Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-15
LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES
WINFIELD SCOTT,

WINFIELD Scorr was born the 18th of June
1885, near Petersburg, Va. HIS descent NAV
be traced from Scottish gentleman of the Low
lands, who, with his elder brother, was engaged
in the Rebellion of l745. The elder was slain
in the memorable field Of Culoden. The Young
er. involved in the consequences Of that severe
disaster, emigrated TO America; and brinpino
with him little but liberal education, COM
menced the practice of law in Virginia. He
was successful in the path thus chosen, and
married, but died young. His son William
married Ann Mason, lady of one of the most
respectable families Of Virginia. He pursued
the occupation of farmer, and died in 1871
leaving two sons and several daughters. The
eldest Of the sons was James, who commanded
regiment at Norfolk in Isl p and the youngest,
Winfield, the subject of this sketch, then five
years of age. In 1903 the widow also died
leaving Scott, at seventeen years of age, in the
very outset of active life.
AT this time his character is described by one
who knew him as distinctly formed. He was
full OF hope, and animated by Just sense Of
honor and a generous ambition of honest fame.
His heart was open and kind TO all the world,
warm with affection towards his friends. and
with no idea that he had, or deserved 10 have,
an enemy. He was intended for one of the
ANasAA PASASSS-OhS1 TIC usual pre-
lparatoTy studies, spent year in the high school
at Richmond, and thence went of his own accord
to the college of William and Mary, where he
remained one or two years, and attended a
course of law lectures. He finished his legal
studies in the Office Of David Robertson, and in
1906 was admitted to the bar. In the autumn
lof 1907 he emigrated to South Carolina, intend
ing TO practice law i'll Charleston. The failure
TO procure from the Legislature a special ex-
Iemption from the general law requiring practi-
TONERS to have years residence in the State,
defeated the object Of his emigration to South
Carolina, and, not improbably, turned the cur
rent Of his life. Disengaged from business, the
political events Of his country, then rapidly
moving towards the crisis Of 1912, soon trans
ferred him to another, and more active and
brilliant scene. In the spirit of patriotism, re-
sistance and indignant resentment for wrongs
endured, which was then excited against Great
Britain, Sect largely shared. Hopeful, ainbi-
tious and emulous of fame, he combined in his
character the elements of patriot soldier In
the summer of 1907 he had specially volunteered
as member Of the Petersburg troop of horse,
that had been called out under the proclamation
Of the President, forLidding the harbors of the
United States to British vessels of war, in con-
sequence of the attack on ths frgate Chesapeake.
This was the humble beginning Of career
which has placed tho name Of Scott upon the
scroll of fame, high among the highest Of those
whose military achievements have won the od-
tnitation OF the world.
On hisrcturn 20 the North, after his visit tC
Charleston, the country was inihe midst Of the
political sxcitementS which attended renewed
aifieylties with England, and the enactment oi
the Embargo law. In the winter of lS07-S Z
bill Was introduced in CongreSs, FOR the enlarge