Why was Irvin McDowell hesitant to go on the offensive against the Confederates? A. He did not think they had enough soldiers. B. He did not think his soldiers were ready to fight. C. He thought the Confederate troops were better prepared. D. He thought the Confederate troops would be ready for them.

D. He thought the Confederate troops would be ready for them.

Explanation:

Chase. Although McDowell knew that his troops were inexperienced and unready, and protested that he was a supply officer, not a field commander, pressure from the Washington politicians forced him to launch a premature offensive against Confederate forces in Northern Virginia.