The Revolutionary War Memoirs of Major General William Heath

Book excerpt: First published in 1798, this Revolutionary War memoir is one of the few ever written by a senior Continental Army commander. It provides a unique glimpse into the administrative operations and inner workings of the army during the American Revolution. Major General William Heath offers rare insights on the war's major military personalities on both the American and British sides. Of particular interest are his wartime interactions with British generals John Burgoyne and William Phillips, as well as Continental Army generals such as George Washington and Charles Lee. Heath's memoir also gives readers a detailed look at the constant struggles faced by the army, including food, supply, personnel and funding shortages, and presents an almost daily chronicle of the tribulations and successes experienced by patriot forces during the war.