Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1861-11-07
Headd quarters of the army.
Washington. Oct. 81. 1sGl.

Washington. Oct 81, 1861.
The Hon. ). Cameron, Secretary of War.
Slr,-For more than three wears ! have
been unable from hurt to mount a horse or
to walk more than few PAGES at a time and
that with much pain Other and new infirm-
tiles, dropsy and vertigo, admonish me that
repose OF mind and body, with the applianc-
Is of surgery and medicines. are necessary
to add little more to a life all eady protrac-
ted much beyond the usual span of man
Ii IS under such circunl stances made doubly
painful by the unnatural and unjust rebel
lion now raging IN the southern States of our
50 lately prosperous and happy Union that |
am compelled 10 requdst that my anne be
placed on the list Of army officers retired
. from active service.
rs this request is founded upon an ALSO
lut llght granted by recent act of Congress
| am al enrire liberty 10 say it is with deep
regret that / withdraw myself in these mo-
mentous times from thd orders Of a President
who has treated me WI til such distinguished
/ kindness and courtesy whom, know, upon
! much personal intercourse, 10 be patriotic
| without sectional partialites or prejudices,
! TO Dr highly conscientious in the performance
/ Of every duty, and Of tnrivalled activity and
! perseverance.
/ And to yoa, Mr. So -etary, whom | now
/ officially addrr,, for last time, beg TO
express nv manv lid ations for the uniform
/ high considerations have received lat your
hands, and have the honor to remain. Sir,
with high respect,
Your obede4t servant,
(Signed) WINFIELD SCoTT.
a special Cabinet 4ouncil was convened
/ FRIDAY morning at mink o'clock, to take the
! subject into consideration. Ii was decided
that Gen. Scots request. under the crcum-
stances, of his advanced aye and iuirmates.
could no, De declined. Gen Mcclellan was
! thereupon. with the unanimous agreement OF
the cabinet. notified that the command OF the
. army would be devolvtd upon him.
At tour o'clock in the afternoon. the cabi-
net again waited upon the President. and at
tended him to the residence Of Gen. Scott.
Being seated, the President read to the Gen
craI the following order:
On the first day OF November \. ID. 1861,
upon his own application to the President OF
the United States. B7evet Lieut.. General
Winfield Scott Is ordered to be placed. and
hereby is placed upon the list OF retired Off
GERS OF the army OF the United States without
reduction 10 his current pay, substance or
allowances
The American people will hear with sad
ness and deep emotion that Gen. Scott has
withdrawn from the active control Of the
army, while the President and unanimous
cabinet express their own and the nations
sympathy in bis personal Affections, and their
PROFOUND sense Of the important public ser
| vice rendered by him to has country during
| his long and brilliant career, among which
will ever be gratefully distinguished his faith
ful devotion to the Constitution, the Union.
and the flag when assaled by parlcldal re-
| belllion.
Signed, ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
Geu. Scott thereupon rose and addressed
the President and cabinet who had also risen,
as follows:
President This honor overwhelms me.
1t overpays all service / have attempted to
render to my COUNTRY. If had any claims
before, they are all obliterated by this ex-
preston Of approval by the President, with
the unanimous support OF his cabinet. |
know the President and this cabinet well. /
know that the country has placed ltslnterests
in this trying crisis IN safe keeping. Their
counsels are wise. Their labors are as I'M
firing as they are loyal, and their course IS
the right one.
President. YOU must excuse me. / am IN
able TO stand longer to give utterance TO the
feelings of gratitude which Cypress NE. In
nv retirement shall offer Up my prayers to
God for this administration and my country.
| shall pray for it wit confidence in its sue
cess over all enemies and that speedily
The President then took leave Of Gen
Scott, giving him his hand and saying he
hoped soon to write him a private letter ex-
pressve Of his gratitude and affection. The
President added: General, you will natural
" feel sollcitude about the gentlemen OF
YOUR staff who have rendered you and their
country such faithful service. i have taken
that subject into consideration. | under
sand that they 20 with you TO New York, |
shall desire them at their earliest conYen-
! ience after their return 10 make their wishes