Tide Turns Case 1
The Roots of the Lincoln/McClellan Rivalry
By the time they faced off in the election of 1864, Abraham Lincoln and George McClellan had a long history of publicly butting heads. As commander of all U. S. forces early in the Civil War, and specifically commanding the Army of the Potomac in Virginia, McClellan was the army’s rising star but eventually lost the confidence of Lincoln, his commander in chief.
This July 13, 1862, letter perhaps marks the breaking point between the two men. Two weeks earlier, Confederate forces had repelled McClellan’s efforts to capture their capitol at Richmond. With the army now recuperating southeast of the city, Lincoln urges McClellan to use all available forces to renew the attack—breaking down precisely how many men he believes McClellan has at his disposal. McClellan, however, disputed Lincoln’s numbers and refused to mobilize. An exhausted Lincoln ordered McClellan’s army back to Washington on August 4, abandoning the effort to take Richmond.
MS-1862.07.13
Label Audio
Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 13 July 1862
Executive Mansion,
Washington, July 13 1862.
Major General McClellan
My dear Sir—
I am told that over 160.000 men have gone into your Army on the Peninsula–When I was with you the other day we made out 86.500 remaining, leaving 73.500 to be accounted for– I believe 23.500. will cover all the killed, wounded and missing in all your battles and skirmishes, leaving 50.000 who have left otherwith wise– Not more than 5000 of these have died, leaving 45.000 of your Army still alive, and not with it– I believe half, or two thirds of them are fit for duty to-day– Have you any more perfect knowledge of this than I have? If I am right, and you had these men with you, you could go into Richmond in the next three days– How can they be got to you? and how can they be prevented from getting away in such numbers for the future?
A. Lincoln
Letter Audio