"George Brinton McClellan had almost all of the gifts. He was young, sturdy, intelligent, and up to a certain point he was very lucky. A short man with a barrel chest, a handsome face, and the air of one who knew what all of the trumpets meant, he won (without trying much more than was necessary) the adoration and the lasting affection of some very tough fighting men who tended to be most cynical about their generals. He had too much, perhaps, and he had it too soon and too easily; life did not hammer toughness into him until it was too late, and although many men died for him, he never quite understood what their deaths meant or what he could do with their devotion. For a time he deserved his country most ably."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Generals of the Union ArmyUnited States Military Academy alumniCommanding Generals and Chiefs of Staff of the United States ArmyUnited States Army peopleGovernors of New Jersey
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Bruce Catton, The Coming Fury (1961), p. 404
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/George_B._McClellan
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan (December 3, 1826 – October 29, 1885), commonly known as George B. McClellan, was an American military officer and politician who served as the 24th governor of New Jersey and as Commanding General of the United States Army from November 1861 to March 1862. He was also an engineer, and was chief engineer and vice president of the Illinois Central Railroad, and later president of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad in 1860.
9 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by George B. McClellan →
Related Quotes
"Soldiers! I have heard that there was danger here. I have come to place myself at your head and to share it with you.…"
"I went to the White House shortly after tea where I found "the original gorilla," about as intelligent as ever. What …"
"Born in Pennsylvania, McClellan was thirty-five when the war began. He had been graduated from West Point in 1846, nu…"
"Once he called upon General McClellan, and the President went over to the General's house — a process which I assure …"
"After you left, I ascertained that less than twenty thousand unorganized men, without a single field battery, were al…"
"I do not forget that I was satisfied with your arrangement to leave Banks at Mannassas Junction; but when that arrang…"
"And, once more let me tell you, it is indispensable to you that you strike a blow. I am powerless to help this. You w…"
"No general surpassed him in audacity and aggressiveness. If McClellan took no risks, Lee perhaps took too many. He pr…"
"Our Nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal."
"He was notable throughout a brief, thwarted career for the charm of his manner and his chivalrous ideals in public li…"