Facing pressure from Lincoln, he made a campaign against the Confederate capital along the Virginia Peninsula, known as the Peninsula Campaign. McClellan frequently canceled his attacks, allowing his opponent more than enough time to retreat slowly toward the Richmond defenses. A surprise attack by Rebels at the battle of Seven Pines blunted the already sluggish Federal advance. Although the Union army repulsed the attacks, McClellan to again delayed any further movement, hoping for more reinforcements to come from Washington. During the battle, Confederate General Johnston was wounded, and Robert E. Lee was appointed to replace him. Taking advantage of McClellan's cautious streak. Over the course of the bloody Seven Day Battles, McClellan was forced to abandon its bid to seize Richmond and retreat to the safety of Washington. As a result, Lincoln named Henry Halleck as General-in-Chief of the army, and the Army of the Potomac was given to General John Pope.Following Pope's failure to capture Richmond the subsequent Union defeat at the battle of Second Manassas, McClellan was once again leading the army that had such strong affection for him. In 1864, McClellan became involved in politics when he was nominated to be the Democratic candidate for president against his former boss, Abraham Lincoln. McClellan ran on an anti-war platform, promising that he would
Facing pressure from Lincoln, he made a campaign against the Confederate capital along the Virginia Peninsula, known as the Peninsula Campaign. McClellan frequently canceled his attacks, allowing his opponent more than enough time to retreat slowly toward the Richmond defenses. A surprise attack by Rebels at the battle of Seven Pines blunted the already sluggish Federal advance. Although the Union army repulsed the attacks, McClellan to again delayed any further movement, hoping for more reinforcements to come from Washington. During the battle, Confederate General Johnston was wounded, and Robert E. Lee was appointed to replace him. Taking advantage of McClellan's cautious streak. Over the course of the bloody Seven Day Battles, McClellan was forced to abandon its bid to seize Richmond and retreat to the safety of Washington. As a result, Lincoln named Henry Halleck as General-in-Chief of the army, and the Army of the Potomac was given to General John Pope.Following Pope's failure to capture Richmond the subsequent Union defeat at the battle of Second Manassas, McClellan was once again leading the army that had such strong affection for him. In 1864, McClellan became involved in politics when he was nominated to be the Democratic candidate for president against his former boss, Abraham Lincoln. McClellan ran on an anti-war platform, promising that he would