Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-12-21


General Mcclellan We copy from the
Placerville Repu5{,cus. 1t is from
notes furnished the editor, Mr.. Bow
man, by X. G. Rogers, ESD, who served
with Gen. Mcclellan in Mexico:
Major-Gencral George b. Mcclellan,
was born in Philadelphia, in tho year
1896. At the early age of fifteen, he
wenr~o West Point. where he was grad
uated in 1916. lie was universally re-
CARRIED there az young man Of extra
ordinary promise, and. with his class
and instructors, he bore high charac-
ter for intelligence and military talent.
His first active duty was at Vera Cruz,
as member of the corps of Engineers.
lie served through the whole siege, and
rendered eminent services in his de-
partment. Col. Totten (thc chief Of the
Engineer corps in the official report
of the operation of his corps during the
investment Of that city, speaks Of
Mcclellan in the highest terms. At
the battle of Cerro Gordo, Mcclellan
was attached to Pillows command in
the attack on the cnemy's right. That
General in his official report spoke of
his "great zeal and activity in the dis
charge ofhis duties" Gen. Scott, also,
in his official report of that battle, re-
fcrs to Mcclellan in terms of high
praise.
At Pedregal and Contreras, McClel-
Ian served with Twigg's Division, and
in company with Lee, made bold re-
connoisancc of the enemy. At these
battles he greatly distinguished him.
self, and Twiggs, in his report, said,
that "not only did he render gallant
services in his proper department, En-
gineers) but when Calender was
wounded, Mcclellan took charge of the
howitzer battery with judgement and
success, until it became so disabled as
to require shelter. For Lieut.. McClel-
lan's efficiency and gallantry in this af-
fair, l present his name for the valua-
bic consideration Of the General-in-
chief
On the ticldo Of Cuntrnras and Cher
both his ability and his brave
ry won the strong commentator of his
commanding officers. Gen. Persifor
Smith, states, Gin the battles of Pedre-
cal, Cotrcras and Chcrubusco, with
Smith Major Smith of the Engincers)
and Mcclellan, nothing seemed too bold
to be usdertaken, or too difficult 10 be erc-
euted; their services rendered as cngin-
GERS were valuable as those they rem
dercd in battle, at the head of their gal
lant sappcrs, etc."
Mcclellan also superintendcd, or
aided in the construction of all the bat
tcries which invested and bombarded
Chapultapec. Gen. Pillow names with
and Major Smith lat the
head of the Engineer corps) specifies
him particularly as participating with
great credit in all the battles in the val
ley of Mexico, rendering important
services in the conduct of rcconnoi-
sancc, serving batteries, and erecting
works.
1t must he remembered that during
this period-when rendering services
of great importance, in such manner
as to win the praise and official notice
of every General under whom he served
Clellan was but hceny.one gears Of
age. Already while mere youth, he
was generally recognized in the army
as one of the most skilful, efficient, nc
complishcd and mature Of his distin-
guishcd corps. In every battle fought,
from Vera Cruz to Mexico, he served
with distinction, and all tho leading
military men Oh that line unanimously
spoke of him rs the most brilliant and
promising young man in the army.
Tho war being concluded, he was So
lected by the Government as one ofthe
Commissioners to be sent to Europe
and the Crimca. Though the young
est man on that Commission, upon him
was dcvolvcd the duty Of preparing the
report 70 the Government of its pro-
and observations. The re-
port is voluminous. and military crit
les have pronounced it one of the ablcst
which has been furnished
from any source or in country, to the
literature of the present centu-
~. Those best competent to appreci-
ate its merits speak oft "A being re
markablc as we'll for its perfection Of
detail as for its comprehensivensss = .
whole, embracing At once the widest
range, and the most unconsidered mi
nutie in the science aud art Of war.
Gen. Scott, in his official report Of
the battle, says: Mcclellan won tie
admiration Of all about HIM" General
Worth, in speaking Of the operations Of
his Division, says: "McClellan dis
played the gallantry, skill, and conduct,
~ which al nminanfl,. distinaniah hia