Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-07-01
General Winfield Scott.

the War Department, complete. AS 1t
would fill large portion Of our space to the
exclusion Of other matter, and as tit has
been generally published, we have conclu-
ded to substitute the following synopsis
from the N. Y. .Netos, and portion Of the
causlic comment Of the Vicksburg Sentinel,
For any officer who has brayely fought
the battles Of the country, and CALAMITY
periled his own life in her defence, We
feel, not only high respect, but warm
regard Such have always been our feel
ings towards this veteran soldier, who
earned, most nobly, laurels Of undying
fame at Lundy's Lane. Nor have his
personal and partizan intirmities and in.
discretion, which we have loni more than
one occasion to lament, sutfiield TO des-
troy entirely that respect, certainly not
to lessen our regard Sincerely do we
deplore, not only for his own sake, but
also for The character of our Army, that
one 50 honorabIy distinguished should have
injured his prospects by the unfortunate
exhibition of moody suspicion and foolish
temper, which marks his correspondence
with the Secretary of War, communicated
by the Presidentupon the cali Of Congress .
Gen. Scott has proven himself his own
worst enemy; the united efforts Of all his
PERSONAL professional, and political enc,
mics in the land, could not have accom-.
plished as much TO his discredit. The
simple truth is that he is sadly deficient
in prudence, tact, and judgment
1t appears from the correspondence that
the President, in an intervie " with Gen.
Scott, and though the Secretary of War,
verbally informed him that he was select.
ed, being the commanderin chef of the
ARMY, 10 command the forces to be raised
for the invasion OF Mexico; an honor
which he, as a military man, greatly de.
sired He Immediately applied himself
at Head Quarters at Washington, TO ma.
king preparations which he deemed, and
doubtless wisely, necessary, Being In
formed by the Secretary Of War that fault
had been found because he did not proceed
Immediately to The Rio Grnnde, he address.
ed to him a letter explaining in what man
ner his time had been occupied, from
which we extract the following paragraphs:
In the midst Of these multiludious and
Indispensable occupations, have learned
from youi that much Impotence is already
felt, perhaps in high quarters, that | have
not already put myself in route for the
the Rio Grande; and now, with Iolrteer
hours day preliminary work remaining
on my hands, for many days, find my
se'fcompcIled to stop that necessary work
10 guard myself against, perhaps, ute
condemnation, 10 the quarters alluded to
am too old soldier and have had to-
much special experience, not 10 feel tn
infinite Importance Of securing mysel
against danger, Oil ,DiH, or pre-. cOa9em
naHoa.) in my rear, before advancing up
on The public enemy, Not an adyanta
geous step can be taken, in a lorwar'
march, without The confidence that all i
well behind II insecure in that quarter
no general can put his whole heart an,
mind into the work TO be done in front.
am, therefore, not a little alarned--na.
crippled in my eherges-by the knowl
edge and the Impotence 10 question, an
beg to say, Ifear no other danger
NV intentions have been, after making
all preliminary arrangements here, 10 pas
down the Ohio and Mississippi, to see
or TO assure myself by correspondence
that the volunteers, on whom we are most
ly to rely, in the prosecution OF the exist
ing war, are rapidly assembling for tn
service; TO learn the probable time G
their readiness TO advance upon Mexico
10 ascertain iflheir supplies, Of every kind
are IN place, or are likely to be in place
in sufficient time; to hasten one and tn
other; to harmonic the movements o
volunteers, and to modify their route {
necessary so that all, or at least n stuff
cent number, shall arrive at the indicate
points, on he Mexican frontier, at the hes
A periods, and, az far as practicable, abor
n the same time.
All that have but skftched, deem
A be not only useful to success, but indisper
sable As a soldier, | make this assertoi
n without the fear of contradiction from an
4 honest and candid soldier Against III
4 dd captaadm condemnation of all othe
A per,ons--whoever may be Designated lo
n the high commands in quesion-iher
A cln be no reliance Tin his absence) oht
n than the active, candid and steady supper
ofhis government. II cannot have lhf
sure basis, to rest upon it will be infinite
N " better for the country mot to speak
my personal security that some olh'
III Commander Of the new army against Me
leo should be selected. No matier who
may be, he shall at least be judged al
supported by me, in this officer and evc'
where else, as | would desire, if persons
y IN that command, to be myself iu igt
md supported My explicit meaning Is
That do not desire to place myself IN Il
e. mot ,....t 49,. 4 n ...,t.,c. q, G.g am,