Tarleton, Banastre

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

4to (10 1/4 x 8 1/4 in.; 265 x 210 mm). 5 engraved folding maps partially colored in outline; offsetting from bookplate, fly-leaves foxed, centerfold split to map of Lord Cornwallis's Marches through South Carolina, small paper flaw on U1 touching 2 words, light offsetting to map of the siege of Yorktown, faint discoloration to quires 3L and 3U. Contemporary diced calf, panelled in gilt and blind, spine in six compartments ruled and tooled in gilt, black lettering piece in one compartment, gilt dentelles, uniformly marbled edges and endpapers; rebacked, a few old scratches to boards, upper hinge repaired.

George de Ligne Gregory (armorial bookplate).  Acquisition: W. Graham Arader

Church 1224; Clark, Old South 1:137; Howes T37; Sabin 94397

First edition of this history of the Southern Campaigns. The author 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, his work is largely self-justifying, and points the finger of blame at Cornwallis.