390 Plan of the Peninsular Campaign

390. Plan of the Peninsular Campaign

The country between the Potomac and the James was cut up by rivers , as the Rappahan - nock , the Mattapony , and Pamunkey , and part of it was a wilderness . McClelan planned to carry his troops by water to the peninsula be - tween the James and the York and Pamunkey rivers . He would then have a clear road to Richmond , with no great rivers to dispute with the enemy . Johnston would be obliged to leave his camp at Bull Run and march southward to the defense of Richmond . The great objection to the plan was that Johnston might attack Washington instead of going to face McClel - lan . General Jackson also was in the Shenan - doah Valley . He might march down the Valley , cross the Potomac , and seize Washington . So the government kept seventy - five thousand of McClelan ＇ s men for the defense of the Federal capital .