The Organization and Administration of the Union Army, 1861–1865. Pulitzer Prize for History 1929. Illustrated

The Organization and Administration of the Union Army, 1861–1865 by Fred A. Shannon is a landmark scholarly work that offers a detailed examination of how the Union Army was formed, managed, and operated during the American Civil War. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1929, this two-volume study goes beyond battlefield strategy to explore the inner workings of one of the largest military mobilizations in U.S. history.Shannon delves into the complex logistics, policies, bureaucracies, and personalities behind the army’s structure. From recruitment and supply chains to military justice and leadership organization, the book reveals how political decisions, administrative challenges, and social dynamics shaped the Union’s military effectiveness.Based on extensive archival research, this authoritative account highlights the crucial—yet often overlooked—role of administration in securing Union victory. It remains a foundational text for historians, Civil War scholars, and readers interested in military history, public administration, and the evolution of the American state during wartime.