George B. McClellan

American soldier and politician (1826–1885)

George Brinton McClellan (December 3, 1826 – October 29, 1885) was a Major general in Union army during the American Civil War. In 1861 and 1862, he was in charge of the Army of the Potomac. He led the Peninsula Campaign, an attempt to take Richmond, Virginia that didn't work. Though he won the Battle of Antietam, he did not get along with President Abraham Lincoln, who fired him. After he stopped being a general, he became a politician, and ran against Lincoln in the 1864 election. He was later Governor of New Jersey, though he was originally from Pennsylvania. He was also a prominent engineer, and was offered the job as President of the University of California.

George B. McClellan
1861 photograph by Mathew Brady
24th Governor of New Jersey
In office
January 15, 1878 – January 18, 1881
Preceded byJoseph D. Bedle
Succeeded byGeorge C. Ludlow
Personal details
Born
George Brinton McClellan

(1826-12-03)December 3, 1826
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedOctober 29, 1885(1885-10-29) (aged 58)
Orange, New Jersey
Cause of deathHeart attack
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Mary Ellen Marcy ("Nelly") McClellan
Parents
Alma materUnited States Military Academy
ProfessionSoldier (General)
Signature
Military service
Nickname(s)Little Mac
The Young Napoleon[1]
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Union Army
Years of service1846–1857, 1861–1864
Rank Major general (USA)
CommandsDepartment of the Ohio
Army of the Potomac
Battles/warsMexican–American War
American Civil War

He was seen as slow and thought all his fights through, training his soldiers very long. He was too slow acting for Abraham Lincoln's taste, who fired him several times. Mrs. Lincoln despised him greatly, therefore an influence of Mr. Lincoln's decision.

References

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  1. John H.Eicher; David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2001), p. 371.