A Politician Goes to War

A Politician Goes to War is a detailed work of history and literary collections that examines the private life of Union general John White Geary. Through a curated selection of roughly 200 letters written to his wife, Mary, this volume 1 account provides a rare perspective on the American Civil War. The text covers major military engagements, including the battles of Cedar Mountain and Gettysburg, as well as campaigns in the west with William T. Sherman.

These letters offer a study of a political general, blending personal concerns about family and religion with strategic self-promotion. The narrative explores Geary's career from his time as the first mayor of San Francisco to his tenure as governor of Pennsylvania. By analyzing these letters, the book reveals the complex intersection of military service and political ambition during a defining era of American history.