The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-04-22
From The Boston atlas.
Gen. Scott and the Administra-
.. tjOn


| General Scott-who has led the armies of
the American Republic through campaign
which has no parallel in the written history
of the Western worlds attracting, and II
| likely to still further attract, the attention OF
the American people. This brave and gal.
liant soldier is now prisoner in Mexico, nno
| is daily undergoing an examination in regard
! 10 some patched up charges, OF no particular
moment, preferred against him by an oi1ceI
inferior in command, and whom General
Scott had charged with violation OF orders,
Tic Administration at home dlsregorded
the complaints made by Scott against TINS OIL
ficer Worth dismissed them without near
ing, and lent n willing ear and ready ala 10
The charges made against him. They took
the command of the army from INN VINO hau
led il TO victory after victory, from the sea
shore 10 the interior, and who has placed
the stars and stripes in triumph upon the
towers of the Mexican capital. This high ~
gallant officer TO whose skill and bravery, IN
this great campaign of Mexico, The Adrnlhls-
tration mainly owe their salvation from the
utter scorn nad contempt of the nation, is
basely used by them for mark nj which TO
aim their eveled mnlice-as
"An Eagle, tow'ring in his pride of place,
Was by mousing Owl hawlid at and kill
ed"
II is not, however, so much the ordering
of General Scott to undergo an examination
before the Court of Inquiry that we object TO-,
us it is the manner which it has been done,
the frivolous pretexts upon which it was bas-
ed, and the gross and insulting partially with
which il is marked. Why, we ask, should
the charges against General Worth, made by
Scott, be Immediately dismissed by The Gov
eminent, and he Teinstated IN command,
without trial or exnmina:!@nj whlle Eene-
raj Worth's letley agnius; Sco(i Is selzed hold
of to deprive him of his command, and hold
him to an examination, in sight of the army
he had commanded, and oil the very fields
which he has rendered historical by his ge-
MUS and skill? But this is not all, On the
4th OF June, General Scott addressed the fol-
lowing letter 10 Secretary Marcy:
UEADQUARTERs OF THE ARMY,
Puebla, June A, lS47.
SIR-l arrived here with four troops oil
horse oil the 18th ultimo Twiggs's division
came up the next day.
The effective strength of this army has
been surprisingly reduced. Besides the dis
charge ofseven regiments and two indepen-
dent companies of old volunteers, we had To
leave in hospital about 1000 men at Vera
Cruz ms many sick and wounded at JuIapa,
and 200 sick mt Peroie. Here we have on the
sick report 1917. Nota corps has made
forced march, except in the pursuit after the
battle Cicero Gordo, and every possible nj
tention has bccu given 10 the health OF the
troops.
Making the further deductions of',he kill
ed and wounded, The garrisons of Vera Cruz,
Julupn, and Perote, and we have here but D.
800 effective non commissioned officers, ar
Ulcers, musicians, and privates-a force evil
IDENTITY insufficient TO garrison this large open
city and TO march upon the capital, where
or near it we may probably have 10 beat an
Indifferent army Of from 10000 TO $4,000.
This we could do with 1000, but at Il loss
probably ofone fourth ofour number where
as with 5000 our loss would not exceed some
300.
We are still much embarrassed by the
want of money. But little can be obtained
on drafts this side ofthe capital, and we have
not heard of the arrival Of dollar at Vera
Cruz for this army. The attempt 10 subssl
it by living at free quarters, or on forced con-
trihulions, would he the end of military ope-
rations.
| take the liberty TO enclose n copy of my
reioinder TO Mr. Trist. No doubt he has for
warded II copy ofhis most extraordinary C.
pislle To me- To have such flank battery
planted against me, amidst critical military
operations, is great annoyance.
Considering the many cruel dsappoint-
ments and notifications have been made
to feel since left Washington, or the total
want Of support and sympathy, on the part
of the War Department, which have SO long
experienced, / beg 10 be recalled from this
army the moment il may be saie foi any per-
son TO embark at Vera Cruz, which sup
pose will be early in November Probably
all field operations will be over long before
that time.
] have the honor to remain, sir, with high
respect your most ohedient servant.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. WILLIAM l.. Nancy, Secretary of War
In about two months subsequent 10 the
date ofthis letter, General Scott received 4
reply from Marcy, written evidently in angry
mood, i'll which he attempts 10 show that the
Department had done every thing in liz
power to aid him. The letter which is datet
July 18th, 1S47, concludes rs follows:
Regarding the inducements you have as
signed for begging to be recalled as deservin.
to have very little influence on the question
il will be decided by the President with eX
elusive reference 20 the public good. WheI
that shall render it proper, in his opinion, L
j withdraw you from your command, his deter
minatiou TO do SO will be made known 10 you
The President herein declares that Ii
would not allow Scott to return home, or re
inaush his command and he is given dis
timely to understand that his reasons hav
, "very little influence" upon President Pei
and that the President will decide hereaite
} upon his request, and that his decision will b
based upon grounds "with exclusive refe
ence to the public good" 1t appears, how
/ ever, that ''the public good" did hot reqpil
r SCOTS removal for more than six months q
: ter. 1t was not until the 18Th of January, II
n As, that the ''public good" clamored for ii
q dismissal of Scott, for on that day the follow