Following the Flag, from August 1861 to November 1862, with the Army of the Potomac

"Following the Flag: From August 1861 to November 1862, with the Army of the Potomac" by Charles Carleton Coffin is a historical record that tells the story of the Army of the Potomac’s journey through key battles and turning points during the Civil War. The author captures the everyday life of soldiers and the difficulties the Union army faced through detailed stories and firsthand experiences, starting with the shift in Northern morale after the Battle of Bull Run. The book highlights how the Union and Confederate forces reacted to early losses, the structuring of the Army, and its direction under General McClellan, setting a scene full of uncertainty and expectation for the major battles and events to follow and presenting insights into the mindsets of soldiers during this critical conflict.