Tarleton, Banastre, Sir | First edition of Tarleton's history of the Southern Campaigns

Tarleton, Banastre, Sir

A History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781 in the Southern Provinces of North America. London: T. Cadell, 1787

4to (254 x 190 mm). Engraved folding map and 4 folding plates with military routes and positions handcolored in outline; some light foxing from plates to text, light occasional browning. Modern half brown morocco, patterned endpapers, the spine elaborately gilt in six compartments.

First edition of this history of the Southern Campaigns. Tarleton commanded a cavalry unit and served in the war from 1776 through the siege of Yorktown. Known as “Bloody Ban,” he was “unmatched on either side for alertness and rapidity of movement, dash, daring and vigor of attack” (Ward, War of the Revolution). Tarleton’s History is in the main a compilation of official letters of British officers, and of American and French commanders (which had appeared in newspapers). Written in response to a series of letters published in the press in 1786 criticizing his conduct at Cowpens, Tarleton's work is largely self-justifying, and points the finger of blame at Cornwallis.

REFERENCE

Church 1224; Clark, Old South 1:317; ESTC T97251; Howes T37; Revolutionary Hundred 85; Sabin 94397