Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-07-24
GEN. GEORGE R. mcCLELLAN.

GEN. GEORGE y. MCCLELLAN.
We copy from the Petersburg Express the
following sketch of the above named officer,
whose rapid march into Northwestern Vir-
GINA has lately brought him into prominent
notice:
There seems to be more Importance attached
to the movements Of this officer, than to those
Of any other in the Yankee service, not eX-
cepting even old Fuss and Feathers" As
he commands a prominent division of the enc
my's forces, and has recently made rather
more rapid advances into Virginia than many
Of us desire, a brief sketch of his career may
not be without interest at this momentOus
~iuncture In affairs. He stands next in rank to
Gen. Scott, and is scarcely thirty-fve years of
age, having been born in Philadelphia on the
Sd Of December, 1896. When sixteen, be en-
tered the military academy at West Point, and
graduated with the class of 1916, with the
rank Of breyet secend-lieutenant Of engineers.
He was in the Mexican war, and for gallant
conduct in the battles Of COntFeras and Chu-
rubusco was breveted ecoud-lieutenant. For
like conduct in the battle Of Moline del Rey,
on the 8 b of September, 1S45, be was offered
a brevet captaincy which be declined. He
was advanced to this rank, however, subss-
quently, "for gallant conduct in the battle Of
Cbapultepee, i" and received the command Of a
company of saPpers, miners and pontoneers
in May, 1916.
At the close of the Mexican war, McClel-
Ian returned to West Point, where ne remain
ed on duty with the sapper3 and miners until
1851. During this time he introduced the bay
Onet exercise into the army, and translated
and adopted A manual which has since become
a textbook for the Yankee service. During
the spring of 1852, be was assigned to duty
under Maj. R. B Marcy, in the exploration
Of the Red river. Thence he was ordered to
Texas, as senior engineer, on the staff Of Gen
PeTcifer F. Smith, and was engaged for several
months in surveying The rivers and harburs Of
that State. In 1853 be was ordered to the Pa
elf cost, in command Of the western divis-
ion of the survey of the north Pacific route.
He returned to the east in 1854, on duty con-
nected with the Pacific survey, and was en-
gagged also in secret service to the West Indies.
The next year be received a commission in the
First regiment OF cavalry, and was appointed
g member of the commission which went 10
the seat of war in the Crimea and in northern
Russia. Col. Richard Delaheld ia now an
officer in the Confederate Army, and Major
Alfred mordecai, of North Carolina, the third
member of the commission, a short time AGO
TesiSned the superintendency Of the Troy arse
nal. McClellan's report on the "0rganiza-
ton Of European Armies and the Operations
Of the War;" a quarto volume, embodying the
result Of his operations in the Crimea, some
what enhanced his reputation as a scientific
soldier.
In January, 1857, Mcclellan resigned bis
position in the army to become vice president
and engineer Of the Illinois Central railroad,
which post be held for three years, when be
was offered and accepted the presidency Of the
Ohio and Mississippi road, of which be was
also general superintendent. The depression
here will be excused, when we state that the
Ohio and Missjssippiha run off more fugitive
slaves, than every other road in the free States
combined. On the 18th Of Nav be received a
commission as -msior-general in the army Of
Abe Lincoln, a position which be consented to
accept, upon the condition, that his salary az
president of the Ohio and Mississippi, $4,000
per annum, should be continued. He now has
command Of the department Of Ohio, which
comprises all Of the States Of Indiana, H,i7ois,
Ohio, and that part of Virginia lying north of
the Great kanaWha river and west OF the
GreenbTier river and the Maryland line, with so
much of Pennsylvania as lies west Of a line
drawn from the Maryland line to the north
west corner of McKeen county.
Gen. Mcclellan is now leading The forces Of
Lincoln which crossed from Ohio TO virginia
some time since, and had advanced at last ac-
counts to within about ninety miles Of Staun-
ton. His career since be invaded this State is
familiar to our readers. His blood-thirsty
proclamation, threatening to hang all southern
patriots caught in the honorable discharge of
guerrilla du'y, stamps him'as a cruel brigand,
and incapable of approaching honorable war
fare. His subsequent misunderstanding with
Gen. Buckner, the Inspector-G General OF Ken
lucky, in which the latter has convicted him
Of wilful lying, proves him to be a dishonsra-
bic man, and unworthy the association OF gen
tlemen. This is about all we had a right to
expect from one who would enlist 10 this IN
holy war against the South, and as God abhors
the devil and all his works, we believe he will
yet scourge this monster Mcclellan and his
followers with overwhelming defeat.