July 26, 1861: Lincoln appoints George McClellan to command over the Army of the Potomac. 

You are there: After the humiliating loss on April 21, 1861 at I Manassas, President Abraham Lincoln sacks Irwin McDowell and replaces him with Major General George McClellan, thus commencing a tumultuous five year relationship between the two men.

McClellan hails from a wealthy Philadelphia family and enters West Point at age fifteen in 1842. He graduates second in his class and almost immediately joins the American forces in the Mexican War. His engineering prowess earns him a promotion to Captain, coming after the battle for Chapultepec. He then returns to West Point to train future engineers, followed by various field assignments, including surveys of the far west for transcontinental railroad sites.

He further breaks past his military peers in 1855 when named as an official observer to the Crimean War between Britain and Russia. This experience adds to his authorship of more military training manuals covering everything from bayonet and cavalry tactics to the proper choice of a “McClellan saddle” for mounted troops.

Bored by peacetime, he resigns from the army in 1857 to become vice-president of the rapidly expanding Illinois Central Railroad line and then president of the Ohio & Mississippi. In 1859 he is an active supporter of Democrat Stephen Douglas’ political campaign and marries his wife, Ellen, daughter of frontier General Randolph Marcy.

When the Civil War breaks out, several Governors try to recruit the “Little Napoleon” to command their state militias, and, with clout from Salmon P. Chase, he ends up being commissioned as Major General of the Ohio troops. This makes him the second highest ranking officer in the army, behind only Winfield Scott.

Desperately sought victories in western Virginia at the Battles of Philippi and Rich Mountain push him into the national spotlight, and Lincoln signs him up to command the Army of the Potomac on July 26, 1861. From there the relationship rapidly goes downhill.

McClellan is a peace Democrat with close ties to southern officers and no interest in abolishing slavery. He also exhibits total disdain for Lincoln, calling him “nothing more than a well-meaning baboon,” snubbing him on a visit to his home, and refusing requests to share his war plans, claiming a fear of leakage.

Instead of launching the early offensive Lincoln demands, he spends his first seven months drilling the troops to parade ground perfection. This prompts Lincoln to comment that “If General McClellan does not want to use the army, I would like to borrow it for a time.”

In March 1862 the amphibious campaign along the Virginia Peninsula finally commences, accompanied by complaints that, by withholding one of his divisions to defend Washington, he will be outnumbered going forward. He lands on March 17 and begins his 80 mile advance toward Richmond, which proceeds at a snail’s pace.

He takes seven weeks to reach Williamsburg, falling for a Confederate ruse about the extent of its defenses. Four more weeks pass before he fights a draw at Seven Pines, where rebel General Joe Johnston is wounded and replaced by Robert E. Lee. What’s left then is the rout known as the 7 Days Battles, which end with McClellan fleeing south to save his army at Malvern Hill. His troops sit there until August 14, when Lincoln demands they return north to support General John Pope’s troops who lose the II Manassas battle on August 28-29.

Despite his loss on the Peninsula, Lincoln promotes McClellan to head the entire U.S. Army on November 1, 1861 in place of Winfield Scott, almost by default. His undeniable prowess lies in organizing and training soldiers for battle, and his men adore him.

But he remains a failure once the cannons roar, and is ever ready to blame Washington for his losses. On August 17, 1862 he fails to defeat Lee at the bloody Battle of Antietam, and on November 5, 1862, Lincoln sacks him for good, after the Republicans retain control of the House in the mid-terms.

By direction of the President, it is ordered that Major-General McClellan be relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac, and that Major-General Burnside take the command of that army. Signed, Abraham Lincoln

Calls to reappoint him follow, especially after major Union losses at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville and Lee’s second invasion toward Gettysburg. But Lincoln rejects them after “finding his general in Grant.”

The final confrontation between the two men occurs in the presidential election of November 1864. The Democrats nominate McClellan, who promises to begin peace negotiations if elected.
Lincoln regards this as a real threat until General Sherman captures Atlanta on July 22, signaling a northern victory. Despite this, McClellan is able to win 45% of the popular vote.