Nov. 13, 1861

Nov. 13, 1861: McClellan Snubs President Lincoln--
President Lincoln calls at Gen. McClellan’s home in Washington to confer with the General-in-Chief. After patiently waiting, having been told that the General was not in, Lincoln is surprised to see the General come home–who, without looking in at the parlor or greeting the President in any way, heads upstairs and goes to bed. He sends a note down to say that he will not receive any callers at present. Lincoln’s secretary, John Hay, records the incident in his journal:

"We went in, and after we had waited about an hour, McC______ came in, and without paying any particular attention to the porter who told him the President was waiting to see him, went up-stairs, passing the door of the room where the President and Secretary of State were seated. They waited about half an hour, and sent once more a servant to tell the General they were there; and the answer came that the General had gone to bed.

"I merely record this unparalleled insolence of epaulettes without comment. It is the first indication I have yet seen of the threatened supremacy of the military authorities.

"Coming home I spoke to the President about the matter, but he seemed not to have noticed it, specially, saying it was better, at this time, not to be making points of etiquette and personal dignity."