Commanders of the Army of the Potomac :: Essays Papers

Commanders of the Army of the PotomacIn his obliging war book Commanders of the Army of the Potomac Warren Hassler Jr. fantastically recounts the events that transpired in the midst of 1861 to 1865 during which seven men were given the reigns of the Norths Army of the Potomac and asked to lead the Union to victory. However, unrivalled of the greatest commanders in history stood in their way Robert E. Lee, and each was honeycombed against this great general one by one and given the happening to make history. The first, Irvin McDowell was regarded in this book as a great pass in his own right but a terrible attractor who displayed visible gaps in his preparedness, in his tactics, and in his strategy. He was the first to bow control of the northern army. Not much later towards the end of whitethorn of 1861 General Lee established a defensive hold along the small stream of Bull Run located in Manassas. During the mesh of Bull Run McDowell was crushed by Confederate genera ls Joseph E. Johnston and Pierre Beauregard repayable to weak planning and it became apparent that this in fact would not be a short-lived war. Next up was the around popular and peradventure the greatest of the commanders, George B. McClellan. After the embarrassing defeats at Bull Run he masterfully regrouped and disciplined the AOP as he himself showed outstanding military heraldic bearing and was constantly increasing his knowledge of offensive tactics. From spring of 1862 till July of that stratum General McClellan was successful in driving the Confederates out of West Virginia and he was inching toward the southern capitol of Richmond when General Jeb Stuart under Lee encircled and outmaneuvered McClellans forces who were driven back and finally held at Malvern Hill during the Seven Days Battle. During this cartridge holder period there was some shifting of control and the AOP was put into the build up of General John Pope. This book regards Pope as one of the mo st pathetic leaders of the Civil War as he screwed up and changed his ways during the second battle at Bull Run and sacrificed his men uselessly. Meanwhile, McClellan blew an opportunity to catch the Confederates off balance after he in condition(p) of Lees plans but stalled and hesitated for a day giving the southern reinforcements plenty of magazine to arrive and group together and the north escaped with a snub victory only after Lee decided it would be clean to withdraw his forces.