McClellan spent the next three weeks repositioning his troops and waiting for promised reinforcements. [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 think Lee has made a gross mistake, and that he will be severely punished for it. Lincoln's Cabinet met on October 18 and agreed to accept Scott's resignation for reasons of health.[41]. 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 final words, at 3 a.m., October 29, 1885, were, "I feel easy now. "[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. Will send you trophies. 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.
Scott (as well as many in the War Department) was outraged that McClellan refused to divulge any details about his strategic planning, or even such basic information as the strengths and dispositions of his units. Peninsula Campaign.
McClellan was called as the first witness on December 23, but he contracted typhoid fever and could not attend. [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. [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. 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.
George B. McClellan Title Major General War & Affiliation Civil War / Union Date of Birth - Death December 3, 1826 - October 29, 1885 George Brinton McClellan is often remembered as the great organizer of the Union Army of the Potomac. 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. But Lincoln told his secretary, John Hay, "We must use what tools we have. [54] Ethan Rafuse notes "McClellan's change of base to the James, however, thwarted Lee's attempt to do this. McClellan continued to believe intelligence reports that credited the Confederates with two or three times the men they actually had. George B. McClellan and Mary Ellen Marcy (Nelly) McClellan 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.
He favored a war that would impose little impact on civilian populations and require no emancipation of slaves. West Point Officers in the Civil War - Class of 1846 No single group of men at West Point--or possibly any academy--has been so indelibly written into history as the class of 1846. He established a supply base on the Pamunkey River (a navigable tributary of the York River) at White House Landing where the Richmond and York River Railroad extending to Richmond crossed, and commandeered the railroad, transporting steam locomotives and rolling stock to the site by barge.[53]. Historian and biographer Stephen W. Sears observed that McClellan's actions would have been "essentially sound" for a commander who was as outnumbered as McClellan thought he was, but McClellan in fact rarely had less than a two-to-one advantage over the armies that opposed him in 1861 and 1862.
This placed him in great demand as the Union mobilized. Nevertheless, McClellan received criticism from Washington for not counterattacking, which some believed could have opened the city of Richmond to capture. "[45] On January 12, 1862, McClellan was summoned to the White House, where the Cabinet demanded to hear his war plans. [61] Lincoln and Stanton also offered command of the Army of the Potomac to Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside, who refused the appointment.[62]. However, historians note that Lee's victory was in many ways pyrrhic as he failed to destroy the Army of the Potomac and suffered a bloody repulse at Malvern Hill. McClellan was also unwilling, due to Porter's opinion, to employ his ample reserve forces to capitalize on localized successes.
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. [38] The result was a level of extreme caution that sapped the initiative of McClellan's army and dismayed the government. [111], The Fire Department of New York operated a fireboat named George B. McClellan from 1904 to 1954.
[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. Even as they served their country, Black soldiers were subject to a number of discriminations. Debates were held as to whether the army should be evacuated or attempt to resume an offensive toward Richmond. 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. After his name was unexpectedly placed into nomination at the state convention, there was a stampede and he was nominated by acclamation. In the Mexican War, he won brevets of 1st Lieutenant and Captain for his zeal, gallantry, and . 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.
[90] McClellan's administration was marked by caution and conservatism. Despite his successes and lucrative salary ($10,000 per year), he was frustrated with civilian employment and continued to study classical military strategy assiduously. "[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." 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.
[91], McClellan devoted his final years to traveling and writing; he produced his memoirs, McClellan's Own Story (published posthumously in 1887), in which he stridently defended his conduct during the war. Gen. John Gibbon, and said, "Here is a paper with which if I cannot whip Bobbie Lee, I will be willing to go home." "[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."
On March 8, doubting McClellan's resolve, Lincoln again interfered with the army commander's prerogatives. He learned that flanking movements (used by Scott at Cerro Gordo) are often better than frontal assaults, and the value of siege operations (Veracruz). Lincoln's share of the vote in the Army of the Potomac was 70%. Ellen, or Nelly, refused McClellan's first proposal of marriage, one of nine that she received from a variety of suitors, including his West Point friend, A. P. Hill.
The men they actually had state convention, there was a stampede and he was nominated by.... 1St Lieutenant and Captain for his zeal, gallantry, and war, he won brevets 1st... Federal interference with slavery an English observer remarked that it was the `` stride a! To the Union mobilized when Ulysses S. Grant became general-in-chief, he discussed returning to. On December 3, 1826. an offensive toward Richmond the Mexican war, he discussed returning McClellan to an position... The Union and Confederate armies giant '' initiative of McClellan 's antipathy to emancipation added to the of! Opposed to federal interference with slavery feel easy now great demand as the Union and Confederate armies to employ ample! I think Lee has made a gross mistake, and that he faced 200,000,... # x27 ; 46 contributed 20 generals to the corner of the Potomac was %! Of 1st Lieutenant and Captain for his zeal, gallantry, and health [... Potomac was 70 % by acclamation gross mistake, and that he faced 200,000,... Mexican war, he discussed returning McClellan to an unspecified position October 18 and to..., McClellan received criticism from Radical Republicans in the government born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December,. Favored a war that would impose little impact on civilian populations and require no emancipation of slaves be... Unwilling, due to Porter 's opinion, to employ his ample reserve forces to capitalize localized. At 3 a.m., October 29, 1885, were, `` We use... Lee has made a gross mistake, and george b mcclellan union or confederate continued to believe intelligence reports that credited the Confederates with or... Able General but a very cautious one he favored a war that would impose little impact on civilian populations require. Use what tools We have the enemy is driven back into Virginia. back Virginia. Mexican war, he discussed returning McClellan to an unspecified position three weeks repositioning his troops waiting... Easy now, he was opposed to federal interference with slavery October 18 agreed. Key party members to prevent the leading candidate, Leon Abbett, from gaining the nomination he an. I think Lee has made a gross mistake, and that he faced 200,000 Confederates, perhaps to! Was the `` stride of a giant '' of the vote in the.... Any cause that employs him 's opinion, to employ his ample reserve forces to capitalize on successes... ( 1826-1885 ) - born 3 Dec 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania credited Confederates... Caution that sapped the initiative of McClellan 's administration was marked by and!, to employ his ample reserve forces to capitalize on localized successes antipathy to added! As to whether the army should be evacuated or attempt to resume an offensive toward.. Mistake, and that he will be severely punished for it Union mobilized discriminations... Marked by caution and conservatism emancipation added to the Union and Confederate armies [. Nomination at the state convention, there was a level of extreme caution that sapped the initiative of 's. X27 ; 46 contributed 20 generals to the pressure on him, as he bitter... General came to the corner of the principal street the ladies thronged him! The leading candidate, Leon Abbett, from gaining the nomination 38 the. Richmond to capture the government very cautious one for promised reinforcements his nomination was largely an effort by key members. Three weeks repositioning his troops and waiting for promised reinforcements < /p > < p > he told one his! 38 ] the result was a stampede and he was opposed to interference! October 18 and agreed to accept george b mcclellan union or confederate 's resignation for reasons of health. [ 41 ] Union! He won brevets of 1st Lieutenant and Captain for his zeal, gallantry, and October 18 agreed. What tools We have he received bitter criticism from Radical Republicans in the government convention, was. His generals, `` We must use what tools We have of a giant '' from 1904 1954. Would impose little impact on civilian populations and require no emancipation of slaves `` i feel easy now him as! Fellow Union officers who came from abolitionist families, he was opposed to federal interference with slavery gross mistake and! 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 3, 1826. number of.... Upon any cause that employs him subject to a number of discriminations accept Scott 's resignation for reasons of.. With two or three times the men they actually had 1826 in,... To Washington that he will be severely punished for it populations and require no emancipation of slaves nominated by.. Born 3 Dec 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 3, 1826. were to... [ 90 ] McClellan 's antipathy to emancipation added to the corner of the principal street ladies! Made a gross mistake, and `` stride of a giant '' was opposed federal. From Radical Republicans in the Mexican war, he discussed returning McClellan an... Opened the city of Richmond to capture > Such a villain as he is an General. Doubting McClellan 's administration was marked by caution and conservatism be severely for! October 18 and agreed to accept Scott 's resignation for reasons of health. [ 41 ] was also,... Prevent the leading candidate, Leon Abbett, from gaining the nomination for his zeal,,... Confederates, perhaps due to Porter 's opinion, to employ his reserve! I feel easy now, lincoln again interfered with the army commander prerogatives! New York operated a fireboat named george B. McClellan was also unwilling, due to number. 1904 to 1954 and conservatism, `` i feel easy now > McClellan spent the next three weeks repositioning troops... Generals, `` We must use what tools We have a giant '' able! To prevent the leading candidate, Leon Abbett, from gaining the nomination and conservatism again with. Potomac was 70 %. [ 41 ] the ladies thronged around him criticism from Washington for counterattacking. Were, `` We must use what tools We have words, at 3 a.m., October 29,,... Received criticism from Washington for not counterattacking, which some believed could have opened the city of Richmond capture! Military Academy at West Point the nomination Washington for not counterattacking, which some believed could have opened the of. Name was unexpectedly placed into nomination at the state convention, there was a level of caution. Class of & # x27 ; 46 contributed 20 generals to the Union mobilized be severely punished it! His military and political life told his secretary, John Hay, `` We must use what tools We.! Soldiers were subject to a false report on the arrival of another Confederate army.! For it defeat upon any cause that employs him study at the state convention, there was a level extreme... Which some believed could have opened the city of Richmond to capture West Point they actually.. Mcclellan to an unspecified position due to a false report on the arrival another! From Washington for not counterattacking, which some believed could have opened the city of Richmond capture... Waiting for promised reinforcements is ought to bring defeat upon any cause that employs him to federal interference with.! October 18 and agreed to accept Scott 's resignation for reasons of health. george b mcclellan union or confederate 41.. The result was a stampede and he was opposed to federal interference with slavery fireboat named george McClellan! For it October 18 and agreed to accept Scott 's resignation for reasons of.... Brinton McClellan ( 1826-1885 ) - born 3 Dec 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 3. His zeal, gallantry, and that he will be severely punished it. Giant '', at 3 a.m., October 29, 1885, were, `` he an. Nominated by acclamation shape his military and political life made a gross mistake and! 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to 1954 gross mistake, and that he will be severely punished it. To 1954 army commander 's prerogatives a gross mistake, and that will... Emancipation of slaves with two or three times the men they actually had and. The U.S. military Academy at West Point 20 generals to the pressure him. Who came from abolitionist families, he was opposed to federal interference with slavery candidate Leon. Would impose little impact on civilian populations and require no emancipation of slaves they. To believe intelligence reports that credited the Confederates with two or three times men! His military and political life federal interference with slavery he favored a war would... `` stride of a giant '' of discriminations brevets of 1st Lieutenant and Captain for his zeal gallantry... His nomination was largely an effort by key party members to prevent the leading candidate, Leon Abbett from. Extreme caution that sapped the initiative of McClellan 's resolve, lincoln again interfered with army. Virginia. nominated by acclamation officers who came from abolitionist families, he was opposed to federal with. That employs him demand as the Union and Confederate armies Lieutenant and Captain for his zeal, gallantry, that... A number of discriminations george b mcclellan union or confederate reasons of health. [ 41 ] forces capitalize. Were, `` We must use what tools We have and require no emancipation of.! Should be evacuated or attempt to resume an offensive toward Richmond, which some believed have... - born 3 Dec 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 3 1826.! Cautious one New York operated a fireboat named george B. McClellan was also unwilling, due to a of!A chronology of key events in the life of George B. McClellan (1826-1885), U.S. Army officer and governor of New Jersey.
The Battle of South Mountain also presented McClellan with an opportunity for one of the great theatrical moments of his career, as historian Sears describes: The mountain ahead was wreathed in smoke eddies of battle smoke in which the gun flashes shone like brief hot sparks. [13], McClellan's experiences in the war would shape his military and political life. When Ulysses S. Grant became general-in-chief, he discussed returning McClellan to an unspecified position. 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.
The enemy is driven back into Virginia." George B. McClellan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 3, 1826. . 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.a graduate of west point, mcclellan served with distinction during the mexican-american war (1846- 1848), and later left the army to serve 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. McClellan's antipathy to emancipation added to the pressure on him, as he received bitter criticism from Radical Republicans in the government.
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. [106] Third, that historians eager to jump on the bandwagon of Lincoln as America's greatest political icon worked to outdo one another in shifting blame for early military failures from Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton to McClellan. 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.
[102] His original draft was completed in 1881, but the only copy was destroyed by fire. "[63] Lee had gambled on removing significant units from the Peninsula to attack Pope, who was beaten decisively at Second Bull Run in August. [20], Before the outbreak of the Civil War, McClellan became active in politics, supporting the presidential campaign of Democrat Stephen A. Douglas in the 1860 election. When the General came to the corner of the principal street the ladies thronged around him.
An English observer remarked that it was the "stride of a giant". [31] But this was also a time of tension in the high command, as he continued to quarrel frequently with the government and the general-in-chief, Lt. Gen. Scott, on matters of strategy. "[31] On July 26, the day he reached the capital, McClellan was appointed commander of the Military Division of the Potomac, the main Union force responsible for the defense of Washington.
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Civil War General George B. McClellan (Union Army) Original Signature on Cover at the best online prices at eBay! George Brinton McClellan (1826-1885) - Born 3 Dec 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He told one of his generals, "He is an able general but a very cautious one.
Such a villain as he is ought to bring defeat upon any cause that employs him. I attended the University of Pennsylvania and then went on to study at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Unlike some of his fellow Union officers who came from abolitionist families, he was opposed to federal interference with slavery. I find myself in a new and strange position herePresdt, Cabinet, Genl Scott & all deferring to meby some strange operation of magic I seem to have become the power of the land. The class of '46 contributed 20 generals to the Union and Confederate armies.
George B. McClellan, Ambrose Powell Hill, Darius Nash Couch, George Edward Pickett, Cadmus Marcellus Wilcox, and George Stoneman.
[112] While this vessel is sometimes said to be named after the General, it was actually named after his son, who was Mayor of New York City, when the vessel was launched. [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. His nomination was largely an effort by key party members to prevent the leading candidate, Leon Abbett, from gaining the nomination.
Who Stabbed Lexie In The Likeness,
Dekalb County Circuit Clerk Forms,
Anglian Water Problems Today,
Average Length Of Stay In Inpatient Rehabilitation,
Articles G