Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-05-28
GENERAL, SCOTT.

II is understood that this distinguished Off
Ger viii take command of the forces to be raj
sed under the late Acts of Congress for the
Mexican war; il is further understood that an
invasion of Mexico is contemplated. We
gather these two facts from the limitations Of
the official paper.
The Life Of Gen. ScoTr. recently published.
brings freshly to mind the high qualities OF
bravery and generaship displayed by that OH
Ger during the last war. The brilliant action
at Chippewa, in which the British regulars
were charged and broken at the point OF the
hayonet, in open field, stands on record as to-
ken of gaanrry and spirit not likely soon to be
forgotten. The prestige of the British bayo-
net. in the hands of their well drilled regulars,
was as commanding as that which gave the
charm ofinvincibity to her battle ships at sea,
until both were destroyed by American val.
our
1t was not alone by courage in the field that
General ScoTT achieved his trlumphs IN his
various conflicts with the enemy during the
war of 1872 After the close OF the campaign
of 1878, which ended in disaster and disgrace,
the efforts of SooTT We're directed 10 prepare
tons for the next Springs business. AS Gen
eral of Brigade he formed a camp OF mstruc-
ton at Buffalo, and there laboured unceaslng-
" to give to his troops that indispensable ele-
ment Of effciency--discpline The success oil
these efforts was signalized nobly in the sub
seaueIr achievements ofhis troops. 1t IS I'M.
portant, at this particular Juncture, to dwell
upon this item of our experience IN the last
war If the hostllites now begun are to con
tinue for any length oftime, the lessons OF the
past might teach us TO beware of short enlist
meuts-mghl teach us the Importance oil
organizing an army for the lcar, be II long OF
short so that discipline might begin at once
and be perfected before the hardest struggle oil
strife would come. With such materials ioI
soldiers as we possess in our bold, daring and
intrepid people, nothing but discipline IS want
ed 10 make our armies a sufficient match 10 the
/ best that ever trod field.
! The bographer of Gen. ScoTr gives very
graphic account of the battle Of Chippewa,
which was fought in an open plain without
advantage on either side. The following por-
I ton Of the narrative is spirited:
/ "The action soon became general. Major
| Jrssup now in the wood and out of view, en-
Gagged and held in check the enemy's right
wing. The plain widened ON that flank, and
/ The enemy's main line continued TO advance
JEssup having thus held in check one battai-
/ ion in the wood, the engagement then gave the
( enemy a new right flank upon the plains
Gen. ScoTT. who had continued alternately tic
advance. halt and fire, was now not more
/ than eighty PAGES from the enemy. The enc
my having a new flank. ScoTr took adyan
iage of the enlarged interval between LEAyEN,
WORTH and McNEm to throw the. left flank Of
I McNEIL's battalion forward on It's right, SC
that it stood obliquely 10 the enemy's charge
and lianking him a litle on his new right. "A
this moment ScoTr called aloud to MCNEIL
battalion, which had not a recruit in II, 'Ihe
enemy say that we are good at a long shot
but cannot stand the cold iron. ] call upon
the Eleventh instantly 10 give the lie 10 tina
( slanderl Charged" This movement was exc
cuted with decisive effect. A corresponding
charge was also made by LEAvENwoRrH, wht
held an oblique position on our right. Thes'
charges were sustained by the flank fire o
Towsan's artillery on the right, and quickly
put the enemy 10 route. The Brush army
broke and fedin confusion"
\ With the spirit Of youth unimpared in HIM
4 Gen. ScorT now returns TO the active duties o
the field with the benefits Of more than thlrt
wears experience The young soldier, the un