Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-11-02
Sketch of the Life of Gen. Nc
Clellan.

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Sketch of the Life of Gen. Nc.
CleIlan.
Gen. George b. Mcclellan died at his resi-
dence on Orange Mountain, N. J suddenly
about midnight on Wednesday, his death re-
suitiDg from heart disease. George Brinton
Mcclellan was born in Philadelphia Dec. 3,
1926, AID after studying at the University of
Pennsy lvania entered the United States
Military Academy at West Point 10 lS42. He
was graduated in 1916, the second man in his
class, which numbered so men. Entering the
army Second Lieutenant Of Engineers he
went TO Mexico with company raised for the
war with that country. In Mexico he per-
formed distinguished service and received
s.veral brew promotions for gallant and
meritorious conduct. A brevet captaincy
was offered him after the battle Of Moline
del Rey, hut he declined it, accepting it, how
ever, when it was again offered for his brave
ry in the battle OF Chapultepec. In May,
l84S, he was given command of company
of sappers and miners After the war he
was duty with the sappers and miners at
West Point, remaining until 1851 during
which time he introduced the bayonet exer-
else into the army. During the summer and
fall of 1851 he superintended the construction
of Fort Delaware, and the next spring he was
engaged in the expedition for the exploration
of the Red River. In l852-53 he served in
Texas a. Senior Engineer on the staff of
Gen. r. f. Smith, being engaged some
months in surveying rivers and harbors.
He received his commission as First Lieu
tenant in July, 1853 The same year he
was ordered to the Pacific coast as engineer
for the exploration and survey OF the
western division OF the projected Northern
Pacific Railroad through the Cascade Noun
taiDs, and he was subsequently engaged in
SPECIAL service in collecting railroad statistics
for the War Department. Commissioned AS
Captain in the First Cavalry March 3, 1865.
he was in l855-56 a member of the military
commission sent TO the seat of war In the
Crimea. His official report on the "Organiz-
alton of European ARMIES and the Operations
of the War; quarto volume OF much value
in a military light, was published by order of
Congress in 1857. In January, 1857, Capt.
Mcclellan resigned from the army in order
to accept the position of Vice President and
Engineer OF the Illinois Central Railroad.
In 1860 he accepted the Presidency OF the
Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, of which he
was also General Superintendent. On the
breaking out of the war of the Rebellion
Governor Curtin of Pennsy vania endeavored
TO secure his assistance in organizing the vol
unteers from that State, but he had already
been rendered a commission as Major Gen
eral of the Ohio forces, which he accepted
He was placed in command of the Depart
ment of ths Ohio, comprising the States of
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and the western por-
tons of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and was
commissioned asa Major General in the reg
ular army, May IA 1861. He succeeded
in clearing Western Virginia OF the
Confederate forces, and on July Is,
1861, received the thanks of Congress
On July %, the day after the Federal defeat
at Bull Run, he was called to Washington
and placed in command OF the division OF the
Potomac, and shortly afterwards OF the army
of the Potomac. On Nov. he succeeded
Gen. Scott as General-in- Chief of the United
States armies, and taking the field in March
1862, he opened his campaign by besieging
Yorktown, which was abandoned by the con-
federates as soon as his batteries were ready
to open fire. He then advanced toward Rich
mond, moving slowly and reaching the Chick
ahominy about May 20 His campaign WAS
brought to a virtual close by the battle OF
Malvern Hill, on July |, and falling back to
Harrison's Landing he intrenched hims elf.
In the meantime Gen. Halleck had become
General IN Chief and ordered Gen. Mcclellan
to return with his whole army to Fortress
Monroe and Yorktown. After Gen. Pope's
defeat at Bull Run, Aug. 90 80, Gen. Nc
Clelan was put in command of the forces in
and about Washington. After the confeder-
ates had been repealed in their invasion of
Maryla land there was much dissatisfaction
with Gen. McClellan's slowness in follow ipg
them. and on Nov. he was superseded by
Gen. Ambrose T.. Burnside. Ordered to
Trenton, n, j., he took no further part in
the war. and on November g. 1864, he re-
signed from the army. With the soldiers
who served under him Gen Mcclellan was
a great favorite. On Aug. 81. 1864 he was
nominated tor the Presidency by the
National Democratic Convention held in
Chicago. In the election he received only
the twenty-one electoral votes of Della
wore, Kentucky and New Jersey, the re-
naming PIP electoral votes being cast for
Abraham Lincoln. OF the popular vote Lin
coin received about 55 per cent. Gen. Nc
Clelan now became resident of New York
Subsequently he visited Europe. returning il
1868, and taking up his residence near-Orange
N. j., engaging in practice as an engineer
He had charge of the Stevens floating battery
under the will of Mr.. Edwin A. Stevens, wa.
one time Superintendent of the construction
of the bridge over the Hudson river neal
PouShkeepsie, and was also at one periot
Superintendent of the Docks and Piers il
the city of New York, resigning that position
in 1872 On September 10th, 1871. he wa
appointed Controller Of the city of New York
but declined the Office. Gen. Mcclellan was
elected as Governor of the State of New
Jersey in 1877 and entering upon the
duties of the Office in January, 1873
served two terms. retiring in January, 1882
Gen Mcclellan returned home about 81,
weeks agn from trim West with his family
and had b en- under the care of physiciar
Tor about two weeks. Nothing serious wa.
expected until "Wednesday. when he became
worse HE di. d surrounded bv his family a,
%. Cloud. Orange Mountain, where he haC
lived for about twenty wears.
zen McCieilan's summer home. erected
x..er .ne war. was on the summit of Orany,
Gen. Marcy.