I LOVED him as Josha Chamberlain. What a great man, too. (Chamberlain)
I think Washington had to have someone playing it with a HUGE amount of stature and...should I say it (because I HATE the word)...gravitas.
I kept wanting to giggle every time I saw his face, but I give him points for doing a yeoman job.
The only problem with his (Daniels's) portrayal of Chamberlain is that the movies were chronologically reversed...The real Chamberlain made a huge transition from academic to officer, and had to grow quickly into his role as a combat leader. Daniels obviously grew into the role, between the movies, and was a better "Chamberlain the Officer" in the prequel, than he was in Gettysburg. It just made it seem to me that the "novice soldier" Chamberlain in G&G was a more confidant, assertive personality than the seasoned, battle hardened Chamberlain he portrayed in Gettysburg.
BTW, I agree about Neeson as Washington; it would be a close to perfect fit.