Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-06-30
From the Baltimore Patriot.
Life and Services Of Gen. Winfield
Scott
BY A SOUTHERN wHIG.

Winfield Scott was born near Petersburg
in Virginia, on the 18th of June, in th'
year 1885, He finished his studies at th'
College of William and Mary, and was ad
mtted to the bar in 1906. After practising
law in Virginia about a year, he emigratet
to South Carolina.
Our difficulties with England causee
Congress to pass an act in April 1903, t.
increase the army. Scott applied immed
ately for commission in one of the regl
ments about to be raised, and in May, 1S
IO9, was appointed a captain of light artille
ry. =.
War was not actually declared unit
Jnne, 1912. The interval between 1905
and the declaration of war was one of grea
political excitement. Scott sided with the
Democratic party supported the election of
Pre-, ,ident Madison, and approved, advocat-
ed, and wrote in favor of war measures.
In July, 1912, Scott was commissioned
lieutenant colonel in the I'd artillery, and
proceeded to the Niagara frontier. In Oc-
tober of that year Lieutenant Elliott appli-
ed 70 Scott for assistance in men to cap
ture the Adams and Caledonia, two British
vessels of war then lying under the protec-
ton of the guns of Fort Erie. The vessels
were both captured but Elliot was COM
PEELED to abandon the Adams. She got a
ground, 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 engagement where he
was first in command, he was victorious.
A few days after was fought the memor-
able battle of Queenstown Heights. Scott
was the hero of the day, and covered him.
self 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 re-
inforced, numbered not less than thirteen
hundred men, while the Americans were
reduced to less than three hundred. Find
ing that the militia on the opposite shore
refused, or was unable to cross totheir aid,
and that succor was hopeless, Scott's hero
c band were at length compelled to surren-
der. But their gallant deeds upon that day
carried inspiration to every american
heart. The disgrace Of Hull's surrender
was wiped of-the taunts of the enemy
checked-the character of the American
army redeemed.
Scott was carried a prisoner to Quebec.
While he was there, an incident occurred
which had most important bearing upon
the future conduct of the war, and is de-
serving of particular attention.
At the time Great Britain denied the
right of expatriatlon In other words, she
denied the right of any of her subjects to
become citizens of another country con-
tending that they owed to her perpetual al
legiance. According 10 this doctrine "a ma
tive of Ireland, Scotland, or England, who
had emigrated to the United States, and
become naturalized American citizen, re-
mained still subject of the British govern
ment, and forfeited his life for treason if
found IN arms against her. The United
States denied this doctrine-her neutrali-
zaton laws being founded upon the oppo-
site theory.
While Scott was a prisoner at Quebec,
the British attempted to enforce their doc
trine ofperpetual allegiance IN regard to
certain Irish prisoners found in the ranks
of the Amarican army at Queenstown
The following is description of the seems:
"Scott, being in the cabin of the trans
port heard bustle upon deck and hasten
ed up. There he found party of British
officers in the act of mastering the prison
ers, 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 a 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 allegi-
ance. Twenty-three had been thus set apart
when Scott reached the deck. The mo-
ment Scott ascertained the object of the
British officers, he commanded his men to
answer no more questions, in order that no
other selections 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 man was separat-
ed from his companions. Scott was repeat
edy commanded to 60 below, and high al
tercations ensued. He addressed the party
selected, and explained to them fully the
reciprocal obligations of allegiance and pro-
lection, assuring them that the United
States would not fail to avenge their gal
liant and faithful soldiers; and, finally pledg-
ed himself in the most solemn manner that
retaliation, and, if necessary, refusal to
give quarter in battle, should follow the ex-
ecution of any one Of the party. In the
midst OF this animated harangue, he was
frequently interrupted by the British off,
GERS, but, though unarmed, could not be ST.
lenced."
The Irishmen thus selected were sent TO
England. AS soon as Scott was exchang-
ed, he proceeded to Washington, and re-
ported the whole affair to the Secretary of
War by written communication. This
report was transmitted to Congress, and
Scott in personal interviews, pressed the
subject upon the attention of members
An act was accordingly passed on the Sd
of March, 1918, vesting the President with
the power of retaliation. In an engagement
soon after Scott captured number of pris-
oners. True to his pledge given at Que
bee, he immediately selected twenty-three
OF the number to he confined in the interi-
or OF the country, there to abide the fate of
the twenty-three Irishmen taken to Queens
town and sent to England for trial.
The result Of this firm resolution on the
part of Scott, and of the legislation conse-
quent upon his efforts, was, not only to
save the lives of, the twenty three Irish
prisoners, but to compel England, throughout
the remainder of the war, to respect the
rights OF our naturalized citizens, by virtu-
ally abandoning her claim TO perpetual al.