Lee's opinion of McClellan

[wilber6150]

I was doing some research when I came across this quote from Robert E. Lee

"Asked then who was the ablest Federal general he had opposed throughout the war, Robert E. Lee replied without hesitation "McClellan, by all odds.""

This got me wondering what was it about him that made General Lee think so highly of him. Was it his great ability to rebuild the army physically and materially or more importantly the morale of the troops; or was it his tatical skills.. Though McClellan was a inept as a fast striking offensive minded officer as mentioned by President Lincoln in this quote

I said I would remove him if he let Lee's army get away from him, and I must do so. He has got the slows, Mr. Blair."

In the mode of defense, however, he countered many of Lee's moves as shown in the Seven days campaign, and also suprised Lee with his speed in the response to his first attempted invasion of the North.. Though, having a copy of Lee's orders certainly didn't hurt

So my question I'd like to put out on this forum is what qualities about McClellan do you think Lee was admiring that placed him above say Grant..

thanks

[flattop32355]

I'd like to know the source and the context of Lee remark. I'm not doubting the remark is accurately stated, but I'd like to see it within its original text. That could possibly have a strong bearing on what he meant.

[FloridaConfederate]

I guess if it was said in 64' an argument could be made that Marse Robert was a "cross over" (hmmmm ain't that familiar ?) supporter as Mac was running against Ole Abe...a Dem in the WH with no stomach for the fight would have been pretty attractive to me even if he was one of "those people".

Or who better to tout as the el General Supremo than one whose arse you whupped all over the Peninsula ?

[wilber6150]

Interesting,
trying to run down the source of this quote, I found another source which attributes it to John Mosby, here seems to be the complete quote, but I will have to find another source to break the tie on who actually said it...

In 1867 John Singleton Mosby, was interviewed in the Philadelphia Post about the merits of the different generals in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Whom do you consider the ablest General on the Federal side?" "McClellan, by all odds. I think he is the only man on the Federal side who could have organized the army as it was. Grant had, of course, more successes in the field in the latter part of the war, but Grant only came in to reap the benefits of McClellan's previous efforts. At the same time, I do not wish to disparage General Grant, for he has many abilities, but if Grant had commanded during the first years of the war, we would have gained our independence. Grant's policy of attacking would have been a blessing to us, for we lost more by inaction than we would have lost in battle. After the first Manassas the army took a sort of 'dry rot', and we lost more men by camp diseases than we would have by fighting."

[FloridaConfederate]

what qualities about McClellan do you think Lee was admiring that placed him above say Grant..

His ability to retreat and leave lots of dandy stuff in his wake.

They way he drug his feet.

Then McClellan followed soon, both with spade and balloon,
To try the Peninsular approaches,
But one and all agreed that his best rate of speed
Was no faster than the slowest of slow coaches.

[FloridaConfederate]

Ok Colonel I'll buy that. He was the consummate administrator.

Fits my modern experience with administrators. A lot of administration. Little action.

[wilber6150]

Granted, all very true..But I doubt that Lee ,the gentleman, had sarcasim in mind when he wrote that..

[wilber6150]

I did find another characterization of McClellan from Memoirs of Colonel Mosby

McClellan was a soldier of great organizing ability and trained in the science of war - I mean in those operations that can be regulated by rules. But he had none of the inspiration that decides and acts instantly, and he was now confronted by a condition without a precedent. So he was helpless.

This keeps with the tone of the first statement, so I'm of the opinion that it might have been said by Mosby and not Lee but it is still it is interesting what this Confederate general thought of his adversaries..

[reb64]

So my question I'd like to put out on this forum is what qualities about McClellan do you think Lee was admiring that placed him above say Grant..

thanks

Mac didnt waste men, mac fought by rules and expected his foe to do the same. he wanted to win with honor, and keep cities and civil bodies funconing, not blood letting scorched earth.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

In the mode of defense, however, he countered many of Lee's moves as shown in the Seven days campaign, and also suprised Lee with his speed in the response to his first attempted invasion of the North.. Though, having a copy of Lee's orders certainly didn't hurt

I think you've covered this ground on this forum before. Mac didn't counter Lee's moves during the Seven Days--the Army of the Potomac's corps commanders and division commanders did. Mac was not present at any of the Seven Days battles, so how could he counter anything Lee did? Those battles were all mushed-up messes on both sides; accidental collisions of forces more than they were truly on purpose by the opposing commanders. Mac was not only a poor offensive commander, he wasn't a very good defensive one. He was not actually present on the field at any of the batltes in which his forces fought, from Rich Mountain through Antietam.

So my question I'd like to put out on this forum is what qualities about McClellan do you think Lee was admiring that placed him above say Grant..

Lee's purported remark has always mystified me. I would have thought that Lee probably respected Grant the most, because Grant beat him.