Smyrna times., 1885-11-04
Death of General Mcclellan.

Inc death of Little Mac - which
occurred at Orange, n. J.. Tbursds, ~
VIII NIL with sorrow the hearts ofmany
old soldiers who fought on the Peninsn.
Ia for, in spite of the briefness of bis
acVlVe G career during the rebellion.
Teorge BrlntOn Mcclellan was much
IOVeu Dy many a rugged veteran
General Mcclellan was a bright man
SOod engineer, careful student and
was Dy many considered a good soldier
AS man he bore an untarnished rem
UaClOh, as an engineer he leaves MANY
evidences of his skill, as a student he
mad read much and the knowIedgo
thus attained had served him well hEt
as soldier his record is much criti
clzed. He served with credit and die
IlhctIon during the Mexican war and
III west Virginia in 1861. As an or
gamer OF the dismayed forces of tho
northern army after the battle of RulI
nun he deserves much credit. AtIast
however, like many other brave men
MS ambition or his self esteem enconr
aged by those who in reality were on
emies OF the administration, got the
OGIGer OF MS wisdom. He placed him
sell IN opposition to President Lincoln
ana Secretary Stanton, and his career
was ended as a soldier. As to the can
aollltles of George B. Mcclellan as q
nghter and his power of controlling
vast numbers of men in active service
there have been vast differences of
opinion for twenty-three wears. II is
hardly question to be discussed hero
ana 1t IS a question that history will
prODaoiy settle only after MANY wears
McCIelian was not the soldier like
Orant-he lacked the tenacitv. the
grit, the persistent aggressiveness of
the man who won his first laurels at
Fort Donelson. Mcclellan had been
leasted and welcomed and greeted
WIN win oVauons on his way to relieve
poor OLD Fuss and Feathers" and
thereOy his vanity had not been les
sened as a result he was too CON
and his mind was centered |
upon the fact that organization was
everything. Grant began his brave
lnghtIng in the West, almost un-
heralded and almost unknown. and
ne struck blow after blow without n
thought save that the rebellion muet
De crushed. Mcclellan desired to save
ives from bullets, only to let them fall
I prey to malaria; but Grant believed
III giving disease no chance to deci-
nate his ranks, and did his utmost
% end the strife, no matter what the
cost OF blood. Mcclellan had hosts Of
olloWers and admirers. perhaDs in
lumber only second to those of Grant
himself, but the government and a ma
oTlty OF the Northern people lost con
ldence in him. He had done some ev-
ellent service, but when confidence
vas gone new leader was necessary
Without confidence the Union wOuid
leVer have been saved. Although
IcClellan had carefully studied the art
i war in Mexico and on the Crimea
le dld not possess the peculiar attrib-
ties that gave Grant and Sherman and
meridian the applause. the credit and {
ne honor them justly due. Besides. {
Teneral Mcclellan, in entering the t
I9ld as Presidential candidate against {
lr. Lincoln, placed himself in a posi- [
ION that lost him friends and made
is loyalty an object ofsuspicion. And I
ct, with all, the death of Little a
Lac" IN its startling snddenness, has G
'uched a sympathetic chord the coun- 9
y over. His virtues will outshine his I
rrors, and his name will pass down to Il
Osterlty as one of the prominent fig- a
res IN the early history of the great o
vii war.-MOrRing Neacs. fl