A Treatise on Martial Law; and Courts Martial; as Practiced in the United States of America

Charleston [SC]: Printed and Published for the Author, 1809. First Edition.. Original blue paste paper boards.. Good; with heavy internal spotting to the first 10 leaves and toning; endpapers excised; bold early signatures on title, pastedown and one leaf of text.. 8vo, 6, [6 - erratic pagination], [7] - 340 pp.

The first book on military law written and published by an American officer. Macomb was one of the first two student officers to complete a formal program of study in engineering at West Point. He saw action against the French as teenager and received a battlefield commission. Thereafter he completed his formal education and remained at West point for several years. In 1807 he was appointed chief engineer in charge of coastal fortifications in the Carolinas and Georgia. It was at this time that he wrote and published the book offered here. Macomb had gained an considerable first hand experience with the internal structure and workings of the army serving as assistant to Adj. Gen'l. William North and in his work on the commission treating with the indians of the southeast - this all before his tenure at West Point. The copy offered here bears the signature of James A Black (perhaps James Augustus Black the US Representative from South Carolina and, like Macomb, a veteran of the War of 1812). An important book. The copy offered here has two distinctly separate type settings of the Preface. One was to be cancelled (?) but is retained in this copy. Sabin #43611; S & S #17964; DAB XII, 155 - 157.