Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-11-30
8iogrM5Wal Skettbes
General Mcclellan.

George b. Mcclellan was born n Phila
del phla on the 81 of December, 1926, his
atksr being an eminent physician of that
city. At the age OF sixteen, or IN 1912 he
catered the West Point Academy, and in
1886, at the age OF twenty, Vas graduate
second IA his class. Ga the lst Of July Of
that year he was breyetted second lieutenant
of engineers. by au act Of Congress, passed
during the May preyoug, company OF sap.
psTs, miners, aud pontoGiers was added to
the engineer corps, end in this company
McO!ellen was commissioned
Bra~as R@sa}.er General Tu,teH, Chief
E0gjneer of the ormy commanded by Gen
Scott before Vera Cruz, speaks of Nc.
UIellau's genius and energy in that company
10 the highest terms. His exerton5 IN
drilling the recruits who came into hs com.
Pany to be prepared for the arduous labors
OF the Mexican war, were iudefatigable.-
With the aid Of but two other odi.nrs he
succeeded so perfectly 10 drilling the seventy
one raw men who had come into bis hands
only two months before, that on the oath OF
September they sailed from West Point
reported by General Tolten "as in etGta Of
admirable discipline"
During the war this company was reduced
20 forty. five effective men and two officers
one Of whom was Mcclellan. He ~ repeat.
edly mentioned 10 connection with tina corps
as exhibiting conSummate patience aud
ability. HIS company never once lost its
discipline. and periormed some Of tho most
/ toIlsome duties Of the war under very trying
circumstances. General TOtten makes es.
2ecial mention OF the llbors performed by
/ Mcclellan before Vera Cruz. He speaks Of
him es "animstirg bis corps by his own
devotion aud zeal" Of unsurpassed inte.li.
gence and zeal with Which be took his share
/ Ia the direction OF the siege"
At COn,reras, MCCirliun was elected with
al other engineer TO reconuOiire the strong
brrastworkS Of the enemy. They had their
horses shot uuder them, and barely escaped
capture by the Mexican p.ck.ts. When the
action commenced Mcclellan was with Ma
grnder's battery, While it was still doing
splendid service, its commander, Calender,
was wounded. Mcclellan Immediately took
command of it, and managed it until it WAS
entirely disabled, with such success as TO
sustain all It's previous reputation. General
rwiggs immediately presented his name for
promotion to General Winfield Scott, and,
after showing consummate bravery 10 the
action Of Churu5usco, which took place next
day, he was brevettpd first lieutenant. In
the next battle, Molino del Rey, his behaviour
was so gallant that he was elevated TO cap.
tancy. lie declined 10 receive it, aud con-
tluued lieutenant 90 the day of Chapuitepec,
when Gen. Scott mentioned him as "wnuing
the admiration Of all about him" lie was
the frst TO enter the Alameda with company
which he commanded, and during the day vi
the assault repuised body OF MeXcaus
greatly outuumberlng his own corps, with a
loss of twenty to the enemy.
lie continued 10 active service from the
commencement Of his compaDys organization
until General Scott occupied the City OF
Mexico lie returned from the war with the
rank of captain aud the command Of the
company, now greatly augmented, OF sappers,
miners and puutonlGrs. Between lS4o and
1881 be translated from the French q manual
OF the bayonet exercise, which has beco ne
the text book Of the army.
In 1881 be superintended the construction
of Fort Delaware. In 1852 he explored the
Red River, under Captain Marcy, and sur
veyed the harbors and rivers of Texas as
seulor engineer on the stal Of General
Persifer +. Smith.
In 1858 Mcclellan was employed on tie
survey to ascertain the best route for a rail
road between the Mississippi and the Pacific
ALSO 10 the exploration Of the forty.
and lorty.ninth parallels Of north latitude
His report gained the eommeIdation Of JET
Davis, then Secretary OF War.
For three years more Mcclellan wa
variously employed. After executing {
secret service commission 10 the WesI Indies
and receiving q commission 10 the Unite'
States Cavalry, he was appointed one OF th'
military commission OF three officers to pro
ceed to the Crlmea and Northern Russia, fo
observation on the eonAct then existing, sn,
bis report on "rhe Organization of Europea
Armies, and the Operations of the War"
thought by army officers a most valnabl
work.
ln 1851 he resigned bis position in th
army, the peaceful condition of the couutf
trpainy 10 demand his services 10 longer,