General in Chief Henry Wager Halleck had just arrived in Washington DC and he already was under pressure to solve the three Confederate offensives under way. General Lee had crossed into Maryland and Confederate General Kirby Smith had brought his army into Kentucky. At the same time, General Braxton Bragg was marching northward into Tennessee.
When President Lincoln promoted Major General Henry W. Halleck as the new general in chief, Halleck had more than one problem confronting him. Part of the reason for this was that after Lincoln removed McClellan from the general in chief position, too many months passed before Lincoln designated Halleck to fill this crucial position. Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton took on that role to the detriment of the Union's war efforts. Aside from the disaster of the Peninsula campaign and what to do with Major General George B. McClellan, Halleck faced problems in the West. His departure from the West caused a loss of unity in that critical area. Halleck had no real candidates to fill his old position and had resolved to reorganize the Western department. He also faced the new political pressures that Washington DC presented to him.
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.
No. Lee defeated Pope. Halleck was a Union general.
George McClellan gave him the most problems. But Halleck was also a big disappointment in the top job, and had to be replaced eventually.
As General In Chief, Henry Wager Halleck did an excellent job in the Western Theater. His promotion was due to his talent as a military strategist. Problems arose because US President Lincoln, Secretary of War, Stanton tried to be military advisors. Halleck has been unduly criticized and could have easily continued.
Some of the characteristics of Union General Henry Halleck was that he was a land developer and a successful lawyer.
"Old Brains"
Almost immediately after the Battle of Shiloh, Grant's commanding officer, General Halleck left his headquarters in St. Louis and took charge of Grant's army. Grant wrote to his wife " General Halleck is here and I am truly glad of it".
When US President Lincoln called General Henry Halleck to Washington DC, to head the Union's war effort it may have been a mistake. One clear thing at once became evident, Halleck would now be drawn into the Virginia military, McClellan, Stanton and Lincoln web of Eastern Theater confusion.
After Union General in Chief Henry W. Halleck ordered General McClellan to evacuate the Peninsula in July of 1862, and reinforce General Pope, Halleck was concerned about the leadership abilities of the new commander of the army formed under John Pope. Based on Halleck's observations during the Corinth campaign, Pope appeared to have limited abilities as a field commander.
Although General Halleck was not perfect, he did become the Union's general in chief in the Summer of 1862. With that said, Halleck deserved the opportunity President Lincoln offered to him. Halleck was a great strategist and realized that General Grant was a logical target for a Confederate assault at Pittsburg Landing, leading to the Battle of Shiloh. Halleck ordered General Buell to make a hasty trip down river to reinforce Grant. Halleck believed that unless these two armies were united, they might be outnumbered. Grant failed to follow one crucial order from Halleck, Halleck had ordered Grant to take a strong defensive position at Pittsburg Landing and to entrench his army. This General Grant failed to do.
General Henry W. Halleck was married. His wife was named Elizabeth.