"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: "'Why how young you look and yet an old soldier!' "They give me my way in everything, full swing and unbounded confidence. All tell me that I am held responsible for the fate of the Nation, and that all its resources shall be placed at my disposal. It is an immense task that I have on my hands, but I believe I can accomplish it. When I was in the Senate Chamber to-day and found those old men flocking around me; when I afterward stood in the library looking over the Capital of a great Nation, and saw the crowd gathering to stare at me, I began to feel how great the task committed to me. How sincerely I pray God that I may be endowed with the wisdom and courage necessary to accomplish the work. Who would have thought when we were married, that I should so soon be called upon to save my country?" Nor was McClellan the only man who saw this startling vision. He made friends with astounding rapidity, and held men to him with hooks of steel.