Mr. Lincoln's Army

Archival Summary & Scope

New York Times–bestselling author Bruce Catton's Pulitzer Prize–winning *Mr. Lincoln's Army* is the acclaimed first volume in his Army of the Potomac Trilogy. This riveting history recounts the early years of the Civil War and the formation of the Union's Army of the Potomac under controversial General George McClellan. Though charismatic and beloved by his troops, McClellan's ego and cautious strategy led to clashes with President Lincoln and exposed weaknesses during pivotal battles like Antietam—the bloodiest single day in American military history. Catton, hailed as "one of America's foremost Civil War authorities" (Kirkus Reviews), masterfully brings this tumultuous period to vivid life, exploring military strategy, battlefields, and the complex humanity of soldiers and commanders alike.

**Army of the Potomac Trilogy:**
1. *Mr. Lincoln's Army*
2. *Glory Road*
3. *A Stillness at Appomattox*