An important source of information relating to the early years of the French and Indian War by a serving officer. An untrimmed copy of the first edition. Knox arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1757 with the 43rd Regiment of Foot to take part in the expedition against Louisbourg. In the end it did not take part but was present at the battle of the Plains of Abraham, Quebec, where he served under Lieutenant-Colonel James Murray through the winter of 1759-60. His is considered the best account of the death of General James Wolfe. He was present at the surrender of Montreal in 1760.

The journal was written mostly at the time, or ”as soon as the events it contains” (introduction). It provides one of the most accurate and detailed accounts available on the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec. His account is accompanied by copies of important official documents and order issued by both the British and French. The volumes contain frontispiece portraits of Generals Jeffery Amherst, Commander-in-Chief of the British army, and James Wolfe. The large folding map by Thomas Kitchin illustrates the British dominions in North America according to the Treaty of Paris1763.

Provenance: manuscript shelf mark with the author’s regiment written in on both titles; R. Bedingfeld (neat inkstamp on both titles; bookplate of Sir Henry Paston-Bedingfeld in vol. 2.; Sotheby’s 24 October 419; D. & E. Lake Ltd., Toronto; Library of Ernest E. Keet. Howes (1962) K-222; Sabin (1868-1936) 38164; Streeter sale II.1030.