 Ethan Rafuse notes "McClellan's change of base to the James, however, thwarted Lee's attempt to do this.Not only did McClellan's decision allow the Federals to gain control of the time and place for the battles that took place in late June and early July, it enabled them to fight in a way that inflicted terrible beating on the Confederate army...More importantly, by the end of the Seven Days Battles, McClellan had dramatically improved his operational situation.