The start of the American Civil War did not go well for the Union as they lost the first major battle, the First Battle of Bull Run. The superior Confederate leadership defeated the Union army despite having superior numbers. To ensure smooth leadership, President Abraham Lincoln appointed General George B. McClellan to command the Army of the Potomac. While he hoped his experience in logistics and military science would help improve the Union army, he would be disappointed at McClellan’s caution. He would express these thoughts in his letters to the general.
Lincoln’s Frustration with McClellan
The First Battle of Bull Run was fought on July 21, 1861, and ended with a Union defeat by the Confederate army. One reason for this was the Confederate armies were better trained and led, allowing them to defeat the Union forces despite being outnumbered.
This shattered the illusion of a quick and easy victory for the Union. Seeing this, President Abraham Lincoln understood that the Union must improve its morale, logistics, and leadership. For that reason, he appointed Major General George B. McClellan to command the newly formed Army of the Potomac on July 25, 1861. McClellan was considered a promising and capable officer who had studied modern warfare during the Crimean War. He hoped this expertise could help revitalize the Union leadership.
Although he earned McClellan the nickname “Young Napoleon” for his logistical skills, ensuring that his army was always well-provisioned. But when it came to actual battle, his cautious nature led him to avoid battle and throw away opportunities to win. This frustrated Lincoln and other Union leaders who made their displeasure felt in their letters to him.
“My dear Sir: You remember my speaking to you of what I called your over-cautiousness. Are you not over-cautious when you assume that you cannot do what the enemy is constantly doing? Should you not claim to be at least his equal in prowess, and act upon the claim? As I understand, you telegraphed General Halleck that you cannot subsist your army at Winchester unless the railroad from Harper’s Ferry to that point be put in working order. But the enemy does now subsist his army at Winchester, at a distance nearly twice as great from railroad transportation as you would have to do without the railroad last named.”
-Abraham Lincoln, Former President of the United States
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