Army orders and notes of occurrences, written by a soldier who served in the War of Spanish Succession in the early 18th century. From the title-page: A Journal of the Campaigns from the Year 1703 to 1712 when the Allied Armies were commanded by the late Duke of Marlborough. By an Officer of the Army who served all that Glorious War and was present at all the Battles and most of the Sieges during the said War.

Not a personal journal, but a daily orderly book with semi-official additions. A usual entry consists of date and place; password; names of 3 "Day" officers (apparently both British and foreign generals) and 2-3 "Picquet" officers; and transcription of all the orders issued in the morning for the Grand Army. These orders cover preparation for marching, foraging, and laying siege; camp administration; discipline; dealing with marauders and the natives; and announcements. Entries usually concern the Army as a whole, or Orkney's detachment if separated from the Army (but sometimes in the latter case include the most important Grand Army orders).

Occurrences (statements of what actually happened, usually marked "Nb") occur very seldom in 1703-1704. Thereafter they are common. They usually give the action of the Army; sometimes diplomatic news; occasionally general opinion. There are a few notes on Orkney's joining or leaving the Army, and one first-person note -- all of which are indicated in the inventory for the volume. In 1711-1712 much space is given to elaborate Orders of March and Posts. Note that in some years the Grand Army was on campaign longer than the season covered by the manuscript. Passwords are place-names.

This copy is dated in or after 1722, and the title-page refers to "the late" Duke of Marlborough; Marlborough died in 1722. Copied in a mixture of three or more contemporary hands (the scribe sometimes changes in the middle of a page). Apparently copied from the original compiler's rough notes (space sometimes left for an illegible preposition), very likely by his own clerks. Authorship could possibly be attributed to Alexander Irwin (died 1752) or James Abercrombie (died 1724); possibly Patrick Gordon, or another. Compiler belonged to the First Foot, accompanies Orkney when Orkney heads a detached force, refers often to "My Lord Orkney," and accompanies Orkney when he joins the Army at the beginning of a season (see leaf 101). Has access to external diplomatic reports. Served at the Battles of Blenheim, Malplaquet, and Ramillies.