Controversies and Commanders: Dispatches from the Army of the Potomac

by Stephen W. Sears

CONTROVERSIES AND COMMANDERS is a fascinating look at some of the most intriguing generals in the Union's Army of the Potomac and at some of the most extraordinary events of the Civil War, chronicled by one of our leading historians, Stephen W. Sears. Sears investigates the accusations of disloyalty against General Charles Stone; the court-martial of Fitz John Porter; the crisis in army command on the eve of the Antietam battle; the Lost Order of Antietam; the revolt of the Potomac army's high command; the notorious General Dan Sickles, who had shot his wife's lover outside the White House; the murderous Kilpatrick-Dahlgren raid on Richmond; the firing of corps commander Gouverneur Warren on the eve of victory; and the much maligned Generals McClellan (justifiably) and Hooker (not so justifiably). The book follows the Army of the Potomac through the course of the war, from 1861 to 1865, painting a remarkable portrait of key incidents and personalities that influenced the outcome of our nation's greatest cataclysm.

Genres: Civil War, History, American Civil War, Nonfiction, Civil War History, Audiobook, American History

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Stephen Ward Sears is an American historian specializing in the American Civil War.

A graduate of Lakewood High School and Oberlin College, Sears attended a journalism seminar at Radcliffe-Harvard. As an author he has concentrated on the military history of the American Civil War, primarily the battles and leaders of the Army of the Potomac. He was employed as editor of the Educational Department at the American Heritage Publishing Company.

Sears resides in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sears is one of my favorite Civil War authors, especially for his classic Landscape Turned Red. This book is a series of short articles on the Army of the Potomac and some of its better-known controversies. The first one is about George B. McClellan. What can you say about the man that hasn't already been said many times in many books? Perhaps nothing new but Sears does have his number. He was superb at organization, and would have been good in Halleck's job, but NOT as a battlefield leader! And what an ego! In fact, there are many egos in the Civil War that caused problems for the Army of the Potomac and the Union in general.

One that Sears mentions frequently is Edwin Stanton, a man who was conniving and power hungry. In fact, Lincoln had an unfortunate habit of picking men who were dedicated to their own agendas, and leaving them in place to cause trouble. Stanton was especially conniving in the infamous Kirkpatrick-Dahlgren Raid which was a total disaster.

Other controversies cover George Stone and Gouverneur Warren who spent years trying to regain lost reputations. Another out-of-size ego, but for little reason, was Dan Sickles, the epitome of the political general who almost destroyed his corps at Gettysburg. Then there was Joe Hooker, a fighting general who was ready to do whatever it took to be in command. In fact, 'revolts' among the Union generals were almost as much of a major concern for the administation as the fighting itself.

This book is a fast read and informative. After reading it, you almost have to marvel that the Army of the Potomac was able to become the fighting machine it was in 1865.

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of essays on the command controversies in American history's most controversial army (at least in terms of civil-military relations and combat record). The essays on Stone, Hooker, and Sickles are particularly good but my favorite was the under reported "revolt of the generals" that led to Meade's installment. I would have liked something on Meade and Lincoln and their adverse relationship.

[Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen W. Sears is one of the best modern historians of the Civil War. He digs deep into archival records to understand what motivated the various decision-makers, and writes in a clear, compelling style. This book is unusual for him in that, rather than focusing on one campaign in the war, it treats ten different (though sometimes connected) controversies involving the Army of the Potomac. The chapters are arranged chronologically, but can be read a la carte or in any order one wishes. Depending on level of interest in the various topics, each reader will probably have different favorites among the chapters. Most interesting and helpful to me were the ones dealing with the crisis in command after the Second Battle of Bull Run, as a result of which George B. McClellan, never technically demoted but effectively powerless, was restored to command of the Army of the Potomac; and the conspiracy of the generals against Ambrose Burnside after the catastrophic Battle of Fredericksburg. These chapters clarified several points that I had not understood well before.

This is probably not the best book to start one's acquaintance with Stephen W. Sears, but for those who are already fans I can highly recommend it.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

very enjoyable - -
I was familiar with all of the stories but the author was able to supply little details I found extremely interesting.
For instance - Dan Sickles - NY US Congressman 12/10,1860 - made a speech in the House of Reps saying he opposed any coercion of the South and warned that New York City might consider seceding to become a free city. Way to go, big Dan.

[Miles Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

A series of essays that address the major controversies that occurred in the Army of the Potomac between 1861 and 1865.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was my souvenir from the "Going to the Gettysburg Reenactments with my Entire Extended Family" part of the honeymoon. Of course, my clan runs late for everything, and I wanted a souvenir from my honeymoon, so I snatched it up in the last two minutes before we had to run out of the fancy new Gettysburg Museum. (It's a free museum--check it out if you get the chance!)

Anyway, it's not a bad book. Not as scandalous as I had hoped, but researched and balanced enough that I didn't feel like I was reading a piece of schlock cranked out just for tourists, and readable enough that it didn't feel like something you'd be assigned in a college class. My conclusions, based on a casual, non-scholarly reading: 1. Stanton gives me the willies. 2. Drama queens are everywhere, even in the army. 3. The United States has survived some pretty precarious political situations. Let's hope we can keep it up!

[John E · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the advanced historian (and buff) of the American Civil War this is an excellent set of studies on the leaders and controversities surrounding the Army of the Potomac. The book assumes that the readers has at least a passing knowledge of the war and the problems of the Army of the Potomac. I personally liked the additional information on the personalities of some of the leaders of the Army and the interactions of these personalities with each other. Good book.

[Josh Liller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of essays about topics related to the Army of the Potomac, the author's area of specialty.

All decent, though some of the essays are redundant to the author's previous books.

"Last Words on the Lost Order" is the best of the bunch, expanding and updating his comments on the subject in his first book on Antietam.

[Richard F · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read, providing the details on several controversies that are either glossed over or are misunderstood. I know that I will be re-reading these essays on occasion as my first thoughts on someone mentioning Warren, The Lost Letter, Sickles at Gettysburg, "Fighting Joe Hooker", Burnside, etc will immediately lead me to provide the insights provided in Sears' essays in this book.

You may think you know these stories, but this quick read will provide you with a much better picture of the people involved and how each controversy evolved from inception to denouement - which often happened years after the event in military courts that sought to protect the reputations of the 'winners' over providing justice to the victims.

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. Stephen Sears, one of the preeminent historians on the Army of the Potomac, tackles some of the controversies that have surrounded that army since the Civil War. Each chapter is a different vignette or essay on a different controversial topic and Sears attempts to provide context and in some cases, new information to explain why the event was controversial and how the controversies have been written and remembered about throughout Civil War historiography.

I am very interested in the Army of the Potomac so I found this book fascinating, and Sears is one of the best writers on the topic so this book was almost tailor made for me. Enjoyed it immensely.

[Mark Harden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten fascinating essays on command issues in the Army of the Potomac, by Stephen Sears. Sears is not only an expert on that army, but a thorough historian capable of excellent prose. Some of his statements against McClellan are now being challenged, but he still commands a deep knowledge of the intricacies of that army’s commanders. I most enjoyed his essay on Joe Hooker, which debunked many myths about that underrated general.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched and even better, quite readable.

The author has done extensive research and many books of this sort are difficult to read and appreciate. Not so with this fine work, and each chapter is it's own narrative on a particular commander and his moment or moments if lasting controversy. The style of storytelling here is so well done it is almost like reading a page turning novel.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short Essays for the Afficionado

Sears reviews both well-known controversies like Daniel Sickles' career, Hooker's reputation, Fitz- Porter's court-martial, and Warren's dismissal at Five Forks, plus some quite fascinating and more obscure episodes, like the Kilpatrick- Dahlgren raid and the notorious Dahlgren papers.

[William Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another masterpiece from Sears. This is a delightful read, broken down into 20-30 page essays that move at a delightful peace; enough detail to paint a complete picture, but not so much as to be cumbersome. Sears provides new insights on well-known incidents, as well as shining light on some lesser-known happenings.

[Ralph Warman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finely told history

Well researched tales of the background of incidents and biographies of the principals involved in the events covered. Good read.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and very detailed review of several of the most significant controversies among the commanders of the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War.

[George Polansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

An in-depth study of the Army of the Potomac. A very interesting read.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-crafted collection of essays that shed light on the machinations and ambitions of the officers associated with the Army of the Potomac from 1861 to 1863. Sears has a knack for presenting all the political maneuvering in an interesting light, and the result is a strong complement to military accounts from First Bull Run to the eve of Gettysburg. Along the way he offers a lot to think about concerning the reputations of McClellan, Porter, Franklin, Hooker, Sickles, Meade, and others.

His re-assessment of Hooker is particularly interesting, as is his account of the officers' unrest following Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. The essays dig deeper than a casual reader will want, but for anyone with an active interest in the Civil War, particularly the first years of the eastern theater, this book has a great deal to offer.