General John C Fremont A standing view CDV in full uniform with sword. Fremont was an explorer, military officer and politician. He was given command of the Department of the West by Abraham Lincoln. Frémont had successes during his brief tenure there, though he ran his department autocratically and made hasty decisions without consulting President Lincoln or Army headquarters. He issued an unauthorized emancipation edict and was relieved of his command for insubordination by Lincoln. Back marked E. Anthony, Brady’s National Portrait Gallery.