John
Jacob Astor, Jr., grandson of the fur trader who was the first American to
accumulate a great fortune, was eager to demonstrate his patriotism. He was,
however, less than enthusiastic about signing up for three years of military
service. Hence he negotiated a deal whereby he became a volunteer aide-de-camp
to Maj. General George B. McClellan.
Colonel
Aster took up his duties in November 1861 and remained with the Army of the
Potomac for eight months. There’s no record that he ever carried a musket or was
exposed to confederate fire, but in 1865 he was awarded a brevet as brigadier
general "for services rendered during the Peninsular Campaign.”
