General George McClellan's mistake in the Battle of Antietam was hesitating and not acting decisively enough to take advantage of his manpower. He held back far too many troops in reserve that he did not use. Technically the battle was a draw. Historians conclude he should have been able to deal a much heavier blow to Confederate forces.
Lincoln was disappointed that General George B. McClellan had allowed Confederate general Lee to escape after the Battle of Antietam. The result of Lincoln's disappointment was the replacement of McClellan by General Burnside.
General George McClellan's reluctance to reserve soldiers during the Battle of Antietam stemmed from his cautious approach to warfare and his concern about the potential for overextending his forces. He believed in careful planning and was hesitant to commit troops without a clear, decisive advantage. Additionally, McClellan was wary of the Confederate forces, which led him to prioritize the preservation of his army over aggressive maneuvers. This hesitation ultimately contributed to missed opportunities during the battle.
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The Union Army of the Potomac commanded by Major General George B. McClellan won the battle along Antietam Creek.
Based on his previous actions, and not just those at Antietam, Lincoln fired Major General George McClellan as general-in-chief of the Union armies and replaced him as commander of the Army of the Potomac with Ambrose Burnside.Lincoln was likely prompted by what he saw as the indecisive, overcautious nature of McClellan, who at Antietam thought that he was outnumbered when it was very much the reverse.
George B. McClellan
Antietam
Lincoln was disappointed that General George B. McClellan had allowed Confederate general Lee to escape after the Battle of Antietam. The result of Lincoln's disappointment was the replacement of McClellan by General Burnside.
Major General George B. McClellan was commanding the Federal Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Antietam.
George McClellan (Union)
Major General George B. McClellan.
General George McClellan's reluctance to reserve soldiers during the Battle of Antietam stemmed from his cautious approach to warfare and his concern about the potential for overextending his forces. He believed in careful planning and was hesitant to commit troops without a clear, decisive advantage. Additionally, McClellan was wary of the Confederate forces, which led him to prioritize the preservation of his army over aggressive maneuvers. This hesitation ultimately contributed to missed opportunities during the battle.
Major General George B. McClellan was unaware that President Lincoln wanted to replace him. McClellan and his War Democrat supporters considered McClellan the hero of Antietam. By the end of October 1862, McClellan had rebuilt his Army of the Potomac to 120,000 troops. He had only 70,000 troops at the battle of Antietam.
General McClellan found General Lee's battle plan.
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Via telegrams and letters, General George B. McClellan recognized that the carnage on September 17, 1862 was the most horrible battle he had ever witnessed or read about. He said Antietam was the horrible "battle of the age".
The Union Army of the Potomac commanded by Major General George B. McClellan won the battle along Antietam Creek.