This work investigates the evolution of United States Army policies and practices regarding the management, labor utilization, and treatment of prisoners of war from the American Revolution through the conclusion of World War II. George G. Lewis, drawing upon official military records and administrative reports, examines how the logistical demands of wartime operations influenced the decision to employ captive personnel. The text provides a framework for understanding the intersection of international legal obligations, such as the Geneva Convention, and the practical necessities of the U.S. military apparatus during periods of large-scale conflict.

Historians and military researchers frequently cite this volume as a foundational administrative history regarding the logistical management of captives. The text is noted for its clinical, data-driven approach to military policy and its reliance on primary source documentation from the Department of the Army.