Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-07-31
Major General Mcclellan.


Major General George B. Mcclellan,
whose brilliant exploits in Western Virgin
ia have sent thrill through the loyal
States, is not yet thirty-ive years of age.
He was born in Philadelphia, December s,
1926 He graduated at West Point int
class of 1916. The following account OF
his military career will be read with great
interest:
"Until the Mexican war, he had no OPP
portunity of distinguishing himself, and
then for gallantry and mertorious conduct
in the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco,
he was breyetted First Lieutenant. For
his gallant. conduct at the battle Of Molino
del Ray, on September s, 1851, he was
offered a breyet Captainey, which he de-
clined, but subsequently was advanced for
like gallantry displayed in the battle of
Chepultepec, and received the command
of company of Sappers, Miners and Pom
tonniers in May 1913.
CAT the close Of the Mexican war, he re-
turned TO West Point, where he remained
on duty with the Sappers and Miners until
1851. During this time introduced the
bayonet exercise into the army, and trans
lated and adapted manual which has since
been xt-book for Ties ervice. During
the summer and fall Of 1851, he suporn-
tended the construction Of Fort Delaware,
and in the succeeding spring was assigned
to duty in the expedition for the explora-
ton of the Red River Thence he was or
dered to Texas, as senior engineer on the
staff Of Persifer L. Smith, and was engaged
for some months in surveying the rivers
and harbors Of that State In 1863 he was
ordered to the Pacific Coast, in command
of the western division of the survey Of the
North Pacific Railroad routes
"He returned to the East in 1854, on
duty connected with the Pacific survey,
and was engaged also in secret service TO
the West Indies. The next year he re-
ceived 4 commission in the First Regiment
Cavalry, and was appointed a member Of
the commission which went to the war in
the Crimea and in Northern Russia. Ma
ior McClellan's Report on tbs Organization
Of European Armies and the operations Of
the War-a quarto volume, embodying
the result of his observations in the Crimea
greatly enhanced bis reputation as a
scientific soldier.
"In January, 1857, weary Of inaction, he
resigned his position in the army to become
Vice President and Engineer of the Him
ois Central Railroad, which post be held
for three years, when he was offered and
accepted the Presidency Of the Ohio and
Mississippi Railroad, of which he was also
General Superintendent. When our do
nestle troubles assumed formidable dimen-
sions, Major McCIellan's services were at
once called into requisition. He was offer
ed and accepted the command Of the Ohio
forces. On may 14th he received a com
mission rs Major General in the United
States Army, and now has command OF
the Department of Ohio, which comprises
all of the States Of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio,
and that part Of Virginia lying north Of the
| Great Kanawha river, and west of the
Green Brier river and the Maryland line,
with so much of Pennsylvania as lies west
ofa line drawn from the Maryland line to
the northwest corner of Mexican county.
Since the late defeat of the grand army near
Washington he takes the command Of
McDoweiI's division.