Background
Mcclellan, George Brinton was born on December 3, 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Doctor George and Elizabeth (Brinton) Mcclellan.
governor of New Jersey army officer
Mcclellan, George Brinton was born on December 3, 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Doctor George and Elizabeth (Brinton) Mcclellan.
Attended University of Pennsylvania, 1840-1842. Graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1846.
Commissioned Second lieutenant Corps Engineers, United States Army, 1846, brevetted First lieutenant, 1847. Promoted captain, 1847, served in Mexican War. Assistant instructor in practical military engineering United States Military Academy, 1848-1851.
Assistant engineer for construction of Fort Delaware, 1851.
Chief engineer on staff General Persifor F. Smith, 1852. Appointed captain United States Cavalry, 1855.
Resigned to become chief engineer I.C. Railroad, 1857, vice president in charge operations in Illinois, 1858-1860. Became president Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, 1860.
Appointed major general Ohio Militia, 1861.
Appointed major general United States Army, May 1861, placed in command of Department of Ohio (including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois). Commander Division of Potomac, July 1861. Became commander-in-chief United States Army, November 1861.
Reorganized and retrained Army of Potomac, finally (after prodding from President Lincoln) took offense in Peninsular Campaign, March-August 1862.
Advanced very slowly, fighting at Yorktown, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks. Was stopped at Gaines’ Mill, June, 1862.
Pushed back in Seven Days’ Battle. Stopped Lee’s invasion of North at Battle of Antietam, but did not pursue Lee.
Replaced by General Burnside, November 7, 1862.
Democratic candidate for President United States, 1864, defeated by Lincoln. Chief engineer Department of Docks, New York City, 1870-1872. Governor New Jersey, 1878-1881.
Author: McClellan’s Own Story, 1887.
Married Ellen Marcy, 1860, 2 children.