Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-12-02
From tie National .sdpcat.
GENERAL. SCOTT


We had al FL st determined 10 lei the a..
OF the dismissal Of Gen. Scott from the army
pass without any particular notice. Bu; on -.
Election 1t seems just and necessary that III.
public shouh be fully appri,.d Of the facts +
circumstances OF the case, that no false impn.,.
sion or improper sympathy may he imbib,d
unjusily towards the government, or hur,ful IA
the public service. OF the immediate ,r,ns,c.
lions connected with Gen. SCOTS di,mis,,,
nothing has TRANSFERRED, although such an even,
was anticip,t by all, the moment he should
come in contact with his superior officer Msio.
Gen. Macomh, and refuse 10 obey his OF ders'-
We recall few Of the facts which impeach the
conduct OF General Scott in this unpleasan, al,
fair, and If we are al all misinlormed or do III,
gallant man any injustice We shall be happy! +,
be set right.
Previous to the vacancy occasioned BY III.
death Of Gen. Brown, there was one Major Gen,
Brown aud three Brigadier Generals, two Of
whom were Major Generals by Brepei; these
were Generals Scott and Gaines In the pre.
sent reanization Of the Army 3revets give
no rank in line and none exists above thai Of
Colonel. Gen. Macomb was the oldest Colonel
consequently Gen. Scotl's uperior in kneal rank
and hence his selection by the President 10 the
chief command. When General Macomb &C.
copied The command Of the Engineer Depart,
ment many years ago it was perfectly under
stood he should siiIl preserve his rank for Oh
ly on this condition would he accept n.-Bg
to put the mater in another point Of view the
President Of the United States is authorized to
select and could have selected AIRY individual
out of The service in his opinion competent TO it,
duties, and could have commissioned him as
Commanding General Of the Army. Many Of
Gen. SCOTS friends conceived him 10 have vies'
ed the case with mistaken impressions and cor
sidereG his objections erroneous Gen. Gaines,
who had equal groundk for dissatisfaction, nad.
no complaint. and theSourse adopted by Tho
President was justified BY most Of the Officers
of he Army then at Washington, among whom
was the late brave and lamented Colonel Josiah
Smelling, Of Tippecanoe memory. Upon the
appointment OF Gen. Macomb, Gen. Scott &C.
DIRE ssed a letter il is SAID, TO the President d.
claring that he would obey any orders from
,hei War Department, or from the PresidrH,
but should not obey any from Gen. Macomb,
requesting his arrest and a court Of enquiry
Having a, that time disobeyed no order, his AZ.
rest did not take place, but he was informed
through the War Department, that unless he
proceed ed to Join his command in the West
lis services would no longer be required blythe
Government. The Generals friends preS4Iet
upon him TO adop, that course, and he didpro'
coed 10 his command. OF the propriely, nay
absolute necessity Of the prompt proceedings
of the President, under these circumstance
question cannot, we think be raised: The chl
power it rejoices US to know, was equal 10 an
instantaneous & peremptory punishment Of al
act Of military characterization, dangerous a.
like to tile army and to the nation, as an exam |
| ME- summarized by the high character OF hero'
acbie vements Of the officer refusing obedieso
10 bis superior