had ever been to Hanover and referred to the original document.
On page 379, footnote 36, we are told that the 'Notizen MS', 'General Commando MS' and 'Kielmansegge MS' can be found in Hann 38D. They are not in that file and do not appear to exist anywhere in the Hanover Archive. However, these MSS are cited in Beamish's "History of the King's German Legion".
On page 387, footnote 17, we are referred to the 'Baring MS' and are told this can be found in Hann. 41 XXI, Nr. 99-137. It is not there. Baring's report on the Battle of Waterloo can be found in Hann. 41, XXI 152 (8). Again, this is not a mere typing error. The quote the author uses does not come from the report held in Hanover, but from a published article based on a different document, namely Baring's journal. This can be found on page 106 of Pflugk-Harttung's book "Belle Alliance".
On page 393, footnote 7, the author claims there is more from Baring in Hann. 38D, Nrs. 230-43. There is not. The files contain a history of the artillery of the KGL, a history of the expedition to Spain in 1808, a history of the KGL's documents, correspondence and orders, but nothing from Baring.
On page 393, footnotes 2 and 4, we are referred to the Wynecken and Heise MSS in Hanover. There are no such MSS deposited there. However, Beamish cites these MSS in his book.
On page 394, footnote 10, we are referred to a 'Report of the 5th Battalion' in Hann. 48A Nrs. 100-30. This is an incorrect reference. 48A does not exist.
One is left with the impression that this author has never been to the Hanover Archives and has never referred to the original documents, but has merely lifted quotes from printed sources and then attached a likely sounding archive file no. to them.
This gives you an idea of what kind of mis-referencing Hamilton-Williams has done - basically, while there may be truth to his stories, unless someone actually checks all the footnotes, there's no way to be certain what is true and what isn't. I know that the author was entirely discredited in the Napoleonic magazine "First Empire" in issues 23, 25 and 26.
Kor |
The Age of Chivalry is upon us!
Wellent ich gugk, so hindert mich / köstlicher ziere sinder,
Der ich e pflag, da für ich sich / Neur kelber, gaiss, böck, rinder,
Und knospot leut, swarz, hässeleich, / Vast rüssig gen dem winder;
Die geben müt als sackwein vich. / Vor angst slach ich mein kinder
Offt hin hinder.