Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron von:

REGULATIONS FOR THE ORDER AND DISCIPLINE OF THE TROOPS OF THE UNITED STATES. PART I [all published].

      Hartford: Printed by Hudson and Goodwin, [?] 1782 - 138,[6]pp. plus eight folding plates. Contemporary calf. Binding rubbed and worn. Rear hinge separating along bottom half of joint. Contemporary ownership inscriptions on titlepage and rear pastedown. Light foxing and tanning. Most of plate one lacking; plate two significantly torn along fold, but intact; last section of plate seven lacking, about two inches; small tear to plate eight along fold. Still, a relatively good copy in a contemporary binding. A comparatively nice copy of this important military manual, which was written expressly for the use of American troops during the Revolutionary War and first published in 1779. The German-born Steuben, well-trained in the highly disciplined military system developed under Frederick the Great, served as inspector general of the Continental Army. In this capacity he wrote his REGULATIONS FOR THE ORDER AND DISCIPLINE OF THE TROOPS OF THE UNITED STATES on orders from the Continental Congress. First published in 1779, the work became the standard text for the Continental Army and the United States Army into the early 19th century. Fifty editions, abridgements, extracts, and adaptations were printed before 1800. Steuben's contribution to American independence can not be underestimated. "He was unrivaled among the citizens of the new nation as an expert on military affairs. His introduction of European military concepts to the Continental army marks the beginning of a truly professional military tradition in the United States" - ANB. This edition was published three years after the first edition, and is one of two editions printed in Hartford circa 1782 by Hudson and Goodwin. While most references cite this imprint as having a date of 1782, the American Antiquarian Society asserts a publication date of 1787 based on an advertisement in the Connecticut Courant in March of that year. A good copy, in a contemporary binding, of an early printing of the first military manual devised for the Continental Army, a foundation work for American military history and the Revolutionary War. SHIPTON & MOONEY 44279. EVANS 20780. BRISTOL B5608. TRUMBULL, CONNECTICUT 2638. HOWES S951 "aa". SABIN 91398. OCLC 5111172, 208322463.