This volume consists of two diaries by Lieutenant William Bamford, an Irishman in the British Army in the mid-18th century.
The first is 'A narrative of the campaigns and feats of arms of the 35th Regiment (Royal Sussex)'. It covers the regiment's activities during the French and Indian War and includes an account of the capitulation of the British forces at Fort William Henry in 1757, the siege and capture of Louisbourg in 1758, the French siege of Quebec in 1760 and the capture of Montreal, skirmishes at Fort Ticonderoga, Saratoga, and Albany in 1761, a voyage to Martinique via Barbados in 1762, the siege and capture of Havana in 1762, a voyage to Saint Augustine Florida, Charleston, South Carolina, and Port Royal, Jamaica in 1763, and a voyage to Pensacola, Florida and a description of Mobile, Alabama (then part of West Florida), and other parts of West Florida, in 1765, and finally back again to England by way of Havana in 1765. Also included in this section are a copy of a letter from General Webb to Colonel Munro dated August 4, 1757, and two anecdotes from 1759 and 1760 regarding Anglo-French battles fought outside Quebec.
The second dairy, running from January through December 1776 documents Lieutenant William Bamford's service in the 42nd Regiment at Boston after the battle of Bunker Hill, during the winter and early spring of 1776, the British evacuation to Halifax, return to Staten Island, New York, the campaign on Long Island, and the occupation of New York City.
In an appendix a transcribed a letter from Bamford relates part of his career.
22 original b/w drawings
About the Author
John B. Hattendorf is the Ernest J. King Professor Emeritus of Maritime History at the U.S. Naval War College, where he held that professorship for 32 years from 1984 to 2016. A former officer in the U.S. Navy, 1964-1973, he holds degrees in history from Kenyon College (A.B., 1964), Brown University (A.M., 1971), and the University of Oxford (D.Phil., 1979; D.Litt., 2016). In addition to his many distinguished contributions to the field of maritime history, he also works on eighteenth century military history.
He is the author of England in the War of the Spanish Succession: The English View and Conduct of Grand Strategy, 1702-1713 (1979) and several entries on several early eighteenth century British military figures, including the first Duke of Marlborough, in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. He was editor-in-chief of Marlborough: Soldier and Diplomat (2012) and Charles XII: Warrior King (2018).
Industry Reviews
"...a valuable insight into campaigning and the British army of the mid- to late eighteenth century. It gives insights into eighteenth century warfare, the life of a junior officer, and the toll of war. More important, it suggests avenues of inquiry for scholars as it informs and engages the reader."-- "History: Reviews of New Books"
"Between Hattendorf's edits and thought-provoking annotations, and William Bamford's extraordinary attention to his surroundings and experiences in the American colonies, this is a brilliant work that covers decades of expeditions and campaigns belonging to the French & Indian and Revolutionary Wars."-- "The Colonial Review"
"Dr. Hattendorf has done a marvelous job of piecing together, editing and annotating these diaries...This little gem of British/American military history is a pleasure to read, adds much to our knowledge of British military operations in America in the eighteenth century, and reflects great credit on its editor as well as its publisher."-- "The Journal of America's Military Past"
"For those who love primary sources, especially those who study the British army, this book is a must..."-- "Journal of the American Revolution"
