Addressing the rather sparse coverage of Daniel Butterfield in the literature of the Civil War, Prof. Pula (Perdue), gives us a meticulous examination of the general’s civilian background and rather impressive soldierly accomplishments. Pula addresses matters such as the man’s rather rapid rise to major general, his service with the Army of the Potomac through Fredericksburg, and why his service has gone largely overlooked by historians.

Pula’s first chapter covers Butterfield’s life before the Civil War and this final one deals with the man’s postwar accomplishments. In between we get seven chapters on Butterfield’s military service and accomplishments during the war, including his interactions with such commanding officers as George B. McClellan, Ambrose Burnside, Joseph Hooker, George Meade, and Ulysses S. Grant. One thing that is missing is any criticism by Pula in his analysis of his book’s subject.

Butterfield rose quickly through the ranks of the Army of the Potomac, from regimental commander to brigade, then division, and finally the Fifth Army Corps, which he led with some ability at Fredericksburg. He was made chief-of-staff of the Army of the Potomac by Joseph Hooker, and served in that role at Chancellorsville. When George Meade took command of the army, although wary of volunteer generals, he retained Butterfield in that position. Pula makes the case that Butterfield’s business experience prepared him for military service. His attention to detail, efficiency, and ability to make command decisions, all helped make him an able commander leading to his rapid rise.

Pula argues that Butterfield is often presented not as an officer having a credible combat record with excellent organizational gifts, but as someone closely linked to the provocative generals George McClellan, Joseph Hooker, and Daniel Sickles, who also failed to get along with George Meade. He notes that following the Battle of Gettysburg, Butterfield and Sickles failed to tell the entire truth in their testimony to the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War about Meade’s leadership and the reasons he relieved Butterfield from his post as chief-of- staff of the Army of the Potomac, after being wounded at Gettysburg on July 2^nd. He goes on to state that this caused Butterfield to become estranged from many of the Army of the Potomac’s West Point generals. The resentful relationship with Meade began when Butterfield was replaced as commander of the Fifth Army Corps by Meade, which led him to make unfavorable comments about the latter behind his back. Pula contends that it was Meade's dislike for Butterfield that caused him to replace Butterfield as chief-of-staff.

After being on the shelf following Gettysburg, Butterfield next saw significant service when Joe Hooker was sent to the West in the fall of 1863, becoming a division commander in the Twentieth Army Corps. He led the division capably during the Atlanta Campaign until illness forced him to relinquish his command in the summer of 1864.

After the war, Butterfield returned to the family business, was a prominent member of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, and helped support the building of monuments to the 12th and 44th New York Volunteers on Little Round Top, and one to the men of the Fifth Corps at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

Pula also gives us an excellent account of what are Butterfield’s most enduring legacies; a new army manual, the introduction of the first formation badges, and his arrangement of the music which we now call “Taps.”

The book has a good number of illustrations throughout and many excellent maps by Hal Jespersen. It also has footnotes at the bottom of each page, which will please most serious scholars.

Pula’s meticulous research, even-handed treatment, and excellent style will be welcomed by historians and casual readers alike. Highly recommended

Note: Union General Daniel Butterfield is also available in e-editions.

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