General george b mcclellan family tree

George McClellan is a name that, unfortunately, carries a lot of disappointment. He is known for his failures and lack of action than for his accomplishments. 

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, He graduated second in the West Point in 1846 and was commissioned as an officer in the US Army Corps of Engineers.

At the start of the Civil War, he was a civilian when the Governor of Ohio commissioned him, Major General of the Ohio militia, in April 1861.

After the defeat of the Union forces at Bull Run in July 1861 and McClellan's success at the Battle of Philippi, President Abraham Lincoln made him the first commander of the Army of the Potomac responsible for Washington's defense.

He was made commander-in-chief of all US forces in November of that year.

In the spring and summer of 1862, McClellan's failure to defeat the Confederates on the Peninsula Campaign added to the growing rift between him and the Lincoln administration.