Old Fuss and Feathers

May 29, 1866 - General Winfield Scott died on this day. During his prime, he was America's most revered military leader, with a remarkable career that stretched from the War of 1812 through the Civil War. He fought and won significant battles in wars against the British, the Seminoles, and the Mexicans.

Riding a wave of popularity, Scott ran an unsuccessful race for the presidency in 1852.

He was 75 years old and suffering from gout when the Civil War broke out. Even though he was born in Virginia, Scott sided with the Union. He was one of President Lincoln's most trusted advisors on strategy. In fact, Scott was the mastermind behind the Anaconda Plan. This approach called for a naval blockade to cut off the Confederate supply lines and to buy the Union some time to build up their forces. This patient approach was very unpopular, as most of the military leaders at the time were predicting a short and decisive war.

Scott's devotion to military protocol earned him the nickname, "Old Fuss and Feathers." He lived long enough to see the Union victory in the Civil War, and the validation of his Anaconda Plan.