The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-06-29
BY A soUrHERNER.

ID
Winfield Scott was born near Petersburgb,
i'm Virginia, on the 18th of June. in the year
1886. He finished his studies az 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 Carroll
MIA.
Our difficulties with England caused Con-
gress to pass an act in April, 1903, TO increase
the Army Scott applied immediately for
commission in one Of the regiments aboutto bo
raised, and in 1908 was appointed captain
of Light Artillery. War was not actually de-
clared until jane, 1872 The interval between
1908 and the declaration of war was one OF
great political excitement Scott sidei with
the Dem,c ,cratic party, supported the election
of President Madiso,, and approved, advoca-
tod and wrote in favor Of war measures.
In JulylS12 Scott was commissioned Lieut..
Colonel in the 2d Artillery. and prpcecded to
the Niagara frontier. In October of that
year. Lieut.. Elliott applied to Scott for asss-
tance i'm men, to ca pture the Adams and Gale
donia. two British vessels of war then lying
under the protection Of the guns If Ft Erie
ThA vessels wore both captur Il: bn, Elliott was
com,e'Ied to aband N the Adams. She got
aground and the British attempted to rerake
her, but were rcpulsed by the gallantry of
Col. Scott. This was the first time he had
mt the enemy--and here as in every snbse-
auent engagement where he was first in COM
mand, he was victorious.
A few DAYS after, was fought the memora-
BILE hattie Of Queenstown Heights. Scott was
the hero of the day, aud covered himself with
glory The battle lasted many hours, aud
was fought on the part of the Americans with
fearful odds against them. The British army
having been reinforced, numbered not less
than 1900 men, while the Americans were re-
ducedt to less than three hundred. Finding
that the militia on the other shore refused, or
were unable to cross to their aid, and that sue
cor was hopeless, SCOTS heroic band were at
- aiength compelled to surrender. But their gal
- liant deeds upon that day, carried inspiration
co every American heart. The Disgrace OF
Hulrs surrender was wiped off-the taunts OF
the enemy checked-the character OF the
American army redeemed.
Scott was carried prisoner tn Quebec
While he was there, an incident occurred
which had most important bearing uron the
future conduct of the war; and is deserving o.
particular mention.
Al the time Great Britain denied the right
of cxpairiation. In other words, she denies
the right of any of her subjects to become
citizens Of another country. contending tha
thew owed to her perpetual allegiance. Ac
cording to this doctrine; native of Ireland
Scotland and England, who had emigrated Il
the United States and become "A naturaize'
American citizen. remained still subject I"
the British government, aud forfeited his 1T
for treason if found in arms against her. Th
United States denied this doctrinc-her nat
,uraliz,tion laws being founded upon the oppo
site theory.
While Scott was prisoner at Quebec, tn
British attempted to enforce their doctrine o
perpetual allcgirnce i'm regard to certain lris
10 ba he pf a IN
army at Queenstown. The following is a de
scrip'on of the scene
.'Seot, heuy in the cabin If the transpor
heard hustle upon deck and FASTENED up.
There be found party OF British oihcers
the act of mastering the pri oners, and SCI
cratinr from the rest such a. by confession. @
the accent of their voice were judged To- 0
Irishmen. The object was to send them IN
fripate then alongside. TO England, TO he irle
and executed for the crime OF high Treason
thew benp taken i'm arms against their natl'
allegiance. Twenty three had been thus s.
ppart when Scott reached the deck.
The moment Scott ascertained the obje
Of the British officers, he commanded his m'
not to answer any more questions, IN ora
that no other selection should be made by Il
test of speech. He commanded them TO r
was done in spite Of the threats of the Britt
officers and not another was separated fro
his companions.
Scott was repeatedly commanded to go b
low and HIGH alterations ensued. He a
dressed the party selected, and explained
them fully the reciprocal obligations OF oil
glance and protection, assuring them that {
n limited States would not fail TO avenge tn,
gallant and faithful soldiers; and finally
pledged himself, in the most solemn mann
that retaliation aud, If necessary, refu
70 give quarter in battle, should follow t
execution of any of the party. In the miC
of this animated harange, he was frequent
interrupted by the British officers, but thou
unarred he could not be silenced.
The Irishmen thus selected were sent
ENGLAND. As soon as Scott was exchange
he proceeded to Washington and reported
whole affair to the Secretary OF War by aw'
ten communication. The report was 'ral
mit,ed TO Congress; Scott in personal mt
views pressed the subject upon the a'ent
of members. An act WIS accordingly pass
on the Sd of March 1913. vesiing the Pre-
dent with the power Of retaliation. In an
or engagement soon after, Scott captured
number If prisoners. True to his pied
given az Queber, he Immediately selec,
twenty three of the number to b. confine
the interior of the country, tere 10 ahde
fate of the twentv-three irshmen, taken
Queenstown and srnt to gl'nd for trial.
The result Of this Fl IN re-o We ON the par
Scott, and of the legi-lation conseqnent "
his eff ,rts, was not only to save The lives
the twenty three Irishmen, but to compel Z
land throughout the remainder OF The war
respect the riahts Of our nataraized ci'iz,
by virtually abandoning her claim TO perpe'
alegiance.n g.
Inst after the close Of the war, as Gen. -
Wa walking along one Of the wharves of !
York. he was hailed by his old Irish frc rcc
for wM,m ne had nterfered at Quebec.
had Just been released from the EaelIsh
ors. and now rushed to embrace min as :
deliverer ~ ~