November 5, 1862 (Thursday): McClellan Fired

Congressman Elijhu Washburn of Illinois

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, November 5, 1862.
By direction of the President, it is ordered that Major-General McClellan be relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac, and that Major-General Burnside take the command of that army. Also that Major-General Hunter take command of the corp which is now commanded by General Burnside.* That Major-General Fitz John Porter be relieved from the command of the corps he now commands in said army, and that Major-General Hooker take command of said corps.
    The General-in-Chief is authorized, in [his] discretion, to issue an order substantially as the above, forthwith, or so soon as he may deem proper.
A. LINCOLN.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, November 5, 1862.
Major-General McCLELLAN,
Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: On receipt of the order of the President, sent herewith, you will immediately turn over your command to Major-General Burnside, and repair to Trenton, N. J., reporting, on your arrival at that place, by telegraph, for further orders.
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


    H. W. HALLECK,
    General-in-Chief.


    [Inclosure.]

GENERAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJT. General 'S OFFICE,

No. 182.
Washington, November 5, 1862.
By direction of the President of the United States, it is ordered that Major-General McClellan be relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac, and that Major-General Burnside take the command of that army.
    By order of the Secretary of War:


    E. D. TOWNSEND,
    Assistant Adjutant-General.


HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C., November 5, 1862.
Major-General BURNSIDE, Commanding, &c.:
    GENERAL: Immediately on assuming command of the Army of the Potomac, you will report the position of your troops, and what you purpose doing with them.
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant,



    H. W. HALLECK,
    General-in-Chief.

*Hunter did not take command of the Ninth Army Corps, but no revocation of the order is of record.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 19, Part 2, Page 545.

Lincoln had received a letter on the 3rd of November from Congressman Elijhu Washburn of Illinois saying troop movements were being misrepresented to the President.  On the 4th Lincoln meets with his cabinet and reads to them the letter he sent McClellan on the 13th of October, advising him against being overly cautious.  On the 5th he ordered Halleck to replace McClellan with Burnside.  Lincoln had been advised for months to replace McClellan, and now he had done so, ironically at a time when he had finally crossed the Potomac in search of Lee.