In a Harper's Weekly cartoon from September 17, 1864, Lincoln holds General George McClellan in his palm. Lincoln had relieved McClellan of his command in November 1862, after McClellan showed reluctance in pursuing and defeating the Confederates. At the time of this cartoon, McClellan was Lincoln's opponent in the 1864 election, though he had been slow to start campaigning following his nomination at the Democratic National Convention. Lincoln joked at the time that McClellan's delays, so similar to his hesitations in battle, meant the general was "intrenching." The cartoon references this quip; in his hand, McClellan holds out a shovel. |
