The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1852-08-06
EXTRACTS FROM THE LIFE OF GEN
SCOTT



character as man of great personal daring
highly animating presence, and an accomplish
ed and skilfu leader. Throughout these late
intrepid spirit and unquestioned gallantry o
behaviour. He was always in battle in ful
dress uniform, and his tall stature 0ull sly
| feet five inches) made him n conspicuous
mark. He was singled out, especially by the
Indians, as target for their rifles, but remain
ed untouched He was urged on one occa.
sion of great personal peril to change his
dress. "No," said he, 81 will die in my robes.
AT the moment of his exclamation, Captain
Lawrence fell at his side by shot from the
enemy.
SCOTT AND THE IRISH PFI OVERS.
Among the prisoners taken by the British
at Queenstown with Scott, were about sixty
naturalized citizens, a large portion Of whom
were Irshmen. The British authorities
claimed the right and expressed their deter
mination, to hang them as traitors. These
men were at Quebec on board vessel with
Scott and the rest of the prisoners, all bound
to Boston to be exchanged. The British
officers came on board and began to select the
lrishmen, whom they intended to send home
to grace the gallows. The officers had no
sure means of detecting the Irish but by their
brogue, or their confessions. Scott, who was
below, hearing what was going on, immedi-
ately rushed on deck, and told his afflicted
men to hold their peace. Then, turning to
the British officers, he boldly denounced their
proceedings, and threatened Il like retaliation
npon British prisoners if they dared to exc
cute single man among his comrades.
Nho ~, .ht Ill
he was himself a prisoner, and ordered him
into the cabin. He was not a man to be in
timidated, and refused to 90, and again called
upon his Irish soldiers to answer no more
questions. A high quarrel ensued; but the
result was that no more ofthe prisoners could
be identified as Irishmen, for they would not
open their lips. The officers, however, had
already selected twenty three before Scott
made his appearance. These were separated
from their felow-prisoners and put on board
a frgate, and dispatched to England to be
hung. But they did not go until Scott had
solemnly warned the British authorities that
he would surely avenge the death of every
man they dared to lay violent hands upon, by
a terrible retribution upon the first English
prisoners that should fail into his hands after
he should be liberated
Scott was soon exchanged. How faithful
ly he kept his promise we shall see. He
proceeded at once to Washington, and OBJ
tained the passage by Congress, of law to
retaliate upon British prisoners any such
outrage as was threatened at Quebec. He
ngsiH fought and cenquersdcs he had prisans
ers in plenty. He forthwith selected twenty
three of genuine Esfglish descent, {for he
declared he would not offset Irish by lrish,)
and held them as hostages for the doomed
twenty-three Irshmen taken home TO be
executed. He then communicated to the
British authorities what he had done, and
informed them that if they dared to execute
their threat on the twenty-three lrishmen, the
twenty-three Englishmen should pay the
penalty by promptly sharing the same fate
The consequence was, that the lives of the
Irishmen were spared, and at the close of the
war they were embarked from England, and
shortly after arrived in New York.
Singularly enough, it so happened, that on
the very day of the landing of these old
comrades Of General Scott on the wharf
their commander and friend, then still suffer-
ing from his wounds, passed along the quay
on foot. He was instantly recognized by
the now liberated prisoners, and knowing all
he had accomplished in their behalf, they
rushed upon him with cheers. expressing n
tervor of affection, gratitude, and delight, that
it is impossible to describe.
Their Joy was nnbounded as the recogni-
ton became mutual. He was seized and
shaken till the mingled pain of his wounds,
and the emotions produced bv such heart
felt exhibition, caused even the tear of stall
wart manhood to course unbidden down his
cheek. II was with difficulty he escaped from
the grasp of these warln.hearted Hibernians,
who rightfully regarded him as their fast
friend and benefactor, who had saved their
lives, and restored them in safety to the land
of their adoption. If the Irish have true
friend, it is General Scott.
SCOTT REJoINs THE ARMY AT NIAGARA.
Scott rejoined the army at Fort Niagara, in
the early part of 1913, just after the capture
of York, in the capacity of adjutant-gencral to
Dearborn, who was now invested with the
chief command. In addition to the important
and laborious duties of his post, Scott insist
ed upon commanding his own regiment on all
occasions of perl and hardship, request that
his commander-in- chief did not fail to grant.
BATTLE AND CAPTURE OF FORT GEORGE.
On the British side opposite to the position
occupied by the American troops, lay Fort
George, the key of the peninsula LING be-
tween Lakes Erie and Ontario. This posi-
ton Dearborn determined to carry. The
columns detailed for this purpose embarked
in siy divisions Scott led the advance
Captain (afterward Commodore) Perry su-
prrintended the debarkation of the troops,
which was covered by the little fleet of Com.
modore Chauncey. Colonel Scott effected
his landing on the British shore at 8 o'clock
in the morning, in good order. The enemy
was fifteen hundred strong, and posted on a
bank above, that was from seven to twelve
feet in height Scott formed his line on the
beach preparatory to sealing the height. In
his first attempt to ascend, the severe fire OF
the enemy repused our troops. Scott himself
was forced backward on to the beach. Dear
born, who was in the Commodore's vessel,
anxiousy watching the movements of the
troops, seeing with his glass his favorite lead
er fall, burst into tears, exclaiming, ale is
lost He is killedw But our hero was
neither killed nor vanquished. He recovered
himself, and rallying his men, again eagerly
pushed forward, sword in hand, upon the
enemy. A furious fight ensued, but at the
and of twenty Minutes the foe pnve ground,