President Lincoln’s anger was rarely, if ever observed, however he finally lost patience with the commander and told McClellan to at least cut bait. Early in the Civil War, Lincoln became frustrated with the inactivity of The Army of the Potomac. General George B. McClellan was the commander and this “golden boy” demanded additional troops, supplies and horses, on a daily basis. These shortages and other ruses, were used by McClellan, for failing to take the offensive against the forces of the rebellion.
Lincoln was beseeched by a, Committee on the Conduct of the War, to find a way, to get the young McClellan and his army moving. The President was beside himself, Lincoln and several aides, paid an impromptu visit to McClellan’s residence and were ushered into the parlor, to await the general’s return. General McClellan soon arrived, went directly up stairs, Lincoln and staff were told, that the General had gone to bed and would grant them an audience at a future date.
Lincoln maintained his composure, he finally had come to realize, that McClellan, the omnipotent General, that said, “He Could Save the Union,” was plagued by a fear of failure, was afraid of committment, and was basically insecure to a fault. The troopers of the Army of the Potomac, loved “Little Mac,” because he never exposed them to the horrors of battle. The President knew that McClellan could never be successful, even though he continually extolled his untapped potential, to his greatest supporter and public relations advocate, his wife, Nelly.
After the futile attempt to interview McClellan, Lincoln and his entourage returned to the White House. The President, summoned two of his staff Generals in order to discuss the dilemma of “Little Mac.” Lincoln needed additional point’s of view on whether anyone, anywhere, thought that General George B. McClellan and his Army of the Potomac, would ever move to the offensive.
Several hours of discussion regarding General McClellan ensued and much debate on how The Army of the Potomac could best be utilized. President Lincoln had heard enough and stated,
“Something has got to be done, and right away, or the bottom will fall out of the whole thing. Now, if McClellan doesn’t want to use the army for awhile, I’d like to borrow it from him and see if I can’t do something or other with it.”
” If McClellan can’t fish, he ought at least to be cutting bait at a time like this.”
Thus began George B. McClellan’s legacy, as a renowned cutter of bait, for other future, heroic and famous fishermen.
Bummer
Did Lincoln really once telegraph McClellan to ask what his army had done to be fatigued (as Little Mac had told him) or is that one of those “if it’s not true it ought to be” kind of stories? I can see the Mac message but not the one from Lincoln. My impression was that he let his removal of his commander speak for itself.
Louis,
As the story goes, “Little Mac” telegraphed Lincoln to let him know how fatigued his horses were. Lincoln wondered how the horses were so worn out, from doing absolutely nothing. If it’s not true it could be. The Lincoln moment, of this episode, took place well before McClellan was removed from command the first time. Abe was losing patience quickly.
Bummer