http://www.historynet.com/irvin-mcdowell-the-most-unpopular-man-in-america.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Sun, 19 May 2013 22:40:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://www.historynet.com/irvin-mcdowell-the-most-unpopular-man-in-america.htm#comment-187279 paul penrod Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:28:56 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681840#comment-187279 It was a no win situation for McDowell. A lower grade officer hastily promoted, without field command experience, leading untrained and and uncoordinated units, it was a miracle that the Federals almost won First Manassas. Of course, the opposition had the same problems. It was one of the few incidences that they had technology on their side (the railroad) and helped them to pull it out. McDowell's failure, directly under the microscope of Washington, made McClellan a very cautious man who feared failure more then sought victory, and this attitude would dog the Army of the Potomac for the next 2 years. I always felt that there was some Bernard Law Montgomery in George McClellan It was a no win situation for McDowell. A lower grade officer hastily promoted, without field command experience, leading untrained and and uncoordinated units, it was a miracle that the Federals almost won First Manassas. Of course, the opposition had the same problems. It was one of the few incidences that they had technology on their side (the railroad) and helped them to pull it out. McDowell's failure, directly under the microscope of Washington, made McClellan a very cautious man who feared failure more then sought victory, and this attitude would dog the Army of the Potomac for the next 2 years. I always felt that there was some Bernard Law Montgomery in George McClellan

]]>