The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-09-15
General Scott and the Volunteers.

General Scott and the Volunteers.
AS great effort has been made to prejudice
General SCOTT at the South on the grounds Of
some alleged indignity offered by him to the
volunteers in FLORIDA in his correspondence
with the War Department, We think it worth
while to republish the following correspon-
dence
Captain Robertson to General Scott
AUGUSTA, May &c, 1886.
STA: Every officer must be aware of the jealousy
with which soldier regards his reputation You
have no doubt been informed Of the impression
which has been produced by your official commu.
nication Of the 30th ultimo, in which the express
sion "good troops, not volunteers" is used.
have never thought for moment that you in.
tended to cast, by that expression, the slightest
imputaton Of want OF patriotism or bravery
upon the volunteers during the late campaign.
From what repeatedly occurred in our intercourse
during our trying and arduous service in Florida,
feel satisfied that you will be pleased in being az
forded opportunity to correct any msrepre-
sentation which may have gone abroad.
have thought it due to myself, and the batta-
lion which had the honor to command during the
campaign, to place the subject before you
/ have the honor to remain your obedient SER
want, +. NJ. ROBERTSON,
Captain Commanding Augusta Battalion Volun-
teers in the late Seminole campaign.
Major General ScoTT, U. s. A.
General Scott to Captain Robertson.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE SOUTH,
AUGUSTA, May 2S. 1886.
DEAR STA: am greatly obliged 10 you for your
kind and manly letter of this date. Il gives
direct opportunity of doing justice to the brave
7 ho,, Leo bad xho
honor to. command as we'll as myself.
The letter to the Government, which by
easy mistake has given so much offence, was
written at Picolata, under the sound Of the bell
that FASTENED the fine battalion of Augusta volun-
teers, under your command, on board the steamer
which was to take them to thsir homes; writing
by that opportunity, and in the midst Of other
equations, had not even time TO read what had
wrote. Hence The very careless and inaccurate
phrase quoted by you.
At that moment the volunteers who were then,
or had recently been in Florida, were scarcely in
my thoughts My mind was intensely fixed on n
plan and the means of renewed operations against
the Seminole Indians, modified according to my
then better know ledge of them and their country.
Having become satisfied that it would continue,
we had found, to be the policy of that enemy to
remain scattered in small parties and to avoid
general batte-thereby protracting the war almost
indefinitely -that it would be extremely difficult,
with three thousand veteran troops, in
country Astounding in aatnesses, put end to the
war in a single season. Learning that bill was
before Congress raising large body Of volunteers,
q know not for what time,) and feeling confident
that in such q war three months men, six months
men, or even men engaged for twelve months,
would not suffice, was in haste to give my sugges
tons to the Secretary of War, in order that, if ap
proved, the necessary bills might be asked for Of
Congress at once. Following out the idea that old
troops, or troops with long term of service, were
indispensable, added, in next paragraph, that re.
giments OF recruits, although regulars, would not
do /; but that if recruits in sufficient numbers
were mixed with old soldiers, in June or July,
they would become efficient by the following De-
cember.
can truly say that it was strongly on my
mind, when in the act of writing the unfortunate
letter. that II would be unreasonable to call on the
gallant and patriotic volunteer for another cam
paign in Florida, where nothing but hardship and
suffering can be expected unreiieped by the hope Of
battle, and the glory consequent upon victory.
The latter is the only incentive that can long
cheer and animate volunteers in war not mme-
dateiy connected with the defence Of their homes
and liberties.
In conclusion, aiioio me 10 repeat from The heart
what have substantially said to the War Depart
mcnt: No man can have for the volunteers from
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana,
whom have lately had the honor to command, a
more cordial esteem than ! entertain. There are
humid eds and hundreds OF them whom ! should be
most happy TO call friends; for ! know them to be
generally of high honor, patriotisn, int genee
and indiridual courage.
Such are my honest sentiments, and have great
pleasure in communicating them to one whose
conduc in the field, and whose courteousncss TO
me on the present occasion, alike command my
high respect and esteem,
With which am, sir, your obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
To Captain F. NJ. RoBERrsos, late commander Of
the Augusta Battalion Volunteers.
In this connexion we also reprint General
SCoTT's farewell order on surTendering the
command of the Creek war to General JEsUP:
[OapxR No. 39.]
HEADaUAnTsas ARMv or THE SOUTH.
CoLvMBps, July 7, 1896.
Major General ScoTT has been called to Wash
ingtoD and the command Of this army devoivcs,
from the pu blicaton Of this order, on Major Cen
eral JssuP, to whom in future all reports and op.