Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-04-16

We read with much pleasure the letter Of the
Hon. Edward Stanly, published in your paper of
Saturday last. 1t is time for the Southern Whig
press to speak out in refutaton of the unjustif-
able attacks made upon gallant soldier and tried
patriot No man familiar with the history of
General Scott for the last fifty years can doubt
his ardent devotion to the best interests of the
American Union We have prepared n brief
sketch of his public services; and by giving it a
place in your columns, you will oblige
SOUTHERN WING.
Life and Services OF General Scott.
Winfield Scott was born near Petersburg in
Virginia, on the 18th of June, in the year 1886.
He finished his studies at the College of William
and Mary, and was admitted to the bar in 1906.
After practising law in Virginia about year, he
emigrated to South Carolina. r-
Our difficulties with England caused Congress
to pass an net in April, 1S08 to increase the
army. Scott applied Immediately for commits
sion in one of the regiments about to be raised,
and in May, 1903, was appointed q captain of
light artillery
War was not actually declared until June,
1872 The interval between 1903 and the decla-
ration of war was one of great political excite
ment Scott sided with the Democratic party,
supported the election of President Madison, and
approved, advocated and wrote in favor of war
measures. e.z f..,...
In July, 1872, Scott was commissioned lieuten-
ant-colonel in the I'd artillery, and proceeded to
the Niagara frontier. In October of that year
Lieutenant Elliott applied to Scott for assistance
in men to capture the Adams and Caledonia,
two British vessels of war then lying under the
protection of the guns of Fort Erie. The vessels
were both captured; but Elliott was compelled
to abandon the Adams. She got aground, and
the British attempted to retake her, but were
repulsed by the gallantry of Colonel Winfield
Scott, This was the first time he had met the
enemy, and here, as every subsequent engage
ment where he was first in command, he was VIC
torious. ,~. .ta s.'
A few days after was fought the memorable
battle of Queenstown Heights. Scott was the
hero of the day, and covered himself with glory.
The battle lasted for many hours, and was fought
on the part of the Americans with most fearful
odds against them. The British army, having
been reinforced, numbered not less than thirteen
hundred men, while the Americans were reduced
to less than three hundred Finding that the
militia on the opposite shore refused, or was un-
able to cross to their aid, and that succor was
hopeless, Scotts heroic band were at length COM
PEELED to surrender. But their gallant deeds
upon that day carried inspiration to every Ameri-
was wiped off-the taunts of the enemy checked
the character of the American army redeemed
Scott was carried prisoner to Quebec. While
he was there, an incident occurred which had q
most important bearing upon the future conduct
of the war, and is deserving of particular men,
tion ..
At the time Great Britain denied the right OF
expatriaton: in other words, she denied the
right of any of her subjects to become citizens OF
another country, contending that they owed to
her perpetual allegiance. According to this doc
trine, native of ireland, Scotland, or England,
who had emigrated to the United States, and be-
come q naturaized American citizen, remained
still subject of the British government, and
forfeited his life for treason if found in arms
against her. The United States denied this
doctrine-her naturalization laws being founded
upon the opposite theory.
While Scott was n prisoner at Quebec, the
British attempted to enforce their doctrine of
perpetual allegiance in regard to certain Irish
prisoners found in the ranks of the American
army at Queenstown. The following is n de-
scription of the scene:
"Scott, being in the cabin of the transport,
heard n hustle upon deck and FASTENED up.
There he found a party of British officers in the
act of mastering the prisoners, and separating
from the rest such as by confession, or the accent
of the voice. were judged to be Irishmen. The
object was to send them in n frigate, then along
side, to England, to be tried and executed for the
crime of high treason, they being taken in arms
against their native allegiance. Twenty y-three had
been thus set apart when Scott reached the deck
The moment Scott ascertained the object Of the
British officers, he commanded his men to answer
no more questions in order that no other selec-
tions should be made by the test of speech. He
commanded them to remain silent, and they
strictly obeyed. This was done in spite of the
threats of the British officers, and not another
was separated from his companions. Scott was re-
peatedly commanded to go below, and high alter
cations ensued He addressed the party selected
and explained to them fully the reciprocal obliga-
tions of allegiance and protection, assuring them
that the United States would not fail to avenge
their gallant and faithful soldiers and, finally,
pledged himself in the most solemn manner that
retaliation, and, if necessary, refusal to give
quarter in battle, should follow the execution Of
any one of the party. In the midst Of this ami
mated harangue, he was frequently interrupted
by the British officers, but, though unarmed,
could not be silenced"
The Irishmen thus selected were sent to Eng
land As soon as Scott was exchanged, he pro-
ceeded to Washington and reported the whole
affair to the Secretary of War by written com
munication. This report was transmitted to
Congress, and Scott in personal interviews,
pressed the subject upon the attention of mem
bers. An net was accordingly passed on the Sd
of March, 1913, yesting the President with the
power of retaliation In m engagement soon
after Scott captured number Of prisoners.
True to his pledge given at Quebec, he imme-
diately selected twenty-three Of the number to
be confined in the interior Of the country, there
to abide the fate of the twenty-three lrishmen
taken at Queenstown and sent to England for
trial.
The result of this firm resolution ON the part
of Scott, and of the legislation consequent upon
his efforts, was, not only to save the lives of the
twenty-three Irish prisoners, but to compel Eng
land throughout the remainder Of the war, to re-
spect the rights of our naturaized citizens by
virtually abandoning her claim to perpetual ale