Army of the Potomac (Department of the Potomac)

McClellan's Army: August 1861- November 1862

The Army of the Potomac was the main army in the Eastern Theater for most of the Civil War, tasked with protecting the national capital of Washington and with capturing the Confederate capital of Richmond

It was created in July of 1861 from the wreckage of the army Irvin McDowell had led to Bull Run. The Departments of Annapolis, Pennsylvania and the Shenandoah were merged in, Giving McClellan command of most of the Eastern Theater, while tens of thousands of new recrtuits poured in from the northern states.

Creating an Army    August 1861 - February 1862

McClellan takes command. The new recruits are organized and trained, formed into brigades and then divisions.

August 1861

September 1861

October 1861

December 1861

January 1862

February 1862

The Penninsula Campaign    March - August 1862

Lincoln forces the creation of army corps as McClellan launches the Penninsula Campaign. After its failure, the army returns to Washington to save the capital after Pope's Army of Virginia is defeated at Second Bull Run.

March 1862

April 1862

May 1862

June 1862

July 1862

Antietam    September 1862- January 1863

McClellan halts Lee's invasion of the North as he leads the Army of the Potomac to its bloodiest day at Antietam, but afterwards Lincoln cannot force him to move. McClellan is removed, and Ambrose Burnside reluctantly accepts command.

August 1862

September 1862

October 1862