The War Department, 1861: A Study in Mobilization and Administration
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Book Overview
"The War Department, 1861: A Study in Mobilization and Administration" is a rigorous historical examination of the institutional and logistical transformation of the United States military during the critical first year of the American Civil War. A. Howard Meneely explores the daunting task of converting a small, fragmented peacetime establishment into a formidable engine for large-scale warfare.
The narrative focuses on the administrative chaos that characterized the early months of the conflict, detailing the tenure of Secretary of War Simon Cameron and the systemic failures that plagued early mobilization efforts. From the procurement of arms and supplies to the integration of state militias into a federal command structure, the book highlights the immense pressure placed upon a department ill-equipped for modern conflict. Meneely provides invaluable insights into the political and bureaucratic maneuvers required to sustain the Union cause.
By analyzing the structural weaknesses and eventual reforms within the War Department, this study illuminates the complexities of military governance and the evolution of American federal power. It remains an essential resource for students of military history, administrative theory, and the political landscape of the 19th-century United States.
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