The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1852-07-31

Scott raised as q nag OF truce "hen Nc SUI
rendered his army as prisoners OF ar at
Queenstown, and has deposited 1t IN MS mu-
scum in New York. The Scott men are
focking to examine the relic.-Er.
1t is thus Democratic papers ridicule the
result of one of the hardest fought, and so
far az Scott was concerned, most desperately
fought battles in the war of 1912, and where
Scott was finally overpowered by numbers
and forced to surrender the remains OF the
small force under him, now not numbering
900 soldiers, to 1900 British.
Now just for curiosity, and to let our
readers know how bold and gallant an act
that of Gen. Scott's was, which is ridiculed
in the extract above, we will dip little
into history. After the battle had ragged vi
olently some time, and was already lost to the
Americans from the disaffeclion of portion
of the militia under Gen. Van Rensselaer,,
Gen. Scott was left with but remnant of his
force about him. He had once before in the
same battle, saved the army by almost super
human endeavors, as it was giving way be-
fore the enemy, and now the few soldiers
vet gathered about him, had every conf
dence in their leader. 1t was at this time,
surrounded by force of 1900 British and In
dams, Gen Scott with not 800 soldiers left,
determined to sacrifice himself to redeem in
part the honor lost by Hull's surrender
Here he made his famous "log speech
Mounting log he thus addressed the heroes
about hm--"The enemy's balls begin to thin
our ranks His numbers are overwhelming.
In moment the shock must come, and there
is no retreat We are in the beginning of a
national war. Hull's surrender is to be re-
deemed. Let us then die, arms in hand; our
country demand the sacrifice. The exam
pie will not be lost. The blood of the slain
will make heroes of the living. Those who
follow will avenge our fall and their coun-
try's wrongs Who dare to stand!" GALL"
was the response.
But they were soon surrounded. The Brit
Lish could scarcely believe so small band
would make resistance and were very eau
tious at first supposing it an outpost OF the
army. The combat soon commenced, how
ever, and the Americans finally were COM
pelled to give way; some let themselves down
to the river over precipice by holding on to
limbs and bushes. Resistance could 60 no
further and after brief consultation it was
ZEE. to surrender. Now comes this flag
Of truce ,n.at..eer. Several persons were
sent with flag of luce. OUT neither an an
swer nor messenger returnsd .Hey were
all shot down or captured by the Inu,.a ms
Scott then determined to go himself, ana
fastening white handkerchief to his sword
, (the handkerchief some solutions are now
urging upon Barnum's attention in witty
paragraphsD proceeded toward the enemy
with two companions. They were exposed
to a continual rambling fire from the Indians
a great part of the way. Two Indians met
and sprung upon them at one point. They
endeavored to wrench this same piece of
linen from the hands of Scott. The Indians
were resisted and fired their rifles at the
Americans, but missed. They were on the
p lint of using their knives and tomahawks,
, when British officer and some men saved
, these gallant soldiers. Conducted to head
quarters, he surrended his force with the hon.
|, ors of war.
This is the history of the little flag, which
; we would certainly advise Barnum to procure
} if possible. We promise him that hundreds
| of patriots would daily visit his museum to
see that single scrap Of linen. lit was car
ried in SCOTS pocket that day, it was in more
danger in one hour than ever these editors
have seen or dreamed of in their whole life
times.