The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-11-08


that it is with deep regret withdraw my
self in these momcntous times from the or
ders Of President who has treated me with
much distinguished kindness and courtesy,
whom | know upon much personal inter-
course to DO patriotic without sectional pref
udiccs, TO be highly conscientious in the per.
formance of every duty, and Of unrivalled
activity and perseverance. And to you, MIR.
Secretary. whom | now. officially address for
. the last time, beg to acknowledge my many
obligations for the uniform high cOnsidera-
.ions have received at your hand, and have
| the honor to remain,
Sir, with the highest respect,
Your Obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOrT.
A special Cabinet Council was convened ut
0 o'clock next morning, to take the subject
into consideration. IL was decided that Gen.
SCOTS request, under the circumstances OF
his advanced age and infrmities, could not
be declined. Gen. Mcclellan was, therefore,
with the unanimous agreement OF the cabi-
net, notified that the command of the army
would be dcvolved upon him. At "A o'clock
in the afternoon, the cabinet again waited
upon the President, and attended him to the
residence of Gen. Scott. Being seated, the
President read to the General the following
order:
On the first day of November, AID. 1861.
upon his own application To the President OF
the United States, Brcyct Lieut.. Gen. Win
field Scott is ordered to be placed, and hereby
is placed, upon the list OF retired officers of
the army of the army Of the United States,
without reduction in his current pay, sub
sistencc or allowance.
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withdrawn from the active control OF the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 his personal affection, and their
profound sense of the important public ser
vices rendered by him to his country during
his long and brilliant career, among which
will ever be gratefully distinguished his faith
full devotion to tho Constitution. the Union,
and the flag, when assailed by parricide re-
bcllion.
ISirned,1 ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Gen. Scott thcreupon arose and addressed
the President and cabinet, who had also
arisen, rs follows:
Mr.. President This honor overwhelms
me. 1t overpays all the services have ut.
tempted to render to my country. IL had
any claims before. they are all obliterated by
this expression of approval by the President,
with the remaining support OF his cabinet.
know the President and this cabinet well
I know that the country lpis placed its inter-
ests in this trying crisis in safe keeping -
Their counsels are wise, their labors are as
untiring as they are loyal, and their course
is the right one.
Mr.. President You must excuse inc. l
am unable to stand longer to give utterance
to the feelings of gratitude which Cypress
me. In my retirement shall offer up my
praycrs to cd for this Administration, and
ior my country. shall pray for it with
confidence in its success over all cnemies,and
that speedily.
The President then took leave of Gen.
Scott, giving him his hand, and saying that
he hoped soon to write him u private letter
expressive of his gratitude and ailcction.-
The President added:
GENERAL: You will naturally feel q solicit
tudc about the gentlemen OF your stail, who
have rendered you and their country such
faithful service. | have taken that subject
into consideration. | understand that they
20 with you to New York. shall desire
them at their earliest convenience, after their
return, to make their wishes known to me.
desire yon now, however, to bc satisfied
that except the unavoidable priyation Of your
counsel, which they have SO long enjoyed,
the provision which will be made for them
will be such rs to render their situation rs
agreeable hereafter as il has been heretofore.
Each member of the Administration then
gave his hand to the veteran, and retired in
profound silence.
The Secretary of the Treasury and the
Secretary Of War accompany Gen. Scott to
New York tomorrow, by the early train.
The following is the response Of the Sec
retary of War to the letter of Gen. Scott:
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Washington, Nov. |, 1861.
GENERAL: 1t was my duty to lay before
the President your letter of yesterday, ask
inc TO be relieved on the recent act OF Con-
rress. In separating from you, | caannot
refrain from expressing my deep regret that
your health, shattered by long service and
repeated wounds received in your country's
defence, should render it necessary for you
TO retire from your high position at this mo.
mentous period OF our history. Although
YOU are not to remain in active service, yet
hone that while continue in charge OF the
DEPARTMENT over which now preside, shall
at times be permitted to avail myself Of the
benefits of your wise counsels and sage cx-
pcrience. Ii has been my good fortune to
enjoy personal acquaintance with you for
over thirty years, and the pleasant relations
of that long time have been greatly strength
encd by your cordial and entire cooperation
in all the great questions which have occu-
MED the department, and conyulsed the coun-
try for the last six months. In parting from
YOU, can only express the hope that a mer-
cilul Providence that has protected you
amidst 50 many trials. will improve your
health and continue your life long after the
people of the country shall have been re-
stored to their former happiness and pros
perity.
am, General. very sincerely,