Black Silk and Gold Cord (taken from contemporary regulations for the uniform of a staff officer) is a study of how the Army of the Potomac, the Union army in the eastern theater during the US Civil War, organized and conducted headquarters and staff operations. Subjects covered include personnel management, logistics, engineering, pay, rations and subsistence, ordnance, railroad management, medical, signal, chaplain, provost marshal, and judge advocate affairs, as well as planning and supervision of combat and intelligence operations. The study examines staff selection, training, procedures, processes, authority, and relations with commanders. It focuses at corps and higher level, although there is some discussion of division and brigade headquarters. Black Silk and Gold Cord also provides details of headquarters facilities and life. A separate chapter examines Ulysses Grant's headquarters and staff (not a part of the Army of the Potomac). Includes maps, a collection of pictures, a bibliography, and hyperlinked endnotes.