This book narrates and interprets Sheridan's western career as commander of the army from the Missouri to the Rockies and from Mexico to Canada. This definitive account of Sheridan's western career not only traces his central role in the final military defeat of the Indians but fills out the other sides of the general, who commanded Chicago after its great fire, quelled its labor riots, launched Buffalo Bill Cody on his career, served as an observer in the Franco-Prussian War, played a key role in the 1876 election crisis, and championed a national park system free from commercial exploitation. - Back cover.