George McClellan

George Brinton McClellan (born the December 3rd 1826 with Philadelphia and deceased the October 29th 1885 with Orange in the New Jersey) is a Major general of the American Civil War, candidate democratic with the presidential election of the the United States of 1864 then governor of the New Jersey.

Beginning of career

Born in Philadelphia, McClellan began her studies with the Université of Pennsylvania before joining West Point in 1842 of which it leaves second the promotion of 1846 (this promotion will offer in all 20 generals to the armies of the Union and the Confederation). It is named 2nd lieutenant in the body of the engineers and takes part in the war against Mexico where it gains his gallons of captain, then it spends 3 years as instructor to West Point before being transferred in the cavalry.

In company of other officers, it is sent in Europe during the Crimean War like observer. Of this experiment, it will make develop a new model of saddle known under the name of McClellan saddle (according to a model used, in Prussia and Hungary) which will become the standard version of the equipment of the army until the withdrawal of the cavalry in 1942. During the seat of Sébastopol, he sees for the first time a body of Zouave in action. Impressed, it brings back with him a costume of this body which will be used thereafter as model to equip the various bodies create during the war.

The January 16th 1857, it leaves the army to become engineer chief of a company of Railroad of the Illinois where it at the time of working with a lawyer named Abraham Lincoln. At the beginning of the American Civil War, he lives with his wife, Ellen Marcy (which he married the May 22nd 1861 with New York) in the Ohio, where he is president of the local division of the company Ohio and the Mississippi Railroad .

The American Civil War

Virginia and supreme command

To the release of the war in 1861, George McClellan turns over under the flags with the title of commander of the Milice of Ohio. Its orders indicate to him to occupy the western part of the Virginia eager to remain in the Union and which will become the State of the Virginia-Western thereafter. At the time of this occupation, it fights victoriously against two small confederated armies and becomes a local hero.

After the defeat of the forces of the Union to the First battle of Bull Run, president Lincoln names, the July 26th, McClellan ordering of the Armée with Potomac, the principal army of the Union stationed around Washington. Excel organizing and equipped with a strong personal magnetism, it brings to this army an high degree of organization and, in reward, becomes on November 1st 1861 general-in-chief of all the armies of the Union after the withdrawal of the general Winfield Scott.

At this station, it causes strong reactions of impatience in front of its systematic refusal to pass to the offensive, applicant who the troops are not yet ready with the combat. To the beginning of 1862, the president himself leads it with the attack and, with certain hesitations, accepts its plan aiming at advancing on Richmond since south-east after having unloaded with Fort Monroe in Virginia. This countryside is known under the name of Peninsula Campaign .

Finally, although he played a big role in the installation of an army trained and organized for the Union, McClellan is relieved of her station of general-in-chief in front of the questioning of her competences of command in combat and the charges of incompetence and excess of prudence. It misses the dash of Lee, Grant or Sherman, all loans to carry out a major battle even if all the preparations are not finished. It also seems that he never carried out the need to preserve the confidence of president Lincoln who leaves him however the command of the army of Potomac.

Maryland and defense against Lee

After the armies of the Union arrived a few kilometres from Richmond, Robert Lee engages a series of counter-attacks known under the name of Bataille Seven Days of which the goal was to destroy the army of Potomac completely. Although this goal is only partially reached, McClellan is forced to withdraw itself. In a telegram bringing back these events, McClellan shows Lincoln to voluntarily sacrifice her army. This comment will never be read by the president because censured by the department of the war.

Lee obtains a spectacular victory over the army of Virginia at the time of the Second battle of Bull Run then continues its effort in the Maryland. The chance discovery of a copy of the orders of Lee dividing its forces could have carried a fatal blow to him, but, at the time of the Bataille of Antietam, McClellan cannot exploit her victory completely by keeping a too important force in reserve.

After the battle, whereas Lee makes retirement in Virginia, McClellan does not continue it rather aggressively. It is then raised of its command, is replaced by his friend Ambrose Burnside and is returned in its hearth to await a new assignment which will never come.

Command

McClellan is generally credited with very good relationships with her soldiers who call it affectionately Little Mac or Young Napoleon . Certain historians advance that its reserves to engage its troops partially of its desire had just preserved the men at the point sometimes to make it pass beside decisive victories which could have finished the war much more quickly and thus to save men died at the time of future battles.

Another criticism which is addressed to him is its practice to be held very far away from the battle field during engagements. For example, during the seven days, it remains in withdrawal in the north of the Chickahominy river. In the same way, at the time of the battle of Malvern Hill, it installs her general headquarter on a ship, the U.S.S. Galena, stationed several kilometers in withdrawal.

Return to the civil life

In 1864, McClellan is elected like democratic candidate with the presidential election. Enthusiastic defender of the war, it must face an important fringe of his own party which opposes it. This division, added to the unit of the republican S and to military successes of 1864 ensures an easy re-election of Lincoln. However, of 1878 with 1881, McClellan is elected governor of the New Jersey.

See too

External bonds

Biography
Karl Marx: Dismissal of McClellan
McClellan Society

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