George Brinton McClellan

McClellan, George Brinton (1826–85), controversial Union general in the U.S. Civil War. In July 1861 he was given command of the Army of the Potomac, and later that year the supreme command. His hesitation in taking the offensive and his failure to take Richmond led to his dismissal. After being reinstated, McClellan failed to follow up his success at the Battle of Antietam and was again dismissed in 1862. In 1864 he ran unsuccessfully for the presidency against Abraham Lincoln.

See also: Civil War, U.S.