Existing comment:
George McClellan Statue
Union General McClellan had been hailed as the "Young Napoleon" at the start of the Civil War. He was a brilliant organizer, administrator, and trainer but he couldn't lead the troops at all.
After fighting in the Mexican War, he retired to private life and met Abraham Lincoln while working in Illinois. He became a Major General at the start of the war and won a minor victory at Rich Mountain, West Virginia just before the Federal disaster at First Bull Run. This put him in the right light at a critical time and he became commander of the armies around Washington and then Commander in Chief of the army. He was beloved by the troops as he formed them into a decently trained force. His failure in the Peninsular Campaign caused him to be replaced by John Pope. After Second Bull Run, McClellan was put back in charge. The administration became upset at his unwillingness to engage the enemy and he was relieved by Abraham Lincoln after failing to follow through at Antietam.
He then ran against Lincoln in the election of 1864 but lost. |