Exactly. I took the bull by the horns and ordered your grand army to move on Richmond. When you failed and retreated, I refused to dismiss you against the fierce protest of my Cabinet. I left you in command of half our men and appointed General Pope to lead the other half. McCLELLAN [_Sneeringly._] And he led them to overwhelming disaster at the second battle of Manassas---- LINCOLN [_Quickly._] For which disaster, you must share the blame. You were ordered to join Pope. You didn't move. Pope was broken by a deliberate design, that was little short of treason, sir. But instead of agreeing to the demand for your trial by court martial, I did the most unpopular act of my life. I reappointed you to the chief command of the whole army--defied public opinion, and faced a storm of abuse in my party councils. McCLELLAN And when I led that superb, reorganized army to our first victory at Antietam, you removed me from my command before I could win my campaign. LINCOLN I removed you from your command because, after you had cut Lee's army to pieces, and he had but 23,000 men left, and you had 75,000--three to one--you lay down on your arms and allowed Lee to escape across the river without a blow--while Jeb. Stuart with his cavalry once more insulted you by riding around your army. Come now, can't we leave to posterity to settle the merits of our controversy over the command of armies? Can't you believe me to-day, when I tell you with God as my witness, that I have never allowed a personal motive to enter into a single appointment or removal which I have made----? McCLELLAN I cannot believe it---- LINCOLN In spite of the fact that when I reappointed you to the chief command of the army after the disaster to Pope, _you_ thought that my messenger was an officer with a warrant for your arrest! You still say no----? McCLELLAN I still say no--you _had_ to do it--and you know that you _had_ to reappoint me. LINCOLN Well, I'll not pretend that I didn't understand the seriousness of that hour. The Army _was_ behind you, to a man! I sounded the officers, I sounded the men. They were against me and with you. If the leaders had dared risk their necks on a revolution, they might have won and set up a Dictatorship! McCLELLAN Just so! LINCOLN This power over men which you possess, General McClellan, is a marvelous thing. It is a dangerous force. It can be used to create a Nation, or destroy one. Because you held this power over your men, I honestly believed you were the ablest General in sight, and I called you back to your high position. McCLELLAN [_With a smile._] Very kind! LINCOLN