The Army Of The Potomac: Its Organization, Its Commander, & Its Campaign

William Henry Hurlbert (1827-1895) was an American journalist; born in Charleston, S. C. He returned to S. C. on the death of his father; came under the influence of his half-brother, Stephen who later moved to Illinois and became an ally of Lincoln. Conflicted, he wanted the Union preserved, but feared that prolonged fighting would make reunion impossible.

In the 1860 presidential campaign, Hurlbert, favored Stephen A. Douglas. He watched as the Union unraveled following Lincoln's victory. ...