Saddlebag Press is a small press which specializes in books and articles focused on cavalry actions during the Revolutionary War. Contact John T. Hayes at [email protected] for information on their publications, or check out his new website (see links).

John's interest in cavalry actions stretches back nearly seventy years. In addition to the two books directly relating to Tarleton (Massacre: Banastre Tarleton, 1780 and Henry Lee, 1781 and Prelude to Glory, Tarleton and Simcoe 1779), he has written and published books on Stephen Jarvis, Baylor Hill, Elisha Sheldon and others.

He has just released an updated edition of A Gentleman of Fortune; The Diary of Baylor Hill, First Continental Light Dragoons. This three-volume set includes Hill's journal entries for 1777, 1779, and 1780-81 respectively (the volume for 1778 is missing). The 1780-1781 volume is an interesting read for anyone interested in the Southern Campaign. Hill served around Savannah, and was present at the string of minor skirmishes against Tarleton as the British army moved towards Charleston. As John comments in his introduction, it offers "a unique picture of the lack, the absolute dearth of energetic leadership in American horse units in South Carolina in early 1780." Hill was taken prisoner at Lenud's Ferry, and his journal continues through his time as a prisoner at Haddrell's Point. (Lots of fishing, and an energetic round of social activities...) The volumes are annotated, and include notes on Hill's life after the war.

Saddlebag Press also produces a bi-monthly newsletter called The Saddlebag Almanac, which covers in-progress research. Its subtitle is "A bimonthly publication of trivia drawn from the history of the cavalry formations of all the armies in the American Revolution."

John is currently turning his hand at fiction, and recently published his first novel. He was kind enough to send me a copy so I can say a few words about it.

Neither Death Nor Glory: The O'Bannion Saga
by John T. Hayes

This is the first installment in the adventures of James Francis O'Bannion, "horseman, marksman, and gambler." O'Bannion arrives in Boston as a gentleman volunteer with the 17th Light Dragoons, and almost immediately sees action at Lexington and Concord. As part of the besieged garrison at Boston, he becomes involved with the first incarnation of "Howe's Strolling Players," the British amateur theatrical troupe which would form and reform in various winter garrisons throughout the war.

O'Bannion's adventures and misadventures throughout the siege entangle him with an old girlfriend (now married to a senior officer), a variety of colonists, and a cross-section of the British army, honorable and otherwise. His experiences lead to a gradual -- and entirely mutual -- disillusionment between him and his commanders, which eventually sends him off on a vastly different path than that of his original ambitions.

The flow of historical incidents which shape the backbone of the novel are meticulously presented, with John's cast of original characters non-intrusively woven through them. They share the stage with many historical personalities -- John Pitcairn, Sir Henry Clinton, John Burgoyne, Lord Rawdon and others -- who ring true to their recorded personalities. I particularly enjoyed seeing Rawdon at his most charming, trying out his wings as an actor with "Howe's Strolling Players." I've always been very interested in the troupe, but I'm far more familiar with the Philadelphia (1777-1778) and New York (1778-) incarnations so it was great fun to follow their origins.

Neither Death Nor Glory is the first of what John predicts will be a ten-part saga, which ought to keep him out of trouble for a while! (Once he's finished it, he's promised to turn his attention to the British Legion. ;-) ) The second installment in the series, Storm Clouds over Yonkers is also available.