Major General George B. McClellan had rested his troops afterthe Battle of Antietam. This displeased President Lincoln who urgedMcClellan to pursue the Rebel army south of the Potomac River.Finally, McClellan followed the advice of Lincoln and on October26, 1862, Union troops began their crossing of the Potomac River.General Lee had expected some degree of Federal pursuit in October,but he did not know to what exactly the plan of the Federals wouldbe. Once Lee knew that McClellan's troops were over the Potomac, hesent General Longstreet eastward and General Jackson would keep hisposition in the Shenandoah Valley. McClellan's forces marchedslowly, covering only 35 miles in eleven days. Lee had marched histroops quickly and joined Longstreet in Culpepper, Virginia. WhenPresident Lincoln realized that neither generals Longstreet norJackson moved their troops with no Union interference, he relievedMcClellan of duty as commander of the Army of the Potomac.