George McClellan
General George McClellan was a Civil War officer for the Union. He was the first Commander of the Army of the Potomac and General-in-Chief to the Union Armies after the retirement of Winfield Scott. Although well-liked by his men and the public, he had issues with caution on the battlefield and was removed from both positions in 1862. Lincoln replaced him after the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day in American history.
Despite his military failures, McClellan was often the vessel for Fanny’s patriotism in her diary. She defended him multiple times and even argued with others over his dedication and goodness (which was not common for Fanny to do). Fanny’s patriotism grew throughout the duration of the war, although the final years were hardly documented in her diary. Much later in the war, Fanny was teased that when she married it would be to a soldier.
“A young man in uniform stepped in, and at the first glance I knew that the person before me was–our Commander in Chief! … General McClellan spoke but little, in a low pleasant voice–What he said was very brief, and I missed one or two remarks from not understanding what he said–He was taller, thinner in the face and younger looking than I expected to see him. His hair was rather dark brown, with a light moustache and imperial–his eyes blue–his expression a good deal like that of some of his photographs–but his face not so full–He is a well looking, not a handsome man, in my opinion–and in regard to that part of his looks, most portraits are flattering” Mar 30, 1862
George Brinton McClellan / Mathew Brady Studio, undated / Modern albumen print from wet plate collodion negative / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution