New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-30
SKETCH or GEN. MccLrLLAN's CAREER.

George Brinton Mcclellan was born in
Philadelphia on December ,, l~2G. iis fret name
lie received from III, father. Dr. George
Mcclellan. the founder OF Jefferson College.
a physician Of high ropute. ami the De
sceudaut OF Scotch noble family th' la,thcal Of which
- Lord Kirkcudbri.h The middle namc-Brintou-
was ift OF bis mother Elizabeth BrintOn represent
atlve 81 "a sturdy American family. who lived ~ her
country seat IN West Philadelphia, whcro now stands
the Peunsy lyania Railroad station Young Mcclellan
spent bis schooboy DAYS, under careful tram
ing in Philadelphia; first In Mr.. Walkers
select school, then in Mr. schippor'- then
IN the University Of Pennsylvania. Ho
good scholar. but not brilliant prccOoOus boy.
rather slow than otherwise In mastering his tasks but
likely to be thorough In anything he protested to know.
In June. 1912, when not quite sixteen years Of age 10
entered tho Military Academy at West Point whittier
some hints OF military Taste seemed to indicate that
he should be sent In tho Military Academy hc
lty OF e8capades WAS involved In no combinations
against discipline Of tho Institution and nj tho end
OF his years just what might have been
expected good, careful industrious. wcll-~cad military
scholar. Among his classmates were "StoucwIll'
Jackson, John q. Foster, Jesse l.. Reno, Darius u.
Couch George stoneman. Dibney H. Mlury. George II.
Gordon and George J.. Pickett Mcclellan was grad
uatcd before he had completed his twentieth
year, in tho summer OF 1916. standing second
ia general rank in Of the largest classes that
ever left the Academy. "stonowall" Jackson ranked
seventeenth.
At the time when young Mcclellan left the doors OF
Academy tho country still rang with the applause
which had followed tho Victories OF Plo Alto aud
Resaca de Ia Palma May and ., 80. Luck favored
him and instead Of being sent to froatier post
Mcclellan assigned to tho duty OF organizing a
company OF sappeIs and miners. with this command ho
sailed September 1916 for the scat OF war.
Before Vera Cruz he can be iOund-a brcvct second
MISUNDERSTANDING lines Of Investment under such
mediate supcrlors as Captain Robert i. Lee. First
LoutenantP. g. 4 Beauregard and Second IcuenantG G.
W. Smith. Then he frs ut Corro GOrdo Pucbla,
Contreras, Cherubusco the bitter attack on tho san
Cosme Garta and the final assault on
the City OF Mexico. Occasional empscs
are caught of Lieutenant Mcclellan In the official
ports Of the day. his superior officers commenting his
bravery, his daring his efficiency ana gallant conduct
before the enemy. At Cerro Gordo his command clears
the obstacles In front Of Pillows as,aulting col
umns at Pdebla while accommodating, lac captured
Mexican cayalryman at McscacingO no made another
reconnaissance. and Lieutenant Bcanrcgard him
from capture at COntrcras while posting batteries rs
has two horses killed under him, and finally is himself
Knocked down by Il spent grape shot which strikes the
hit OF his sword. AT last tho city OF Mexico IL
saultcd. Here again Lieutenant Mcclellan distinguishes
himself lie IL at the san Cosme gate, burrOugh
Ing with his miners through tho walls OF block OF
adobe houses 20 emerge in the street at tho rear
Of a Mexican battery which holds the gate
and, in his cagernoss falls full length into ditch OF
dirty water which nearly proves the death OF him. But
lac is saved and returns to West Point covered with
praise and glory. arriving there the 22d Of June,
lsls 10 reap the reward due gallant soldier OF twenty
one. He Is at once brevcted first Lieutenant
at Contreras and afterwari captain for conduct
ut Moline del Ray The latter honor he
declines for the very satisfactory reason that e has
been present at the battle but later he receives tho
rank Tor conduct In the capture OF Mexico.
Mcclellan was now stationed at West Point drilling
his company i've enough to do to occupy half dozen
persons, but rather think get through with it,"
no wrote to his sisternaw, describing to her tho for
midaDle task allotted TO him. Ills leisure hours
devoted TO studies connected with
his profession. Among other things he
prepared elaborate lecture upon campaign