Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in to episode 127 of our Civil War podcast.

I'm Rich.

And I'm Tracy.

Hello y'all.

Welcome to the podcast.

Last week we talked about how, after the Union defeat at First Manassas in July 1861,

George B. McClellan was placed in command of federal forces in and around Washington,

and how he immediately threw himself into the task of restoring order and discipline and

building an army.

In August, McClellan formally conferred upon his command, the name it would carry through

the hardest fighting of the Civil War, the army of the Potomac.

The army responded by giving to McClellan its whole hearted devotion.

Little Mac made the volunteers feel like real soldiers, and at review after glorious review

in the fall of 1861, the men of the army of the Potomac shouted themselves horse, cheering

for McClellan.

At first, the 34-year-old McClellan had also received heapings of praise from Lincoln

from the cabinet and from Congress.

After the disaster at Bull Run, McClellan had arrived in Washington to a hero's welcome,

and very quickly the adulation he received and his new assignment went to his head.

McClellan brought a massive ego within to Washington.

He acquired a bigger one upon arrival.

During those first weeks in Washington, McClellan developed what can only be called a

...