McClellan

McClellan refers most commonly to George Brinton McClellan (1826-1885), a prominent American soldier, civil engineer, railroad executive, and politician, best known for his service as a major general during the American Civil War.

Military Career: McClellan graduated second in his class from West Point in 1846 and served in the Mexican-American War. He gained experience in engineering and reconnaissance. Before the Civil War, he served as an observer in the Crimean War.

Civil War Service: At the outbreak of the Civil War, McClellan was given command of the Department of the Ohio. He quickly rose to prominence after victories in western Virginia (present-day West Virginia). He was subsequently appointed commander of the Army of the Potomac, the Union's primary army in the Eastern Theater. McClellan was meticulous in his preparations and training, earning the adoration of his troops, whom he referred to as "my boys."

Peninsula Campaign (1862): McClellan led the Army of the Potomac in the Peninsula Campaign, an ambitious attempt to capture Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate capital, via a waterborne approach. Despite numerical superiority, his cautious and often hesitant leadership resulted in a series of missed opportunities and ultimately a strategic failure.

Battle of Antietam (1862): After the Union suffered defeats at the Second Battle of Bull Run, McClellan was restored to command. He successfully repelled Robert E. Lee's invasion of Maryland at the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. While a Union victory, McClellan's failure to aggressively pursue and destroy Lee's retreating army led to his removal from command by President Abraham Lincoln in November 1862.

Post-Military Career: Following his dismissal, McClellan became a vocal critic of Lincoln's war policies. In 1864, he ran as the Democratic candidate for president against Lincoln, advocating for a negotiated peace with the Confederacy. He lost the election decisively.

Later Life: After the war, McClellan served as Governor of New Jersey from 1878 to 1881. He spent his later years writing and defending his actions during the Civil War. He died in 1885 and is buried in Trenton, New Jersey.

Legacy: McClellan remains a controversial figure in American history. He is admired for his organizational skills and the affection he inspired in his troops, but criticized for his excessive caution, strategic timidity, and political ambitions. He is seen by some as a brilliant administrator whose strategic vision was hampered by his lack of decisiveness, and by others as a flawed and ultimately ineffective commander who prolonged the war through his inaction.