Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-28
GEN. SCOTT AND THE 0'FLING FAMILY-A
"REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR OF 1872. ~,

iend who keeps files Of newspapers has placed one
published thirty years ago in our hands, calling
atteIon to the following extracts Of two letters
written by the late Col McRRE to Gen ScoTT, and the
othf by Gen. Scorr to the Secretary of War, The
OFtrScs were gallant spirits. Among them were SOL
der1 Of two wars Gen. Scorr, it win be seen, was ia
mr with their services and prompt in rewarding their
patriotism. Express .ga,,t
IRON THE NATIONAL INTELLIGRHcER OF MAY &, 1915.
The following extracts from letters addressed to the
Secretary of War; and which have obtained permits
sion to publish depict lively coors traits Of individual
hereism which shed lusre on the national military
character
Extract Of letter from Col villiam lcRee 10 Major Gen.
rs Wneteld Scott, dated New York, Oh april, 1915.
SR; II any apology could be thought necessary for
this letter. you have doubt will find in the sub
ject Of it, ts8 a.i3 G3fa 81.
am anxious to interest youin behalf of Brevet Lieut.
o. Fling, Of the 18th infantry, who wishes procure
cadets warrant for his brother Edmund OFlng, lad
fourteen years old, and private Of the 23d reg-
ment.
Lieut. o'Fling was wounded by cannon ball in the
battle OF the Falls Of Niagara, and joined the army during
the siege OF Fort Ere Immediately on his recovery In
the sore on the 18th Of September he solicited and OBJ
tanned the command of the oorn of the first brigade
der Gen Mier of twentyfour men of which it consist
ed, twenty were killed and wounded After receiving the
enemys ire and passing the centre of their entrench
ments ne advanced with his little party against block
house containing thrty-six men of De Watteye's reg
ment, ana captured it. Nearly at the same time his
brother, Ensign E. OFling Of the 23d infantry with
Entgn Brant of the regiment sormed and carried
large the right of the trenches defended by
sixty men. Ensign o. Fling received q wound while
standing the top Of the building of which he died the
next day.
That these bockhouses were taken at the sorre ha,
been publicly made known but the of the aciere
en, and by whom, does not appear The youth Edmund
requested
has already proved that he shares with his brothers that
galantness Of spirit which family Inheritance
On the night of the 18th Of July he fortunate
rescue without assistance Lieut. Tappan of the 23d
regiment from the hands of British officer.
plain recital of such conduct conveys the best euo
GUM within my knowledge Of those who perform it.
have done nothing more.
Extract of letter from MAJOR General Winfield Scott 10 III.
Secretary Of Var, dated Washington, April l6, 1915.
SIR have the honor to enclose letter from Colonel
McRee Of the engineers subject highly interest
ing any that occurred during the late Let me
request that you will oblige by looking it
moment Of leisure Most of the facts narrated by the
Colonel known to me personally, and could add
many others of the character.
Lieut. Patrick o. Fling, his three brothers and father,
entered the army the day, in 1912, all for five
years In 1873 Major Gen Dearborn recognised in the
father "a sentinel before his door) soldier who had
served under him with credit during the revolutionary
About the time Mrs. o Fling most respect
able matron to Fort George visit her hus-
band and four Patrick, the son, then about egh
teen, was sick in the hospital prevailed Gen. Dear
born to discharge him from the service that he might
turn with his mother In April 1874 Patrick NOV Lieut..
0Fling) raised company Of volunteers marched to Buff
fao, and requested to be attached my brigade The
handsome department of the young captain and his little
band induced me to consents and after procured
him commission in the 9th regiment belonging to my
brigade.
Col. McRee has already narrated of the enter
prises in which this young hero was engaged; little
volume might be filed with his deeds of chvary for such
they appear to the whole army, who took active in
terest in his career.
beg leave to make you several little requests in be-
half of the survivors of his family.
cadets warrant for Edmund OFling mentioned by
Col McRee honorable discharge for Patrick OFling,
1.-THE father and like discharge for Charles W. House,
1.-THE half brother,) both of the 23d regiment
The 0Flings are from Batavia, New York. II is un-
necessary to add that every thing which had been asked
for this family that has deserved well Of its country
was promptly granted by the acting Secretary