 McClellan was reunited with his army at Harrison 's Landing on the James . Debates were held as to whether the army should be evacuated or attempt to resume an offensive toward Richmond . McClellan maintained his estrangement from Abraham Lincoln with his repeated call for reinforcements and by writing a lengthy letter in which he proposed strategic and political guidance for the war , continuing his opposition to abolition or seizure of slaves as a tactic . He concluded by implying he should be restored as general @-@ in @-@ chief , but Lincoln responded by naming Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck to the post without consulting , or even informing , McClellan . Lincoln and Stanton also offered command of the Army of the Potomac to Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside , who refused the appointment . 
