by George N. Karahalios (Author)
The Peninsula Campaign of 1862 should have been the high point of General George B. McClellan's career and the end of the Civil War. Had all things proceeded as planned, it would have been a relatively bloodless campaign leading to the capture of the Confederate Capital of Richmond, VA. A quick end to the war would have elevated McClellan's stature to the point that he would have been almost assured of beating Lincoln in the upcoming 1864 Presidential election. Due to a series of leadership missteps exhibited on both the Federal and Confederate sides of the campaign, McClellan's dream of becoming president of the United States was crushed. Various command decisions turned the Peninsula Campaign into a bloodbath for all those involved. George B. McClellan would have taken Richmond had General Johnston not been wounded, but with Robert E. Lee in command he was thwarted, and the war continued for another three years. Analyzing the command decisions made by the Federal and Confederate leadership, the fatal flaws of the commanders involved are revealed. Utilizing modern U.S. military assessment, the individual strengths and weaknesses are uncovered, and a case study in campaign leadership is exposed. .