Book Description

2006 Scholar's Bookshelf reprint edition. First published in 1917 by the U.S. Government Printing Office, this was a surprisingly critical Official War Department Document presenting a historical and statistical account of U.S. military policy "and to show the enormous and unnecessary sacrifice of life and treasure, which has attended all our armed struggles." The work presents detailed histories of the campaigns of the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Indian and Mexican wars, and on through the Civil War, containing the author's critical accounts of military actions, and military policy that employed militia and undisciplined troops, was historically disinclined to maintain a large, professional army, relied on voluntary enlistments, and had many other defects because, as Upton concluded, "we have rejected the practice of European nations and, with little variation, have thus far pursued the policy of China" with the result that "all of our wars have been prolonged for want of judicious and economical preparation, and often when the people have impatiently awaited the tidings of victory, those of humiliating defeat have plunged the nation into mourning."