Twelve Years of a Soldiers Life in India; Being Extracts From The Letters of the Late Major W. S. R. Hodson by Hodson, Rev. George H. [Ulysses S. Grant] - 1864

Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1864. Third and Enlarged English Edition. Green cloth over boards with gilt titling on the spine and a discernibly eastern design impressed on both font and back. Near fine. From the library of Ulysses S. Grant, bestowed to him by the Citizens of Boston on January 1, 1866 as identified by the bookplate like certificate affixed to front endpaper. "7.25" x 4.5", pp. 6-444, Near fine condition only one shade of fade to the spine, early fox-spotting to fore edge, bumping but no wear at all to the spine ends. <br /> <br /> This book was from a library of books given to LTG Grant for his brave and meritorious service to the nation. When books from that collection come to market, they are almost always in fine condition. I have a theory that the lot was never read and may have been packed up until into or after his presidency. From 1866 - '69 Grant was Commander in Chief of the Army, though residing in Georgetown, he was on the move dealing with Reconstruction, Mexico, and a growing political presence. As much as the people of Boston would have liked, it is unlikely he was toting these books with him. This particular volume about a fellow warrior of the saddle, a renown British hero of the Indian frontier, would surely have drawn his attention. As the founder of the Hodson's Horse, he served bravely, though controversially during the Indian Rebellion. He accepted the Emperor's surrender, but had his princes executed. "There is not a word of truth in the report of the King of Dehli coming out for a final struggle." (p 291).