McClellan Quotes

When George B. McClellan was commander of the Union army, he maintained a very conservative military strategy and would not initiate any attacks. Lincoln wrote:

Actually, the Agriculture Department was one of Lincoln’s greatest achievements. The subsidies and corporate welfare came much later. The biggest benefits were the land grant collages where agricultural research improved the yields and productivity and the Agricultural Extension provided training and technical assistance to American farmers making the United States the most efficient agricultural producer in the world. The subsidies and corporate welfare had and has nothing to do with the positive initiatives that Lincoln envisioned.

There are many theories as to why McClellan was so reluctant to attack even when he had more guns, more men, and better field position, but he almost always came up with a reason. Some historians believe that he really sympathized with the South and wanted the Union to end the war by allowing slavery to continue in the South. McClellan disliked Lincoln and even ran against him for President in 1864. Halleck was McClellan’s superior as General in Chief, but he could not get McClellan to attack any more than the President or others could. When Lincoln fired McClellan, things turned around with the Army of the Potomac.

Califano had just reported to the President that he had successfully negotiated a deal with a key senator.

McClellan liked to parade and drill his troops but not fight them. Lincoln wanted him to take the offensive but the general always found an excuse not to. Many historians believe that McClellan wanted the war to end, the South to rejoin the Union and be allowed to maintain slavery. Others feel that he was just a military man who maintained his popularity by minimizing casualties. Finally, Lincoln fired McLellan and the complexion of the war changed thereafter. McClellan ran against Lincoln for the Presidency in 1864. See {633923}

McClellan found many reasons to avoid engaging the Southern forces, and when battles could not be avoided, he would never pursue the enemy after an engagement but would regroup. Much public opinion was unhappy with McClellan, but he had great support among the Democrats who were not supporters of the war. Finally Lincoln fired McClellan who then ran as a Democrat against the President in 1864. McClellan looked and talked like a great general but was much averse to fighting. Once rid of McClellan, the Union Army began to have success although losses on both sides were horrendous.

McClellan liked to parade and drill his troops but not fight them. Lincoln wanted him to take the offensive but he always found an excuse not to. Many historians believe that McClellan wanted the war to end, the South to rejoin the Union and be allowed to maintain slavery. Others feel that he was just a military man who maintained his popularity by minimizing casualties. Finally, Lincoln fired McLellan and the complexion of the war changed thereafter. McClellan ran against Lincoln for the Presidency in 1864. . See {633922}