Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-05-07

|
course Of publication in the Philadelphi,
Evening News, we extract the following in
teresling incident in the life of
WINFIELD SCOTT.
One incident in the life OF General Scot
will illustrate various chapters Of his whole
public lille, and, as he is at the head Of the
army, and worihly q conspicuous man,
shall content myself with citing that. As
there is no man living who is worth villifica-
ton, who has not been illuminated, so Gen
Scott has had his share Of assaults. I esteem
him most FOR the manner in which he has
borne these taunts, and above all, for, per-
haps, the browning incident Of his life-his
refusal to accept the challenge sen. him by
General Jackson. When a famous British
General, who had done his country good
service, received challenge from brother
| officer, his answer was 81 have proved nv
courage TO face the enemies of nv country.
but, believing, as do, in the religion of the
Bible, | have not the courage to attempt, in
cold blood, to take the life of fellow man y,
Scott thought as wisely, and acted as bravely.
when he refused TO receive the CHALLENGE
sent him by General Jackson. But this is
not the incident designed to record, but one
that occurred long since, and VIXEN General
Scott was but Lieutena:-C Colonel in the Anne
rlcan army. The incident was equally az
honorable to the country as to the subject of
these remarks. The reader has heard often
OF the battle Of Queenstown and Lundv,s
Lane, and therefore what | am about to relate
may not be new. In the month of October.
lSl2, after the unfortunate battle of Queens
town, the incident occurred Scott was one
OF the heroes, and Brant, the famous Indian
chieitaip, the other. We had been dspraced
as country, by the surrender of Hull al De-
troi! and the ambition of many upon the
border country was 10 recover the honor lost
oy an ill-imed, and as was believed, unne-
cessary surrender. General Brock, brave
| ofhcer, was in command of the British forces
IN Canada, and Solomon Van Rensselaer, was
instructed, aided only by 700 good troops, and
a lew hundred militia, to get possession of
the heights Of Queenstown. Scott, then Lieu
tenant Colonel, was at Scholler, but went
to Lewistown 10 do what service he could
with his artillery. He was ordered, however.
not TO cross the river.
Inc storming OF Queenstown was effected
and the British troops were driven from the
held, but the best of the officers of the Amer
ican forces, from the General 10 his Lieuten-
ants, were wounded. The effect of this dis
as'er was to place Gen. Scott at the post of
danger. lie found. upon crossing the river.
mat the Americans who were upon the heights
had been driven to the brink of the descent
IL was struggle between Captain Wool,
who had gallantly led the American charge
and Brock, the British commander, who
should obtain the victory. General Brock
made his last struggle, and was killed in the
effort The Americans were beset upon all
sides, but were for the moment victorious
Scott came to meet the odds against him. and
to gather the scattered forces The number.
IN all, was not more than $50 regulars and
2o| volunteers, and even this small body OF
men were surrounded by hostile Indians. But
Tor the promPtness, and intrepidity of Scott
all would have been scattered and DESTROYED
John Brant was the leader of this Indian
force. and he was "a chip of the old block -
inc successor and youngest son Of JOSEPH,
Brant, the uncohquerable Indian ally of the
| English in the war Of the Revolution. In
The meantime, the English, under new Gen
eral, had been gathering their clans. They
came-picked men, and full eight hundred
strong. RENSSELAER,, with his militia, now
saw them in the distance, and with all the
eloquence Of patriot exhorted his soldiers
not to abandon Scott and his handful of SOL
dlers even to SO large body Of troops
words, however, were vain, and Scott had to
breast the storm alone. Retreat, too, was
cut of, for foes were behind them and foes
before. 1t was not until they were dislodged
sword i'll hand, at the point of the bayonet
that they thought of surrender.
| Driven to the waters edge-pursued by
| regular
save the remnant Of their numbers. sent flag
OF truce to their enemy. Three were sent in
succession, and each was shot down by the
Indians, who were lying all around in am
buscade. Colonel Scott then bore the flag
OF truce himself, and having no other, he tied
his cravat to his sword. and accompanied bv
Iowson and Christie, lie set forward. The
shots fired by the Indians were frequent and
tell all around them. Hand to hand they
grapPled with two Of the Indians. and one o.
the two was Brant himsell. In the midst o.
this struggle British Sergeant saved the
honor Of the flag Of truce. The terms of sur
render were soon agreed upon, and Scott
with I30 regular troops and 154 volunteers
laid down their arms and the same evening
were marched to Niagara.
IT was here that Scott again saw Brant, anf
an incident occurred which had nearly proved
fatal 10 one or both. Brant was amazed tina
he had not killed Scott, for he had tried to dc
so, and had spared no effort by aiming every
shot that he had fred at him alone. One o.
Branrs comrades met Scott in the parlor oil
the hotel where he was stopping for awhile
and, seizmg him rudey by the arm, attempt.
ed to turn him round, enchanting. as Colonel
Stone says In his life of Braat: "Me shoot sc
often, me sure me hit him somewhere
GLANDS of, YOU scoundreln cried Scott. as ht