Content deleted Content added
Line 10:
As more governors and delegates arrived, crowds of local onlookers and politicians began to gather on the train platform beside the hotel to get a better look at the dignified guests. Even General [[John McClernand]] and staff, who were passing through Altoona, decided to observe the spectacle. Also in attendance was a reporter from the [[New York Herald]]. (The article about the conference appeared on the front page of this periodical on [[September 29]], 1862.)<ref>Ibid., 44.</ref> The day before the meeting was to begin, the governors that had arrived so far took a sight-seeing trip to the famous [[Horseshoe Curve]], compliments of [[J. Edgar Thomson]] and the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]]. It would be one of the few recesses for the entire duration of the conference.
The meeting began the next morning.
One of the main topics of discussion concerned General [[George B. McClellan]], commander of the Union's [[Army of the Potomac]]. Governor [[John Albion Andrew|John Andrew]] of [[Massachusetts]] took to the floor and openly began to criticize Gen. McClellan’s ability as a leader, claiming that the Battle of Antietam fought less than a week earlier had been “a rebel victory,” and that the Confederates had not withdrawn “because they were defeated, but exhibited great military strategy in doing so.” Governor [[David Tod]] of [[Ohio]] refuted that he could not understand why some would want to remove McClellan and that he would block any attempt to do so. The debate continued until 12:30 a.m. until an agreement was made.<ref>Ibid., 37.</ref>
| |||