Table of Contents

Thirty years were spend researching the disposition of every officer and military post of the United States Army on the eve of the Civil War. With a wonderful narrative style that combines wit and realism, the author describes the evolution of the Old Army from Washington's time to the Spring of 1861.

As Mr. Lincoln's Inauguration grew near, the officers of the Regular Army were forced to choose between their country and their native states. For many it was an agonizing process. Mr. Ness brings this to light and at the same time provides an unending supply of anecdotes and historic data on the Mexican War, Indian conflicts, and Western explorations.

Four appendices illustrate the distribution of manpower by department and resignations of officers by state. This book is destined to give an elevated position to the many long forgotten soldiers who were "Regulars" before the war.