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Bradshaw, Wesley (1837-1927) General M'Clellan's dream

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06452.01 Author/Creator: Bradshaw, Wesley (1837-1927) Place Written: s.l. Type: Broadside Date: circa November 1861 Pagination: 1 p. ; 44.6 x 23.6 cm.

Summary of Content: Relates a dream McClellan supposedly had, in which George Washington reveals Confederate plans to him. Story claims that McClellan, shortly after taking command, had a dream where George Washington revealed to him that there was a traitor in his midst, and also showed him where all the Confederate forces were massed, which would allow him to easily win the war. This version was printed a few months after the original publication of the story. The printers are "unable to vouch for the truthfulness" of the dream, and it was most likely either apocryphal or completely fabricated by the author. Wesley Bradshaw was a pen-name for Charles Wesley Alexander (1837-1927), a Philadelphia publisher. He also used the pen name to write "George Washington's vision" a similar story about a vision Washington had during the American Revolution.

People: Bradshaw, Wesley, 1837-1927
McClellan, George B., 1826-1885

Historical Era: Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877

Subjects: Civil WarMilitary HistoryUnion GeneralUnion ForcesConfederate States of AmericaPresidentSuperstition

Sub Era: The American Civil War

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