A Promising Young Leader

In 1861, George McClellan was a promising young leader, and as major General he held the second highest position in the Army. After the retirement of General Winfield Scott on November 1, 1861, President Lincoln needed to fill the void in command. McClellan had recently delivered the first Union victory and was carrying momentum for a promotion, so he was appointed to replace Scott as General-in-chief of the Union Army. Lincoln removed him as General-in-chief in March 1862, but McClellan remained in command of the Army of the Potomac. This was the beginning of a tumultuous relationship between the commander-in-chief and the major General.