Book Reviews ordered bazaar presupposes producing the unusual situation in turned to duty for the Pontiac War nothing, after all,in the way of which a garment worn by a histori- in 1763-64. As Ward charts this common beliefs or shared values. cal figure has become better known period, Stephen emerges as one of Itpresupposes nothing more than than the individual himself. the most experienced officers from acceptance of a few procedural With the appearance of Major the decade-long conflict. In 1774 rules. Conflicting values and General AdamStephen and the Cause Stephen participated inDunmore's beliefs do not prevent those who ofAmerican Liberty,HarryM.Ward War against the Shawnce Indians in do business there from "haggling has provided a welcome addition to the Ohio Valley. profitably away." Ifthey yearn for the growing body of scholarship the company of people who share which examines second-line figures Stephen's lengthy their own outlook on life, they in the Continental Army who have can "retreat" to their clubs "after been neglected, like Stephen. Pro- relationship with a hard day's haggling." fessor ofhistory at the University of Rorty's ideal world comes Richmond, Ward's previous books Washington close to describing the world as it include General George Weedonand sometimes flared actually exists, at least inthe the American Revolution, and United States; and many Ameri- Charles Scott and the 'Spiritof 76. y into open hostility. cans are ready to accept it,I Scottish born, Stephen (1721?- suppose, as the best that can be 1791) was educated and trained as a Stephen's involvement inthe War hoped for. Oldenburg's book physician at theuniversities ofAber- for Independence began as head of helps to spotlight what is missing deen and Edinburgh. He served a the Berkeley County committee of from such a world: urban ameni- brief stint inthe Royal Navy before safety, Virginia Convention dele- ties, conviviality,— conversation, emigrating to America and settling gate and Indian Commissioner. Af- politics almost everything, in in what is today Berkeley County, terhelping to expel the British from short, that makes life worth living. West Virginia. As captain under Virginia,he was named aregimental When the market pre-empts all George Washington inthe Virginia colonel inearly 1776, and promot- the public space, and sociability Regiment in 1754, he helped fire ed to brigadier general inthe Con- has to "retreat" into private clubs, the opening guns ofthe French and tinental Army in September. He people are in danger oflosing the Indian War at Jumonville and Fort fought the Hessians at Trenton and capacity to amuse and even to Necessity. Elevated to lieutenant the British at Princeton in the New govern themselves. As long as colonel and subsequently wounded Jersey campaign, which led to his they recognize the danger, with Braddock at the Monongahe- February 1777 elevation to major however, itis stillpossible to hope la, he was critical of the panicky general. Ward suggests that Ste- that they willfind a way to reverse conduct ofthe Britishregulars there phen's quick promotions in the the suburban trend of our but took pride in the comparatively army, making him by that point civilization and to restore the civic good performance ofhis ownmen. Washington's ninth ranking gener- arts to their rightful place at the By 1758, the major strategic al,had fed his already considerable center of things. \u25a0 question was how the Britishcould— personal pride, thus giving him a strike at French Fort Duquesne "flippantair"and an outspoken self- via the Braddock Road or by a new confidence. In the following General Adam route across Pennsylvania. When the months, Stephen skillfullyconduct- Major Stephen latter route was selected, much to ed a grueling "war of posts," in and the Cause ofAmerican the disgust of the Virginians, Ward which he engaged the enemy "8 or Liberty demonstrates that Stephen did not 10 times a week." InSeptember, at By Harry M.Ward exhibit the petulance, defeatism and the defeat of Brandywine, Stephen Charlottesville: University Press ofVir- immaturity that so characterized a commanded a division,and rumors ginia, 1989. Pp. xi,320. Preface, illus- bitterlydisappointed Washington at ofhis supposed intoxication reached trations, maps, abbreviations, notes, that time. Stephen unhesitatingly Washington's ears. The nextmonth, bibliography, index. $29.50 threw himself intothe physical open- after one of the major engagements ingof the new Forbes Road when, ofthe war —Germantown —ques- Washington, D.C., the Na- literallyremoving his coat and sword, tions ofalcohol abuse and incapac- tional Museum of American he and his troops painfully hacked ityin the field brought Stephen's INHistory exhibits a military their way through the mountain military career toasudden and con- waistcoat ofAdam Stephen, Virgin- forests. Serving throughout the con- clusive end withhis dismissal. Ward, ia officer of the French and Indian flict, Stephen functioned as regi- while not explaining away the mat- War and major general inthe Amer- mental deputy to Washington and ter, asserts that accusations of ine- ican Revolution. Thousands of vis- then (after 1758) to William Byrd briation were hardly unknown in itorscasually viewthis article ofdress III,ultimately receiving the senior the army, and that Stephen was not each year as they tour the facility, position in August 1761. He re- alone that autumn infacing charges 91 Pittsburgh History, Summer 1991 ofincompetence before the enemy. tion's adoption. His stalwart sup- him,and hispersonal conduct could Generals Anthony Wayne, John portofTreasury Secretary Alexander be offensive and unbecoming for Sullivan and James Maxwell were Hamilton's controversial plan for that of a major general. On the each brought before a court martial, federal assumption of state debts other hand, after being sacked, Ste- but were exonerated. Ward finds no made him few friends in Virginia, phen conducted the balance of his proof that the Virginian was unable but gave credence tohis dedication days with decorum and a certain to discharge his responsibilities at to strong central authority. Display- grace, displaying little permanent Germantown, but notes that the ing his quirky intellectual bent, he animus. Even his plan topublish a story about Stephen being "a sor- penned a broadside, The Expostula- defense ofhis actions at Germantown did,boasting, cowardly sot"grew in tionofthePotomac, whichargued the never materialized. Anapparent life- its retelling. case for locating the nation's capital long bachelor (a daughter, Ann, The unfavorable recommenda- on the banks ofthe Potomac River. was born out of wedlock in 1761), tion of a court of inquiry alleged Inthis biography, Stephen stands Stephen had his failings and vices, that Stephen was "seen inopen view out as a seasoned, mid-level military but as presented by Ward, he of all the soldiers very drunk" and professional ina nation largely lack- emerges as a patriot devoted to the taking snuff from prostitutes, and ing a martial tradition. His experi- welfare ofhis adopted nation. that he was temporarily absent from ence with British regulars, provin- Although few ofStephen's per- his division during its withdrawal cials, militia,lightinfantry,riflemen, sonal papers survive, the author has from Germantown. Following his Continentals, Northern and South- done an outstanding joboflocating removal, a shocked and dismayed ern Native Americans and even the relevant primary sources, there- Stephen unwisely denounced seamen was superior to that of bypermitting a balanced and reveal- Washington in writing, destroying Washington. He grasped that tacti- ing view of the Virginian's career. any possible vindication by Con- cal success inAmerica could be real- Professor Ward has effectively liber- gress. ized only bya marriage ofEuropean ated Stephen from unjust obscurity One key to understanding Ste- and colonial modes of warfare. As in a museum case. \u25a0 phen can be found in his uneasy he astutely put itto Washington in relationship withWashington which 1757, his Virginiaforces were "well flared intermittently hos- disciplin'd and have this advantage /.Martin West into open Fort Ligonier Association tility. The insecure Washington of of all other troops in America that the 1750s may have felt inadequate they know the parade as well as beside hisolder, far better-educated Prussians, and the fightingina Close deputy. Inthe Revolution, he toler- Country as well as Tartars." ated Stephen to a point, but one Ward acknowledges that con- Discoursing Sweet Music: gets the impression that the com- troversy was never far from Stephen. Brass Bands and mander-in-chief would have rid Contentious, boastful and probably Community himself ofhis old rival,whenever he an alcoholic, his combative person- Lifein Turn-of-the-Century deemed itexpedient. After Stephen ality led him sporadically into im- Pennsylvania was cashiered, his division was broglios and disputes with his su- ByKenneth Kreitner quickly given to Washington's fa- periors. The author believes that Champaign: UniversityofIllinoisPress, vorite, Marquis de Lafayette. Stephen's primary weakness was his 1990. Pp. xvi,205.Preface, illustrations, Ward also documents Stephen's concern "with generalities ofcom- tables, bibliography, notes, index. little-noted political life. As early as mand," while ignoring military $22.50 1761, Stephen dared tobe a candi- routine through over-reliance on date (unsuccessfully) forelection to juniorofficers and heavy delegation