The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-09-23
POLITICAL. .

Irishman, with a heart gushing forth all
that warmth Of magnanimity and generos-
lity SO characteristic Of his countrymen.
He will not be driven into playing the part
Of an migrate towards Gen. Scott in irnita-
Iion Of so many OF the gallant old hcro's
own native born countrymen. Shame up
on them that it is so, and all honor to the
editor Of the Pilot for his pointed rebukes.
administered weekly, to these ungrateful
creatures! Tho editor Of the Pilot ID in
the habit Of giving his readers, from week
10 week, such "reminiscences as The follow
ling in the history Of Gen. Scott. How
many solid columns Of ungrateful sander
and enyenomed abuse does even this one
,chivalric incident weigh down!-Er.
From the Boston Pilot.]
Gen. Scott & the Irish Prisoners.
That Scott is the greatest general Of the
age, no one seems disposed 10 doubt. His
bravely fought BATTLES and splendid victo-
ries belong to the history Of the nation and
the world. His character, remarkable for
its high moral qualifications, sheds an ad-
ditional lustre over his military fame
But there is an incident Of generous daring
/ ia the record OF his life, which exhibits tru-
Iy the innate greatness and generosity Of
the man, and the indomitabe courage OF a
will that has never been conquered-an
incident, which apart from all political
prejudices, has run right pleasantly on the
Irish vein n my heart until il is irresis'a-
bly, impeIled to send forth the tribute Of its
honest praise.
The battle Of Queenstown Heights,
which resulted in tho surrender Of Scott,
and his small force, with all the honors OF
war, into the hands oflhe English, although
disastrous to the Americans, could scarce
ly be called victory by the enemy, who
with superior and overpowering numbers,
were kept at bay by mere handful of men,
until overwhelmed, they found that resist
ance was worse than useless, and with the
will, strong within them, rather 10 die with
their gallant leader than to yield TO the ar
rogunt foe, they were compelled 10 surren-
der.
The American prisoners we're sent to
Quebec-thence in Cartel 10 Boston. A
number of them were lrishmen. The law
Of extradiiion was then in full force--thai
is, if any subject Of Great Britain were Ia
ken in arms against their allegiance, they
were sen. home 10 be tried for high treason
-hung--and quartered. When the Trans
port was about leaving Quebec, Scott, whe
was ia the cabin, heard an unusual confu-
sion of sounds on deck, and hastened up.
lie perceived crowd Of officers and men
gathered together on the forward deck, and
from certain indications which be saw and
heard, knew that his men were interfered
with. He stepped quickly up and discov-
cred party Of British officers picking out
such of the prisoners ns by their accent be-
trayed their Irish birth. Twenty three
were already put under double guard TO be
conducted to frigate lying near, which
would convey them to England to meet the
ignominious penalty Of being found in arms
against their old oppressor. England.
Groans burst from those brave hearts.
that terror Of battle had never shocked
tears flowed from eyes that had often look
ed without culver at the near chances Of
an honorable death. The gibbet! and ig-
nominy! It was more than these brave
souls could bear, and quite unnamed, they
yielded to the deepest despondency. Blu.
a deIiyerer was at hand, who as their cap.
tors proceeded to question others, was
heard above tumult, commanding them in
voice Of thunder 10 "be dumb-speak no.
another word, my men," 1t was Scott,
himself a prisoner! They obeyed him,
and no more was added to the number
He was ordered repeatedly TO 60 below,
and fierce language passed between him
aud tho British officers. But they could
not silence him. He addressed the mourn
ful band, who had been entrspped by .
species Of cunning which was only small
feature Of system Of deception, which
from its success and magnitude, has almost
become sublime in its code Of deyilish eth
les towards Ireland aud the Irish. He as
sured them in loud and ommanding tone,
that the country for which they had shed
their blood would avenge them, and pledg-
ed 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 their number. In
this act, and these words of daring, he was
frequently interrupted by the British Off
cors, bur although unarmed, he needed
them not, aud in defiance Of their threats
and comma nds, left no word unsaid that
could encourage and inspire with hope the
hearts Of these dropping prisoners. They
were sen, to England, their mother country.
Scott was exchanged on his arrival at
Washington, and his first business was to
make full report Of the case to the Pres.
dent, tho Secretary Of War, and both Hou-
ses of Congress. His efforts were success
fal. The matter was taken up warmly,
and on the Sd Of March, 1918, an act was
passed vesting the President with the pow
er Of retaliation. The opportunity for re-
talia,ion was not far distant. Two months
after this, May "a, 1913, in the hat,le and
capture Of Fort George, Scott took num-
Der OF prisoners. True TO his pledge, Civ.
en- at Quebec, he, as chief Of the Staff, inn
mediately selected tweniy-three Of their
number careful not TO include single
Irishman) who were English and Scotch,
TO be confined in the interior OF the coun