Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-08-06

For Fillmore, " 1hStcr, and our CLAW,
VIII all 20 for Chippewa:
Oh come, 90 for Scott.
Brave Soldiers Indignation Aroused.
The Carlisle Herald contains a comInunica-
ton from General Edward Armor, of that
place, brave and gallant soldier himself,
who served under General Scott in the last
war with Great Britain, in which he indig-
nantly repels certain charges brought against
General Scott by the imported editor Of the
Pennsylvania. General Armor is firm and
consistent democrat, but he is brave and
gallant soldier, as we'll rs an honest and pa
triotic citizen, and be could not remain quiet
when attempts are being made by his own
party organs to defame and traduce his old
commander. The following is his cpmmuni=
cation published in the Herald, 10 which we
invite Il careful perusal. 1t shows how little
General Scott has to fear from such vile at
tempts to destroy his character as those which
have been made by the Pennsylvania and
other papers that hang to its coat tail;
MR. EDITOR i find that the Pennsylvania
an and Volunteer are hard put for slang
against an old and gallant soldier General
Winfield Scott, an ornament 10 the American
armv One charge made against him | see
IS that Of . having kept and pocketcd two
months pay Of the soldiers under his com
mand," while captain in the army in 1905
: This Is charged as an art Of " dishonesty" on
the part Of Gen. Scott.
Mr.. Editor, ! h1,oyo the particulars Of that
matter, and k5,o1c that although Gen. Scott's
conduct was inquired into, he was fully &C
qHjtted Of al intention TO detraud the men in
question. This was the decision Of the Court
Martial. will state some particulars. Cap
tain Winfield Scott obtained furlough from
his commanding officer for few months in
the wear lS0S, and while at the city of Wash
inntun his turlou@h was extended to the year
1909. and ne was thus absent from his COM
mand one payday or muster Perhaps the
men that were not paid were on detached
service themselves, as it was quite common at
that time to send soldiers with boats a long
voyage for military stores. 1t was nothing
uncommon therefore that part Vi a company
would be absent on payday. L know OF
many circumstances of the kind, and was
with one hundred and twenty men absent
from muster and payday, 100 miles from
my regiment, which we joined only one day
months. 50 that the one hundred and twenty
soldiers and officers might have preferred
charges against the paymaster for withhold
ing their pay as the Lieutenant did Captain
Scott in the year 1909 Captain Scott was
acquitted on the Lieutenant's charge, but was
convicted on a charge of insubordination to-
wards a commanding officer. but restored to
duty shortly after.
have known soldiers tG be nineteen months
without pay. They were not with their regi-
nents and could not be mustered. At the
court martial for the trial of Capt. Scott in
1909, but tlco soldiers appeared as witnesses
against him, so ! presume that they were all
that had pay due them. One of them had
sold his pay for two dollars and fifty cents.
1t was quite common at that time for sol
der to sell months pay for two dollars in
some instances fifty cents had boUgh ghta month S
pay. So that if Captain Scott held back the
pav of a few men, it was for a good purpose,
as the court martial decided that the money
was not kept back with the intention of de-
frauding his men,. Politicians 1ciU put DIFF
fereat construction Oh things for political ptY-
poses bit ii is hardly ro7tk their eclaiJe to 90
back as far as the reign of the Caesars to hunt
uD charges against General Scott.
Mr.. Editor, | would ask what officer has
done more for the discipline and perfection OF
the American army than Gen. Scott? ! make
no remarks On other officers, but would mere
ly ask what military tactics have governed
our army for many years back but those OF
Gen Winfield Scott ? In my humble opln-
ion, the American army would not have come
off with such glory and honor in Mexico had
it not been for the practical discipline taught
10 the army long since from Gen. SCOTS mil
itary works, published during the war of
1872 or shortly after, and his late military
tactics that cannot be surpassed by any OIL
Ger of the present day.
As it is an old military phrase, honor to
whom honor is DUE" let us ever remember
the battle of Queenstown and the capture of
Fort George, when Lieut.. Col. Scott and
! Lieut. Col. McFeely landed the advanced col
umn under a heavy fire from the British, and
captured that fort before the second column,
under the eye of Gen. Dearborn, could make
landing. Remember the capture of Fort
Erie the battle Of Chippewa, where, to the
immortal honor of our arms, 300 Ameri-
cans, many Of them raw recruits, under the
guidance of the intrepid Scott, and gallant
Leayenworth, Mcneil, Jessup and Towson,
defeated, IN fair field fight, 100 British
troons. CONSISTING of the ROYAL Scots, the