The victory of troops under General George B. McClellan (1826–1885) at the Battle of Rich Mountain, West Virginia, on July 11, 1861, just ten days before the Union disaster at First Bull Run, made McClellan the logical candidate to replace the disgraced General Irvin McDowell (1818–1885). McClellan’s credentials as a war leader seemed impeccable, and he proved an excellent organizer and administrator. However, to the dismay of almost the entire nation, the “Little Napoleon,” as he was popularly known, demonstrated little fighting spirit.