The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theatre of the American Civil War.

History

The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was only the size of a corps (relatively speaking). It began as the Army of Northeastern Virginia , but received its more recognized name in July. It had many commanders and many structural changes. It was eventually disbanded in 1865, after the war was over.

The Army of the Potomac was also the name given to General P.G.T. Beauregard's Confederate army during the early stages of the war (namely, the First Battle of Bull Run). However, the name was eventually changed to the Army of Northern Virginia, which became famous under General Robert E. Lee.

Some believe that John Pope's Army of Virginia was another name for this army; however, during the time that the Army of Virginia existed, the Army of the Potomac was still active on the Peninsula, and General McClellan still had command of it.

Commanders

• Brigadier General Irvin McDowell: Commander of the Army and Department of Northeastern Virginia (May 27 – July 25, 1861)
• Major General George B. McClellan: Commander of the Military Division of the Potomac, and later, the Army and Department of the Potomac (July 26, 1861 – November 9, 1862)
• Major General Ambrose E. Burnside: Commander of the Army of the Potomac (November 9, 1862 – January 26, 1863)
• Major General Joseph Hooker: Commander of the Army and Department of the Potomac (January 26 – June 28, 1863)
• Major General George G. Meade: Commander of the Army of the Potomac (June 28, 1863 – June 27, 1865)

Major Battles and Campaigns

• First Bull Run Campaign or First Manassas: McDowell
• Peninsula Campaign, including the Seven Days: McClellan
• Antietam Campaign or Sharpsburg: McClellan
• Fredericksburg Campaign: Burnside
• Chancellorsville Campaign: Hooker
• Gettysburg Campaign: Hooker, then Meade from June 28, 1863
• Mine Run Campaign: Meade
• Overland Campaign: Meade
• Petersburg Campaign, including the Battle of the Crater: Meade
• Richmond Campaign: Meade
• Appomattox Campaign, including Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House: Meade

From the Overland Campaign to the end of the war, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant accompanied Meade's headquarters and supervised the actions of the Army of the Potomac along with all other forces in the Union Army, but Meade retained formal command.