Dawson, Henry B. "Battles of the United States by Sea and Land"

Henry B. Dawson. Battles of the United States by Sea and Land. Illustrated by Alonzo Chappel.

New York: Johnson, Fry & Co., 1860. Two quarto volumes. 38 steel engravings plus two engraved title pages, after paintings and drawings by Alonzo Chappel. Bound in original half leather with stamping in gold. Gilt page ends. The usual scuffing to leather. Some slight staining to the interior. 

A superb collection of steel engraved prints accompanying a military history of the United States. The images were drawn by Alonzo Chappel, a noted historical artist who illustrated a number of volumes in the mid-nineteenth century. Included in these two volumes are some portraits of military figures and many battle scenes from the Revolution, War of 1812 and Mexican-American War. As with a large number of publications on the eve of the American Civil War, this one recalled the glories of history to provide a common bond which might help keep the country together. The intention failed, but the product is beautiful.