The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1885-10-31
Gen. McClellan's Death.


Gen. George b. Mcclellan died at his
home at st. Cloud, Orange Mountain.
New Jersey. a little after midnight on
Thursday. His death occurred sudden
ly of heart disease. He had been ailing
little during two weeks previous but
SO little was danger apprehended that
invitations were out for reception at
his residence to occur on the evening of
the day he died. He leaves a wife, son
and daughter-the son just completing
his education. The death of Gen. Nc
Clellan called forth universal express
sions of grief and coincidence. President
Cleveland telegraphed his sympathy to
Mrs. Mcclellan and ordered that the
flags on the capital at Washington be
displayed at half mast until after the
funeral. Secretary of War Endicott is
sued general order referring to the
distinguished services of the deceased
soldier. Gov. Albeit of New Jersey
has given notification that state partici-
patton will be had in the funeral. The
Grand Army offers a body guard for the
remains. And in addition to this many
heart all over the country-some in
Livingston-will feel pang Of deepest
sorrow that the gallant soldier who led
the Army of the Potomac and was the
idol of all who served under him has
crossed to the silent land whittier the
veterans are all hurrying and where so
many of them already repose
Gen. Mcclellan was born in Philadel-
phia in 1926; entered West Point in 1912;
graduated second in his class in 1916;
took part, in Mexican war as second
lieutenant of company of sappers
and miners; distinguished himself in
several engagements and became cap
tain Of the company in 1848; during
next three years prepared textbook
for the army and introduced bayonet
exercise; performed various engineering
and exploring services in the army until
breaking out of Crimean war when
he was sent as one of a commits
sion of three to study methods
of that war and added to his reputation
by the ability Of his report; resigned
commission in 1857 and engaged in rail-
roading; in 1861 became major-general
of state troops Of Ohio; 18th of May in
same year was commissioned major-gen-
eral in United States army; on 31st
October became major-general COM
manding all armies of the United States
but was subsequently restricted to the
command of the army of the Potomac;
Nov. 7th, 1862 he was relieved from
command and succeeded by Gen. Burn
side. He was inactive during the re-
mainder Of the war and resigned his
commission in 1864 when he received
the democratic nomination for the
presidency. He was defeated by Lincoln
whose net majority in the popular vote
was All 1881. Since his death it is stated
that he came near being member of
President Cleveland's cabinet-probably
in the war department, that he was Of
fered but declined the Russion mission
and that it had been definitely decided
to offer him one of the civil service
commissionerships. He was man Of
unblemished moral character and it has
been frequently stated by his friends
that portion of his failure as mill
tary commander was due to the jealous
ly of the political opponents who con-
trolled his actions. His fame as the
organizer of the Army of the Potomac
nothing can dim, but it is probable that
he was too cautious and had too little
decision of character to command it's &C.
tive operations.