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The Commanders
Taking a novel approach to the military history of the post–Civil War West, distinguished historian Robert M. Utley examines the careers of seven military leaders who served as major generals for the Union in the Civil War, then as brigadier generals in command of the U.S. Army’s western departments. By examining both periods in their careers, Utley makes a unique contribution in delineating these commanders’ strengths and weaknesses.
While some of the book’s subjects—notably Generals George Crook and Nelson A. Miles—are well known, most are no longer widely remembered. Yet their actions were critical in the expansion of federal control in the West. The commanders effected the final subjugation of American Indian tribal groups, exercising direct oversight of troops in the field as they fought the wars that would bring Indians under military and government control. After introducing readers to postwar army doctrine, organization, and administration, Utley takes each general in turn, describing his background, personality, eccentricities, and command style and presenting the rudiments of the campaigns he prosecuted. Crook embodied the ideal field general, personally leading his troops in their operations, though with varying success. Christopher C. Augur and John Pope, in contrast, preferred to command from their desks in department headquarters, an approach that led both of them to victory on the battlefield. And Miles, while perhaps the frontier army’s most detestable officer, was also its most successful in the field.
Rounding out the book with an objective comparison of all eight generals’ performance records, Utley offers keen insights into their influence on the U.S. military as an institution and on the development of the American West.
While some of the book’s subjects—notably Generals George Crook and Nelson A. Miles—are well known, most are no longer widely remembered. Yet their actions were critical in the expansion of federal control in the West. The commanders effected the final subjugation of American Indian tribal groups, exercising direct oversight of troops in the field as they fought the wars that would bring Indians under military and government control. After introducing readers to postwar army doctrine, organization, and administration, Utley takes each general in turn, describing his background, personality, eccentricities, and command style and presenting the rudiments of the campaigns he prosecuted. Crook embodied the ideal field general, personally leading his troops in their operations, though with varying success. Christopher C. Augur and John Pope, in contrast, preferred to command from their desks in department headquarters, an approach that led both of them to victory on the battlefield. And Miles, while perhaps the frontier army’s most detestable officer, was also its most successful in the field.
Rounding out the book with an objective comparison of all eight generals’ performance records, Utley offers keen insights into their influence on the U.S. military as an institution and on the development of the American West.
256 pages, Paperback
Published February 26, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 14, 2018
Esteemed Historian Emeritus Robert Utley continues to write and illuminate us. Thanks to Tom Ricks’ 2012 book, “”The General’s,” we have this book. Utley takes seven Civil War generals who later rose to department command in the American West and evaluates their performance. He proceeds alphabetically with a chapter for each in the same manner: life before the army, Civil War, Indian War command, life after army, and summary. He concludes with a final chapter ranking them by effectiveness as commanders and as fighters. His analysis will surprise you.
The generals are some familiar names and some unfamiliar. They are: Auger, Crook, Howard, Miles, Ord, Pope, and Terry. I’d never heard of Auger. Remember his name.
A nice executive summary/synthesis of Utley’s lifetime of writing about the army in the American West.
The generals are some familiar names and some unfamiliar. They are: Auger, Crook, Howard, Miles, Ord, Pope, and Terry. I’d never heard of Auger. Remember his name.
A nice executive summary/synthesis of Utley’s lifetime of writing about the army in the American West.
February 4, 2019
The short overview of several commanders has become a more common historical motif. As expected, Utley considers the second-rank commanders of the Indian Wars. It's competently done but I don't feel that I learned much.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews