UNION GENERAL DANIEL BUTTERFIELD: A Civil War Biography

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Explores the complex legacy of Union General Daniel Butterfield, from his battlefield heroics and Medal of Honor, to controversies and innovations that shaped the American Civil War. He led troops at the brigade, division, and corps level, wrote an 1862 Army field manual, was awarded a Medal of Honor, composed 'Taps,' and served as the chief-of-staff for Joe Hooker in the Army of the Potomac. He introduced a custom that remains in the U.S. Army today: the use of a distinctive hat or shoulder patch to denote the soldier's unit. Butterfield was also controversial, not well-liked by some, and tainted by politics. Seeks to uncover fact from fiction through meticulous research into primary source material and even-handed treatment of this important Civil War figure. Contains 46 images and 13 maps.