Second Only to Grant

David W. Miller's biography "Second Only to Grant: Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs" examines the life and career of one of the Union's most consequential yet underappreciated figures of the American Civil War. As Quartermaster General of the United States Army, Meigs oversaw the logistical operations that kept Union armies supplied, equipped, and mobile throughout the conflict. Miller's title suggests a bold claim, positioning Meigs as second only to Ulysses S. Grant in importance to the Union war effort, and the book sets out to substantiate this assertion through a detailed examination of Meigs's contributions.

The biography traces Meigs's career from his early engineering work, including his notable involvement in constructing the Washington Aqueduct and expanding the U.S. Capitol building, through his appointment as Quartermaster General in 1861. Miller demonstrates how Meigs's background in engineering and construction prepared him for the immense administrative and logistical challenges he would face during the war. This transition from peacetime engineering projects to wartime logistics forms a compelling narrative thread throughout the work, illustrating how skills developed in one context proved invaluable in another.

One of the book's strengths lies in its detailed treatment of the sheer scale of Meigs's responsibilities. As Quartermaster General, he was tasked with procuring and distributing supplies, equipment, horses, and transportation for the entire Union Army, a logistical undertaking of unprecedented scope in American history. Miller effectively conveys the magnitude of this challenge, showing how Meigs built and managed a supply system that supported hundreds of thousands of soldiers across multiple theaters of war. The biography credits Meigs with organizational innovations that helped ensure Union forces remained adequately supplied, even as the war expanded in scope and duration.

Miller also addresses the personal dimensions of Meigs's life, including his relationship with Robert E. Lee, who had been a mentor figure to him before the war. This connection adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, as it highlights the personal toll that the conflict took on friendships and professional relationships that predated the sectional crisis. The biography explores how Meigs's loyalty to the Union, despite his prior associations, shaped his wartime conduct and his sometimes contentious relationships with Confederate sympathizers, including his role in the decision to establish Arlington National Cemetery on land that had belonged to the Lee family.

The book does not shy away from examining Meigs's occasionally difficult personality and his conflicts with other military and political figures. Miller presents Meigs as a man of considerable ability but also as someone whose rigid adherence to principle sometimes brought him into conflict with colleagues and superiors. This balanced approach adds credibility to the biography, as it avoids hagiography while still making the case for Meigs's historical significance.

Structurally, the biography follows a chronological approach, allowing readers to trace Meigs's development from young engineer to senior military administrator. Miller draws on primary source material, including Meigs's own writings and correspondence, to construct a portrait that feels grounded in historical evidence rather than speculation. The prose is generally clear and accessible, making the technical aspects of quartermaster operations understandable to readers without specialized military or logistical knowledge.

While the book's central claim, that Meigs ranks second only to Grant in importance to Union victory, may invite debate among historians who might point to other figures such as Sherman or Lincoln's cabinet members, Miller makes a reasoned case for this assessment based on the logistical foundation Meigs provided for all military operations. Without adequate supplies, transportation, and equipment, even the most brilliant battlefield strategies would have faltered, and Miller effectively argues that Meigs's less visible but essential work made victory possible.

This biography serves as a valuable contribution to Civil War scholarship by illuminating the career of a figure often overshadowed by more prominent generals and political leaders. For readers interested in military logistics, Civil War history, or the broader story of how the Union sustained its war effort, Miller's biography offers substantial insight into an important but frequently overlooked architect of Union success.