Ancestry --
Early military service --
Mexican War --
New Mexico --
Kansas --
Civil War --
Death --
Fort Sumner, New Mexico.

This is the story of the young man from Milton, Mass., who made a career of the army. He fought Indians, founded military posts and as an officer recruiting men for the service wanted them all the same height, weight and if possible all farm boys. He was in the Black Hawk War, Mexican War, Civil War. He was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, accompanying him to Washington for his inauguration. He rose from the ranks never having attended West Point Military Academy. It is often said that this kept him from being named commander of the Army of the Potomac. He was one of the organizers of the U.S. Cavalry. A number of the officers in the Civil War were trained by him in cavalry tactics at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He was cited for bravery in the Mexican War as well as in the Civil War. Fort Sumner, New Mexico is named for him as well as places in Kansas, California and several other states. Sumner had such a love for American that he called for a glass of wine to drink a toast to his county before he died. He passed away after downing the last drop. He was buried with military honors in Syracuse, New York -- Book jacket.

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