The Sword of Lincoln: The Army of the Potomac

by Jeffry D. Wert

Book Overview

The Sword of Lincoln is the first authoritative, accessible, single-volume history of the Army of the Potomac from a renowned Civil War historian. From Bull Run to Gettysburg to Appomattox, the Army... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743225066
• ISBN13: 9780743225069
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 559 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.3" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

Terrible Swift Sword?

This book is an excellent source for an overview of the Civil War in the east. I found it very informative, but not weighed down with minute facts that are contained in many books about specific battles. I agree that alot of the quotes seem to detract from the text a little, but most are necessary to get a true feel of how common soldiers felt fighting in the Army of the Potomac. Wert definitely ties the Army of the Potomac's successes and failures to Lincoln and explains the politics behind it's rather rare victories. I find it fascinating that had it not been for Grant's war of attrition, the Army of the Potomac could possibly have been wiped out and the war would have ended in a truce or Southern victory. Prior to Grant (and even during his command) the Army could not settle on a solid leader who had the courage to take the initiative. Consumed by internal personal animosities within the senior leadership, and the constant trepidation of said leaders, it is a wonder that the Army of the Potomac survived at all. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of the war in the east. Even if you think you know all there is to know, you may find yourself saying, "Gee I never realized..." once you get into this book. It is a very easy read and Wert's writing style is enjoyable and crystal clear. Well done.

How the Army of the Potomac Overcame Adversity

What is the appeal of a new book on the history of the Army of the Potomac which covers material that has been well-explored many times? This book by the noted Civil War historian Jeffry Wert is a fast-paced, engagingly written one-volume account of the Army of the Potomac from the beginning of the Civil War until General Robert E. Lee's surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomatox in April, 1865. This book is valuable for several reasons. As with any important historical event, the meaning and significance of the Civil War is something that each generation and each reader must discover afresh for themselves. Wert's account, even if it were found to include no additional factual information, encourages reflection on the Civil War, particularly on the role of the Union's most famous army, and on other histories of the conflict. Furthermore Wert's account has a specific focus. Wert discusses the special difficulties that plagued the Army of the Potomac over the course of the Civil War, explains the sources of these difficulties, and shows how the Army ultimately overcame them. It is an inspiring story showing the value of persistence, commitment, and effort finding a goal, struggling to achieve it, and working to overcome adversity. This approach to the Civil War is convincingly presented here. Wert's heroes are the fighting soldiers in the Army of the Potomac as opposed, in general, to their frequently blundering leaders. The Army of the Potomac's original mission was the defense of Washington D.C. That mission,and the proximity of the Army to the capital city, made the Army of the Potomac unduly visible and susceptible to political influence. Wert shows the importance of these factors to the performance of the Army of the Potomac in the field. The initial leadership of the Army, in particular the controversial General George McClellan, had a limited view of the aims of the conflict. McClellan did an outstanding job of drilling and training the Army and of instilling a spirit of cameraderie in the troops. But McClellan fought the war simply as a means of bringing the South back into the Union. This outlook, perhaps, was as responsible for his timid, cautious approach as a commander as was his view of military strategy. Wert shows how McClellan's approach to the conflict, military and political, influenced the views of his successors as commanding generals: Pope (commander of the Army of Virginia) Burnside, Hooker, and Meade. Leadership of the Army had a cautious, defensive spirit and was subject of political interference. President Lincoln took an active role with the Army and his specific decisions and criticisms were sometimes merited, but sometimes not. Wert gives a quick-paced account of the major battles of the Army, including First Bull Run, the Seven Days, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, the Overland Campaign, Petersburg, and Appomatox. In spite of the defeats or

Lincoln's Not-So-Sharp Sword

Mr. Wert has written a serviceable one volume history of the army formed with a mission to both protect Washington, D.C. and defeat the Confederate army in Virginia. This dual role, plus the difficult political imperatives of the war, poor general officers, and almost constant interference from nearby federal politicians, led to less than stellar results especially in the first years of combat. However, the troops did win thanks to Lincoln, Grant, and their own dogged efforts. Again, a good history but not in the very top flight of books on this important era.

Just Another Book about the Army of the Potomac? NOT

You might be saying that this is a subject Bruce Catton covered so well in his Civil War trilogy about - yes, the Army of the Potomac which culminated in "A Stillness at Appomattox". What is significant in what Wert does, however, is that he sheds light on things that Catton didn't cover, and with hindsight has also provided a more human perspective on the commanders of Lincoln's army in the east. Example - Wert describes Lincoln's frustration and anger at George McClellan following the battle of Second Manassas, yet allowed McClellan to resume command of the army, if only for the battle of Antietam and a short time thereafter because the soldiers were in McClellan's pocket. Example - it is Wert, not Catton who elaborates why William French was such a lousy corps commander who should have been removed at the time of Gettysburg. Meade kept him on - but soon found to his dismay how incompetent French was when the hard-drinking incompetent muffed a chance for a major Union victory at Mine Run. One of the stories Wert describes is of a soldier in French's corps who upon hearing that French took a bullet in his cap wistfully wished that the bullet had gone down two inches...it would have filled him and many of his fellow soldiers with joy. Wert also sheds light on the Meade-Sickles controversy, and why Lincoln, however pleased with Meade's command of the Gettysburg battle was subsequently displeased when Meade failed to follow up and trap Lee at the Potomac. Meade's cause was not helped when he tried to endorse a monument to former Army commander McClellan over the strenuous objections of Lincoln. Wert also discusses why Grant endorsed Meade's desire to get rid of Cavalry Commander Alfred Pleasanton, but why Meade wasn't thrilled with Grant's choice of Phil Sheridan to replace him. All of the major commanders, the campaigns and battles, and even the common soldier are covered in this work in an easy narrative and index of 560 pages. Maybe not as riveting or solid as Catton - but deserves to be placed alongside the master historian's works as a perfect overall view of the history of the Union Army in the East.