Emory upton misunderstood reformer definition

Throughout Upton, Fitzpatrick offers criticism when warranted.

Much of this centers upon Upton’s unfinished Military Policy of the United States, which was published posthumously in 1904 at the direction of reforming Secretary of War Elihu Root. As already noted, Upton was aware of the failings of Union generalship.

Yet as David J. Fitzpatrick contends, Upton is also widely misunderstood as an antidemocratic militaristic zealot whose ideas were “too Prussian” for America.

Yet as David J. Fitzpatrick contends, Upton is also widely misunderstood as an antidemocratic militaristic zealot whose ideas were “too Prussian.

Upton's career as a reformer took a new turn in the summer of , partially as the result of encouragement by Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman.

Emory Upton (–) is widely recognized as one of America’s most influential military thinkers.

Upton's reform ideas included mandatory retirement at age 62 for officers, rotation of officers between artillery and infantry, promotion on.

His private correspondence contains criticisms of generals “not fit to be corporals,” while the recommendations for reform in his earlier report of the tour of foreign armies (1878) are an implicit criticism of high command and staff work during the war.[4] But in Military Policy, Upton muted these criticisms of regulars.

He hoped the work would inspire Congress to establish a framework for the rapid mobilization of effectively integrated armies of professional and citizen-soldiers organized by the federal government. To make this case, Upton deliberately overstated the past effectiveness of regular army officers and units.

These flaws in Military Policy contribut