As the war progressed, there were various calls to return McClellan to an important command, following the Union defeats at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, as Robert E. Lee moved north at the start of the Gettysburg Campaign, and as Jubal Early threatened Washington in 1864.
Som krigen skred frem var der forskellige opfordringer om at give Mac en betydningsfuld post efter Unionens nederlag ved Fredericksburg og Chancellorsville, da Robert E. Lee rykkede nordpå i begyndelsen af Gettysburg kampagnen og da Jubal Early truede Washington i 1864.