Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-05-19
GEORGE B. MCLkLLAN.
NJ CLELLAN AS A MAN-nIs B0YH0OD
MS BATTLES AND HIS CAREER AS A
GOvERNOR-A MAN WHO WAS
BORN TOO sOON-M'CLEL.
Lam AT HOME.

Lam AT HOME.
From the PHILADELPHIA Times
II you look George b. McCllellan--
the Little Mac" OF that long ago when
every American city resounded to un-
tuned drums-squarely in the face, il
will take you but un instant to decide
that it is very wise to have him for
friend. He is the pattern of deter.
mined, upright gentleman. About five
feet eight inches tall, very broad shoul
ders, supporting large neck and hand
some head, with muscular arms, and
hands hard as plowman's, his figure
completes the suggestion of bis face,
that he is in every way strong man..
The eyes are gray, clear, capable Of
sympathy, and yet somewhat unread.
able; the complexion rather pale by
recent illness; the moustache and i'm.
perial rather liberal, Of sandy color,
touched with silver, and the hair is an
iron.grey, brushed gracefully from a
prominent forehead. The cars are
large but well shaped the eyebrows
pronounced, the chin well rounded and
the nose fair copy OF the great noses
Of the world. Ho is unquestionably
strong man physically indeed, a ira.
dition exists that he could ~ his
younger days readily bend an English
shilling double between bis thumb and
torefnger and a strong man mentally
il there is any value in phrenology.
His manner is courteous, affable, his
conversation reveals mind that thinks
deeply, weighs judIcially and upholds
stubbornly the just decision it reaches.
He was born here, on December 3.
1926, and named George Brinton. His
first name be received from his father,
DR.. George Mcclellan, the founder of
Jefferson College, u physician OF dis.
tincton and u worthy descendant of
the noble Scotch family, the last head
Of which was Lord Kirkcuebright
MCCLELLAN AS A BOY.
DR.. Mcclellan died in 1876. The
middle name OF the General-Brinton
is gilt of bis mother Elizabeth |
Brinton, representative OF very
sturdy American family who lived at
her country seat in West Philadel- |
pbia, wherc nUw elanus tue rennsyI- |
vania Railroad station. After some
preliminary home training at his ia.
theirs house, Seventh and Walnut,
young Mcclellan was sent TO school
kept by Mr.. Sears Cook Walker,
where were also such men as DR..
Casper Wistar, DR.. Logan and Dick
Sargent. With him he remained four
years, and was then transferred to the
care Of German named Schipper,
with whom he began q course OF Latin
and Greek. He next attended the
preparatory school OF the University
Of Pennsylvania, kept by DR.. Craw-
ford, and in 1910 he entered the Uni.
versity, where be remained two years
He was a good scholar, but not bril-
liant or precocious boy. His taste was
for solid studies rather than snowy
achievements. In June, 1S42, he en-.
tered the West Point Military Acade.
my in obedience to settled inclna.
tiOn for military lie. In his class he
found Thomas Jonathan jackson, Ia
ter and better known as "Stonewall."
Mcclellan graduated before he had
completed his twentieth year, in the
Summer of 1916, standing second in
general rank in the largest class that
ever left the Academy. In engineer.
ing and geology he was first
As he left the doors of the Academy
there was much to fire his military
spirit. The applause that followed
the brilliant victories Of Palo Alto and
Ressaca de la Palma MAY 8 and 8,
l846) had not died out and had shed
much lustre upon the American arms.
Mexico offered, therefore, a Tar more
congenial field than frontier post,
and Met lclan was assigned to duty
as Junior Lieutenant OF u company OF
sappers and miners then in the course
Of organization. Their first participa-
ton in the war was at the siege of
Vera Cruz. Then Mcclellan saw FIRE
at Cerro Gordo, Puebla, Contreras,
Cherubusco, the bitter attack on the
San Cosme Garita and the final as
sault OF the City of Mexico. This is
but an outline. Mcclellan ran many
dangers, escaped quick death on sew.
eral occasions by touch, and is con-
stantly commended IN the dispatches
ofthe Commander-in Chief for bravery,
daring, faithful discharge OF duties,
vnivionvy anu gaiiauuIy. nv ",t.oi
Mt West Point on his return, June %,
l84S, and was at once breveted First
Lieutenant tor conduct at Contreras,
and afterwards Captain Tor conduct at
Molino del Rey, which latter honor he
declined, not having been present at
that battle. Later he received the
came rank for conduct in the capture
Of Mexico.
AFTER THE MEXICAN WAR.
He was now stationed with his com.
pany at West Point, and with them
he remained until June, 1851, much Of
the time in command. His leisure
hours were devoted TO studies con.
nected with bis profession, and among
other things be prepared an elaborate
lecture upon Napoleon's campaign OF
1912. He furnished, also, great
many plans and estimates needed by
the Chief Engineer. In the Winter Of
1880 he prepared, for the use OF
the army, a manual Of bayonet exer.
else, taken mostly from the French Of
Gomard. General Scott recommended
that tho manual be made part of the
system Of instruction, which was ac-
cordingly done. In June, 1851, Nc.
Clellan was ordered TO Fort Delaware,
to assist in constructing the works
there. From this time he was engag.
ed in engineering work for the Gov.
ernment, including one Of the Pacific
Railroad surveys, until the Spring ol
1874, and remained but few months,
commanding 10 tho Summer OF that
year secret expedition to the West
Indies, the object OF which was to sc.
ect harbor and procure site suitaI
bic for a coaling station. lie selected
n celebrated spot, the bay and promon.
tory Of Samana, on the northeast coast
of Hayu. The negotiations for the
purchase Of Samana, however, were
never successfully concluded. On rc-
turning home Mcclellan was ordered
| to washington and cmploved In duties