Hey everyone, welcome to episode 156 of our Civil War podcast.

My name is Rich.

And I'm Tracy.

Hello y'all.

Thanks for tuning into the podcast.

Since we spent quite a bit of time on Stonewall Jackson and the 1862 Ballet campaign, what we

want to do with this episode is go back and review the important events of the peninsula

campaign up through the Battle of Fair Oaks before we start in on the seven days battles.

As you guys were recall, the dashing 34-year-old George McClellan arrived in Washington and late

July 1861, just five days after the Union Army's crushing defeat at the Battle of First

Manassas.

The beaten army remained in disarray, but McClellan set to work to rebuild the North's main

field army in the Eastern theater, and he succeeded in spectacular fashion.

The army of the Potomac grew in size and matured through long weeks of training in the late

summer and autumn of 1861.

The men gained confidence in themselves and in their commander.

In fact, Little Mac became the idol of his troops.

President Abraham Lincoln initially tolerated McClellan's exhaustive preparation and training

of the army of the Potomac.

But even though he didn't want to rush McClellan into disaster as he had Irwin McGal at

Bull Run, Lincoln still expected some positive movement against the enemy in a reasonable

period of time.

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