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G
 B. M C
.
On the 3rd of December, 1826, was born in Philadelphia, a child who
would one day become celebrated in the annals of history.
He enjoyed the privilege of a good education, graduating at the University
of Pennsylvania, and when twenty years old he also graduated at West
Point, ranking second in his class.
George B. McClellan was a brilliant scholar, and during the Mexican war
won high esteem as an engineer. After the war he was engaged in various
engineering projects, and rendered valuable service to the country by
introducing bayonet exercises into the military tactics at West Point, and
translating a French Manual of Bayonet Exercises, which was adapted to
the United States service, and became an authority. In 1855-'6 he was a
member of the Military Commission sent by the government to visit the
seat of the Crimean war.
He resigned his commission in the regular army in 1857; became chief
engineer of the Illinois Central Railroad, and in 1868 he also became Vice-
President of the road; two years later, President of St. Louis and Cincinnati
Railway. It is difficult to surmise what he might have become as a railway
magnate but for the civil war.
At the outbreak of hostilities he became the major-general of Ohio
volunteers, and by skillful generalship and bravery, succeeded in driving the
rebels out of West Virginia, which made him commander-in-chief of the
Army of the Potomac. General McClellan was over-cautious, and lingered
about Washington with about 200,000 men, drilling and preparing for the
battle. Succumbing to popular clamor he moved out toward Richmond.
Then followed the Peninsula campaign, wherein McClellan was forced to
change his base, accomplishing one of the most masterly retreats in the
annals of history. Being relieved of the command by Pope, who also failed,

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he was re-instated and fought the bloody battle of Antietam. In this battle he
foiled the Confederate project of invasion, but popular clamor demanded
his removal, as it was thought he followed up his victory too leisurely. This
virtually ended his military services, and on November 8th, 1864, he
resigned his commission. After his unsuccessful canvass for the presidency
he, with his family, sailed for Europe, where he remained until 1868, when
he returned to the United States and took up his residence at Orange, New
Jersey. Henceforth he followed his profession as an engineer.
In 1877 he was elected Governor of New Jersey. On October 29th, 1885,
he died at his residence in New York city from the effects of heart disease.
We do not propose to pose as a champion of McClellan's wrongs, real or
supposed, but in reviewing his life the following facts are worthy of
thought: He was in command at a time when the whole North were laboring
under a delusion as to the requirements of the war, and it is doubtful if any
general would have succeeded at this time. The fact that such an able
general as Hooker was relieved after one reverse, leads one to wonder what
might have been the fate of even Grant had he commanded at this time.
However, it is not for us to say, but certain it is, that no greater military
tactician was to be found among the generals of our late war, and as such he
deserves credit.

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