Casey's Infantry Tactics by Brig. Gen. Silas Casey, Three Volume Set, 1862

Casey, Brig. Gen. Silas. Infantry Tactics for the Instruction, Exercise, and Maneuvers of the Soldier, A company, line of Skirmishers, Battalion, Brigade, or Corps d'Armee. New York: D. Van Nostrad, 1862. Three volume set. In original green cloth boards with gilt titles and stamps to the spine. Presented with a new archival custom slipcase. 

Presented is a three volume set of Casey’s Infantry Tactics, written by Brigadier General Silas Casey. This work was written for soldiers, teaching them infantry tactics, marching, combat exercises, and studies of battle. Silas Casey was a career United States Army officer who rose to the rank of Major General during the American Civil War.  Casey published his Infantry Tactics at the requests of the Union Army when Lieutenant Colonel Hardee resigned his commission to fight for the Confederacy. The three volumes are presented in their original green cloth boards with gilt titles and decorations to the spine. They are housed together in a new archival slipcase.

Volume I is titled “Schools of the Soldier and Company. Instructions for Skirmishers and Music,” Volume II is titled “School of Battalion,” and Volume III is titled “Evolutions of a Brigade and Corps D' Armee.” His third volume is especially heralded for its novel troop arrangements and tactics. According to Major Raymond Scott Eresman, “Casey’s manual included a third volume governing brigade and higher formations. He made two significant changes to brigade, division and corps infantry formations. One was the size of each of these formations… The other major change in this volume was his alternative ways of deploying brigades and divisions…In the 1800s army leaders commanded and controlled their troops by visual and aural means. The drill manuals used very specific terms and musical calls to direct action. [During the Civil War, a] commander’s control of his troops was severely affected by trees, ground cover, obstacles, and the noise of battle.” 

An 1862 The New Yorker review of Infantry Tactics wrote, “Based on the best precedents, adapted to the novel requirements of the art of war, and very full in its instructions, Casey’s Tactics will be received as the most useful and most comprehensive work of its kind in our language” (Jomini). 

CONDITION:

Good condition overall. Three volumes. Presented in original green cloth boards with gilt titles and details to covers and spine. Light restoration work to spine and boards. Paper has toning, scattered stains throughout from past use and age. All pages intact and all illustrations, fold outs maps, and diagrams are accounted for. Ex-library, from rare book collection of Birmingham-Southern College. Library donation pasted bookplates, books donated in honor of "Myra H. Stern." Stamped with "Birmingham-Southern College" in black ink on bottom paper edges. Original owner's inscription, reads "Alonzo C. Renbaugh, 1st Lieut. 3rd Regt. N.C.C.L, January 1 1864" in black ink. Presented in new archival slipcase with inlay on the front.  

Book Dimensions: Vol I: 5 1/4"H x 3 1/2"W x 1"D. Vol II: 5 1/4"H x 3 1/2"W x 1"D. Vol III: 5 1/4"H x 3 1/2"W x 3/4"D.

Slipcase Dimensions: 5 3/4"H x 3 7/8"W x 3 1/4"D. 

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.