Revered Commander Maligned General ─ The Life of Clarence Ransom Edwards, 1859-1931

Major General Clarence Ransom Edwards is a vital figure in American military history, yet his -contribution to the U.S. efforts in World War I has often been ignored. Most accounts of this leader’s accomplishments proffer a negative portrayal, focusing on the disagreements he had with General John J. Pershing, who dismissed Edwards from the command of the 26th (“Yankee”) Division just weeks before the close of World War I. The notoriety of the Pershing incident has lessened the recognition of this prominent officer, causing some to view Edwards as simply a “political general” with a controversial career. But Clarence Edwards, though often a divisive figure, was a greater man than that. A revered and admired officer whose men called him “Daddy,” Edwards attained an impressive forty-year career, one matched by few wartime leaders . Michael E. Shay presents a complete portrait of this notable American and his many merits in Revered Commander, Maligned General. This long-overdue first full-length biography of General Clarence Edwards opens with his early life, from his beginnings in Cleveland, Ohio, to his turbulent years at West Point. The book details the crucial roles Edwards filled in staff and field commands for the Army before the outbreak of World War I in 1917: Adjutant-General with General Lawton in the Philippine-American War, first chief of the Bureau of Insular Affairs, and commander of U.S. forces in the Panama Canal Zone. Revered Commander, Maligned General follows Edwards as he forms the famous Yankee Division and leads his men into France, and this full account places the conflict between Edwards and Pershing in context, illuminating the disputes that led to Edwards being relieved of command. This well-researched biography quotes a wealth of primary sources in recounting the life of this important American, a man of loyalty and service who is largely misremembered. Photographs of Edwards, his troops, and his kin—many from Edwards’ own collection—complement the narrative. In addition, several maps aid readers in following General Edwards as his career moves from the U.S. to Central America to Europe and back stateside. Shay’s compelling depiction of General Edwards will appeal to military buffs and general readers alike and will finally provide a balanced portrait of this unique U.S. military leader.