wishheretorecordwhatIconsideraportentofeviltocome。
ThePresident，GovernorSewardandIwentovertoMcClellan’shousetonight。TheservantatthedoorsaidtheGeneralwasattheweddingofColonelWheatonatGeneralBuell’sandwouldsoonreturn。Wewentinandafterwehadwaitedaboutanhour，McClellancamein，andwithoutpayingparticularattentiontotheporterwhotoldhimthePresidentwaswaitingtoseehim，wentup-stairs，passingthedooroftheroomwherethePresidentandtheSecretaryofStatewereseated。Theywaitedabouthalfanhour，andsentoncemoreaservanttotelltheGeneraltheywerethere；andtheanswercamethattheGeneralhadgonetobed。
“ImerelyrecordthisunparalleledinsolenceofepauletteswithoutcommentItisthefirstindicationIhaveyetseenofthethreatenedsupremacyofthemilitaryauthorities。Cominghome，IspoketothePresidentaboutthematter，butheseemednottohavenoticeditspecially，sayingitwerebetteratthistimenottobemakingpointsofetiquetteandpersonaldignity。“[5]
Dideverasubordinate，evenageneral，administertoasuperioramoreastoundingsnub？ToLincolninhisselflesstemper，itwasOnlyadetailinhisproblemofgettingthearmyintoaction。Whatroomforpersonalaffrontshowevergrossinamoodlikehis？TobesureheceasedgoingtoMcClellan’shouse，andthereaftersummonedMcClellantocometohim，butnochangeappearedinthetoneofhisintercoursewiththeGeneral。“IwillholdMcClellan’shorse，“saidhe，“ifhewillwinmevictories。“[6]
Allthiswhile，thetwoweredebatingplansofcampaignandMcClellanwasrevealing-aswenowsee，thoughnoonesawitatthetime-thedeepdreadofresponsibilitythatwasdestinedtoparalyzehimasanactivegeneral。Hewasneverready。