July 23, 1861---McDowell's out; McClellan's in

JULY 23, 1861:    

President Lincoln composes a memorandum of “Military Policy Suggested by the Bull Run Defeat.” In it, he proposes that the army be reorganized and a volunteer force be quickly moved in and around Washington to boost its defenses. The naval blockade should be strengthened, he adds, as should the army at Harpers Ferry. Most crucially, he calls General George B. McClellan to Washington to assume command of the army from the disgraced Irvin McDowell.