McClellan’s Own Story. The War for the Union.

MCCLELLAN, George B.

Item Number: 132353

New York: Charles L. Webster, 1887.

First edition of the Civil War memoir of Lincoln’s controversial commander of the Army of the Potomac. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth decorated in gilt, patterned endpapers, steel-engraved frontispiece portrait, nine illustrations, three full-page maps, and a two-page facsimile letter. In near fine condition.

"A military enigma, a brilliant administrator and a man possessing much good strategic sense" (Boatner, 524), McClellan was commander-in-chief of the Union forces from November 1861 to March 1862. "This controversial Union general's memoirs are really an explanation of his wartime activities and decisions. McClellan's administrative and organizational skills are often overshadowed by his alleged shortcomings in the field and his involvement in party politics. It is seldom remembered that Grant used the weapon that McClellan forged to defeat Lee and win the war" (Union Bookshelf 56). "Lee, who should have known, set him down as the best commander who ever faced him" (ANB).