General McClellan believed he had good reasons for his ideas that Washington DC was set about to damage his plans for the Peninsula campaign. He resented his battle plans being questioned, having his army reorganized against his will, and to read in newspapers about his removal from the general in chief title he had. From that point on, he began his campaign of blaming Washington DC for his failures in the Peninsula campaign.
The battles referred to as the Seven Days were fought during Union General George McClellans Peninsula Campaign, and began June 25, 1862 and ended July 1. There would be six separate battles.
A respected Union general, Erasmus D. Keyes, one of McClellan's corps commanders in the Peninsula campaign, sided with his commanding officer. He wrote that Lincoln's decision to take away McDowell's corps from the Peninsula campaign forced McClellan to now execute a plan that was different than the one originally agreed upon before the move to Fort Monroe.
George McLellan
During the Peninsula campaign the fighting for Richmond began at Fair Oaks. General Johnston was wounded during his attack on Union forces and was replaced by General Robert E. Lee.
McClellan's operation is commonly referred to as the "Peninsula Campaign." This military initiative took place during the American Civil War in 1862, aiming to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. The campaign involved a series of battles and maneuvers, but ultimately it ended in a strategic withdrawal by Union forces after facing strong resistance from Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
Union General George B. McClellan had plans for General Totten in the 1862 Peninsula campaign. Late in March of 1862, McClellan had requested that General Totten be made available to build fortifications on the peninsula leading to Richmond. He was an experienced engineer. McClellan understood that the experience of the Army's chief engineer, Totten would be invaluable in this campaign.
5 miles
The failed Peninsula Campaign in July 1862 was frustrating for Lincoln. One result of this was Lincoln's appointment of General Halleck as general in chief. Halleck was thus appointed at this time to handle General George B. McClellan's problems.
President Lincoln took the advice of generals Hitchcock and Thomas on the number of troops that were needed to protect Washington DC as the Peninsula campaign was about to begin. As a result, General McDowell's corps were removed from General McClellan's army as the Peninsula campaign was almost ready to begin.
Union General George Meade still believed that a "peninsula campaign" was the best way to assault Richmond. Meade did not press his ideas because of the 1862 failed Peninsula campaign of General George B. McClellan.
As the Union's Peninsula campaign was in its early stages, General McClellan was certain that President Lincoln was hampering McClellan's war operations. Lincoln had stepped in and retained the corps under General McDowell to defend Washington DC. Lincoln believed this was a necessity.
A more cautious Confederate general was replaced by the more aggressive Robert E. Lee.