George McClellan's reputation is not a good one. As commander of the Union armies early in the American Civil War, he is often credited as a significant factor in his opponents' successes.
The irony is that McClellan's weakness was grounded in his successes and the failures of other men.
McClellan's Character
McClellan was not the worst choice of commanders. An efficient drillmaster and administrator he had achieved successes in the war's first months. He turned the Army of the Potomac into a well-oiled fighting machine. His promotion to command of a critical army in the east and then to overall commander of the Union forces seemed a natural choice.
