Alexander Hamilton: The Revolutionary Years
New York: Crowell, 1970. First edition. Hardcover. Hardcover. First edition, first printing. Fine though there is a bookplate affixed to the front pastedown. In very good, price clipped dust jacket. viii+ 386 pp. with index, bibliography, illustrations and four maps. A fascinating volume on a little-known aspect of Alexander Hamilton's early career: his military service. While still a student at King's College in New York, in the spring of 1775, Hamilton joined a colonial volunteer company. He became a captain in the New York Provincial Artilery Company (1776-77) during which time he was present at the Battle Harlem Heights and the Battle of White Plains and also at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. He then began years as aide-de-camp to General George Washington (1777-81). It is this association that forms the basis for this story. As it appeared the war might be drawing to a close, Hamilton continuesd to ask Washington for a field command; finally, after a minor misunderstanding between the two, Hamilton resigned as aide-de-camp, As the Battle of Yorktown approached, Washington assigned him command of a light infantry battalion and then command of three battalions that combined with French forces during the battle, The book concludes with Hamilton's post-war commands during the Whiskey Rebellion. In 1798, during the "Quasi-War" conflict with Frnce, President John Adams commissioned Hamilton as a major general and at the recoomendation of Washington was made second in command of all U.S. forces. Fine / very good. Item #E31393
Price: $25.00