Diary of the American War: A Hessian Journal
by: Ewald, Johann Von

Hardcover. New Haven CT, Yale University Press, 1st, 1979, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: Good, Hardcover in a lightly worn dust jacket. 467 pages, b&w illustrations. Translated from the German and edited by Joseph P. Tustin. Johann Ewald was acknowledged by the British for whom and with whom he fought in the American Revolution as one of the best light infantry officers (termed outpost officers) in their service. A dedicated, trained professional from Hesse-Cassel, who was 'hired out' by his sovereign for the American War, he knew his job 'from muzzle to butt plate' and was an excellent leader of men, as well as a shrewd observer of what he saw. Fortunately for us, he also wrote all of it down. This book is one of the most valuable memoirs of the period. The petite guerre (little war), also called partisan warfare, of the period is of great importance in understanding the picture of the whole for the War of the Revolution. The jagers that Ewald commanded were also some of the most deadly light infantry in the world at the time, and they were greatly feared by their American opponents. Armed with short German hunting rifles and dressed in green and brown, they not only blended in with their surroundings, but they served in almost every action and battle of the war. Ewald's direct, observant prose paints a vivid picture of the war, his British comrades, and his American opponents. He respected the Americans, especially their officers' attempt at becoming more professional as the war progressed, exemplified by the military books and treatises they read, which Ewald saw from time to time as he came across captured officers' baggage. he was amazed at the American attempts, which he noted were sadly lacking in his brother British officers. He noted this with care. Ewald ended up in the surrender at Yorktown and was eventually sent home to Germany. Light fading to dust jacket. Clean copy.