Finding the “right”

Commander of the Army of the Potomac

Lincoln’s Big Problem during the Civil War

Young NapoleonGeorge B. McClellan» Great at training the army and

build a fighting spirit.» Retreated after the “Seven Days

Battle” in 1862» Always complained that he was

outnumbered by the enemy» Stalemate at “Battle of Antietam”

in 1862» Too slow and cautious and did

not chase Lee» Lincoln fired him

- (for not following orders)» 1864 ran against Lincoln as a

Democrat

George B. McClellan» Great at training the army and

build a fighting spirit.» Retreated after the “Seven Days

Battle” in 1862» Always complained that he was

outnumbered by the enemy» Stalemate at “Battle of Antietam”

in 1862» Too slow and cautious and did

not chase Lee» Lincoln fired him

- (for not following orders)» 1864 ran against Lincoln as a

Democrat

A Fighter

Joseph Hooker» Led the Army of

Potomac into its greatest defeat at Chancellorsville in 1863

» Although he had an army twice the size of Lee, his hesitation allowed Lee and Jackson to smash his army.

Joseph Hooker» Led the Army of

Potomac into its greatest defeat at Chancellorsville in 1863

» Although he had an army twice the size of Lee, his hesitation allowed Lee and Jackson to smash his army.

Loyal Southerner“Old Fuss and Feathers”

Winfield Scott» Hero of the Mexican

War (captures Mexico City)

» Creates the Anaconda Plan

» Wants Robert E. Lee to command the Union army

» Too old to take command

Winfield Scott» Hero of the Mexican

War (captures Mexico City)

» Creates the Anaconda Plan

» Wants Robert E. Lee to command the Union army

» Too old to take command

Handsome BurnsideAmbrose Burnside» Did not want the job and

declined it twice. Only took so that Hooker would not get the job.

» Led army into a disastrous attack at Battle of Fredericksburg.

» Later commands other parts of the army and remained popular.

Ambrose Burnside» Did not want the job and

declined it twice. Only took so that Hooker would not get the job.

» Led army into a disastrous attack at Battle of Fredericksburg.

» Later commands other parts of the army and remained popular.

Old BrainsHenry Halleck» Good at organizing, training

and planning the army.» Lincoln stated “he was little

more than a first rate clerk.”» Successful in the West

because of good subordinates who won battles under his command.

» Supports “Total War”

Henry Halleck» Good at organizing, training

and planning the army.» Lincoln stated “he was little

more than a first rate clerk.”» Successful in the West

because of good subordinates who won battles under his command.

» Supports “Total War”

Common Man

Ulysses S. Grant» The right man for the job.» An aggressive general who

remained calm during key points of the battle.

» Used superior resources to wage total war.

» Oddly, hated the sight of blood.

» Later, 18th President of U.S.

Ulysses S. Grant» The right man for the job.» An aggressive general who

remained calm during key points of the battle.

» Used superior resources to wage total war.

» Oddly, hated the sight of blood.

» Later, 18th President of U.S.

Abraham Lincoln on Grant

“Tell me what brand of whiskey that Grant drinks. I would like to send a barrel of it to my other generals.”

“Tell me what brand of whiskey that Grant drinks. I would like to send a barrel of it to my other generals.”