The Army of the Potomac, which was created in July 1861 and was active until June 1865, was led in order by George B. McClellan, Ambrose E. Burnside, Joseph Hooker, and George G. Meade.

There was cause for excitement. It was May 31, 1862, and for the first time, Union troops were on the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia, the capital city of the Confederate states. The troops were ...

Lee defend Richmond against George B. McClellan in 1862. The veteran of a dozen battles was killed at Petersburg, just before the war's end. Born on his family's estate west of Culpeper ...