Focusing on the suppression of insurgent or other irregular forces during overseas constabulary and contingency operations from the Civil War years up to America's entry into World War II, the author writes about the underlying theories, concepts, and methods employed in the conduct of myriad unconventional missions with soldiers serving as governors, constables, judges, diplomats, explorers, colonizers, educators, administrators, and engineers. Even though official, codified, written doctrine for counterguerrilla, pacification, and nation-building activities prior to World War II has long been viewed as nonexistent, the author uncovers an evidentiary thread of continuity in the Army's performance and thus maintains that some of the central principles governing such operations were indeed incorporated into official Army doctrinal literature.

"First printed 1998. CMH Pub 70-66-1"--Title page verso.

Introduction -- The war of the rebellion, 1861-1865 -- The constabulary years, 1865-1898 -- Cuba and the Philippines, 1898-1902 -- The imperial constabulary years, 1900-1913 -- Military interventions during the Wilson administration, 1914-1920 -- The interwar years, 1920-1941 -- Conclusion: the development of small wars doctrine in retrospect.