1887 Civil War 1st ed George McClellan Own Story Union General Slavery Lincoln



“The Union, which can alone insure internal peace, and external security to each State, Must and Shall be Preserved, cost what it may in time, treasure, and blood.”

– George B. McClellan



A rare first edition of George B. McClellans “Own Story” which wasnt published until 1887, after his death. McClellan used this work as a platform to defend his conduct, actions, and decisions during the Mexican-American War and Civil War. This book includes letters to his wife, in which McClellan reveals his pride as a general as well as his feelings toward war.



Some of the most important inclusions in this work are McClellans views on the causes and reasons for the Civil War, noting slavery and the Lincoln-Douglas debates as primary causes, but he blamed the South as the culprit for causing the uprising, rather than putting any blame on the North.

Per Eicher,

“This is in large part a reworking of McClellans Letter of the Secretary of War…offers a biographical sketch of McClellan, a treatise on the causes of war…the value of this work is reduced to a historical reflection of his psychology in the early chapters.”



This book also has interesting letter correspondence between McClellan and Abraham Lincoln, in which Lincoln questions McClellans decisions and reasoning for not following Lincolns tactical plans.

“Wherein is a victory more certain by your plan than mine? Wherein is a victory more valuable by your plan than mine? In fact, would it not be less valuable in this: that it would break no great line of the enemys communication, while mine would? In case of disaster would not a retreat be more difficult by your plan than mine?” – Abraham Lincoln, to McClellan (p. 229)



Item number: #17411

Price: $599



McCLELLAN, George Brinton



McClellans own Story: the war for the Union, the soldiers who fought it, the civilians who directed it, and his relations to it and them.



New York: Charles Webster, 1887. First edition



Details:

Collation: Complete with all pages

xiv, 678

References: Nevins II, 73; Eicher 539

Nevins: “Defensive in tone, the volume covers only the period of McClellans generalship”

Language: English

Binding: Hardcover; tight and secure

Green cloth

Size: ~9.25in X 6.5in (24cm x 16.5cm)



Our Guarantee:

Very Fast. Very Safe. Free Shipping Worldwide.

Customer satisfaction is our priority! Notify us with 7 days of receiving, and we will offer a full refund without reservation!





17411

Excellent