Video: 'Abraham Lincoln Biography PBS Lincoln The Making of a President 1860 1862 1 4' (Lincoln replaces Scott with McClellan at 36:04)

(Friday, November 1, 1861; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln appointed George B. McClellan as general-in-chief of all the Union armies today, replacing the aging General Winfield Scott.

Scott had submitted his resignation in October, three months after the Union Army was defeated at the Confederate Army at the First Battle of Bull Run, which ended any hope of a quick end to the American Civil War.

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Irvin McDowell had led a force of 30,000 men south, where he met the Confederate Army at the First Battle of Bull Run. McDowell took the brunt of public vituperation for the defeat at Bull Run, but Scott, who had helped plan the battle, also received criticism.

Lincoln replaced McDowell with McClellan, and the president began meeting with McClellan without Scott in attendance.