Robert Brown Potter (July 16, 1829 – February 19, 1887) was a United States lawyer and a Union Army general in the American Civil War.

[1][2] Potter served as an attorney in New York City prior to the outbreak of the Civil War.

[3] At the start of the Civil War, Potter enlisted as a private in the New York militia, was promoted to lieutenant, and then commissioned as a major on October 14, 1861.

Potter commanded the 51st New York Volunteer Infantry in IX Corps at Second Bull Run.

After serving on recruiting duty in New York state, he was assigned in 1864 command of the 2nd Division of IX Corps under Burnside.

[7] After his retirement from the military, he served for three years as receiver of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad.