Born December 3, 1826
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died October 29, 1885
Orange, New Jersey

Union general known as "the young Napoleon"

Commander of the Army of the
Potomac in 1861–62

Democratic nominee for the presidency in 1864

"McClellan was capable and skilled in creating an army, but he had too much of a mother's instinct in him, too much of the protective instinct."

From Civil War Journal: The Leaders

George B. McClellan (Courtesy of the Library of Congress.)

George B. McClellan was one of the top Union military leaders during the early years of the Civil War. He took command of the Army of the Potomac in July 1861—following the Union's humiliating defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run—and soon proved to be a great organizer and motivator of troops. When it came time to lead his forces into battle, however, McClellan became slow and indecisive. His shortcomings as...