What was the mission of the Army of the Potomac?

Question

Lucy Allen · Accepted Answer

The main missions of the Army of the Potomac was to defend the Union Capital Washington DC and to capture the Confederate capital Richmond.

The proximity of the opposing capitals during the Civil War was one of its many ironies. The Army of the Potomac's cautious and frequently cowardly actions were influenced by the necessity to protect Washington, DC. The first battle of Bull Run marked the end of the first attempt to take Richmond; Stonewall Jackson's valiant defense saw off the Army of the Potomac, despite their overwhelming numerical superiority and early successes. Despite multiple setbacks and losses, the Army of Potomac was ultimately able to take control of Richmond through a series of attrition-based battles that decimated the Army of Northern Virginia. Both of the South's invasions of the North were halted by the Army of the Potomac, which performed better in its battles to defend Washington.

Peyton Anderson · Answer

undefined The mission of the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War was primarily to defend the Union capital, Washington, D.C., and to engage Confederate forces in battle to ultimately defeat the Confederate Army and bring an end to the secessionist movement.