STEDMAN, Charles (1753–1812).
The History of the Origin, Progress, and Termination of the American War.
Two volumes. London: printed for the Author, sold by J. Murray, J. Debrett and J. Kerby, 1794. First edition.

"THE BEST CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNT OF THE REVOLUTION WRITTEN FROM THE BRITISH SIDE"
With 15 Superb Maps Illustrating the Battles of the American Revolutionary War

Quarto (10 3/4" x 8"). Half-titles. With 15 engraved maps and plans, of which 11 are folding, and one with an over-flap (some spotting and browning).

Bound in modern half tan calf antique (extremities a bit rubbed).

The cornerstone of American Revolutionary War literature. Charles Stedman (1753-1812), who served under Howe, Clinton and Cornwallis, describes many of the major battlefields from first-hand knowledge, from Bunker Hill to Yorktown. The detailed maps and plans show the sieges of Savannah and Charlestown, and the battles of Yorktown, Saratoga, Camden, Guilford and Hobkirk's Hill. Trained in law at William and Mary, he was a loyalist through-and-through and served as commissary under Sir William Howe. After twice escaping capture and a death-sentence by the Americans, Stedman retreated to England in 1783 and began his reflection and writing. His History was the standard work on the war was the standard treatment through the XIXc.

Howes S 914; JCB II:372; Lowndes V.2504; Sabin 91057; Winsor VI, p. 518.