Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-11-07
The Retirement of Gen. Scott.
HIS LETTER TO sEo,Y CAMERON.
Action of tho Cabinet-Visit of the
Executive Offlcers to Gen. Scott.
Gen. Mcclellan, Apps,nted TO the Com
msnd ef me Army.

Gen. m'ols,.ssf m.ss s. SRgs-sss srs. TO tho Com
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE following
letter from Lieut.. Gen. Scott, was received
by the President on Thursday afternoon
HEADQUARTERS orTHE ARMY,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Oct. 81.
The Hon Simon Cameron. Secretary ofwar.
SIR: For more than three years have
been unable, from hurt, to mount horse !
or walk more than few PAGES at time,
and that with much pain. Other and new
infrmitics, dropsy and vertigo adnionish me
that repose Of mind and body. with the
appliances OF surgery and medicine. nre ne
cessary to add little more to life already
protracted much beyond the usual span Of
man. 1t is under such circumstances, made
douhly painful by tho unnatural and unjust
rebellion now ragingin the Southern States
OF our so late prosperous and happy Union,
that L am compelled to request that my
name be placed on the list Of army officers
retired from active service.
As this request is founded on an absolute
right granted by recent act Of Congress. |
am entirely at liberty to say that it is with
deep regret that Lwithdraw myself in these
momentoustimes fSAn the orders of Presi-
dent who has treated me with distinguished
kindness and courtesy, whom l know, upon
much personal intercourse, to be patriotic
without sectional partiaiities or prejudices,
to be highly Conscientious in the performance
Of ev~y duty and of unrivalled activity aud
perseverance.
To you, Mr.. Secretary, whom I now off
cially address for the last time, beg to &C.
knowledge my many obligations for the uni
form high considerations have received
at your hands, and have the honor to re-
main, sir, with high respect,
Your obcdient servant,
WINFIELD ScoTT.
A special Cabinet Council was convened
on Friday at 9 o clock to take the subject in
to consideration. Ii was decided that Gen
eral Scott request under the circumstances
Of his advanced age and inirmities could not
be declined. Gen. Mcclellan was there
upon, with the unanimous agreement of the
Cabinet, notified that the command of the
army would devolve upon him. .
At o clock in the afternoon the Cabinet
again waited on the President and attended
him to the fesidofYre' of Gen. Scott. On
being seated the President read to the Gen
eral the following order: ....
On the lst day of November, 1861, upon
his application to the President of the
United States, Brevet Lieutenant General
Winfield Scott is ordered to be placed, and
hereby is placed, upon the list of retired
officers OF the army Of the United States,
without reduction in hio current pay, sub.
sistencc or allowances.
The American people will hear with sad
ness and deep emotion that General Scott
has withdrawn from the active control of
the army,while the President and the unan.
impus Cabinet express their own and the
nations sympathy in his personal affliction,
and tn, ir profound sense of the important
public services rendered by him to his coun-
try during his long and brilliant career,
among which will ever be gratefully distin.
guished his faithful devotion to the Consti-
tuition, and Union and the flag, when assail'
ed by palricidal rebellion.
lSisncdl ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Gen. Scott thercupon rose AVID addressed
the President and Cabinet, who had alsc
risen, as follows:
President, this'honor overwhelms me. |,
ovcrpays all services | have attempted to
render. my county. If l had any claims be
fore, they are alf oblterated by this expires
i unanimous support of his Cabinet.
well. know that tho country has placed
its interests, in this trying crisis, in saft
keeping. Their councils are wise; thei
labors are untirng as they are loyal, and
their course is the right one
President, you must excuse me; am un
able to stand longer 10 give uttcrance to tn.
feelings ofgratitude which oppress me- II
my retirement shall offer up my prayer /,
God for this Administration and for M,
country. shall pray for it with confdenc,
i in its success over its cnomics and tina
speedily. .s
The President then took leave Of Gcner
al Scott, giving hun his hand and saying Ia,
hoped soon to write him a private letter.
expressive of his gratitude and affection.
The President added: General, you viii
naturally feel solicitude about the gentlemen
of your staff, who have rendered you an,
their country such faithful services. hav
taken that subject into consideration.
understand, that they 60 with you h
7 New York. shall desire them ut thei
q earliest convenience after their return h
make their wishes known to me. desir
you, however, to be satisfied that, excep
the unavoidable privation of your ccunse
and society, which they SO long enjoyed, tn
) provision which will be made for them wi
, be such as to render their situation as agree
able hereafter as il has been heretofore
Each member Of tho Administration the
: gave his hand to tho vetaran, and retired i
profound silence
The Secretary Of the Treasury and tn
Secretary Of War will accompany Gen
Scott to New York tomorrow by tho earl
train.
: The following is the response of the Soc
: retary of War to the letter of Gen. Scott
s WAR DEPARTMENT,
4 WASHINGTON, ID. c., Nov. l., 1861.
General; 1t is my duty to lay before ,h
/ President your letter of yesterday, askin
5 to be relieved under the rooent act of Cor
G gress. ,~iL
In separating from you, cannot rcfrai
o from expressing my deep regret that you
4 health, shattered by long service and repea
0 ed wounds received in your country's dt
q fcnse, should reude, it necessary for you /
' retire from your high position at this mc
: mentous period of our history. Althoug
: you are not to remain in active service, | ye
a hope that while continue in charge of th
Department, over which now preside,
shall at all times be permitted to avail IN,
self ofyour counsels and sage experience.
1t has been my good fortune to enjoy
personal acquaintance with you for owe
thirty years, and tho pleasant relations {