Brilliant article, Brian. In essence this is what I have been saying for years. Only your version is much superior on connecting the dots of specific details.

One minor complaint, you might want to check out my 2000 book, Little Mac: Demise of an American Hero. General McClellan was a much better general than he has come to be portrayed. The fact that he had the audacity to appose what later became the sainted Lincoln made him an easy punching-bag for twentieth century writers.