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Army of the Potomac | HearLore
— Ch. 1 · Formation And Early Struggles —
Army of the Potomac.
~6 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
The Army of the Potomac was created in July 1861 shortly after the First Battle of Bull Run. Its nucleus began as the Army of Northeastern Virginia led by Brigadier General Irvin McDowell. This force fought and lost the Civil War's first major battle on the 21st of July 1861. The arrival of Major General George B. McClellan in Washington D.C. dramatically changed the makeup of that army. On the 26th of July 1861, McClellan formed the Army of the Potomac from forces in former Departments of Northeastern Virginia, Washington, Pennsylvania, and the Shenandoah. Men under Nathaniel P. Banks command became an infantry division within this new structure. The army started with four corps but these were divided during the Peninsula Campaign to produce two more units. After the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Army of the Potomac absorbed units that had served under John Pope.
Command Changes And Leadership
Major General Ambrose Burnside took over command of the army from McClellan in the fall of 1862. He formed the army into four Grand Divisions of two corps each with a Reserve composed of two more. Joseph Hooker abolished the grand divisions when he assumed command on the 26th of January 1863. Thereafter individual corps reported directly to army headquarters. George Meade was suddenly appointed commander on the 28th of June 1863, just three days before Gettysburg. Ulysses S. Grant located his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac from May 1864 to April 1865. Grant provided operational direction while Meade retained command of the Army of the Potomac. John G. Parke took brief temporary command during Meade's absences on four occasions during this period. Lincoln named as corps commanders the five highest-ranking division commanders in the army. McClellan was unhappy with this order as he intended to wait until the army had been tested in battle before judging which generals were suitable for corps command.
Organizational Evolution And Corps
The army originally consisted of fifteen divisions plus an Artillery Reserve and Cavalry Command. Edwin V. Sumner commanded one division while William B. Franklin led another. Louis Blenker commanded a third division until Nathaniel P. Banks took over that unit. Frederick W. Lander died on the 2nd of March 1862 and James Shields replaced him. Silas Casey served under Irvin McDowell who commanded the I Corps. Fitz John Porter led a division within the III Corps. Samuel P. Heintzelman commanded the III Corps while Don Carlos Buell commanded the IV Corps until Erasmus D. Keyes replaced him in November 1861. George A. McCall commanded the Pennsylvania Reserves Division. George Stoneman commanded cavalry units before Philip St. George Cooke took over in January 1862. Henry J. Hunt led artillery forces throughout much of the war. The Army of the Potomac remained on the Virginia Peninsula until August when it was recalled back to Washington D.C. Keyes and one of two IV Corps divisions were left behind permanently as part of newly created Department of the James.
Major Campaigns And Battles
During the Battle of Gettysburg on the 1st of July 1863, the Second Corp reinforced Union lines around Cemetery Hill from Lee's Army. General Gibbons received temporary command after their previous commanding officer, General Sickles, was wounded during the engagement. General Hancock ran into the 1st Minnesota regiment led by Colonel Colvill with remaining men numbering only a few hundred strong. Despite losses over the battle, these men seemed willing to continue fighting against Confederate assault. The 1st Minnesota regiment halted the Confederate advance on the hill despite coming at high human cost. At Antietam, I and XII Corps suffered enormous casualties plus loss of commanders so they were down to near division strength. II and IX Corps were heavily engaged while V and VI Corps largely stayed out of battle. During Chancellorsville campaign, I and V Corps were not significantly engaged. George Stoneman had been removed from command of cavalry corps by Hooker after poor performance during Chancellersville campaign. Alfred Pleasanton replaced him in that role.
Soldier Demographics And Politics
The army recruited soldiers from Northern cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. They pulled soldiers from both native and foreign-born populations including Irish immigrant population which rose significantly throughout mid 19th century. Soldiers came from various political backgrounds sharing differing beliefs about war objectives. The army shifted allegiances between Copperhead Democrats and Republicans throughout the war. Capt. Henry Nicholas Blake of 11th Massachusetts drew complaints over regiments transfer into Second Corps. US historian Zachery Fry described it as haven for Democratic officers loyal to General McClellan. These comments eventually landed Blake a court-martial with other officers receiving similar treatment by high command. Most low-ranking officers shared complaints over leadership of General McClellan along with other Copperhead Democrats making up Army's leadership. According to Hennessy 2014, many soldiers grew sympathetic with goal of emancipation early on while others struggled to reconcile opposition over abolition despite war shifting toward slavery end.
Media Coverage And Public Image
An illustration titled The Army of the Potomac Our Outlying Picket in Woods appeared in Harper's Weekly on the 7th of June 1862. Winslow Homer created this image showing Union pickets watching Confederate movements through forested terrain. Grand Review of Army of Potomac was illustrated by Thomas Nast in October 1863 for Harper's Weekly publication. Because proximity to nation largest cities like Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City, Army received more contemporary media coverage than other Union field armies. Individual brigades such as Irish Brigade, Philadelphia Brigade, First New Jersey Brigade, Vermont Brigade, and Iron Brigade became well known to general public both during and after Civil War. An illustration celebrating Saint Patrick's Day with steeplechase race among Irish Brigade was drawn by Edwin Forbes on the 17th of March 1863. Scouts and guides of Army photographed by Mathew Brady showed daily life within these units. Headquarters staff of 5th Corps were captured at home of Confederate Col Isaac E Avery near Petersburg Virginia in June 1864 photograph taken by Matthew Brady.
Legacy And Disbandment
The Army of the Potomac fought in most Eastern Theater campaigns primarily in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. It was disbanded on the 28th of June 1865 shortly following participation in Grand Review of Armies. In 1869, Society of Army of Potomac formed as veterans association. It had last reunion in 1927 marking end of organized veteran presence. Eight corps served in army during 1863 but due attrition and transfers reorganization occurred in March 1864 leaving only four corps: II, V, VI, and Cavalry. I and III Corps disbanded due heavy casualties while their units combined into other corps. IX Corps returned to army in 1864 after being assigned West in 1863 then served alongside not part of Army from March to the 24th of May 1864. Two divisions of Cavalry Corps transferred August 1864 to Philip Sheridan's Army of Shenandoah. On the 26th of March 1865 that division also assigned to Sheridan for closing campaigns war. The army contributed much to Union military success and political realignment as war motivation shifted toward ending slavery.
When was the Army of the Potomac created and by whom?
The Army of the Potomac was created in July 1861 shortly after the First Battle of Bull Run. Major General George B. McClellan formed the army on the 26th of July 1861 from forces in former Departments of Northeastern Virginia, Washington, Pennsylvania, and the Shenandoah.
Who commanded the Army of the Potomac during the Battle of Gettysburg?
Major General George Meade was appointed commander of the Army of the Potomac on the 28th of June 1863 just three days before the battle began. Ulysses S. Grant located his headquarters with the army from May 1864 to April 1865 while Meade retained command of the force.
What states did soldiers for the Army of the Potomac come from?
The Army of the Potomac recruited soldiers from Northern cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. These men included both native and foreign-born populations including a significant Irish immigrant population that rose throughout the mid 19th century.
When did the Army of the Potomac disband and what happened to its corps?
The Army of the Potomac disbanded on the 28th of June 1865 shortly following participation in the Grand Review of Armies. Eight corps served in the army during 1863 but reorganization left only four corps by March 1864 due to attrition and transfers.
How many divisions were in the original Army of the Potomac structure?
The army originally consisted of fifteen divisions plus an Artillery Reserve and Cavalry Command. Edwin V. Sumner commanded one division while William B. Franklin led another and Louis Blenker commanded a third division until Nathaniel P. Banks took over that unit.