Question of the Week: What would you want to tell George McClellan?
If you could go back in time and give George McClellan one piece of advice or factual information, what would it be and when would you want to tell him?
If you could go back in time and give George McClellan one piece of advice or factual information, what would it be and when would you want to tell him?
Don’t run for president
Put Phil Kearny in charge of ALL your cavalry as soon as possible…
Think before you speak, don’t insult President Lincoln!
Tell your wife, Ellen, to burn your letters after reading.
If you ever go to the Peninsula, you’ve got to “move it, move it”
I would tell him that he’s not the genius that he thinks he is!!!
Tell your troops not to shoot at Joe Johnston. If he is wounded, Robert E. Lee will replace him
To echo the movie Risky Business, “Sometimes you just have to go for it”
To echo the movie Risky Business, “Sometimes you just have to go for it.”
Stop listening to Pinkerton.
To paraphrase the movie “The Graduate,” I have just one word to say to him: DEMOGRAPHICS. Maybe then he’d realize that the tens/hundreds of thousands of rebel troops he imagined could not possibly exist.
At Antietam, attack on the 16th & hit with all corps simultaneously…pushing the attack to the Potomac.
At Antietam, attack on September 16th with all corps simultaneously & vigorously push the attack to the Potomac.
Don’t overestimate confederate strength and be aggressive.
First, congrats on superb organization and preparation of the largest army in the world. Second, don’t be afraid to use it – stop seeing Confederate ghosts that simply aren’t there!
This “Napoleon thing” ain’t working out. Perhaps it is time that you do quit your day job?
Make Lincoln your partner, not your adversary. He is very aware what a bumbling military tyro he is, and would appreciate a touch of kindness and support. That way, he’d probably trust you more, and expedite McDowell’s redeployment.
When Major General Henry Halleck arrived in St. Louis November 1861 he established his HQ there (Department of Missouri) and took command of four military districts: Halleck’s St. Louis HQ acted as ‘clearing house’ for newly arriving Federal units, with Halleck deciding whether each new unit would report to Samuel Curtis’ Army of the Southwest (Pea Ridge operation), John Pope’s Army of the Mississippi (New Madrid/ Island No.10), Grant’s District of West Tennessee (Fort Henry/ Pittsburg Landing) or remain in Missouri (Benjamin Prentiss.) Major General Halleck also controlled the Western Gunboat Flotilla (which was commanded by Flag-Officer Andrew H. Foote.) Halleck received orders from Major General George McClellan [and sometimes from President Lincoln, directly] and was given leeway to execute those orders and determine priorities. For example, Halleck determined that “securing his base at St. Louis” had the greatest priority in November 1861. With that accomplished, “securing the base” expanded to “securing ALL of Missouri.” Prentiss drove Rebels out of Northern Missouri, while Pope drove the Rebels out of Southeast Missouri and Curtis pushed towards the Southwest. Meanwhile, Foote’s timberclad and ironclad gunboats were ordered to assist Grant against Fort Henry, and then Fort Donelson… And after Curtis enjoyed success at Pea Ridge, men and materiel – including Foote’s gunboats – were directed to Pope, operating from New Madrid against Island No.10. Meanwhile, Grant’s Army of Invasion was under construction at Pittsburg Landing Tennessee, absorbing any surplus men and materiel… [And as for “that order direct from President Lincoln, directing that all Union forces will advance by 22 February 1862 – Washington’s Birthday” – Major General Halleck, instead of ignoring the order, or fighting against it, authorized Grant to commence his operation against Fort Henry (completed 6 February) and then Fort Donelson (completed 16 February.) Also Henry Halleck in 1861 was 56 years old but still managed to have a solid, professional relationship with fellow West Point alumnus, 35-year-old George McClellan.]
The above is presented as template for what George McClellan should have organized from his HQ at Washington D.C. while acting as General-in-Chief of the Armies. Swallow his pride and remain on good terms with President Lincoln. And as for “operating in the field,” McClellan should have accepted his role as “directing actions from behind the curtain” and relegated duty in the field to a trusted subordinate, who had a sound reputation as West Point instructor and warrior – especially after his performance at Fort Donelson. Called to Washington to function as McClellan’s Field Commander in the Eastern Theatre before end of February 1862, this man was Charles Ferguson Smith.