George Brinton McClellan
Chat with our AI personalities
The first commander of the entire Union army was Winfield Scott.
General-in-Chief at the outbreak of the war was the elderly Winfield Scott, who would clearly have to retire before long. Although too old for any kind of active role, he was one of the few officers on either side who realized that it would be a long war, and his original plan - derided for its slowness - was more-or-less than plan that the Union eventually followed. Commander of Union troops in the first pitched battle was the unfortunate Irvin McDowell, who knew his army was not ready for combat, but was pushed into it by politicians and press, hungry for action.
At the start of the Civil War, Winfield Scott was the Commanding General of the Union Army.
Winfield Scott, General-in-Chief of the Union armies.
McClelland then Grant. Robert E. Lee was Lincoln's fist choice to lead the union army at the beginning of the war but, Lee said "I cannot fight against my own birthplace." So they chose Winfield Scott as commander.