They Followed McClellan Like "Many Thunders"
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- The depression that settled over the loyal people of the United States following the devastating loss at the Battle of Bull Run in July 1861 caused much hand-wringing and finger-pointing. The nation needed a young military leader to rebuild the country's fortunes. And they soon found him: George Brinton McClellan, who had recently helped bring western Virginia under Union control. Here's an account of his rise to power.
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Image: National Portrait Gallery
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Thank you Ron, I appreciate these stories. Cheers.
Ron, I absolutely love your videos every week day! I love the presentation and the subject matters. It is a true part of my every morning. As to today's subject, it seems the more I read about and hear about McClellan, the more I realize that he was so darn full of himself. He had confidence in himself without the skill to demonstrate or exhibit the skill on the campaign trail. Always seemed full of "what I'm gonna do" and sorely lacking (for the most part) any of the "what I did do". I've read so many excerpts of his (seemingly) daily letters to his wife as well and nothing is ever his fault in his mind. Today's excerpt from his war-time biography is apparently written by one of his many fan boys. So full of hype and bluster. That said, this was another excellent delivery Ron. Thank you for the work you do!
Thank you. McClellan certainly had loyal followers, but I can't get over how he stayed so safely away from the fighting at Antietam with hordes of fresh soldiers to guard him. I like to contrast him and his pageantry with Grant who had mud spattered boots on at Lee's surrender. McClellan's treatment of Lincoln during the '64 primaries was also shameless.
McClellan, a legend in his ow mind … and if not for Sherman taking Atlanta when he did … might have been President as well.
McClellan: “I want to have my cake and eat it too”
The embodiment of the Peter Principle in military leadership. But for his ego and disdain, he could still have still accomplished so much.
It’s unfortunate that GEN McClellan was unable to repeat his mere appearance of inaction, and translate it into decisive action once in command of the Army of the Potomac. The great weight of command responsibilities has since befallen other great generals. The skills required to win battles pale in comparison to those required to win campaigns & wars. Grant (& others) understood the value of time, and the demoralizing effects of speed & audacity on one’s foes. Strategic patience and thorough preparation are needed skills among senior commanders, but knowing when to act is a trait that separates the good from the great. Perfect preparation, like perfect intelligence about your adversary, is a chimera best recognized as a poor substitute for timely action.
If only the payoff had been as great as the promise. McLellan might have made an excellent Brigadier General but lacked the self assurance to run the whole show. Grant meanwhile, was honing his skills in the west.
One of the great missed opportunities of the war was that the Confederates did not pursue the Great Skedaddle into Washington and take the city after the rout of Union forces at the first Battle of Manassas.
Or they could have over-extended themselves and been crushed in the approaches to DC.
He to start to get West Virginia, but Rosecrans did to get West Virginia!