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US President Lincoln and General in Chief Henry Wager Halleck were critical of General McClellan for not moving immediately against the Army of Northern Virginia after the Battle of Antietam. It can be debated that McClellan had difficulties in resupplying his army, which was huge and reequipping it was a time costly task. This was the reason he believed that an immediate advance against Lee's army was not the correct move.

His view is confirmed as General Robert E. Lee saw the strategic situation in the same way. McClellan realized that Lee's two-sided base was a threat to his army in Virginia. Lee's home base had support.

Richmond and the vital Virginia Central railroad. Good roads and a rail link to the Shenandoah Valley was Lee's base to the West. It was also rich in food supplies.

From Lee's Valley base he would threaten the flank and rear of any Union army moving south to Richmond.

And attacking Lee's army directly in Virginia, without resupplying would not be a good move by McClellan.

President Lincoln did not see the value of McClellan's hesitation. But if Lincoln knew Lee agreed with McClellan, his attitude might have been different.

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Q: Why was Union General George B McClellan correct concerning his next move after the Battle of Antietam?
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