General McClellan Makes Final Visit to Washington

March 30, 1862

Preparing to leave his headquarters near the White House for the Peninsular Campaign east of Richmond, General George B. McClellan pays an evening visit to President Lincoln.  McClellan’s headquarters in previous months had been only a brief walk from the Executive Mansion, but he often let Lincoln come to him rather than visiting the White House.  Sometimes, McClellan had rudely ignored the commander-in-chief.  But the “Little Napoleon” now better understood his vulnerability to presidential or congressional displeasure.

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