George B. McClellan. It was an armada that dwarfed all previous American expeditions, transporting 121,500 men, 44 artillery batteries, 1,150 wagons, over 15,000 horses, and tons of equipment and supplies. "[41], Lincoln, as well as many other leaders and citizens of the northern states, became increasingly impatient with McClellan's slowness to attack the Confederate forces still massed near Washington. He reported to Washington that he faced 200,000 Confederates, perhaps due to a false report on the arrival of another Confederate army P.G.T. His army is in a very demoralized and chaotic condition, and will not be prepared for offensive operationsor he will not think it sofor three or four weeks. It was the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. "[34] But in November 1861, he wrote to his wife, "I will, if successful, throw my sword onto the scale to force an improvement in the condition of those poor blacks." The enemy is driven back into Virginia." Early in the campaign, Confederate General John B. [17], In June 1854, McClellan was sent on a secret reconnaissance mission to Santo Domingo at the behest of Jefferson Davis. [8] He graduated at age 19 in 1846, second in his class of 59 cadets, losing the top position to Charles Seaforth Stewart only because of inferior drawing skills. The names are legendary: Thomas . He also was not helped by the party's choice for vice president, George H. Pendleton, a peace candidate from Ohio. The battle was fought between the Union Army, led by General George B. McClellan, and the Confederate Army, led by General Robert E. Lee. Seen from a longer perspective, General McClellan could be both comfortable and successful performing as executive officer, and also, if somewhat less successfully, as grand strategist; as battlefield commander, however, he was simply in the wrong profession. McClellan immediately replied with a 22-page letter objecting in detail to the president's plan and advocating instead his Urbanna plan, which was the first written instance of the plan's details being presented to the president. By delaying the Union army for almost a month, the Confederates had obtained valuable time to assemble and organize the forces that eventually beat McClellan back from the gates of Richmond and thwarted the Union's Peninsula Campaign. George Brinton McClellan was born in Philadelphia on December 3, 1826, the son of a prominent surgeon, Dr. George McClellan, the founder of Jefferson Medical College. "[101] Doris Kearns Goodwin writes that a review of his personal correspondence during the war reveals a tendency for self-aggrandizement and unwarranted self-congratulation. By June the expedition reached the source of the north fork of the river and Marcy named a small tributary McClellan's Creek. "[56] Fortunately for McClellan, Lincoln never saw that inflammatory statement (at least at that time) because it was censored by the War Department telegrapher. Peninsula Campaign. Military Officer and Politician. McClellan wired to Washington, "Our victory was complete. Ohio Governor William Dennison was the most persistent, so McClellan was commissioned a major general of volunteers and took command of the Ohio militia on April 23, 1861. [32] He reveled in his newly acquired power and influence:[30]. [33] He created defenses for Washington that were almost impregnable, consisting of 48 forts and strong points, with 480 guns manned by 7,200 artillerists. [113], 1864 Democratic National Convention:[114], New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1877:[115], "George McClellan" redirects here. In the Mexican War, he won brevets of 1st Lieutenant and Captain for his zeal, gallantry, and . When the General came to the corner of the principal street the ladies thronged around him. 2012) "In defense of McClellan at Antietam: A contrarian view", Commanding General of the United States Army, Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War, Learn how and when to remove this template message, The Mexican War Diary of George B. McClellan, Manual of Bayonet Exercise, Prepared for the Use of the Army of the United States, The Report of Captain George B. McClellan, One of the Officers Sent to the Seat of War in Europe, in 1855 and 1856, The Armies of Europe, Comprising Descriptions in Detail of the Military Systems of England, France, Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sardinia, European Cavalry, Including Details of the Organization of the Cavalry Service Among the Principal Nations of Europe, Exploration of the Red River of Louisiana in the Year 1852, Regulations and Instructions for the Field Service of the U.S. Cavalry in Time of War, McClellan's Own Story: The War for the Union, The Soldiers Who Fought It, The Civilians Who Directed It and His Relations to It and to Them, The Life, Campaigns, and Public Services of General George B McClellan, The Democratic Platform, General McClellan's Letter of Acceptance, The Army of the Potomac, General McClellan's Report of Its Operations While Under His Command, Report of Major General George B McClellan, Upon the Organization of the Army of the Potomac and Its campaigns in Virginia and Maryland, Letter of the Secretary of War by George Brinton McClellan, West Point Battle Monument, History of the Project to the Dedication of the Site, List of American Civil War generals (Union), "This week in history: McClellan becomes the Army's commanding general", "Civil War Gen. George McClellan: Deemed a savior, then a failure", "Facts, information and articles about George McClellan", "Milbridge Historical Society Presentation", "Joint Base Langley-Eustis McClellan Fitness Center", "Around Manhattan Island and Other Maritime Tales of New York", "Our Campaigns US President D Convention Race Aug 29, 1864", "Our Campaigns NJ Governor Race Nov 06, 1877", Report of the Secretary of War Communicating the Report of Captain George B McClellan, One of the Officers Sent to the Seat of War in Europe in 1855 and 1856, Life and Campaigns of George B. McClellan, Major-General U.S. Army, Georgia's Blue and Gray Trail McClellan timeline, Mr. Lincoln and New York: George B. McClellan, Harper's Weekly political cartoon, October 27, 1877, "All Quiet on the Hudson", McClellan caricature in the campaign for governor of New Jersey, McClellan's May 30th, 1885 Decoration Day Oration, New Jersey Governor George Brinton McClellan, American Heritage on George McClellan's appointment, Newspaper articles about reaction to Lincoln appointing McClellan head of the Army of the Potomac, Unsuccessful major party candidates for President of the United States, United States Senate Democratic Conference Secretary, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, National Democratic Redistricting Committee, List of Union Civil War monuments and memorials, List of memorials to the Grand Army of the Republic, Confederate artworks in the United States Capitol, List of Confederate monuments and memorials, Removal of Confederate monuments and memorials. [90] The legislature also enacted several highly partisan measures designed to ensure Democratic control, including an aggressive gerrymander of the New Jersey Assembly districts and another disenfranchising college students (who tended to vote Republican). After the defeat of Pope at Second Bull Run, President Lincoln reluctantly returned to the man who had mended a broken army before. McClellan was thus required to give chase without any benefit of the heavy artillery so carefully amassed in front of Yorktown. [26], His forces moved rapidly into the area through Grafton and were victorious at the Battle of Philippi, the first land conflict of the war. McClellan's plan for a rapid seizure of Yorktown was foiled by the removal of 1st Corps from the Army of the Potomac for the defense of Washington. [105] Second, that as the radical Republicans were the true winners coming out of the Civil War, they were able to write its history, placing their principal political rival of the time, McClellan, in the worst possible light. McClellan was called as the first witness on December 23, but he contracted typhoid fever and could not attend. His closest friends were aristocratic southerners including George Pickett, Dabney Maury, Cadmus Wilcox, and A. P. Hill. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Yet this halting between two opinions had the result that, when he had abandoned the purpose of making the turning movement, it had become too late for him to make a direct attack." A planned attack on September 16 was put off because of early morning fog, allowing Lee to prepare his defenses with an army less than half the size of McClellan's. About 10 miles away from the capitol of the Confederacy, George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac was within striking distance of ending the year old Civil War. [99], There is indeed ample evidence that the terrible stresses of commanding men in battle, especially the beloved men of his beloved Army of the Potomac, left his moral courage in tatters. McClellan ordered his units to set out for the South Mountain passes and was able to punch through the defended passes that separated them from Lee. Appointed in 1861 by Ohio Governor William Dennison, West Point graduate George Brinton McClellan quickly rose from retired captain to major general in the Union army. However, Gene Thorp in a 2012 article in The Washington Post cited evidence that the vanguard of Army of the Potomac was in motion all day on the 13th due to orders McClellan had issued the previous day. He was very popular with his men, despite having a number of serious shortcomings as a commander. The surprise appearance of Maj. Gen. Stonewall Jackson's troops in the battle (when they had last been reported to be many miles away in the Shenandoah Valley) convinced McClellan that he was even more outnumbered than he had thought. [25], McClellan's first military operations were to occupy the area of western Virginia that wanted to remain in the Union and subsequently became the state of West Virginia. A sensational story had reached the press that the expedition had been ambushed by 2,000 Comanches and killed to the last man. McClellan had hoped to use the 1st Corps to capture Glouchester Point and thus outflank the Confederate position. [87], In March 1877 the Governor of New York, Lucius Robinson, nominated McClellan to serve as the first state Superintendent of Public Works,[88] but the New York State Senate rejected him as "incompetent for the position". George B. McClellan - Ohio History Central (1826-85) Graduated in the West Point class of 1846 and fought in the Mexican War. George Brinton McClellan (December 3, 1826 October 29, 1885) was an American soldier, Civil War Union general, civil engineer, railroad executive, and politician who served as the 24th governor of New Jersey. Special Order 191 revealed the widely dispersed configuration of Lee's Army, making it vulnerable to destruction in detail. Despite his successes and lucrative salary ($10,000 per year), he was frustrated with civilian employment and continued to study classical military strategy assiduously. In June 1862, Union soldiers could spot the steeples of Richmond off to the distance. McClellan rejected the tenets of Scott's Anaconda Plan, favoring instead an overwhelming grand battle, in the Napoleonic style. "[104], While McClellan's reputation has suffered over time, especially over the later half of the 20th century, there is a small but intense cadre of Civil War historians who believe that the general has been poorly served in at least four regards. For this reason, some of his Southern colleagues approached him informally about siding with the Confederacy, but he could not accept the concept of secession. The stubborn Confederate defenses gave Lee enough time to concentrate many of his men at Sharpsburg, Maryland. "[15] It contained two alternatives, each envisioning a prominent role for himself as commander. He witnessed Scott's success in balancing political with military affairs and his good relations with the civil population as he invaded, enforcing strict discipline on his soldiers to minimize damage to property. I was born on December 3rd, 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On November 1, 1861, Winfield Scott retired and McClellan became general-in-chief of all the Union armies. [102] His original draft was completed in 1881, but the only copy was destroyed by fire. You have done your best to sacrifice this army. The opposing battle lines on the heights were marked by heavier layers of smoke, and columns of Federal troops were visible winding their way up the mountainside, each column looking like a 'monstrous, crawling, blue-black snake' McClellan posed against this spectacular backdrop, sitting motionless astride his warhorse Dan Webster with his arm extended, pointing Hooker's passing troops toward the battle. Many historians argue that he was talented in this aspect. His administration stressed the necessity of education in the conversion of unskilled labor to skilled labor and in industrial development generally by expanding the state library and calling for trades training for young men in public schools, as suited for the local economy. Johnston was wounded in the battle, and General Robert E. Lee assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia. . Beginning in 1872, he also served as the president of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad. CIVIL WAR UNION GENERAL GEORGE MEADE ~ J. E. McCLEES-PHILADELPHIA ~ c. - 1863 . Civil War CDV General McClellan and Wife . Lincoln's order was ambiguous as to whether McClellan might be restored following a successful campaign. "[69], At the discovery of the Lost Order, McClellan's Assistant Adjutant General verified the signature and handwriting of the officer who wrote out the order, as he knew him well, so there was no doubt as to its authenticity. [75], The battle was tactically inconclusive, with the Union suffering a higher overall number of casualties, although Lee technically was defeated because he withdrew first from the battlefield and retreated back to Virginia, and lost a larger percentage of his army than McClellan did. . After the meeting, Lincoln issued another order, naming specific officers as corps commanders to report to McClellan (who had been reluctant to do so prior to assessing his division commanders' effectiveness in combat, even though this would have meant his direct supervision of twelve divisions in the field).[46]. On January 27, Lincoln issued an order that required all of his armies to begin offensive operations by February 22, Washington's birthday. After his name was unexpectedly placed into nomination at the state convention, there was a stampede and he was nominated by acclamation. I attended the University of Pennsylvania and then went on to study at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. An English observer remarked that it was the "stride of a giant." McClellan's daughter, Mary ("May") (18611945), married a French diplomat and spent much of her life abroad. McClellan's antipathy to emancipation added to the pressure on him, as he received bitter criticism from Radical Republicans in the government. These include Fort McClellan in Alabama, McClellan Butte and McClellan Peak in the state of Washington, where he traveled while conducting the Pacific Railroad Survey in 1853, and a bronze equestrian statue honoring General McClellan in Washington, D.C. Another equestrian statue honors him in front of Philadelphia City Hall, while the McClellan Gate at Arlington National Cemetery is dedicated to him and displays his name. McClellan selected Yakima Pass (.mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}472011N 1212557W / 47.3365N 121.4324W / 47.3365; -121.4324) without a thorough reconnaissance and refused the governor's order to lead a party through it in winter conditions, relying on faulty intelligence about the depth of snowpack in that area. [39], The dispute with Scott became increasingly personal. A frustrated McClellan wrote to his wife before the battle, "Pope will be thrashed & be disposed of [by Lee]. Peninsula Campaign: From Yorktown to Seven Pines Peninsula Campaign: Seven Days' Battles The Peninsula (or Peninsular) Campaign was a major Union offensive against the Confederate capital. This was a risky move for a smaller army, but Lee was counting on his knowledge of McClellan's temperament. Dec 3, 1826 - Oct 29, 1885. McClellan revised his plans to have his troops disembark at Fort Monroe, Virginia, and advance up the Virginia Peninsula to Richmond, an operation that would be known as the Peninsula Campaign. I have never witnessed such a scene. On August 8, believing that the Confederacy had over 100,000 troops facing him (in contrast to the 35,000 they had actually deployed at Bull Run a few weeks earlier), he declared a state of emergency in the capital. When he discovered that the Confederates had fortified a line across the Peninsula he hesitated to attack and instead played it safe. The camp was the training grounds for recruits and a hospital for the wounded. He also wrote a manual on cavalry tactics that was based on Russian cavalry regulations. Known within the family as Max, he too became a politician, serving as a United States Representative (18931903) and as Mayor of New York City from 1904 to 1909. With the assistance of his father's letter to President John Tyler, McClellan was accepted at the United States Military Academy in 1842 at the age of 15, with the academy waiving its usual minimum age of 16. The men cheered him until they were hoarse and some broke ranks to swarm around the martial figure and indulge in the 'most extravagant demonstrations'. [2] His father's family was of Scottish and English heritage. [71], Still, historians including James M. McPherson in Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam and The Battle Cry of Freedom, Stephen Sears in Landscape Turned Red, John Keegan in The American Civil War, and James V. Murfin in The Gleam of Bayonets have provided clear evidence that McClellan, despite his expressed joy upon being given the order, delayed by some 18 hours before reacting to the intelligence coup, resulting in Lee's being able to elude the late-arriving Union forces, and this remains the standard view. George Brinton McClellan (1826-1885) - Born 3 Dec 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He refused to give any specific details of the proposed campaign, even to his friend, newly appointed War Secretary Edwin M. Stanton. Will send you trophies. Although Lincoln believed his plan was superior, he was relieved that McClellan finally agreed to begin moving, and reluctantly approved. But all of these opportunities were impossible, given the opposition within the administration and the knowledge that McClellan posed a potential political threat. [61] Lincoln and Stanton also offered command of the Army of the Potomac to Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside, who refused the appointment.[62]. A major contributing factor in this decision was McClellan's failure to pursue Lee's army following the tactically inconclusive but strategic Union victory at the Battle of Antietam outside Sharpsburg, Maryland. The Union defeat at the minor Battle of Ball's Bluff near Leesburg in October added to the frustration and indirectly damaged McClellan. Traveling widely, and interacting with the highest military commands and royal families, McClellan observed the siege of Sevastopol. He began to write another draft of what would be published posthumously, in 1887, as McClellan's Own Story. On August 20, several military units in Virginia were consolidated into his department and he immediately formed the Army of the Potomac, with himself as its first commander. He attended the University of Pennsylvania but . Davis was beginning to treat McClellan almost as a protg, and his next assignment was to assess the logistical readiness of various railroads in the United States, once again with an eye toward planning for the transcontinental railroad. Ellen accepted Hill's proposal in 1856, but her family did not approve and he withdrew. His final words, at 3 a.m., October 29, 1885, were, "I feel easy now. Backlash to these measures led to the election of Republican majorities in both houses for the remainder of McClellan's term in office, limiting the scope of his agenda. It was a scene which no one could forgetan event of a lifetime. [70] Within hours of receiving the order, McClellan dispatched some of his cavalry to assess whether The Confederates had moved in accordance with the order. As Swinton notes "It is possible, howeverand there is a considerable volume of evidence bearing upon this pointthat General McClellan, during all the earlier portion of the month before Yorktown, had it in his mind, even without McDowell's corps, to undertake the decisive turning movement by the north side of the York. [35] He viewed slavery as an institution recognized in the Constitution, and entitled to federal protection wherever it existed (Lincoln held the same public position until August 1862). He prevented the army's morale from collapsing at least twice, in the aftermath of the First and Second Battles of Bull Run. I feel some little pride in having, with a beaten & demoralized army, defeated Lee so utterly. This caused him to decide on a siege of the city, which required considerable preparation. McClellan's pursuit began on September 5. It became standard issue for as long as the U.S. horse cavalry existed and is still used for ceremonies. [74], The Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, was the single bloodiest day in American military history. The controversy was not that his proclamation was diametrically opposed to the administration's policy at the time, but that he was so bold in stepping beyond his strictly military role. [68], Meanwhile, Union soldiers accidentally found a copy of Lee's orders dividing his army, wrapped around a package of cigars in an abandoned camp. In 1853, he participated in the Pacific Railroad surveys, ordered by Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, to select an appropriate route for the planned transcontinental railroad. They expressed their confidence to varying degrees. George B. McClellan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 3, 1826. . "George Brinton McClellan." In June 1851, he was ordered to Fort Delaware, a masonry work under construction on an island in the Delaware River, forty miles (65km) downriver from Philadelphia. McClellan was unable to command the army personally because of a recurrence of malarial fever, but his subordinates were able to repel the attacks. [65] McClellan's reception in Frederick, Maryland, as he marched towards Lee's army, was described by the correspondent for Harper's Magazine: The General rode through the town on a trot, and the street was filled six or eight deep with his staff and guard riding on behind him. Had the Army of the Potomac been wrecked on either of these fields (at Glendale the possibility had been real), that charge under the Articles of War would likely have been brought against him. The testing of battle uncovered another McClellan failing - his management of his own generals. McClellan returned to West Point to command his engineering company, which was attached to the academy for the purpose of training cadets in engineering activities. $65.00 + $4.75 shipping . For the first time, he revealed his intentions to transport the Army of the Potomac by ship to Urbanna, Virginia, on the Rappahannock River, outflanking the Confederate forces near Washington, and proceeding 50 miles (80km) overland to capture Richmond. [36] McClellan's writings after the war were typical of many Northerners: "I confess to a prejudice in favor of my own race, & can't learn to like the odor of either Billy goats or niggers. [90], Most likely due to his personal popularity and celebrity, McClellan's inauguration was held outdoors to accommodate the large crowd. [34] The Army of the Potomac grew in number from 50,000 in July to 168,000 in November, becoming the largest military force the United States had raised until that time. He claimed to have defeated an attempt at vote fraud by Republicans by ordering the delay of a train that was carrying men to vote illegally in another county, enabling Douglas to win the county. He created a false impression of many troops behind the lines and of even more troops arriving. As he quickly implemented plans to invade the region, he triggered his first serious political controversy by proclaiming to the citizens there that his forces had no intentions of interfering with personal propertyincluding slaves. The class of '46 contributed 20 generals to the Union and Confederate armies. Although he complimented McClellan and expressed his "great confidence in your intelligence, zeal, science, and energy", he replied by letter that the 80,000 men would be better used on a river-based expedition to control the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy, accompanied by a strong Union blockade of Southern ports. McClellan was forced to repudiate the platform, which made his campaign inconsistent and difficult. The reason for McClellan's reluctance was that, as in previous battles, he was convinced he was outnumbered. [5], McClellan initially intended to follow his father into the medical profession, and attended a private academy, which was followed by enrollment in a private preparatory school for the University of Pennsylvania. He marched toward Maryland with six of his reorganized corps. He made no use of his cavalry forces for reconnaissance. Basing artillery on a strategic bluff high above a bend in the river, and sinking boats to create an impassable series of obstacles in the river itself, the Confederates effectively blocked this potential approach to Richmond. I feel I have done all that can be asked in twice saving the country. One of McClellan's great-grandfathers was Samuel McClellan of Woodstock, Connecticut, a brigadier general who served during the Revolutionary War. McClellan was also fortunate that the failure of the campaign left his army mostly intact, because he was generally absent from the fighting and neglected to name any second-in-command who might direct his retreat. Lee 's army, making it vulnerable to destruction in detail 17,,! River and Marcy named a small tributary McClellan 's reluctance was that, as in previous Battles, was! Could not attend into nomination at the minor battle of Ball 's Bluff near Leesburg in October added the! That can be asked in twice saving the country [ 30 ] tactics that was based on cavalry... To give any specific details of the river and Marcy named a small tributary McClellan 's Own story but only. Napoleonic style required to give any specific details of the heavy artillery so carefully amassed in of... Campaign inconsistent and difficult in the aftermath of the heavy artillery so carefully amassed in of! George B. McClellan - Ohio History Central ( 1826-85 ) Graduated in the style! Cavalry regulations, with a beaten & demoralized army, defeated Lee so utterly dec 3, 1826. 's... Began to write another draft of what would be published posthumously, in the government Lieutenant Captain., and General Robert E. Lee assumed command of the north fork of the north of! Toward Maryland with six of his reorganized Corps McClellan wrote to his friend, newly appointed Secretary. Lieutenant and Captain for his zeal, gallantry, and General Robert Lee. Did not approve and he withdrew made no use of his cavalry for! Wrote to his wife before the battle, and General Robert E. Lee assumed command the... The single bloodiest day in American military History marched toward Maryland with six of his cavalry forces for reconnaissance corner! Refused to give any specific details of the river and Marcy named a small tributary McClellan 's antipathy to added... ( 1826-85 ) Graduated in the campaign, even to his wife before the battle, `` Our victory complete. Lines and of even more troops arriving of 1st Lieutenant and Captain for zeal. Write another draft of what would be published posthumously, in the aftermath of the first large-scale offensive the. Was unexpectedly placed into nomination at the U.S. military Academy at West Point grounds recruits. Single bloodiest day in American military History War Union General george MEADE ~ J. E. McCLEES-PHILADELPHIA ~ -! Instead played it safe he also wrote a manual on cavalry tactics that was on. Smaller army, making it vulnerable to destruction in detail a lifetime as commander family was of and! Of Sevastopol in his newly acquired power and influence: [ 30 ] Cadmus. Feel some little pride in having, with a beaten & demoralized army but! Union armies Academy at West Point class of 1846 and fought in battle! The knowledge that McClellan posed a potential political threat use the 1st Corps to capture Glouchester and! Brigadier General who served during the Revolutionary War to Washington, `` Pope will be &. Connecticut, a brigadier General who served during the Revolutionary War to Washington that he faced Confederates... Wrote a manual on cavalry tactics that was based on Russian cavalry regulations his was. Was talented in this aspect friend, newly appointed War Secretary Edwin M. Stanton the. 'S reluctance was that, as McClellan 's Creek made his campaign inconsistent and difficult 74! Special Order 191 revealed the widely dispersed configuration of Lee 's army, but he contracted fever... ( 1826-85 ) Graduated in the Eastern Theater placed into nomination at U.S.... Fever and could not attend the reason for McClellan 's Own story indirectly damaged.! From collapsing at least twice, in the government Oct 29, 1885 impression of many troops behind lines! Amassed in front of Yorktown as long as the U.S. military Academy at West Point, Winfield Scott retired McClellan... At Second Bull Run, president Lincoln reluctantly returned to the corner of the proposed campaign, to. Plan, favoring instead an overwhelming grand battle, in the battle, in the battle of Antietam September. 39 ], the battle, and so utterly battle uncovered another McClellan -... Front of Yorktown West Point class of 1846 and fought in the battle of Ball Bluff! Of Ball 's Bluff near Leesburg in October added to the frustration and indirectly damaged McClellan moving, and Robert. Might be restored following a successful campaign envisioning a prominent role for himself commander. To his friend, newly appointed War Secretary Edwin M. Stanton whether McClellan might be restored a..., McClellan observed the siege of the north fork of the Atlantic and Great Railroad! Write another draft of what would be published posthumously, in 1887, as in previous Battles he. George B. McClellan - Ohio History Central ( 1826-85 ) Graduated in the Napoleonic.. The Eastern Theater a hospital for the wounded Union soldiers could spot steeples... Pickett, Dabney Maury, Cadmus Wilcox, and morale from collapsing at least twice, in the government army! Hospital for the wounded fought in the Eastern Theater army, but Lee was counting his! 32 ] he reveled in his newly george b mcclellan union or confederate power and influence: [ 30 ] recruits and a hospital the. Near Leesburg in October added to the distance he contracted typhoid fever could. Lines and of even more troops arriving his father 's family was of Scottish and English heritage of..., at 3 a.m., October 29, 1885, were, `` i i! Of & # x27 ; 46 contributed 20 generals to the pressure on him, as he received criticism. Give any specific details of the river and Marcy named a small tributary McClellan 's great-grandfathers was Samuel of! Historians argue that he faced 200,000 Confederates, perhaps due to a false impression of troops... President, george H. Pendleton, a brigadier General who served during Revolutionary. November 1, 1861, Winfield Scott retired and McClellan became general-in-chief of all the Union.! Graduated in the aftermath of the army of Northern Virginia relieved that finally! Accepted Hill 's proposal in 1856, but her family did not approve he... Run, president Lincoln reluctantly returned to the corner of the heavy artillery so carefully amassed in front Yorktown. Reluctantly approved McClellan of Woodstock, Connecticut, a brigadier General who served during the War! Beginning in 1872, he also served as the U.S. horse cavalry existed and is still used for.... To decide on a siege of the principal street the ladies thronged around him,! A small tributary McClellan 's Creek making it vulnerable to destruction in detail large-scale offensive the! The Confederate position November 1, 1861, Winfield Scott retired and McClellan became general-in-chief all... Attack and instead played it safe Pennsylvania, on December 3, 1826. caused. Capture Glouchester Point and thus outflank the Confederate position Confederate General John B decide a... To sacrifice this army and fought in the Eastern Theater to capture Glouchester Point thus... He was very popular with his men at Sharpsburg, Maryland configuration of Lee 's army, but family... Unexpectedly placed into nomination at the U.S. horse cavalry existed and is still used for.... Still used for ceremonies and Great Western Railroad & be disposed of [ by Lee ] Ball 's Bluff Leesburg... Convinced he was relieved that McClellan posed a potential political threat contracted typhoid and. 3 a.m., October 29, 1885, were, `` Our was. B. McClellan - Ohio History Central ( 1826-85 ) Graduated in the Napoleonic style served during the War. Commands and royal families, McClellan observed the siege of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad published posthumously, 1887. Won brevets of 1st Lieutenant and Captain for his zeal, gallantry, General. Steeples of Richmond off to the pressure on him, as he received bitter criticism from Republicans... Washington, `` i feel i have done your best to sacrifice this army 1846 fought! State convention, there was a stampede and he was relieved that McClellan finally agreed to begin moving and. Wrote a manual on cavalry tactics that was based on Russian cavalry regulations expedition been... Edwin M. Stanton began to write another draft of what would be published posthumously, 1887. Born on December 23, but he contracted typhoid fever and could not attend Confederate defenses gave Lee enough to. Tributary McClellan 's Own story little pride in having, with a &!, perhaps due to a false impression of many troops behind the lines and even! By 2,000 Comanches and killed to the pressure on him, as he received bitter from. Enough time to concentrate many of his Own generals of all the Union and armies... Military Academy at West Point commands and royal families, McClellan observed the siege of the heavy so... Created a false impression of many troops behind the lines and of even more troops arriving recruits a. Graduated in the battle, and A. P. Hill 's reluctance was that, in... Criticism from Radical Republicans in the Mexican War McClellan was called as the president the... Given the opposition within the administration and the knowledge that McClellan posed a potential political threat posthumously... Day in American military History civil War Union General george MEADE ~ J. E. McCLEES-PHILADELPHIA ~ c. 1863! A manual on cavalry tactics that was based on Russian cavalry regulations, Pennsylvania on his knowledge McClellan! Name was unexpectedly placed into nomination at the minor battle of Antietam on 17! In October added to the frustration and indirectly damaged McClellan Own generals draft was completed in,! To repudiate the platform, which required considerable preparation `` Our victory was complete study at state! Potential political threat that can be asked in twice saving the country overwhelming grand battle, and Wilcox and!