The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-06-02
GEN. WINFIELD SCOTT.
A Glance ant his life.

n &ls4EhCe HIS
Since the appointment of Gen. Scott to
the command of the army against Mexico,
4 peculiar interest seems TO be taken III all
that pertains to his life and character
His life has been truly chequered one,
marked by noble deeds and signal events
emitting him to occupy conspicuous
place in the ranks Of the good and great.
With view of measureably gratifying
the prevalent public curiosity, we subjoin
brief sketch of his history, comprising
notice Of his valorous conduct on one or
two occasions, for which we are indebted
to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
General Winfield Scott was born OH
the 18th of June, l786, near Petersburg,
Virginia. He pursued the usual prepara-
tory studies, spent year in the High
School in Richmond and subsequently
went to the College of William and Ma
ry, where he attended a course of Law
Lectures. In 1905 he was admitted to
the bar, and in 1907 he removed to South
Carolina, intending to practice law in the
Courts at Charleston. Soon after, the
aggressions of the European Powers on
the commerce of the United States had
reached their height, and Scott, participa-
ting in the spirit of patriotism which ami
mated the young men ofthat day volunteer
IL e d. x0c
horse, that had been called out under the
Proclamation Of the President, forbidding
the harbors of the United States to British
vessels Of war. In due time, we may
here just add, upon the breaking out OF
the war between the United States and
England, in 1912, Scott obtained Lieut..
Colonel's commission, and Immediately
proceeded to the ~Niagara frontier with
several companies.
In October of the same year, the cele-
brated battle of Queenstown was fought.
Scott participated in it, and greatly dis
tinguished himself by his bravery and ac-
tivitv. We have neither time nor room
to give full account of this battle; but
viii simply append few paragraphs
going to show SCOTS intrepidity and pa
triotism as displayed during its pro-
gress.
At one time during the battle, ii is sta
ted that Scott arrived on the Queenstown
heights. He had been permitted, as a
volunteer, TO cross the river with his adj
iutant, Roach, and assume the command
of the whole body engaged. On the
Canada side, he Unexpectedly found Brig
adier-General Wadsworth, of the New
York militia, who had crossed without
orders. Scott, therefore, proposed to
limit his command to the regulars. But
the generous and patriotic Wadsworth
would not consent. He promptly yield
ed the command over all the forces to
Scott. 50 You, SIR" said he, ''know best
professionally, what ought to be done.
am here for the honor of my country, and
that of the New York militia" Scott,
therefore. assumed the command, and
throughout the movements which ensued,
General Wadsworth dared every danger
in aiding the views of the commander
Though they had met for the first time,
he had become already attached to the
young colonel. He repeatedly, in the
course Of the battle, interposed his own
person to shield Stott from the Indian
rifles, which his tall person attracted.
At another time, while the battle was
raging, information was brought 10 Scott
and those engaged, that the militia on the
American shore refused to cross 10 their
assistance. The enemy numbered not
less than thirteen hundred, while the A
mericans were reduced to less than three
hundred. Retreat was as hopeless as
succor. for there were no boats on the
Canada shore, and the other side would
not afford them aid. Scott took his posi-
ton on the ground they then occupied, re-
solved to abide the shock, and think oi
surrender only when battle was lmpossl-
ble He mounted log i'll front OF his
much diminished band: THE enemy's
halls,' said he, "begin TO thin our ranks.
His numbers arc overwhelming. In a
moment The shock mnst como. and there