History of the Army of the Potomac

The primary Federal army in the eastern theater of the American Civil War, the Army of the Potomac, was built from scratch and underwent significant changes as well as multiple commanders throughout the war. From George McClellan to George Meade, and several commanders in between, the Army of the Potomac was constantly in the public eye and thus constantly under scrutiny by Washington DC. How the army was developed, the men who fought in its ranks, and its commanders will be discussed in this course. We will also look at some of its most famous engagements during the war and how it fought against its primary adversary, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.