Photograph as originally submitted to this page in the Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org. Click on photo to resize in browser. Scroll down to see metadata.

Photographer: Allen C. Browne
Taken: November 29, 2015
Caption: George B. McClellan
Additional Description: This 1888 portrait of George B. McClellan by Julian Scott hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.

“After the Union army's defeat at the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1861, President Lincoln appointed thirty-four-year-old General George B. McClellan to command federal operations in Virginia. Within weeks, "little Mac" transformed the remnants of a demoralized volunteer army into a disciplined fighting machine and christened it the Army of the Potomac. But achieving victory required engaging the enemy in battle, and in this McClellan procrastinated, much to Lincoln's exasperation. When he did lead his troops into battle, he was slow to advance and quick to retreat. Finally, after McClellan failed to pursue Robert E. Lee's army following the Union's victory at the Battle of Antietam in September 1862, Lincoln relieved him of his command. McClellan emerged briefly in national politics in 1864 as the Democratic Party's unsuccessful presidential candidate.” — National Portrait Gallery
Submitted: December 5, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Database Locator Identification Number: p340983
File Size: 1.183 Megabytes

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