Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-15
NO. 46.

/. I.:-. 80 .hi"iy, anu scott appifco for com.
mission IN the new regiments about 10 be raised
The law passed in April, and in Nav. 1908. he
became Captain Of Light Artillery.
IN the political controversies OF this exe;t;nc
PeriOd' scout was among the friends OF rositive
resistance ts these acis Of oppression. and from,
the attack on the Chesapeake To the declars,;o,, 20
war, he was an approver, suppoytey andY,
writer IN favor OF war measures Whep m.
diihculiies with England began 70 assume ! So
rious aspect, under the apprehension of 4, sud-
aeh INVASION OF Louisiana, military force was
lssePt lhere Under the command Of General VIII
Ikinson and in 1909 Capt. Scott was ordered =.
JOIN the army at New Orleans. YOUNG. franz
ardent and bold, il was not surprising fhat be
should express his opinions with freedorn Tb;.
TACT soon occasi9ned difficulty between Scott
and Wilkinson, which resulted in Scott's sps-
pension Tor one year. The sentence was Sc
we're one, Scotts error being violation of dis
ciplne, under mistaken understanding of the
rules OF the service.
| The OBJECT OF the sentence upon the p6pular
mind Is evidenced in the fact that soon after his
convictiOn, the young Captain was complimcntcd
WIN puolic dinner given by many officers and
citizens Of the neighborhood. During fhe v..r
OF his suspension, Scott returned 10 VirS;n;a
and diligently applied himself 10 the study of
works ON the military art, with view az
making himself thoroughly coayersant with the
duties OF the profession he had chosen. He
resumed his place in the army before The war
of 1912 broke out. e'r.s'ss
On the 18th June, 1912, war was formallv
declared against Great Britain, and durinor ~.
following month Scott received the commission
OF Lieutenant Colonel in the Second Artillerv.
and arrived on the Niagara frontier, taking most
at Black Rock, to protect the Navy yard there
established. The expedition planned against
(JlleenRfnvVn HRiohfa - 2
on the 18th October 1872. Early on tbst
morning, Scott arrived at Lewistown with h;.
regiment, by forced march from Black Roelr.
having orffered his services in the proposed
movement. They were declined because tha
arrangements were already Completed, h,,t
permission wasgiven TO him TO post his Yeeimeut
at Lewistown and act as circumstances m;obt
permit. The American attacking forces crossed
the river; but their gallant efforts, as is well
known, were quite Unequal to the Superior
numbers and discipline Of the enemy. Ii was
Iust alter every commissioned officer OF fhA
Ian ioiees iiati faiien dead or wounded
that Lieutenant Colonel Scott, arrived on the
heights, and took command Of The troons.
amounting with reinforcemehts 10 $50 rc0,tlars
and 220 volunteers, whom he drew nm "a J.
situation to receive the enemy and
cover the ferry, in expectation of being rein
,orced by the whole Of the militia at Lewisto,rn-
The interval of rest was short. The indians.
who had been concentrated in the neghborhood.
prang into activity, and five hundred Of them
oon joined the British light companies pre.
'lousIy engaged. fierce battle ensued The
nemy was driven back in fetal rout Scott leadino
IN and animating his troops with a gallantr4
which cannot be too highly extolled. But the
lrst gun OF the morning having reused the
british garrison at Fort George, eight miles
'elow, their troops were put in motion, and
Don after Scott arrived on the field the British
endorsements also entered it. Just wheY, ~
American reinfOTcements were most needed
Information was brought for Scott that the
'anic-stricken militia at Lewistown refused 10
ross the river. That sealed the fate of the dav.
The British force now numbered not less than
,3Oo; while the Americans were reduced to
eSs than three hundred. Scott ttook his position
IA the ground his force then occupied, resolved
0 think of surrender only when battle was
npossibie. Mounting alog in front of his little
and he thus addressed them:
=" lhe enemy's balls begin to thin our ranks His
umbers are overwhelming. In moment the sbock
GONE, and there 70 no retreat We are in the be-
mining Of national war. HuPs surrender Is 10 he
sdeemed. Let Us then die arms in hand. Our countrv
emands the sacrifice. The example will not be LOST
ne blood Of the slain win make heroes Of the livins
hose who follow will Svenge fall and their eour.
y's wrongs. Who dare to s,andpp
"All! !' was the emphatic response. But the
raYest resistance against such fearful odds was
ain. The Americans gave way, and retreated
D the waters edge, which they reached bv. let
ng themselves down (hOlding on TO limbs aud
ushes) the precipice. 1t was soon resolved TO
hrrender, when Scott, having sent flags of truce
y several Of his men, who were shot down or
aptured by the Indians, resolved himself 10
lake another attempt. In this he was success
al, although surprised by two Indians, whose
rearms were fortunately discharged, and who
Tere prevented from using their knives and
atchetS upon the e tall American" by the ar
ival of British officer and some men. Terms
I fcapitulation were made, and Scott surrendered
is whole force with the honors of war.
We have given these incidents somewhat in
etail, because it was at Queenstown that the
Military genius Of Scott was first made clearly
lanifest and il must be admitted that though
efeated then, no incidents Of his life on the feld
ave more distinctly indicated his peculiar quail.
ications for military leader--his possession
{ the traits of GOODNESS, prudence, decision,
patriotism and magnanimity ty--than
id those Of his first adventure as Commander.
lf course, in the brief limits Of = newspaper
ketch, we cannot give anything like detailed
ccOunt Of the many scenes inwhich our subject
Ias prominent actor. His life is too full oe
neh for more than the merest reference, unleas
re would write the history Of the United States
uring the last forty years.
(Conel1slon next yeek.l a
Gov. Seward has written letter 10 J. n.
'aylor, of New York, in which he says under
o ciTcumsianees would be accept an Office from
he President OF the United States, whether that