[8], 66 pp. 19 engraved plates (1 folding). (4to) 10½x8½, period full red straight grain morocco, triple gilt-rule border with blind tooling at edges, inner gilt rule with oak leaf and acorn devices at corners surrounding a diamond shape gilt rule, spine gilt with floral scrolls and pointille tooling, all edges gilt. First Edition.

An association copy, presented by the Author to Thomas Graham, 1st Baron Lynedoch (a celebrated Peninsular War General and one of the few subordinates whom Wellington trusted). With a signed autograph letter (dated 1816) from Gordon to Lord Lynedoch bound at the front of the book, and with Gordon’s manuscript annotations in the margins of the text. A leading force in the establishment of the United Service Club in 1817, Lynedoch “was a fine scholar, knew six languages, had travelled all over Europe, and was such a master of his pen that both his dispatches and his private letters and diary are among the best-written and most interesting original material that exists for this period” (Oman, Wellington’s Army, 1809-1814, pp. 123-124). Gordon demonstrates his understanding of the topic when reflecting on the implementation of bayonet exercises, he writes (in the margin of the text): “The writer has been told that Lord Cathcart & other very able generals, have tried to introduce this exercise by drilling the men with arms in the attitudes from the first - but that they had given it up as impracticable I should humbly think that they must have failed if they did not proceed or begin to drill the men in the attitudes 3, or 4 weeks at least without arms after which time the exercise will readily succeed” (p. 40). With the bookplates of Lord Lynedoch and his descendant Robert Maxtone Graham.