Before he had fired a gun in the Peninsular campaign he was in a disputation with both the President and Secretary Stanton.

On the 9th of April (1862) Mr.
Lincoln wrote him, "Your dispatches complaining that you are not properly sustained, while they do not offend me, do pain me very much." General McClellan had complained that the President had detained McDowell's corps, and thus weakened the strength of his army, and the President was defending the policy as one necessary to the safety of Washington.

McClellan protested that he had but eighty-five thousand men at Yorktown.

The President insisted that he had a hundred and eight thousand.

"And once more," said the President, "in conclusion, let me tell you it is indispensable to you that you strike a blow.