Knowing his capabilities, he twice refused command of the Army of the Potomac, accepting only the third time when the courier told him that otherwise the command would go to Joseph Hooker.
Da han kendte sine evner, afslog han to gange at overtage ledelsen af Army of the Potomac, og han påtog sig kun opgaven, da han fik at vide, at den ellers ville gå til Joseph Hooker.