3. General George B. McClellan’s Reluctance at Antietam
At the Battle of Antietam in 1862, Union General George B. McClellan hesitated to fully commit his forces against Robert E. Lee’s outnumbered Confederate army. This reluctance allowed Lee to retreat and regroup, prolonging the Civil War. While other commanders seized decisive moments, McClellan’s caution arguably cost the Union a swifter victory. His infamous hesitation is detailed by the American Battlefield Trust.
