General George Mcclellan was, by all accounts, an egomaniac. He was bitter over his removal from command by Lincoln. In running for President in 1864 against Lincoln, he sought to "get even" and embarrass Lincoln.
President Lincoln's preliminary Emancipation Proclamation in 1862 was a shock to General McClellan. He also was shocked when Lincoln soon after suspended habeas corpus. He was opposed to both of these actions by President Lincoln.
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.
In letters and in telegraph communications with US President Abraham Lincoln, McClellan was very respectful to Lincoln, even though he believed him to be an incompetent president. He used the words of Your Excellency in all communications with Lincoln.
George B. McClellan. McClellan also ran for president against Lincoln in 1864 (but lost). McClellan's son was also governor of New Jersey.
When General George B. McClellan returned to Washington DC on March 11, 1862, he became aware that President Lincoln removed his title of general in chief.
General George Mcclellan was, by all accounts, an egomaniac. He was bitter over his removal from command by Lincoln. In running for President in 1864 against Lincoln, he sought to "get even" and embarrass Lincoln.
President Lincoln's preliminary Emancipation Proclamation in 1862 was a shock to General McClellan. He also was shocked when Lincoln soon after suspended habeas corpus. He was opposed to both of these actions by President Lincoln.
On April 20, 1862, General George B. McClellan informed President Lincoln that Robert E. Lee was replacing the wounded General Johnston. McClellan also mentioned that this change was good for the Union as Lee was known to be weak and timid.
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.
On April 3, 1862, US President Lincoln is upset that General George B. McClellan has left less than 20,000 troops to guard Washington DC. McClellan was concerned about his Peninsula Campaign. Lincoln refuses to allow any of General McDowell's forces to join McClellan. This causes a rift between Lincoln and McClellan.
President Lincoln did second guess himself for a while. This is because General McClellan had years of extensive industry and military experience. Lincoln, however, would soon find a replacement for the ousted General.
George McClellan
General George McClellan, although he was lukewarm about the Democratic Party platform in that election.
US President Lincoln believed that General George B. McClellan could have easily supported and reinforced Pope's Army of Virginia. Lincoln and members of his cabinet believed that McClellan was trying to purposely allow Pope's troops to face a defeat.
President Lincoln appointed Major General George B. McClellan to general in chief on November 1, 1861. He replaced the retiring General in Chief Winfield Scott. Lincoln relieved McClellan of his title on March 11, 1862. McClellan was not in Washington DC at this time. He was in the process of organizing the Peninsula campaign. It is written that Lincoln did not believe that McClellan could hold his position as general in chief and conduct the Peninsula campaign at the same time.
President Lincoln would have several things to say about his dismissal of General George B. McClellan in 1862. Lincoln informed John Hay that McClellan's refusal to obey the order to advance on October 6, 1862 convinced him that McClellan was not to be trusted to defeat the Rebels in the manner Lincoln had wanted. Lincoln also said that he would have been willing to leave McClellan in command if he would advance before the onset of Winter. This would cut Lee's communications with Richmond. It clearly appears that the former reason is why Lincoln dismissed McClellan.