When the struggle between the North and South approached, he was said--with what truth we know not--to have hesitated, before determining upon his course; but it is probable that the only question with him was whether he should fight for the North or remain neutral.

In his politics he was a Democrat, and the war on the South is said to have shocked his State-rights view.

But, whatever his sentiments had been, he accepted command, and fought a successful campaign in Western Virginia.

From that moment his name became famous; he was said to have achieved "two victories in one day," and he received from the newspapers the flattering name of "the Young Napoleon." The result of this successful campaign, slight in importance as it was, procured for General McClellan the high post of commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States.

Operations in every portion of the South were to be directed by him; and he was especially intrusted with the important work of organizing the new levies at Washington.