ABSTRACT
During the last two weeks of April 1861, business in many cities and towns was "substantially suspended" as men, women and children flooded the streets "with Union favors and flags." As the nation lumbered into war, Abraham Lincoln's big job was to whip a citizens' army into shape without delay. Officers were elected by their comrades and because they were "green," training problems had to be met as much as possible by Mexican War veterans and immigrants who had served in European armies. The April riots in Maryland affected Washington. Maryland "plug-uglies" cut off communications between the Federal capital and Northern cities. Immediately after Bull Run, Lincoln outlined the nation's military policy and called McClellan to Washington. A West Pointer and Mexican War veteran, McClellan was gaining a wide reputation as a military organizer and administrator. The President now gave him the task of turning the Federal volunteer army into a taut, disciplined, military force capable of waging war.
