"In the first full biography of Lieutenant General John McAllister Schofield (1831-1906), Donald Connelly examines the career of one of the leading commanders in the western theater of the Civil War and the role of politics in the formulation of military policy in both war and peace in the latter half of the nineteenth century."--[book cover].

Early years -- Saving Missouri -- Take care of Missouri -- If both factions shall abuse you -- Escape to the front -- The Franklin-Nashville campaign -- To the east--to the end -- Soldier-statesman -- Secretary of War -- The rocky road of reform -- The mistake of my life -- Uncertain future -- Incremental reformer -- In retirement and in retrospect.