Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-07-08
A SKETCH OF THE PRINCIPAL
EVENTS In THE LIFE OF
WINFIELD SCOTT.

G I'm EkkAz WINFIELD SCOTT.
WINFIELD ScoTr was born near Pc.
tersburgh, in Virginia, on the 18Th of
June, III the year 1885. He finished
his studies at the College of William and
Mary, and was admitted to the bar in
1906. After practising law in Virginia
abou. year, he emigra,ed 10 South Car.
olina.
ENTERS THE ARMY.
Oar difficulties with England caused
Congress TO pass an act in April, 1908,
TO increase the army. Scott applied i'm
media,ely for commission in one Of the
regiments about to be raised, and in May
1903, was appointed Captain of Ligh,
Artillery. ... ......s
War was not actually declared until
June. 1912. The interval between 1903
and the declaration OF war was one of
great political excitement. Scott sided
with the Democratic party, supported the
election of President Madison. and ap-
proved, advocated and wrote in favor of
war measures.
In July, 1912, Scott was commission
ed Lieut.. Colonel in the 2d ArulIery, and
proceeded to the Niagara Frontier. In
October of that year, Lieut.. Elliot, appli-
ed to Scott for assistance in men, to cap
lure The Adams and Caledonia, two Brit
ish vessels Of war, then lying under the
protection of the guns of Fort Erie
The vessels we're both captured: but FL
liol was compelled to abandon the Adams.
She got aground, and the British attempt
ed to retake her, but we're repulsed by
The gallanry of Col. Winfield Scott
This was the first time he had met the
enemy--and here. as in every subse-
quent engagement where be was first in
command, he wa- vic'ori.."s.
few days after, was fought the me-
morable battle of Queenstown Heights.
Scott was the hero of the dav, and COW
cred himself with glory. The battle
ilas5::ed for manv hours, and was fought
on the part o. he Americans with most
fearful odds agaiSst them. The British
army having been re-intort22d, number
ed no, less than 1900 men, while the A.
mericans were reduced 10 less than 300.
Finding that the militia on the opposite
shore refused, or were unable 10 cross
to their aid. and that succor was hopeless.
Scotl's heroic band were at length CON-
PEELED TO surrender. But their gallant
deeds upon that day carried inspiration
TO oVery American heart. The disgrace
of Hull's surrender was wiped of-,he
tannts of the enemy checked--the char
acter of the American army redeemed.
HIS NOBLE CONDUCT IN DEFENCE OF ADOPTED
CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Scot, was carried a prisoner to One
bee. While he was there, an incident
occurred which had most important
bearing upon the future conduct of the
war, and is deserving oil particular atten-
ton.
At this time Great Britain denied the
righ, of expa,riation. In other words,
she denied the right of any of her sub
jects TO become citizens OF another coGn-
try, contending that they owed to her
perpetual allegiance. According to this
doctrine, native of Ireland. Scotland or
England, who had emigrated TO the IT,
nited States and become a naturalized
American citizen, remained still a sub
iect of the British Government, and for
ieited his life for treason if found in arms
against her. The United States denied
this doctrine her naturalization laws
being founded upon ;he opposite theory.
While Scott was prisoner at Quebec,
the British attempted to enforce their
doctrine of perpetual allegiance in regard
TO certain Irish prisoners found in the
ranks of the American army at Queens
town. The following is description of
the scene:
"Seott being in the cabin oflhe Trans
port, heard hustle upon deck and has
tened up. There he found party of
British officers in the act of mastering
the prisoners, aad 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 trigate,
then alongside. to England, TO be tried
and executed for the crime of high treas
on, they being taken i'll arms against their
native allegiance. Twenty-three had
been thus Sc; apart when Scott reached
the deck. The moment Scout as
ceriained the object OF the British officers.
he commanded his men To answer no
more questions, i'll order that no other Sc
lections should be made by the test of
speech. He commanded them TO re-
main silent, and they strictly obsyed.-
This was done in spite of the threats OF
the British officers, and not another man
was separated from his company. Scott
was repeatedly commanded TO go below,
and high alterations ensued. He ad-
dressed the party selected, and explained
to them fully the reciprocal obligations
ofallegiance and protection, assuring them
that the United States would not fail TO
avenge their gallant and faithful soldiers;
and finally pledged himself in the most
solemn manner, that retaliation, and, it
necessary. refusal TO give quarter in
battle, should follow the execution of any
one OF the parry. In the midst of This
animated harangue, he was frequently
interrupted by The British officers hut