November 10, 1862

November 10, 1862: In Virginia, Gen. McClellan reviews his troops one last time, to roaring cheers and tears from his troops. Burnside rides with him, but is largely ignored. Little Mac enjoys huge popularity with his troops, and it is clear that most of them are upset about the change. Some officers murmur about conducting a coup, and others wish for all of the "abolitionists to be murdered and the army defeated." Angry officers, later in the evening, attend a soiree for McClellan. There is openly disloyal talk, and one mob of men led by Capt. George Armstrong Custer attack a reporter from the New York Tribune and beat him severely. The general puts a stop to this by saying, "Gentlemen please remember that we are here to serve the interest of no one man. We are here to serve our country."

—Gen. Grant suddenly inquires of Halleck: Is McClernand raising an army of his own that operates in my department while I do not get the reinforcements I have requested? The next day, on Nov. 11, he gets an answer from Halleck:

　

You have command of all troops sent to you department, and have permission to fight the enemy where you please.

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