"Is McClellan the man to whip this new army of 500,000 citizens into a mighty fighting machine and level it against the Confederacy?"
The all but unanimous answer was:
"Yes."
"Then I'll appoint him," was the firm reply. "I don't care what his religion or his politics. The question is not whether I shall save the Union—but that the Union shall be saved. My future and the future of my party can take care of themselves—if they can't, let them die!"
The new Commander was a man of striking and charming personality, but thirty-four years old, and graduated from West Point in 1846. He had served with distinction in the war against Mexico, studied military science in Europe under the great generals in command at the Siege of Sebastopol, and had achieved in West Virginia the first success won in the struggle with the South. He had been opposed in West Virginia by General Robert E. Lee, the man of destiny to whom the President, through General Scott, had offered the command of the Union army before Lee had drawn his sword for Virginia. He was a past master of the technical science of engineering, defense and military drill.
In spite of his short physical stature, he was of commanding appearance. On horseback his figure was impressively heroic. It took no second glance to see that he was a born leader of men.
On the first day of his active command he had already conceived the idea that he was a man of destiny. He wrote that night to his wife:
"I find myself in a new and strange position here—President, Cabinet, General Scott and all deferring to me. By some strange operation of magic, I seem to have become the power of the land——"
Three days later he wrote again of his sensational reception in the Senate Chamber:
"I suppose half a dozen of the oldest members made the remark I am becoming so much used to: