After being relieved of military command for overcautiousness, Gen. McClellan was nominated in 1864 as the Democratic Party candidate to run against Lincoln on a peace platform. Although unsuccessful in this bid, McClellan went on to serve as governor of New Jersey from 1878 to 1881, proving himself to be a brilliant administrator.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The original,
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This review is from: McClellan's Own Story: The War for the Union, the Soldiers Who Fought It, the Civilians Who Directed It, and His Relations to It and to Them (Hardcover)
People will read book after book about McClellans' career written by authors who interpret the Generals' writings and give it their own "spin".Here's a chance to read and enjoy a book written by McClellan himself and get his side of the story.I believe you will be surprised.Instead of seeing a hysterical General ranting about "the original Gorilla",and giving a million and one reasons why he can't possibly fight the "rebels",you'll see a real patriotic,deeply religious American doing everything he can to get at Jeff Davis'boys.By the way McClellan says the term"original gorilla was actually coined by Stanton a member of Lincoln's cabinet.
McClellan does comes off as a "perfectionist" however and insists on doing things correctly according to the book.Early in the book he describes how spotty and disorganized Washington's defenses were,the confederate army could have literally walked in in early 1861.McClellan built up the Capitals' defenses to the point where he felt confident that he could move "on to Richmond" with little concern over the confederate army taking Washington. Little Mac also offers an explanation on what made the southern soldier fight. He says the average white male of the south was used to following their leadership and when the war broke out it was simply,"Follow the leader",no questions asked!!In the long run he believes his methodical army procedures will overcome southern risk takers like Stonewall Jackson.General McClellan comes off in the book as the confident poker player with "the hand" who will overcome the southern "bluff",extreme risk taking,with its desperate "foot cavalry "marching,abandonment of dead and wounded,etc.,despite some of the early Union setbacks.You can feel the charisma of the General,and see why he was so popular with the troops.He is really enlightened about the supply and medical necessities of his troops. At times he does seem a little pedantic but too often he was right about his assessments of wartime situations. He warned Lincoln's administration on numerous occasions to abandon Harpers Ferry and send the troops to him before they were captured. Another instance was during the Peninsular campaign when Hallech insisted that McClellan defend Washington while laying siege to Richmond. McClellan told "Old Brains"? that this strategy would stretch the Union army too thin and leave the right flank floating in the air. The right flank was where the confederate army struck. Mcclellan insisted previous to Halleck that Washington's defenses were sufficient without reinforcements.McClellan should have known because he personally placed and supervised the fortress complex around Washington. There are alot of other instances where McClellan comes off being right making Lincoln and his cabinet appear incompetent.He provides letters and documentation to prove his points well.This book is very persuasive and you'll get the impression that "Ol Brains" Halleck should be rechristened "No Brains".When McClellan's interpretations prove right on too many occasions,he is accused by the Lincoln administration of deliberately sabotaging Halleck's "pet commanders".I had to ask myself at the end of the book-What exactly was Halleck's role in Lincoln's administration? Was he a political appointment to placate the Radicals,a safety buffer or denial link for failure or what?? Lincoln comes off more as Abe the Railsplitter,rather than Saint Abe in this book.Remember the casualties of this war were in the million range and I believe McClellan tried to keep this number low-that's why his troops loved him so much.Everyone knows body counts are for politicians.Instead of spending so much time on other authors' interpretations of 'Little Mac" get it straight from the horses mouth in this book.Remenber though that this book was written 20 years after the war however and there is a tendency to strategically forget or alter memories and correspondences.I expected to read about Pinkertons' exaggerating confederate numbers and McClellan crying,"I need another million men",standard in works on Little Mac,but there was none of this.The only exaggerations I noted were in the works of authors who wrote bios on Mcclellan.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Little Mac,
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This review is from: McClellan's Own Story: The War for the Union, the Soldiers Who Fought It, the Civilians Who Directed It, and His Relations to It and to Them (Hardcover)
A very good book, which shows McCellan for what he was. McClellan was a great general but one that should have worked under someone who could actually lead and army into battle. If his ego would not have been in his way he would have been a good General under someone else. Even Scott could have taught him a few things. Its a must have for anyone interested in the early years of the Civil War.
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