Once the Civil War began there were several key points between 1861-63 in which Lincoln believed the rebellion could have been put down had his commanders pursued the enemy more
vigorously. 1862, in particular, was frustrating for Lincoln with his commander, George
McClellan. First, what were those points in 1862 and second, what did McClellan do (or not do)
to frustrate Lincoln. In 1864, Lincoln named U. S. Grant commander and he was much different
than McClellan in hat he pursued a policy of “Total War.” What was that and why did it help end
the war?