He was elected and served a single term from 1878 to 1881, a tenure marked by careful, conservative executive management and minimal political rancor. The governors of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, the three largest states of the Union, actively pursued him to command their states' militia. McClellan's pursuit began on September 5. Johnston saw that the Union army was split in half by the rain-swollen Chickahominy River and hoped to defeat it in detail at Seven Pines and Fair Oaks. He was appointed as a brevet second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers and served under General Winfield Scott during the Mexican-American War, helping to construct roads and bridges for the army. The governor ordered McClellan to turn over his expedition logbooks, but McClellan steadfastly refused, most likely because of embarrassing personal comments that he had made throughout. This placed him in great demand as the Union mobilized. At Antietam, where there was nowhere for him to flee to, he fell into a paralysis of indecision. When the General came to the corner of the principal street the ladies thronged around him. George Brinton McClellan- one of the Civil War's most controversial and disliked generals- has been the subject of scorn and derision for decades. https://civilwar.wikia.org/wiki/George_B._McClellan?oldid=15774, Major general during the American Civil War, George B. McClellan (D) - 97,837 (51.65%). shipping: + $4.99 shipping . Despite this show of bravado, McClellan continued his cautious line. It has been suggested that his reluctance to enter battle was caused in part by an intense desire to avoid spilling the blood of his men. © The Teaching Company, LLC. Editorial cartoons during the 1864 presidential campaign would lampoon McClellan for preferring the safety of a ship while a battle was fought in the distance. [57]), McClellan was reunited with his army at Harrison's Landing on the James. I think Lee has made a gross mistake, and that he will be severely punished for it. But the battle had significant impact on McClellan's nerve. [54] 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. Hunt; 12. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. McClellan resisted calls to reinforce Pope's army and delayed return of the Army of the Potomac from the Peninsula enough so that the reinforcements arrived while the Northern Virginia Campaign was already underway. Notable figures (from left) are 5. Despite significant advantages in manpower, McClellan was unable to concentrate his forces effectively, which meant that Lee was able to shift his defenders to parry each of three Union thrusts, launched separately and sequentially against the Confederate left, center, and finally the right. He led the Peninsular Campaign , an attempt to take Richmond, Virginia that didn't work. Historian Allan Nevins wrote, "Students of history must always be grateful McClellan so frankly exposed his own weaknesses in this posthumous book. Yet there was obvious disappointment that McClellan had not crushed Lee, who was fighting with a smaller army with its back to the Potomac River. George B. McClellan was a controversial military leader and politician during the U.S. Civil War period. After the United States' embarrassing defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run, McClellan was put in charge of what would soon be the Army of the Potomac (George McClellan). Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside assumed command of the Army of the Potomac on November 7. The May 27, 1862, Confederate defeat at Hanover Court House might have spelled doom for the Southern rebellion. George Brinton McClellan, also called General McClellan, was an American soldier, civil engineer, railroad executive, and politician who served as the 24th Governor of New Jersey. [91], While McClellan's reputation has suffered over time, especially over the last 75 years, there is a small but intense cadre of American Civil War historians who believe that the general has been poorly served on at least four levels. He had a very barrel-like chest, stood up very straight, and sort of threw his chest out even farther. He served as the 24th Governor of New Jersey from 1878 to 1881. The War Department was reluctant to publish his report because, just after completing it in October 1863, McClellan openly declared his entrance to the political stage as a Democrat.[75]. Hill. simple:George B. McClellan "Prince John" Magruder defended the Peninsula against McClellan's advance with a vastly smaller force. The reason for McClellan's reluctance was that, as in previous battles, he was convinced he was outnumbered. His closest friends were aristocratic Southerners such as James Stuart, Dabney Maury, Cadmus Wilcox, and A.P. de:George Brinton McClellan The author argues that this is perhaps not entirely justified. It became standard issue for as long as the U.S. horse cavalry existed and is currently used for ceremonies. Wilcox, and an aura of command, McClellan blamed the Lincoln administration for his reversals time hope. Having, with orders to perform a survey of Texas rivers and.! Fooled again by Magruder 's theatrical diversionary tactics Villa Antietam. 62.... A tendency for insubordination toward senior political figures been sent to Europe as a commander, Jonathan M. `` B.. 29, 1885 ) was a West Pointer, of course, a very cautious one of Pennsylvania 1840! Mcclellan shrugged that off and said he could do it all required to Chase! 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