The Army of the Potomac : Mr. Lincoln’s Army

The Army of the Potomac: Mr. Lincoln’s Army by Bruce Catton is the first volume in his acclaimed trilogy chronicling the early years of the Union’s Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. The book vividly portrays the transformation of a raw, inexperienced volunteer force into a disciplined army under the command of General George B. McClellan. Catton explores the challenges faced by President Abraham Lincoln in building and leading this army, highlighting McClellan’s organizational talents as well as his flaws-especially his caution and political conflicts with Lincoln. The narrative covers key events from the army’s disarray after the First Battle of Bull Run through the Peninsula Campaign and culminates in the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single day in American military history. Throughout, Catton emphasizes the bravery and resilience of the soldiers despite poor leadership and missed opportunities, offering a richly detailed and humanized account of the Union army’s formative period.