Oliver Ellis : $b or, The fusiliers

"Oliver Ellis; or, The Fusiliers" by James Grant is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. The story centers around Oliver Ellis, a soldier whose life is depicted through his boyhood experiences and the tumultuous events that shape his destiny, reflecting on themes of duty, love, and the consequences of choices made in the shadow of military life. The opening of the novel introduces Oliver Ellis and paints a vivid picture of his childhood spent in the army camp of Burgoyne during the American Revolutionary War. Oliver reminisces about his father's military background, the comradeship of soldiers, and his mother’s poignant memories of loss and hardship. The narrative describes the serene but isolated life he shares with his family after his father's death, leading to Oliver's desire to pursue a military career despite his mother's apprehensions. This groundwork builds up the character of Oliver and sets the stage for his internal struggles as he transitions from boyhood dreams to the realities of adulthood, while capturing the duality of love for family and duty to country.