General George B. McClellan was promoted to the rank of generalin chief in November of 1861 to early March of 1862. As general inchief he was responsible for the entire military efforts for the USand was also the commander of the Army of the Potomac. PresidentLincoln believed that McClellan needed to focus on the capture ofRichmond, and removed him from the most senior general in the Unionposition. McClellan then served as a major general after the Battleof Antietam in September of 1862. After the Fall of 1862 electionsLincoln removed McClellan from active duty and his friend, AmbroseBurnside replaced him as the commander of the Army of the:Potomac.