Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1852-08-20
0be Dailp nirainian.
SKETCH or THE
LIFE OF GEN. SCOTT.

SCOTT AND SOUTH AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
General Scott took lively interest in the
struggles of the South American republics to
secure their independence. He was not in the
public councils, and could therefore take no
part in the eloquent discussions of Congress
upon the subject. But SO far as his position
permitted, he encouraged and sympathized
with the noble efforts of the South American
leaders of the revolution. Among the acts that
illustrated his interest IN their behaf, was his
successful endenvor TO give military educa-
lion to three sons OF ofGenera Paez of Colom-
bia. These were by his exertions placed at
the Military Academy at West Point. in 1923.
under the auspices ofihe President of the u. ).
where they were educated, aud alterw ards
sent back To fight for the liberties Of their native
land.
The military duties Of General Scott now
engrossed the chief part of his attention for
several years In 1929 he again visited Eu-
rope on a professional tour of observation.
THEBLAcK HAWK WAR.
General Scott returned from Europe after
an absence of several months. A war with
the Indians on the Upper Mississippi. under the
celebrated "Back Hawk, having assumed n
formidable aspect, Scott was ordered by the
War Department in June, 1882, To the scene
of conflict, 10 take command of the forces 10
subdue tho savages.
In the beginning Of July he accordingly EN-.
barked ut Buffalo, with body of about 1000
troops, on board four steamers, bound for The
theatre of war. lie was arrested in his pro-
gress by the breaking out OF the cholera In its
most malignant form among tho troops
Meantime the Indians were subdued by the
Illinois militia. and the troops under General
Atkinson, and Black Hawk was captured.-
Scott subsequently, proceeded 10 his place of
destination. negotiated important treaties with
the Sacs and Foxes, and the Winnebagoes,
composed the difficulties on that frontier, and
discharged all the duties OF his mission in
manner that extorted from GENERAL CAss,
then Secretary Of War, the following tribute /:
"AlIow me to congratulate you, SIR, upon
this fortunate consummation of your arduous
duties, and To express my entire appreciation
Of the whole course of your proceedings. du.
ring series of difficulties requiring higher
moral courage than tho operations OF an ac-
tive campaign, under ordinary Gil Icnmstances y
General Cass, here referred, in part 10 Gen
eral SCOTS brave, humane and selfdenyng
conduc. towards the troops under his com
mand, while smitten by tho terrible scourge
Of the cholera, thestory of which we will briefly
relate.
On the passage from Buffalo to Chicago the
Asiatic cholera, which then for the first time
visited this country, broke out on board the
steamers conveying the troops, IN the most
frightfu FORM On board General SCOTS own
boat, out Of 220 persons, no less than So died ,
and 80 others were committed 10 The hospital
within the short term OF six days. On bonrd
the other boats The mortality was scarcely less
alarming The amazing fatality of the attacks
of this disease spread indescribable terror
mong the troops, and among the population
whittier they were carried. Such was the effect
produced, that in the course Of very few
days, sickness. death, and desertion, had re.
duced the numt ers Of our troops from $50 TO
400
On the passaget to Chicago.th the deck and cabin
of General SCOTS own boat We're covered with
the dead and dying. Every hour of the clock
struck the knell of some new victim. Gloom
was pictured III every countenance. Despair
seized upon the bravest. Death in battle they
could meet without fear, but here the viewless
destroyer totally palsied heir energies. Without
warning, the trembling victim was seized help
lessly collapsed, and died in hour. 1t was
n repetition of the worst horror OF the plague.
Amidst this terrible scene, instead OF content
ing himself with merely ordering the medical
men 10 take all necessary fnsasores lot thc re-
lief of the sick, Scott set an example of forti
tude and courage that shone eresplendent through
the surrounding desolation. He attended the
sick in person, and performed for his humblest
comrade every disagreeablc and dangerous
office with brothers care. lie consocd the
sick, comforted the dying, and cheered the
tagging and broken spirits of those yet unat-
tackled, but whose apprehensions provoked
danger, and insured death when the attack
came.
Subsequently, after leaving Chicago, Scott
found Atkinson's force at Rock Island. attack
ed with the same appalling disease Here he
renewed his vigant and fearless attentions
upon the sick and dying. Though himselfill.
his devotion to his fellow soldiers was constant,
and became the theme Of general admiration
He spared himself no labor, no exposure to
danger, to relieve his comrades who were the
III tl.