Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-06-18
LIFE AND SERVICES
GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT.
by A SOUTHERN WING
From the Baltimore Patriot. J

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nmiorated TO South Carolina.
Onr difficulties with England caused Congress
n mass an act in April, 1908, to increase the
army. Scott applied Immediately for a commits
sion in one of the regiments about to be raised,
and in May, 1903, was appointed a captain of
| light artillery.
War was not actually declared until June,
1872. The interval between 1903 and the decla-
ration of war was one of great political excite
ment. Scott sided with the Democratic party,
supported the election of President Madison, and
approved, advocated, and wrote in favor of war
measures.
In July, 1872, Scott was commissioned lieuten-
ant colonel in the I'd artillery, and proceeded to
the Niagara frontier. In October of that year
Lieutenant Elliott applied to Scott for assistance
in men to capture the Adams and Caledonia,
two British vessels of war then lying under the
protection Of the guns of Fort Erie The vessels
were both captured; but Elliott was compelled
to abandon the Adams. She got aground, and
the British attempted to retake her, but were
repulsed by the gallantry of Colonel Winfield
| Scott. This was the first time he had met the
enemy, and here, as every subsequent engage
ment where he was first in command, he was VIC
torious.
| few days after was fought the memorable
battle of Queenstown Heights. Scott was the
hero of the day, and covered himself with glory.
The battle lasted for many hours, and was fought
on the part of the Americans with most fearful
odds against them. The British army, having
| been reinforced, numbered not less than thirteen
hundred men, while the Americans were reduced
to less than three hundred. Finding that the
militia on the opposite shore refused, or was un-
able to cross to their aid, and that succor was
hopeless, Scotts heroic band were at length COM
PEELED to surrender. But their gallant deeds
upon that day carried inspiration to every Ameri-
can heart The disgrace of Hulls surrender
II.
the character of the American army redeemed
Scott was carried a prisoner to Quebec. While
he was there, incident occurred which had a
most important bearing upon the future conduct
of the war, and is deserving of particular men
ton.
At the time Great Britain denied the right of
repatriation: in other words she denied the
right of any of her subjects to become citizens of
another country, contending that they owed to
her perpetual allegiance. According to this doc
trine, native Of Ireland, Scotland, or England,
who had emigratea to the United States, and be-
come a naturaiized American citizen, remained
still subject Of the British government and
forfeited his life for treason if found in arms
against her. The United States denied this
doctrine--her naturalization laws being founded
upon the opposite theory.
While Scott was Il 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 Queenstown The following is a de-
scription of the scene
''Scott, being in the cabin of the transport,
heard hustle upon deck and fastened up.
There he found party of British officers in the
act of mastering the prisoners, and separating
from the rest such as by confession, the accent
of the voice, were judged to be lrishmen. The
object was to send them in frigate, then along
side, to England, to be tried and executed for the
crime of high treason, they being taken in arms
against Informative allegiance. Twenty three had
been thus set apart when Scott reached the deck.
The moment Scott ascertained the object of the
British officers, he commanded his men to answer
no more questions, in order that no other selec-
tons should be made by the test of speech. He
commanded them to remain silent, and they
strictly obeyed This was done in spite of the
threats of the British officers, and not another
was separated from his companions. Scott was re-
pcatedly commanded to 90 below, and high alter
cations ensued. He addressed the party selected |
and explained to them fully the reciprocal oblga-
tons of allegiance 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, if necessary, refusal to give
quarter in battle, should follow the execution Of
any one of the party In the midst of this ami
mated harangue he was frequently interrupted
could not be silenced."
The Irishmen thus selected were sent to Eng
land. As soon as Scott was exchanged, he pro-
ceeded to Washington and reported the whole
affair to the Secretary of War by written com
munication. This report was transmitted to
Congress, and Scott, in personal interviews
pressed the subject upon the attention of mem
bers. An act was accordingly passed on the Sd
of March, 1918, yesting the President with the
power OF retaliation. In an engagement soon
after Scott captured q number Of prisoners. |
True to his pledge given at Quebec, he imme- /
dlatey selected TWEEN ty-three Of the number to
be confined in the interior of the country there !
to abide the fate OF the twenty three Irishmen
taken at Queenstown and sent to England for
4 trial.
The result Of this firm resolution on the part
OF Scott and Of the legislation consequent upon
his oorts, was, not only to save the lives Of the
twenty three Irish prisoners hut 10 compel Eng
land, throughout the remainie Of the war, to re-
spect the rights OF our naturalized citizens, by
virtually abandoning her claim TO perpetual ale
glance.
Just after the close Of the war, as Gen. Scott
was walking along one OF the wharves Of New
York, he was hailed by his old Irish friends for
whom he had interfered ut Quebec. They had
Just beoI released from the Englis b prisons, and
now r4shed to embrace him. as their deliverer.
At the capture OF Fort George, on the 9th Of
May, 1910, scott led the advanced guard lie
landed on the Canada shore Of Lake Ontario,
formed bis command on the beach, and scaled the
banksbehind which the British forces were drawn
up, fifteen hundred strong. The action was short
and desperate, but ended in the total rout of the
enemy. Scott was the first man to enter the
fort, and hauled down the British flag with his
own hands.
On the 10th and 18th Of November, 1918,
scott defeated the enemy in two actons--one at
Fort Matilda, the other at Ho ophole Creek.
On the 9th of March. 1914 when only Llpen,n-