This is the story of Lincoln's famous Army of the Potomac during the early years of the Civil War, when it was under the command of the dashing General George B. McClellan. Clearly a man of destiny, McClellan quickly became obsessed with the idea -- and the country and his troops shared his view, for a time -- that he was divinely chosen as the instrument of the Republic's salvation. But he failed to understand either the President's problems with respect to the army or the fateful significance of the war itself, and at last he was removed from command. But the living story here, viewed through McClellan's command, is that of the army itself. It is an account gathered from diaries, letters, and published reports of the ordinary foot soldiers, who discovered that their skylarking "picture book war" was grim and deadly.

pt. 1. Picture-book war. There was talk of treason -- We were never again eager -- You must never be frightened -- Man on a black horse -- pt. 2. The young General. A great work in my hands -- Aye, deem us proud -- I do not intend to be sacrificed -- pt. 3. The era of suspicion. But you must act -- The voice of caution -- Tomorrow never comes -- Pillar of smoke -- pt. 4. An army on the march. Indian summer -- Crackers and bullets -- Generals on trial -- pt. 5. Opportunity knocks three times. At daybreak in the morning -- Destroy the Rebel army -- Tenting tonight -- pt. 6. Never call retreat. Toward the Dunker church -- The heaviest fire of the war -- All the landscape was red -- The romance of war was over.