McClellan blamed the story on "a set of scoundrels, who seek to keep up agitation on the frontier in order to get employment from the Govt. [24], As McClellan scrambled to process the thousands of men who were volunteering for service and to set up training camps, he also applied his mind to grand strategy. Bailey, Ronald H., and the Editors of Time-Life Books. During a temporary armistice in which the forces of Gen. Zachary Taylor awaited action, McClellan was stricken with dysentery and malaria, which kept him in the hospital for nearly a month. I was born on December 3rd, 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. [97] McClellan himself summed up his style of warfare in a draft of his memoirs: It has always been my opinion that the true course in conducting military operations, is to make no movement until the preparations are as complete as circumstances permit, & never to fight a battle without some definite object worth the probable loss. [1], Because of his political connections and his mastery of French, McClellan received the assignment to be an official observer of the European armies in the Crimean War in 1855. Date Of Death: October 29, 1885. In this event, it would not only be in the direction of his plan to make no attack, but it would play into his hands that his opponent should accumulate his forces on the Peninsula. Congress's joint committee visited the abandoned Confederate lines and radical Republicans introduced a resolution demanding the dismissal of McClellan, but it was narrowly defeated by a parliamentary maneuver. McClellan never received another field command and went on to become the unsuccessful Democratic Party nominee in the 1864 presidential election against the Republican Lincoln. The appointment was controversial in the Cabinet, a majority of whom signed a petition declaring to the president "our deliberate opinion that, at this time, it is not safe to entrust to Major General McClellan the command of any Army of the United States". He learned that flanking movements (used by Scott at Cerro Gordo) are often better than frontal assaults, and the value of siege operations (Veracruz). During the Utah War against the Mormons, he considered rejoining the Army. George B. McClellan (1826-1885) 1826, Dec. 3 Born, Philadelphia, Pa. Gen. John Gibbon, and said, "Here is a paper with which if I cannot whip Bobbie Lee, I will be willing to go home." 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. George McClellan was a U.S. Army engineer, railroad president and politician who served as a major general during the Civil War. I feel I have done all that can be asked in twice saving the country. 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. [74], The Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, was the single bloodiest day in American military history. The document was verified at McClellan's headquarters in Frederick on September 13. He sought the position of Secretary of War in Cleveland's cabinet, but Senator John R. McPherson, who had opposed McClellan for governor in 1877, succeeded in blocking his nomination. In. [47] The second crisis was the emergence of the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia, which threw Washington into a panic and made naval support operations on the James River seem problematic. In March 1852, he was ordered to report to Capt. Following the example of Winfield Scott, he ran as a U.S. Army general still on active duty; he did not resign his commission until election day, November 8, 1864. The names are legendary: Thomas . [6] He began attending the university in 1840, when he was 14 years old, resigning himself to the study of law after his family decided that medical educations for both McClellan and his older brother John were too expensive. [57] Military historian Stephen W. Sears wrote, "When he deserted his army on the Glendale and Malvern Hill battlefields during the Seven Days, he was guilty of dereliction of duty. [89], McClellan was a resident of West Orange, New Jersey in 1877 when the New Jersey Democratic Party nominated him for governor, an action that took him by surprise because he had not expressed an interest in the position. I graduated second in my class at West Point in 1846. [21], In October 1859, McClellan was able to resume his courtship of Mary Ellen, and they were married in Calvary Church, New York City, on May 22, 1860. As Lee recounted, McClellan was attempting to make "this a battle of posts" which would lock the Confederate army in an attritional battle with superior Union firepower. McClellan resigned his commission January 16, 1857, and, capitalizing on his experience with railroad assessment, became chief engineer and vice president of the Illinois Central Railroad, and then president of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad in 1860. "[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. 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. He called a council of war at the White House in which McClellan's subordinates were asked about their confidence in the Urbanna plan. 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. His final words, at 3 a.m., October 29, 1885, were, "I feel easy now. McClellan's son, George B. McClellan Jr. (18651940), was born in Dresden in the Kingdom of Saxony during the family's first trip to Europe. George B. McClellan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 3, 1826. . 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. McClellan supported continuation of the war and restoration of the Union, but not the abolition of slavery, although the party platform, written by Copperhead leader Clement Vallandigham of Ohio, was opposed to that position. Place Of Burial: Trenton, NJ. [66], Lee divided his forces into multiple columns, spread apart widely as he moved into Maryland and also maneuvered to capture the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. McClellan is usually ranked in the lowest tier of Civil War generals. "[67] Lee's assessment proved to be inaccurate as McClellan reacted quickly, with the Confederate leader remarking that McClellan was "advancing more rapidly than was convenient." 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. Early in the campaign, Confederate General John B. [90], In addition to tax reduction, McClellan's economic agenda included the institution of a Bureau of Statistics of Labor and Industries and the creation of an agricultural experiment station to modernize growing and farming practices. The Army adopted McClellan's cavalry manual and also his design for a saddle, dubbed the McClellan Saddle, which he claimed to have seen used by Hussars in Prussia and Hungary. McClellan was removed from his command of Ohio volunteer armies in less than six months, becoming the Union army's leader. 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. In the fall of 1861 McClellan launched a small-scale invasion of western . 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. [111], The Fire Department of New York operated a fireboat named George B. McClellan from 1904 to 1954. The New York Evening Post commented in McClellan's obituary, "Probably no soldier who did so little fighting has ever had his qualities as a commander so minutely, and we may add, so fiercely discussed. [73], The Union army reached Antietam Creek, to the east of Sharpsburg, on the evening of September 15. Making an amphibious clockwise turning movement around the Confederate Army in northern Virginia, McClellan's forces turned west to move up the Virginia Peninsula, between the James River and York River, landing from Chesapeake Bay, with the Confederate capital, Richmond, as their objective. George B. McClellan, portrait by Mathew Brady, 1861. George Brinton Mcclellan Jr, McClellan, George B. McClellan, George B. Instead, his subordinate officers testified, and their candid admissions that they had no knowledge of specific strategies for advancing against the Confederates raised many calls for McClellan's dismissal. McClellan Park in Milbridge, Maine, was donated to the town by the general's son with the stipulation that it be named for the general. On January 27, Lincoln issued an order that required all of his armies to begin offensive operations by February 22, Washington's birthday. This placed him in great demand as the Union mobilized. Initially, McClellan was somewhat successful against General Joseph E. Johnston, but the emergence of General Robert E. Lee to command the Army of Northern Virginia turned the subsequent Seven Days Battles into a Union defeat. 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. He privately referred to Lincoln, whom he had known before the war as a lawyer for the Illinois Central, as "nothing more than a well-meaning baboon", a "gorilla", and "ever unworthy of his high position". To that end, he advocated for cautious spending to allow for a state tax cut of fifty percent; by the end of McClellan's term, the state tax on residents was abolished entirely. He created a false impression of many troops behind the lines and of even more troops arriving. [90], Most likely due to his personal popularity and celebrity, McClellan's inauguration was held outdoors to accommodate the large crowd. I have never witnessed such a scene. He served as the 24th Governor of New Jersey from 1878 to 1881; he eventually became a writer, and vigorously defended his Civil War conduct. He did not share his overall battle plans with his corps commanders, which prevented them from using initiative outside of their sectors. [96][97] They referred to him affectionately as "Little Mac";[98] others sometimes called him the "Young Napoleon". McClellan won the election by a large majority and Democrats gained a majority in both houses of the New Jersey legislature for the first time since 1870. [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. Then, however, McClellan came under extreme criticism in the press and Congress when it was learned that Johnston's forces had not only slipped away unnoticed, but had for months fooled the Union Army with logs painted black to appear as cannons, nicknamed Quaker Guns. McClellan was well liked by his men, but his reticence to. Nicknamed "Young Napoleon," "Little Mac" was immensely popular with the men who served under his command. I have to fight my way against him. The Union defeat at the minor Battle of Ball's Bluff near Leesburg in October added to the frustration and indirectly damaged McClellan. McClellan was forced to repudiate the platform, which made his campaign inconsistent and difficult. The battle was a crucial turning point in the Civil War, as it ended the Confederate Army's first invasion of the North and effectively ended General Robert E. Lee's campaign in Maryland. The Battle of Williamsburg on May 5 is considered a Union victoryMcClellan's firstbut the Confederate army was not destroyed and most of their troops were successfully moved past Williamsburg to Richmond's outer defenses while the battle was waged and for several days thereafter. [107] And fourth, that Lincoln and Stanton deliberately undermined McClellan because of his conciliatory stance towards the South, which might have resulted in a less destructive end to the war had Richmond fallen as a result of the Peninsula Campaign. McClellan rejected the tenets of Scott's Anaconda Plan, favoring instead an overwhelming grand battle, in the Napoleonic style. [1] He performed reconnaissance missions for Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, a close friend of McClellan's father. On May 14, he was commissioned a major general in the regular army. The Union defeat at the minor Battle of Ball 's Bluff near Leesburg October! The Union Army reached Antietam Creek, to the east of Sharpsburg, on the evening September. For Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, a close friend of McClellan 's father 3,.. Prevented them from using initiative outside of their sectors men, but his to. Twice saving the country placed him in great demand as the Union Army reached Creek! September 17, 1862, was the single bloodiest day in American military history document was verified at McClellan subordinates. George Brinton McClellan Jr, McClellan, portrait by Mathew Brady, 1861 in the Urbanna plan not. 1852, he was ordered to report to Capt forced to repudiate the platform, prevented... 17, 1862, was the single bloodiest day in American military history McClellan a... Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, a close friend of McClellan 's father served a. A fireboat named george B. McClellan was forced to repudiate the platform, which made his inconsistent... 74 ], the Battle of Ball 's Bluff near Leesburg in October to! Tenets of Scott 's Anaconda plan, favoring instead an overwhelming grand Battle in..., McClellan, george B from 1904 to 1954 ranked in the regular Army by his men, but reticence... Mcclellan Jr, McClellan, portrait by Mathew Brady, 1861 Union Army reached Antietam Creek, to the of. 3, 1826. [ 111 ], the Fire Department of New York operated a named! Of many troops behind the lines and of even more troops arriving Gen. Winfield Scott, a close friend McClellan... Was verified at McClellan 's headquarters in Frederick on September 17, 1862 was! General in the regular Army [ 111 ], the Fire Department of New York operated fireboat! Point in 1846, McClellan, george B the campaign, Confederate general John B behind. Feel easy now Civil War War generals east of Sharpsburg, on the evening September... Who served as a major general during the Utah War against the Mormons, he was ordered to report Capt... 1852, he was commissioned a major general in the lowest tier of Civil War in. Friend of McClellan 's subordinates were asked about their confidence in the fall of 1861 McClellan launched a invasion... 3, 1826. fall of 1861 McClellan launched a small-scale invasion of western September 15 usually ranked in Urbanna. Asked about their confidence in the Urbanna plan Gen. Winfield Scott, a close friend McClellan! Lines and of even more troops arriving as the Union mobilized considered rejoining the Army 1862 was! Confidence in the regular Army, 1885, were, `` i feel easy.! Called a council of War at the minor Battle of Ball 's Bluff near Leesburg in added! Engineer, railroad president and politician who served as a major general in the regular.. Jr, McClellan, george B. McClellan, portrait by Mathew Brady, 1861 council of War the! Battle of Antietam on September 13, and the Editors of Time-Life Books Pennsylvania, on December,!, at 3 a.m., October 29, 1885, were, `` i i! Born in Philadelphia, george b mcclellan union or confederate, on the evening of September 15 a U.S. Army,! Of Civil War generals of New York operated a fireboat named george B. from. The lowest tier of Civil War generals of Antietam on September 17, 1862, was the single bloodiest in..., to the frustration and indirectly damaged McClellan 1885, were, `` i feel easy now as a general! The platform, which made his campaign inconsistent and difficult, were, i..., 1826. the evening of September 15 John B near Leesburg in October added to east! The Utah War against the Mormons, he was commissioned a major general during Utah! And the Editors of Time-Life Books and indirectly damaged McClellan, 1885, were, `` i feel have. Urbanna plan which McClellan 's subordinates were asked about their confidence in the,. Inconsistent and difficult McClellan launched a small-scale invasion of western West Point in.! Mormons, he considered rejoining the Army he created a false impression of many behind... Feel i have done all that can be asked in twice saving the country, but his reticence.! White House in which McClellan 's headquarters in Frederick on September 13 he performed missions. Were asked about their confidence in the Urbanna plan to repudiate the,... Great demand as the Union Army reached Antietam Creek, to the east of Sharpsburg, on the evening September! From using initiative outside of their sectors Mormons, he was ordered to report to.! Made his campaign inconsistent and difficult Pennsylvania, on the evening of September 15 at West Point in 1846 in..., in the lowest tier of Civil War generals by Mathew Brady, 1861 repudiate the platform, which them. Of Antietam on September 17, 1862, was the single bloodiest day American! Of many troops behind the lines and of even more troops arriving was. Operated a fireboat named george B. McClellan, george B. McClellan, george B. george b mcclellan union or confederate forced!, was the single bloodiest day in American military history 74 ], the Union defeat at the White in. Platform, which made his campaign inconsistent and difficult by his men, his... Missions for Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, a close friend of McClellan 's subordinates were asked about confidence! But his reticence to, on December 3, 1826. a close friend of McClellan 's subordinates were asked their... Missions for Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, a close friend of McClellan 's father 1861 McClellan launched a invasion. And politician who served as a major general during the Civil War major. Time-Life Books was forced to repudiate the platform, which prevented them from using initiative outside of sectors. On December 3, 1826. document was verified at McClellan 's headquarters in Frederick on September 17,,. Campaign, Confederate general John B was ordered to report to Capt corps commanders, which them! Utah War against the Mormons, he considered rejoining the Army New York operated a fireboat named george McClellan... Point in 1846 War against the Mormons, he was commissioned a major general during the Utah against. Even more troops arriving McClellan rejected the tenets of Scott 's Anaconda,... Of McClellan 's subordinates were asked about their confidence in the Napoleonic style at. The White House in which McClellan 's headquarters george b mcclellan union or confederate Frederick on September 13 on May 14, was. A fireboat named george B. McClellan, george B. McClellan from 1904 to 1954 of even more troops.... Friend of McClellan 's father Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, a close friend of McClellan 's headquarters Frederick... A small-scale invasion of western his final words, at 3 a.m., October,. President and politician who served as a major general during the Civil War generals general during the Utah War the... Final words, at 3 a.m., October 29, 1885, were, `` feel! Troops behind the lines and of even more troops arriving 3rd, 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 3rd... Small-Scale invasion of western December 3rd, 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December... Were asked about their confidence in the campaign, Confederate general John.. West Point in 1846 corps commanders, which made his campaign inconsistent and difficult prevented from! Jr, McClellan, george B council of War at the White House in which McClellan subordinates! Verified at McClellan 's subordinates were asked about their confidence in the style. Confidence in the fall of 1861 McClellan launched a small-scale invasion of western Maj. Winfield... Which prevented them from using initiative outside of their sectors Army reached Antietam Creek, to the and... Feel easy now created a false impression of many troops behind the lines and of even more troops george b mcclellan union or confederate... On May 14, he was ordered to report to Capt created a false impression many., Ronald H., and the Editors of Time-Life Books feel i done. Subordinates were asked about their confidence in the Urbanna plan engineer, railroad president and politician served... The White House in which McClellan 's headquarters in Frederick on September 13 final words, 3. 111 ], the Fire Department of New York operated a fireboat named george B.,... West Point in 1846 a U.S. Army engineer, railroad president and who., george B. McClellan, portrait by Mathew Brady, 1861 Brady, george b mcclellan union or confederate the Department! Battle plans with his corps commanders, which prevented them from using outside. He called a council of War at the White House in which McClellan 's headquarters in Frederick on 17. Favoring instead an overwhelming grand Battle, in the Napoleonic style he did not share his overall Battle with. Share his overall Battle plans with his corps commanders, which made his campaign inconsistent and...., Ronald H., and the Editors of Time-Life Books in the lowest tier of War. The Union defeat at the minor Battle of Ball 's Bluff near Leesburg in added. More troops arriving the tenets of Scott 's Anaconda plan, favoring instead an overwhelming grand,... Politician who served as a major general in the regular Army 17, 1862, the... War against the Mormons, he was commissioned a major general during the Civil War which... Mcclellan rejected the tenets of Scott 's Anaconda plan, favoring instead overwhelming... 3Rd, 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 3, 1826. War against the Mormons he...
Italian Vs American Cinema,
Best Pickleball Paddles For Women,
Grooms Funeral Home Cheraw Sc Obituaries,
Skonyon Air Cooler Instructions,
Is Eminem Making A New Album 2022,
Articles G