Cool Deliberate Courage John Eager Howard in The American Revolution

by Jim Piecuch, John Beakes

“John Eager Howard was an accomplished army officer, a conscientious political leader, and that rare public personage in American history who maintained an untarnished reputation throughout his life and after his death.”
General George Washington’s expectations of regimental commanders were high and “Howard continually met this demanding standard ... whether he was in camp, on the march, or leading his proven troops on the battlefield, John Eager Howard could always be counted upon to employ his men to the best possible advantage, no matter how dire the situation.”
“For the first hundred years after the Revolution, the deeds of men like Howard were well known and taught throughout the land, but these stories are now largely forgotten. These men deserve to be remembered. ...they prevailed against overwhelming odds, and left succeeding generations the priceless heritage of a nation of free people.”
Chapters Baltimore’s Farewell to a Revolutionary War Hero, Campaigning in the North, Battling for South Carolina, Triumph at the Cowpens, The Race to the Dan, Guilford Courthouse, The Second Fight for Camden – Hobkirk’s Hill, The Final Campaign, Politician and Businessman, and an Epilogue. Portraits, maps, a bibliography, and an index to full-names, places and subjects add to the value of this work.

180 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[William Guerrant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essentially a John Eager Howard-centric summary history of the Revolutionary War, followed by a chapter outlining his post-war life. It is not substantial enough to amount to a biography and it doesn't add anything new to the history of the war. At times the book drifts into hagiography.

Having said that, it is a worthwhile book. Colonel Howard was an important hero of the Revolutionary War and his therefore an important figure in American history. His story deserves to be better known.