Sir William Warre composed this 70-page volume while serving with the British Army's 52nd Regiment of Foot in the early 19th century. The first section is comprised of 30 pages of military orders related to Warre's service with the 52nd Regiment of Foot while the regiment was stationed at the Hythe Barracks in southeast England (December 2, 1803-August 31, 1804). These copied orders specify regulations for maintaining the discipline of the British Army, particularly concerning the regiment's daily routine while stationed in winter quarters, which included inspections, parades, and drilling. He mentioned many of the regiment's officers by name, sometimes adding descriptions of their roles and duties. Copied material consists primarily of specific orders and regulations, such as an "Explanation of Bugle sounds for the use of the 52nd Light Infantry" (March 5, 1804).
Two separate sections begin from the opposite cover, including 7 pages of "Elements of Plain Trigonometry" (1803), mainly listing definitions of trigonometric terms and equivalencies, occasionally accompanied by ink illustrations. The final 33 pages contain an "Account of the Battle of Rossbach Gained By the King of Prussia over the Allied Army under The Prince of Soubise and the Prince of Sachsen Hildburghausen The 5th of Nov. 1757," translated from a text by Georg Friedrich von Tempelhoff. The account covers the armies' movements prior to and during the battle, focusing heavily on tactical discussions.
Sir William Warre was born in Porto, Portugal, on April 15, 1784, the son of James and Eleanor Warre. He attended Harrow School in London before receiving an ensign's commission in the 52nd Regiment of Foot in November 1803. Warre procured a lieutenant's commission in June 1804 and served with the regiment in southeast England, until purchasing his company in the 98th Regiment of Foot in April 1806. In August, he transferred to the 23rd Light Dragoons, then stationed at Clonmel, Ireland. He left Ireland in 1807 to attend the Royal Military College in High Wycombe, England, and in May 1808 he became aide-de-camp for Major General Sir Ronald Crauford Ferguson during the British campaign to attack Spanish colonies in America. Warre participated in several battles in Portugal until falling ill, after which he joined the staff of Major General William Carr Beresford. He served with Beresford (primarily in Portugal) until 1813, when he was promoted to brevet lieutenant colonel and became a quartermaster in South Africa, a position he held until his return to England in 1821. In England, he continued to serve in administrative roles until 1837, when he was appointed to command Chatham garrison. Warre received a knighthood in 1839 and joined the 94th Regiment of Foot as a major general in 1841; he was promoted to lieutenant general at his retirement in November 1851. He married Selina Anna Maling (d. 1821) on November 19, 1812, and they had 7 children. William Warre died in York on July 26, 1853.