A Rooster, a General, and Lincoln —The Dress Parade Story

General George B. McClellan
The pompous "Young Napoleon"

Abraham Lincoln and General George McClellan’s strained relationship has been well-documented, but few stories highlight the contrast between their leadership styles quite like the curious case of McNabb’s Rooster. While McClellan was known for his cautious and calculated approach to war, Lincoln favored bold action and decisive strategy—and as history would have it, even a barnyard fowl ended up symbolizing their differences. From military parades to battlefield hesitations, this tale of leadership (and livestock) is one worth exploring.

McClellan was known for his organizational skills and ability to train troops, earning him the nickname "Young Napoleon." However, his reluctance to act aggressively on the battlefield led to tensions. Lincoln removed McClellan from command twice—first after the Peninsula Campaign and later after the Battle of Antietam, where McClellan failed to pursue the retreating Confederate forces.

Their personal interactions were also marked by differences in temperament. McClellan reportedly viewed Lincoln as unqualified for military leadership and even referred to him in dismissive terms. Despite this, Lincoln showed remarkable patience and diplomacy, often visiting McClellan to encourage action.

Abraham Lincoln - known for his brilliance in leadership and oratory - also wielded a lesser-celebrated weapon: his storytelling. More than just humorous anecdotes, his tales served to illuminate points, diffuse tension, and drive home hard truths with a light touch. Few stories highlight this better than the one he told about "Bap" McNabb’s rooster—a tale Lincoln used to encapsulate his frustrations with General George B. McClellan.

The Tale of McNabb’s Rooster 

"Bap" McNabb was renowned for his skill in breeding prize fighting roosters, and when one of his birds entered the ring, it always drew a crowd in the New Salem/Springfield, IL area. One evening, McNabb brought a little red rooster to fight—an animal whose reputation had been carefully built up in advance, stirring anticipation.

Drawing from Lincoln's Yarns and Stories,
by Alexander K. Mcclure

The crowd buzzed with excitement as Lincoln - serving as the umpire - called for the birds to be placed in the ring. The red rooster, however, immediately dropped its tail and bolted, wanting no part in the fight. The crowd roared with laughter as McNabb, crestfallen, retrieved his bird and took it home.

Once back at the farm, the rooster strutted proudly onto a woodpile, flaring its feathers and crowing as if to claim victory. McNabb, in a mix of anger and disgust, quipped, "Yes, you little cuss, you’re great on dress parade, but not worth a darn in a fight."

Lincoln and McClellan: There's a Rooster in the Room 

Lincoln used this story to describe his rocky relationship with General McClellan, whose exceptional skill in organizing and training the Union army earned him great admiration. But McClellan's reluctance to act on the battlefield—his unwillingness to engage in decisive action—left Lincoln deeply frustrated. As Lincoln remarked to Judge David Davis, McClellan - like Bap McNabb’s rooster - was "great on dress parade" but hesitant when it came to the fight.

A Legacy of Humor and Insight 

What makes this story so quintessentially "Lincoln" is how he transformed a critical observation into a humorous tale that resonated with everyone listening. Lincoln’s ability to convey sharp political critiques through relatable anecdotes not only made him endearing but also deeply effective as a communicator.

From McNabb’s rooster to the broader struggles of leadership, Lincoln’s storytelling offered timeless lessons about the challenges of making tough decisions and taking bold actions when they matter most.

This is another story by Abe Lincoln, Storyteller.

Mac

Works Cited

[1] Grimsley, Mark "The Lincoln-­McClellan Relationship in Myth and Memory" Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Volume 38, Issue 2, Summer 2017, pp. 63-81.