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G. S. Hillard, Life and Campaigns of George B. McClellan, Major-General , U. S. Army, Chapter 3: (search)
here mentioned that he was in the first instance designated for the commission by President Pierce himself, who had had an opportunity in the Mexican War to observe what manner of soldier and man ho was. Of the three officers, he, too, was the only one who had seen actual service in the field. The exact nature of the duties assigned to the commission may be learned from the letter of the Secretary of War, the essential parts of which are as follows:-- War Department, Washington, April 2, 1855. gentlemen:--You have been selected to form a commission to visit Europe, for the purpose of obtaining in formation with regard to the military service in general, and especially the practical working of the changes which have been introduced of late years into the military systems of the principal nations of Europe. Some of the subjects to which it is peculiarly desirable to direct your attention may be indicated as follows:-- The organization of armies and of the departments