General McClellan had little or no conception of the greatness of
Abraham Lincoln. As time went on, he began to show plainly his contempt
of the President, frequently allowing him to wait in the ante-room of
his house while he transacted business with others. This discourtesy was
so open that McClellan’s staff noticed it, and newspaper correspondents
commented on it. The President was too keen not to see the situation,
but he was strong enough to ignore it. It was a battle he wanted from
McClellan, not deference.
“I will hold McClellan’s horse, if he will only bring us success,” he
said one day.