West's military figures for the practice of tacticks : by which the movements of a battalion or larger body of troops may be displayed upon the present improved system : intended for the use & instruction of subalterns of the army
1797
P&E L2019F54 [custom box]
Available at Main Library
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Title
West's military figures for the practice of tacticks : by which the movements of a battalion or larger body of troops may be displayed upon the present improved system : intended for the use & instruction of subalterns of the army
Variant Title
Principles of military movement
Published
London Published as the act directs ... by the proprietor 1797
Description
1 box (27 wooden blocks) : hand colored ; 18 x 12 cm.
Call Number
P&E L2019F54 [custom box]
System Control No.
(OCoLC)1112493714
Summary
Late eighteenth-century British military teaching aid for displaying and practicing the movements of a battalion or larger body of troops. The set uses hand-colored paper-covered wooden blocks to represent companies and drill sergeants, allowing officers to arrange infantry formations and study tactical maneuvers in miniature.
Note
Manuscript inscription on case lid: "W.H. Dunn, Acting Adjutant, 1808."
Library copy lacks one single drill-sergeant block, replaced with a modern copy.
See also MSS L2019F55 [Bound].
George Washington received a set of these wooden figures in 1799 as a gift from James McHenry, who had served as secretary of war. McHenry wrote to Washington on June 24, 1799: "I send you by this mail, a small box containing military figures for the practice of tactics, being one of the few sets I ordered from London." Washington replied: "For the box ... I feel much obliged. I have not had the time yet to examine, and compare the figures with the Instructions; but prima facia, there is something curious and I dare say useful in the design." The box was listed in the inventory of Washington's estate in the "Iron Chest" in his study and appraised at $2.
Designed to help young officers learn the theory and practice of the system of army drill and tactics introduced by Sir David Dundas, particularly the "eighteen manoeuvres" outlined in his Principles of military movement.
Set consists of 20 hand-colored paper-covered wooden blocks and 7 blank wooden blocks in the original oak case with sliding lid.
Publication statement from label: "1st Octr. 1797, by the proprietor." The set was advertised with T. Egerton as publisher-distributor.
Library copy lacks one single drill-sergeant block, replaced with a modern copy.
See also MSS L2019F55 [Bound].
George Washington received a set of these wooden figures in 1799 as a gift from James McHenry, who had served as secretary of war. McHenry wrote to Washington on June 24, 1799: "I send you by this mail, a small box containing military figures for the practice of tactics, being one of the few sets I ordered from London." Washington replied: "For the box ... I feel much obliged. I have not had the time yet to examine, and compare the figures with the Instructions; but prima facia, there is something curious and I dare say useful in the design." The box was listed in the inventory of Washington's estate in the "Iron Chest" in his study and appraised at $2.
Designed to help young officers learn the theory and practice of the system of army drill and tactics introduced by Sir David Dundas, particularly the "eighteen manoeuvres" outlined in his Principles of military movement.
Set consists of 20 hand-colored paper-covered wooden blocks and 7 blank wooden blocks in the original oak case with sliding lid.
Publication statement from label: "1st Octr. 1797, by the proprietor." The set was advertised with T. Egerton as publisher-distributor.
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