WAR ON THE DETROIT THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS VERCHÈRES DE BOUCHERVILLE AND THE CAPITULATION BY AN OHIO VOLUNTEER

Chicag: The Lakeside Press R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co., 1940. [2],xxvi,347,[9]pp., plus frontispiece and folding map. 12mo. Original dark red cloth, spine gilt, front board gilt-ruled with gilt-stamped publisher's logo center, t.e.g. Spine slightly faded, otherwise a fine copy. Lakeside Press reprint of two otherwise rare pieces of Americana related to the early days of the War of 1812, one account from a soldier of each side, with historical introduction from editor Milo Quaife. This is number thirty-eight in the Lakeside Classics series.

Verchères was a fur trader from a prominent Quebec family. He eventually moved to present-day Toronto where he had found success as a businessman at the advent of the War of 1812. He fought for the British under Major-General Brock, and was present at the capture of Fort Detroit. This is one of only two English language editions of this journal; the other was published by Rous & Mann in Toronto in 1935.

Foster was a soldier in General Hull's army, where he was captured by the British at the surrender of Fort Detroit. In this work, he "gives an account of his imprisonment, and the principal events of that unfortunate campaign. It relates entirely to the campaign of the Army in Ohio and the Northwest, and is throughout, very severe on General Hull" - Thomson. This is the first printing of THE CAPITULATION since its original run 128 years prior, and it is reprinted here verbatim, without Quaife's sometimes heavy editorial hand. "Earliest Ohio book of national historical importance; First account of this inglorious surrender" - Howes. GRAFF 1388 (note). THOMSON 431 (ref). HOWES F288 (ref)