The Boy Generals: George Custer, Wesley Merritt, and the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac

Adolfo Ovies delivers a focused examination of Union cavalry leadership during a pivotal eighteen-month period of the American Civil War in "The Boy Generals." The book concentrates on two of the most prominent young cavalry commanders in the Army of the Potomac: George Armstrong Custer and Wesley Merritt. Both men achieved general officer rank at remarkably young ages during the war, with Custer becoming a brigadier general at twenty-three and Merritt at twenty-nine. Ovies traces their military careers and contributions from the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 through the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864.

The temporal scope of this work provides an opportunity to examine a transformative period for Union cavalry operations. At the beginning of this timeframe, the cavalry arm of the Army of the Potomac had only recently begun to match the effectiveness of its Confederate counterparts. By the conclusion of the period covered, Union cavalry had become a dominant force, particularly under the overall command of Philip Sheridan. Ovies situates Custer and Merritt within this broader transformation, showing how their leadership contributed to the increasing effectiveness of Union mounted forces.

The book begins with the Union pursuit of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia following the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg. This retreat and pursuit phase involved numerous cavalry engagements and skirmishes as Union forces attempted to intercept and damage the withdrawing Confederate army. Ovies examines how Custer and Merritt performed during these operations, which tested the capabilities of cavalry commanders to conduct mobile operations while maintaining pressure on a retreating enemy. The author provides details about specific engagements and the tactical decisions made by these young generals.

A significant portion of the narrative addresses the Overland Campaign of 1864, when Ulysses S. Grant assumed command of all Union armies and coordinated a massive offensive against Confederate forces in Virginia. During this campaign, cavalry operations took on increased importance for reconnaissance, screening, and independent raiding missions. The book explores how Custer and Merritt adapted to the demands of this intense and sustained campaigning, which differed from earlier patterns of seasonal warfare. The relentless nature of Grant's strategy required cavalry commanders to maintain operational tempo while managing the physical toll on both men and horses.

The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864 receives substantial attention, as this theater saw some of the most significant cavalry operations of the entire war. Philip Sheridan's mission to defeat Confederate forces under Jubal Early and devastate the agricultural resources of the valley that sustained the Confederate war effort created opportunities for large-scale cavalry actions. Ovies details how Custer and Merritt commanded brigades and divisions during major engagements such as Third Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek. These battles demonstrated the evolution of cavalry tactics and the ability of Union cavalry to fight effectively both mounted and dismounted.

One of the book's strengths lies in its comparative approach to these two cavalry leaders. While Custer achieved greater fame both during and after the war, partly due to his flamboyant personality and distinctive appearance, Merritt represented a more measured and professional approach to military leadership. Ovies examines how their different command styles and personalities influenced their effectiveness and their relationships with subordinates and superiors. This comparison provides insight into the varieties of successful leadership within the same military organization during the same conflict.

The author draws upon official records, correspondence, and other primary sources to reconstruct the military activities and decisions of these cavalry commanders. The book benefits from the extensive documentation that exists for Civil War military operations, allowing for detailed accounts of troop movements, engagements, and command decisions. Ovies also addresses the organizational structure of Union cavalry during this period, explaining the brigade and division-level commands that Custer and Merritt held at different times.

The narrative maintains focus on military operations and leadership rather than attempting to provide comprehensive biographies of the two principals. This approach allows for deeper analysis of their specific contributions during the defined time period. The book serves readers interested in Civil War cavalry operations, military leadership during the conflict, and the eastern theater campaigns of 1863 and 1864. It contributes to the extensive literature on the Army of the Potomac by highlighting the role of cavalry and examining two commanders whose careers would take very different paths after the war's conclusion.