George Brinton McClellan
Born December 3 1826, Philadelphia PA
Died October 29 1885, Orange NJ
Pre-War Profession Graduated West Point 1846, duty in Engineers,
Mexican war, constructed forts and harbors, instructor at West Point, observer
in Crimean War, saddle designer, resigned US Army 1857, railroad executive.
War Service April 1861 Maj. Gen. of Ohio volunteers, commanded
Dept. of the Ohio, Rich Mountain, Corrick's Ford, May 1861 Maj. Gen. in
Regular Army, commanded Army of the Potomac, appointed general-in-chief
November 1861, Peninsula campaign, Seven Days, his army was given by Lincoln
to Pope, returned after Second Bull Run, Antietam campaign, relieved of
active duty, unsuccessful Democratic presidential candidate in 1864.
Post War Career Civil engineer, businessman, author, governor
of New Jersey.
Notes Organized the Army of the Potomac brilliantly, but
was reluctant to use it to fight.
Here
is a transcript of a letter General McClellan wrote to President
Abraham Lincoln
dated 7 July 1862
Further reading
Hassler, Warren W General George B. McClellan, shield of the
Union Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University Press, 1957
Myers, William Starr General George Brinton McClellan : a study
in personality New York, Appleton-Century, 1934
Sears, Stephen W George B. McClellan : the young Napoleon
New York, Ticknor & Fields, 1988
The life, campaigns and public services of General McClellan
(George B. McClellan), the hero of western Virginia! Mountain! and Atietam!
Philadelphia, T. B. Peterson, 1864
(Sources: The
American Civil War Homepage)