Trails, Rails and War

By J R Berkins

Book Overview

"Trails, Rails and War" is a comprehensive biography of Major General Grenville M. Dodge, a central figure in the development of the American West and a key military leader during the Civil War. The work provides an in-depth look at Dodge's dual legacy as a brilliant railroad engineer and a distinguished soldier, exploring how his technical expertise and strategic vision helped shape the modern landscape of the United States.

The narrative follows Dodge from his early years through his pivotal role in constructing the Union Pacific Railroad, the eastern half of the first transcontinental line. It examines the immense logistical hurdles, political challenges, and physical dangers associated with bridging the continent. Simultaneously, the book details his service under General Ulysses S. Grant and General William Tecumseh Sherman, highlighting his contributions to military intelligence and infrastructure during some of the most critical campaigns of the Civil War. "Trails, Rails and War" is a vital historical account that captures the spirit of 19th-century American ambition, offering a detailed portrait of a man whose life work bridged the gap between the battlefield and the industrial frontier.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1026050456
• ISBN13: 9781026050453
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 440 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.9" x 6.1"