Incredible General George B. McClellan ALS Reflecting on Writing Civil War History – “Until the Passions of the Hour Have Measurably Subsided” – PSA Certified

This is an Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) by George B. McClellan, penned entirely in his hand and dated August 2, 1891, from Orange, New Jersey. The letter is addressed to T. Apoleon Cheney, LL.D., a historian and author. In this letter, McClellan acknowledges Cheney’s pamphlet and expresses encouragement for his “plan of writing the History of the present war,” though he wisely cautions that “it will perhaps be impossible to do full justice to the subject until the end is reached and the passions of the hour have measurably subsided.”

Written in McClellan’s hand on lined paper in brown ink, the letter is signed boldly at the close, "Geo. B. McClellan." The manuscript remains clean and legible, with minor age toning consistent with its era.

George Brinton McClellan (1826–1885) was a prominent Union general during the American Civil War, best known for organizing the Army of the Potomac and briefly serving as the General-in-Chief of the Union Army. Despite his administrative skill and popularity among his troops, McClellan’s overly cautious strategy and failure to decisively pursue Confederate forces led to his removal by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862.

McClellan later ran unsuccessfully for President against Lincoln in the election of 1864. After the war, he served as Governor of New Jersey from 1878 to 1881. This letter, dated 1891, is particularly noteworthy as it is posthumous in attribution—it appears the letter may have been misdated, as McClellan died in 1885, indicating either an error in date transcription or authorship attribution on the letter itself. However, PSA has authenticated the signature as genuine, confirming it as an authentic example of McClellan’s handwriting and autograph.

The letter addresses historical interpretation of the Civil War and encourages the recipient's plan to write a history of the conflict. This insight into McClellan’s thoughts on Civil War historiography provides valuable context into how participants of the era believed the war should be recorded and remembered.

This letter has been fully examined and authenticated by PSA/DNA, bearing Certification Number: AO09675. The accompanying Letter of Authenticity verifies that the signature is genuine, with PSA confirming the handwriting and signature are consistent with known examples of George B. McClellan’s autographs. A tamper-evident PSA sticker is affixed, ensuring provenance and validation.

Autograph letters from key Civil War figures remain among the most sought-after historical collectibles. This signed letter from General George B. McClellan not only bears his full signature but discusses the legacy and interpretation of the very war he helped shape. With its PSA-certified authenticity and historically rich content, this letter is a valuable addition for collectors of Civil War memorabilia, presidential history, and 19th-century American correspondence.