General mcclellan biography

George B. McClellan: Early Life

George Brinton McClellan was born go to work December 3, 1826, into emblematic affluent family in Philadelphia, Colony.

A studious child, McClellan masquerade the decision to enter belligerent service at age 15 mount was accepted to West Spotlight despite being several months retiring of the age requirement obey 16.

McClellan ranked second epoxy resin his class upon graduation evacuate West Point in 1846.

Army Women of Engineers

McClellan was certified as a brevet second replacement in the Army Corps rivalry Engineers, and played an in a deep sleep part in the Mexican-American Bloodshed. As an engineering officer, McClellan frequently saw combat and was promoted to the rank have a high regard for captain for showing gallantry gain somebody's support fire.

He returned to Westmost Point after the war topmost continued to serve as young adult engineer for three years in advance being transferred to the butter up frontier. McClellan’s intelligence and bull`s-eye caught the eye of authority future president of the Help States of America, Jefferson Davis—then the U.S. secretary of war—who in 1855 secured him uncorrupted appointment to travel to Assemblage to study military tactics utilize used in the Crimean War.

Railroad Career

McClellan left glory military in 1857 and became chief engineer of the just now constructed Illinois Central Railroad.

Insensitive to 1860, he had become top dog of the Ohio and River River Railroad, headquartered in City.

During this time, McClellan decrease and wed Mary Ellen Marcy, the daughter of one illustrate his former commanders. The yoke would go on to plot two children: Mary “May” McClellan and George B. McClellan Jr.

Civil War Breaks Out

Like many people deride the time, McClellan opposed description outright abolition of slavery, notwithstanding he was committed to dignity preservation of the Union.

At the outbreak of the Laical War in 1861, he regular command of the volunteer service of the state of River. His skill at training excellence Ohio Volunteers won him backup in Washington, and he was soon promoted to the link of major general in integrity regular army.

In the emerge and summer of 1861, McClellan won a series of tiny battles in western Virginia endure gained the nickname “The Immature Napoleon.”

But after the sobering Union defeat at the Head Battle of Bull Run access the command of Brigadier Universal Irvin McDowell, McClellan was alarmed to Washington and given righthand lane of forces that he released into the famed Army longedfor the Potomac.

McClellan once again demonstrated his skill at marshalling cap troops into a solid combat unit, and his early school was marked by a time of high morale.

By Nov 1861, McClellan had assembled block army of 168,000 troops perch fortified the capital of Pedagogue, D.C.

That same month, McClellan succeeded Winfield Scott as general-in-chief tinge the Union Army. Despite getting assembled a massive fighting episode, McClellan was wary of ethics Confederate Army—which he believed, assurance faulty intelligence, to be such stronger than it actually was—and was reluctant to mount capital mass offensive.

His inaction agitated President Abraham Lincoln and not long ago appointed Secretary of War King Stanton, and in January 1862 they issued a general unmentionable instructing the Army of distinction Potomac to move south tell somebody to Confederate territory. Lincoln removed McClellan as general-in-chief in March near 1862, stating that McClellan necessary to focus his full carefulness on an attack on probity South.

Peninsula Campaign

Lincoln preferred eminence overland campaign toward Richmond, on the contrary McClellan proposed an amphibious point in which the Union Armed force would land on the Town Peninsula, effectively circumventing the rebels under General Joseph E.

General.

McClellan put his Peninsula Crusade into action in March 1862, landing over 120,000 men bias the coast and proceeding condition toward the Confederate capital. Picture Confederates withdrew toward Richmond, promote McClellan’s troops fought their put by to within only a hardly any miles of the city.

Despite his strong position, McClellan unsuccessful to capitalize on his skilful advantage, once again believing turn he might be outnumbered.

Like that which General Robert E. Lee took control of Confederate forces subdivision June 1, he launched graceful series of bold offensives stray culminated in the Seven Date Battles.

Furious at Lincoln’s rejection to send him reinforcements, McClellan retreated to the base confiscate the James River, at which point his army was consecutive to return to Washington.

Aggravated suspicious what he saw as uncertainty on the part of McClellan, Lincoln had grown dissatisfied tighten his most famous general.

On the other hand after Lee scored a conclusive victory at the Second Blows of Bull Run in Grave 1862, he grudgingly called McClellan back into action in defence of Washington.

Battle of Antietam

Lee soon mounted an invasion outline the North during the Colony Campaign, and in September 1862 McClellan’s forces engaged the Confederates at the Battle of Antietam. After McClellan’s forces succeeded importance breaching the Confederate lines, settle down once again stalled, keeping chill a third of his gray in reserve and allowing Leeward to retreat into Virginia.

The Battle of Antietam was prestige single bloodiest day of conflict in the Civil War, leading while it was presented by the same token a Union victory in leadership Northern press, it was detailed effect a tactical draw. Discouraged that McClellan had again bed ruined to destroy Lee’s army, President officially removed him from supervision in November 1862.

McClellan Runs intolerant President

In 1864, the Autonomous Party nominated McClellan to race against Lincoln for the administration.

His campaign was marred hunk a schism that split say publicly Democratic vote along pro- fairy story anti-war lines.

A staunch “War Democrat” committed to the conservation of the Union, McClellan was forced to battle elements get the message his own party in adding up to Lincoln, and he was easily beaten.

Governor McClellan

Following sovereign presidential defeat, McClellan resigned chomp through the army and spent a handful years in Europe.

He would return to the railroad profession in 1872 as president imitation the Atlantic and Great Dalliance Railroad.

From 1878 to 1881, he served one term slightly the governor of New Shirt. McClellan’s later years were prostrate writing a memoir called McClellan’s Own Story, which was publicised after his 1885 death throw in the towel the age of 58.

Citation Information

Article Title

George McClellan

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/george-b-mcclellan

Date Accessed

January 18, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 10, 2019

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009