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President Lincoln wanted to make a careful choice on which general would replace General George B. McClellan to lead the Union's high profile army, the Army of the Potomac. He narrowed his choices down to General Ambrose E. Burnside and "Fighting" Joe Hooker. Both men had served well in the war's early battles and both had served in the Mexican War. Burnside was ten years younger than Hooker, however, that was not a key element in Lincoln's decision. Of the two, Hooker was well known to have been critical of General McClellan. On the other hand,

Burnside had been a friend of McClellan's and they knew each other from their time at West Point. Lincoln knew all too well the fierce loyalty the Army of the Potomac's officers and soldiers had towards McClellan, and Lincoln did not want to hrt the morale of the troops by appointing someone that had been an outspoken critic of McClellan. Lincoln chose Burnside, but was surprised that Burnside turned down the offer twice. It seems that it was exactly because of Burnside's friendship with McClellan, he did not wish to "betray" his friend and seem to be Lincoln's replacement for a man the rank and file of the army held in such high esteem. Finally, on Lincoln's third request, Burnside placed the nation's need for a good general above his own personal loyalty to McClellan, and accepted the job.

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Q: What caused President Lincoln to chose General Burnside over General Hooker to lead the Army of the Potomac?
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How many times did Union General Burnside receive requests from President Lincoln to take command of the Army of the Potomac?

President Lincoln had great faith in the abilities of General Ambrose Burnside. Three times he asked Burnside to take command of the Army of the Potomac. If he agreed, then Lincoln would dismiss McClellan and replace him with Burnside. On the third request Burnside accepted. McClellan was informed on November 7, 1862 that he was dismissed.


What Union generals went to visit President Lincoln to urge the removal of General Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac?

In an unusual action, generals John Cochrane and John Newton were given a visit to President Lincoln. At this time in December of 1862, General Burnside reported to the General in Chief Henry W. Halleck. Despite that, Lincoln granted an audience to the disenchanted generals under Burnside to request Burnside's removal as commander of the Army of the Potomac. Such a meeting with President Lincoln was highly irregular to say the least. Secretary of State William Seward helped to arrange the meeting with the president.


What plan did General Burnside present to President Lincoln upon assuming command of the Army of the Potomac?

Not long after Major General Ambrose Burnside took command of the Army of the Potomac in the Fall of 1862, he formulated a battle plan which he sent to President Lincoln for approval. Burnside's approved plan was to march to Fredericksburg, just beyond General Lee's right flank, crossing the Rappahannock River on pontoons. His ultimate goal was to assault Richmond and he counted on supplies ferried to him by the Union Navy.


When was general Burnside put in overall command of Union forces?

After the battle of Antietam, Lincoln decided to replace General McClellan as the top military commander with general Ambrose E. Burnside. On November 3rd of 1862, Lincoln made this important change in the Union's military forces.


This general replaced General Burnside as the commander of the Army of the Potomac after the Battle of Fredericksburg?

Major General Joseph "Fighting Joe" Hooker succeeded General Burnside as the commander of the Army of the Potomac. Hooker was the third general Lincoln had as the leader of the North's premier army.


Who did Lincoln replace George b McClellan with?

On March 11, 1862, Lincoln relieved McClellan as General-in-Chief and took direct command of the Union armies. On November 2, 1862, Lincoln named Ambrose E. Burnside as Commander of the Army of the Potomac, replacing McClellan.


What side did Ambrose Burnside fight for in the US Civil War?

General Ambrose E. Burnside had just been named by Lincoln as the general in charge of the Army of the Potomac. Burnside replaced the former head of this army, General George B. McClellan.


What general replaced General George B McClellan after he delayed an attack on Robert E Lee after the Battle of Antietam?

After Antietam (Sept 17, 1862) when McClellan once again believed he needed time for his troops to rest. President Lincoln replaced him (on Nov 7) with General Ambrose Burnside. That was the end of McClellan's service as a Union military leader. As an aside, General Burnside felt uncomfortable replacing George B. McClellan. He had been loyal to him, also, he was not sure the command of the Army of the Potomac would be a fit for his abilities.


Who did Lincoln replace after a poorly planned attack on Fredericksburg?

After the poorly planned attack on Fredericksburg during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln replaced Union General Ambrose Burnside as the commander of the Army of the Potomac. Burnside's failed strategy and high casualties led to the decision to find a new leader for the Union forces.


When was the command of the Army of the Potomac handed over to US General Ambrose Burnside?

On November 7, 1862, General Burnside took command of the Army of the Potomac. He had replaced General George B. McClellan.


Why did General Lee expect to see the Union's plans set by General McClellan change under General Burnside?

Once General George B. McClellan was replaced by General Ambrose Burnside, it was clear to General Lee that McClellan's plans for cutting off Lee from Richmond would be altered.President Lincoln had hand picked Ambrose Burnside to replace McClellan as the commander of the Army of the Potomac. Since Lincoln was focused on the capture of Richmond, more than anything else, Burnside would follow Lincoln's preference to attack the Rebel cap[ital of Richmond. Burnside as Lee predicted shifted the Army of the Potomac to the favorite overland route to Richmond, with Fredericksburg as his first objective. Burnside planned to prevent Lee from moving south to protect Richmond.


Who did Lincoln give command of the army after he fired McClellan?

Burnside.An Alternate Answer:On March 11, 1862, Lincoln relieved McClellan as General-in-Chief and took direct command of the Union armies.On November 2, 1862, Lincoln named Ambrose E. Burnside as Commander of the Army of the Potomac, replacing McClellan.