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Major-General George Brinton McClellan
McClellan graduated second in the West Point class of 1846. He worked as an engineer with the army until leaving in 1857 to enter the railroad business. At the outbreak of the war he was given command of all Ohio troops. Lincoln, who had never met him, promoted him to major general on April 23, 1861, making him the second highest ranking Union general. His first campaign was to secure what is now West Virginia for the Union. This success, along with Irvin McDowell's loss at First Manassas, led to McClellan's appointment as commander of the Army of the Potomac and General-in Chief of the Armies of the United States. His subsequent operations resulted in missed opportunities, partly because he continously overestimated the strength of the Confederate Army. At Antietam, McClellan was able to stop Lee's invasion of Maryland, but was only able to get a draw in the battle. Although popular with his soldiers, his hesitancy and timidity led to his removal from command on November 7, 1862. In 1864, he unsuccessfully ran for President against Lincoln. He died in 1885 in New Jersey.Source: "Generals in Blue" Warner, Ezra J.
