"John A. McClernand was a leading Democratic congressman from Illinois who in 1861 became a brigadier general in the Union army. Although a "political general," he proved himself on the battlefield, until he ran afoul of Ulysses S. Grant and was relieved of his command of the Thirteenth Corps in 1863 during the Vicksburg campaign. McClernand ably led troops at the Battles of Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Arkansas Post, and Vicksburg. Most accounts, however, focus on McClernand's flaws rather than on his strengths as a combat commander. Richard Kiper presents a balanced and sympathetic assessment of this highly controversial individual. Moreover, he sheds new light on the Union command system, providing insight into the politics of war as well as the personalities of and relationships among the army's senior officers."--BOOK JACKET.