Two of the major Union figures in the American Civil War were George B. McClellan and Ulysses S. Grant. Both of these men played a prominent role in the Civil War while one of them, Grant, was able to bring the war to a close. In this article we will examine why Grant succeeded at a task that McClellan failed at looking at their lives for evidence of why this was.
McClellan vs. Grant
George Brinton McClellan was born in 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and McClellan seemed destined for greatness. McClellan attended the University of Pennsylvania for two years before moving on and attending West Point. Here, George shinned, graduating second in his class of 1846. McClellan went on after graduation to earn a first lieutenant and captain brevets in the Mexican-American War.
Here, we can already see the start contrast between Grant and McClellan. Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio and grew up in Georgetown, Ohio. He was the son of a tanner named Jesse Root Grant, already in contrast to McClellan’s father, a successful surgeon. Grant was forced to work helping out with the tannery which he hated. Eventually, Grant was given an appointment to West Point. However, far from being second in his class like McClellan, Grant graduated in the middle of his class, 21st of 39 in 1843. His only memorable act there being his horsemanship. Grant too would go on to serve in the Mexican-American War and earned brevet commissions of first lieutenant and captain.
McClellan then continued his rise to greatness and served as a WestPoint instructor. He also ran a series of surveys for railroad companies as well as other engineering tasks such as Fort Delaware. Following this he went to Europe to observe the Crimean War and published a book on his experiences there.
In the meantime, Grant struggled greatly to find his way. Grant was sent west to the Oregon Territory in 1852 with the 4th Infantry. He was then moved to Fort Humboldt in California where he was reportedly forced out of the service for excessive drinking. Grant went back east and attempted to farm his father-in-law’s land but failed. He also failed a real estate venture before settling working with his father once more.
With the outbreak of war, McClellan was given the rank of major general. He would quickly rise through the ranks and earn the nickname of the “Young Napoleon.” McClellan was quickly promoted to general-in-chief and was given command of the Army of the Potomac. McClellan succeeded in organizing the Union force and whipping them into shape.
Grant struggled to get a command and even reached out to McClellan who refused to see Grant. Eventually, Grant was out in command of troops in Galena, Illinois and became colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteers. It was now that fortunes would finally change between the two men.
McClellan saw a technical victory at Antietam, however, things would quickly change as Lincoln’s patience for the “Young Napoleon” soon grew thin. McClellan’s inactivity and refusal to chase after Lee led to him being relieved of command.
While McClellan was struggling in the East, Grant was slowly making a name for himself after years of struggle. Grant saw success capturing forts Henry and Donelson. He won another victory at Shiloh and eventually went on to capture the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg. Grant received promotion after promotion and even saved the Union force at the Battle of Chattanooga. Grant was finally given McClellan’s old job and put in command of all Union forces. Grant went on to finally wear Lee down to the point that he was forced to surrender at Appomattox Courthouse and eventually end the American Civil War.
Why Grant Succeeded
Grant’s bullish, straight forward mentality developed over the years of toil and struggle helped make him into the man that would eventually win the Civil War for the North. Grant’s hardscrabble background taught him to never turn back.
McClellan, on the other hand, was raised in such a way that he was afraid to fail. The success that he had early on eventually became his downfall. He was the perfect general to face an undermanned and outgunned Confederate army because he was always looking to be fooled. Constantly believing that Lee had more men than he had and constantly afraid to lose. McClellan had the perfect opportunity to crush Lee at Antietam but he failed to pursue and end the war.
Grant on the other hand refused to be stopped. When one way failed he would find another way. There was no stopping Grant when his focus was set. That made Grant the perfect man to wear down the South and win the Civil War. Grant’s perseverance to never give up developed during his years of struggles and battles in his personal life made him the perfect man to bring America’s bloodiest conflict to an end.
Please find links to
The Civil War Centers Website.