But he remained interested in military matters, especially as ongoing disputes between the Northern and Southern sections of the country threatened to erupt into war. McClellan's work in the railroad industry made him a wealthy man. Rejoins the military at the start of the Civil War They eventually had a son and a daughter together.
By 1860, he had become president of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. In 1857, McClellan resigned from the army to become an engineer in the rapidly growing railroad industry. Upon his return, he designed a new saddle for military use and introduced the pup tent to American forces. This was an important assignment for the young officer. In the mid-1850s, McClellan traveled to Europe to study the latest military advancements. He also became an instructor at West Point for three years. After the United States forced Mexico to give up its claims on California and other areas in 1848, McClellan remained in the military and built forts, harbors, and railroads. He served in the Mexican War (1846–48 a dispute between the United States and Mexico over large sections of territory in the West) and won two awards for distinguished service. He had a brilliant career as a cadet (military student) and graduated second in his class in 1846.Īfter leaving West Point, McClellan joined the U.S. At fifteen, McClellan was actually too young to become a cadet at West Point, but the school made an exception to its age rule for him. Military Academy at West Point in New York. In 1842, he received an appointment to attend the prestigious U.S. He attended a top preparatory school as a boy, then enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania at the age of thirteen. As a result, McClellan had many advantages growing up. Both of his parents belonged to old and distinguished Philadelphia families. He was the third of five children born to George McClellan, a doctor and founder of a medical school, and his wife, Elizabeth Brinton McClellan. George Brinton McClellan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 3, 1826. President Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865 see entry) finally removed him from command in November 1862. McClellan was very popular with his troops, but his failures and his arrogance strained his relationship with Union political leaders. Lee (1807–1870 see entry) to escape after the Battle of Antietam in Maryland. In September of that year, his extreme caution allowed Confederate forces under Robert E. His shortcomings as a battlefield leader may have prevented the Union from capturing the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, during the Peninsula Campaign of spring 1862. When it came time to lead his forces into battle, however, McClellan became slow and indecisive. He took command of the Army of the Potomac in July 1861-following the Union's humiliating defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run-and soon proved to be a great organizer and motivator of troops. McClellan was one of the top Union military leaders during the early years of the Civil War. Union general known as "the young Napoleon"ĭemocratic nominee for the presidency in 1864
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