1/13/1861: Little Mac Returns ... with a Secret Plan

On this day, 150 years ago, Gen. George McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac and General-in-Chief of all Federal armies, recovering from a month-long struggle with typhoid fever, emerged from his sick bed and returned to active command.

Gen. George B. McClellan
courtesy of Civil War Academy.com

Three days earlier, at the suggestion of Quartermaster Montgomery Meigs, President Lincoln had convened the first of several war councils. McClellan had been bedridden since mid-December, and Lincoln feared he may remain so for many more weeks to come. In his absence, Lincoln called on his other generals (Irvin McDowell and William Franklin) to consider new plans for an offensive against Virginia.

It was during the first meeting, on Jan. 10, that Lincoln reported said that “if General McClellan does not want to use the army, I would like to borrow it, provided I can see how it can be made to do something.” At this meeting, McDowell proposed another advance on Manassas, while Franklin proposed an advance on Richmond from the Chesapeake Bay. Lincoln tasked these men to study their options more fully and scheduled another meeting.

The following day, soon-to-be Secretary of War Edwin Stanton visited McClellan and warned him of the "grand conclave" that had met without his knowledge. McClellan interpreted the meeting as a conspiracy against his authority. On the morning of the 12th, he "gathered strength enough" for a carriage ride to the White House, paying the President an unannounced visit. Surprised by his seemingly sudden recovery, Lincoln invited him to the next war council, scheduled for the following day.

On that day, January 13, 1861, Gen. McClellan attends an awkward meeting at the White House with President Lincoln, Quartermaster Meigs, Generals McDowell and Franklin, and Secretaries Chase and Seward. During this meeting, McClellan reveals that he does, in fact, have a plan for a campaign against Virginia ... but refuses to discuss any details of the plan. Once McClellan assures him that a fixed date is set for the assault, Lincoln does not press him to reveal its details.

This is the first step towards implementing McClellan's Urbanna Plan, the initial draft of what will become the Peninsula Campaign, the Union invasion of Virginia from the Chesapeake Bay, destined to be the largest military mobilization of the Civil War.

For a more detailed (and more amusing) version of these events, please check out the excellent Civil War Daily Gazette.