Thomas Mante facts for kids

Thomas Mante (born around 1733, died around 1802) was an English army officer. He was also a historian and wrote books about military topics. Interestingly, he worked as a spy for the French government! Before 1773, he spelled his name as Thomas Mant.

Life of Thomas Mante

Thomas Mante joined the Royal Marines in 1756. He served until 1762. During this time, he fought against the French in the Caribbean Sea.

As the Seven Years' War was ending, Mante joined the 77th Regiment of Foot. He took part in the siege of Havana in 1762. After that, he was in New York. His regiment was later disbanded.

In 1763, Mante joined Henry Bouquet in a military campaign. This campaign was part of Pontiac's War, a conflict with Native American tribes. In 1764, Mante worked with John Bradstreet. He was a brigade major, helping to plan and lead soldiers. He was part of the mission that led to the siege of Fort Detroit.

Later in 1764, Mante was in London. Some people believe he wrote a plan in 1765. This plan suggested starting a British settlement in Detroit. However, the idea was not approved.

Mante faced financial difficulties. He upset some important people who had supported him, like Bradstreet. In the 1770s, he started working with British intelligence. This involved gathering secret information for the government. However, he had already been hired by the French to spy for them since 1769. This means he was a double agent, working for both sides.

By 1774, the British likely knew Mante was a double agent. They stopped paying him. In 1773, he moved to Dieppe in northern France. He spent some time in a prison for people who owed money. To earn a living, he wrote books. He wrote a book in French about farming. He also wrote novels in English, which were based on French stories. These were published by Thomas Hookham.

Mante returned to London in 1781. Towards the end of his life, he was still working on a big history book. It was called Naval and Military History.

Books by Thomas Mante

Thomas Mante wrote several important books:

• History of the late War in America, including the Campaigns against His Majesty's Indian Enemies (1772): This book told the story of the recent war in America. It also covered the battles against Native American groups.
• Treatise on the Use of Defensive Arms, translated from the French of Joly de Maizeray, with Remarks (1771): This was a translation of a French book. It was about how to use weapons for defense. Mante added his own notes.
• Elementary Principles of Tactics (1771): This book explained the basic rules of military tactics. Tactics are the ways soldiers move and fight in battle.
• System of Tactics, translated from the French of Joly de Maizeray (1781): This was another translation of a French book on military tactics. It was dedicated to a famous general, Guy Carleton.
• Naval and Military History of the Wars of England, including those of Scotland and Ireland (1795?-1807): This was a large history project about England's wars. It also included wars in Scotland and Ireland. The last two parts of this book were finished by another writer after Mante.