Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1861-11-07
Retirement of Gen. Scott.

was received by the President, on
Thursday p. NJ:
HEAD QUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
WASHINGTON, Oct. 81, 1861.
The Hon. s. Cameron, Secretary Of War, Sir:
For more than three years ! have
been unable, from q hurt, to mount a
horse or to walk more than a few
PAGES at a time, and that with pain.
Other and new intirmities, dropsy and
vertigo, admonsh me that rcpose of
mind and body, with the appliances of
surgery and medicine, are necessary
to add little more to life, already
protracted much beyond the usual
span of man. 1t is under such Cir
cumstanccs, made doubly painful by
the unnatural and unjust rebellion now
raging in the Southern States of our
so lately prosperous and happy Union,
that | am compelled to request that
my name be placed on the list of Of
ficers retired from active service, as
this request is founded on an absolute
right, guaranteed by recent act of
Congress. | am entirely at liberty to
say that it is with deep regret that |
withdraw myself in these momcntous
times from the orders of President
who has treated me with much distin-
guished kindness and courtesy whom
| know, upon much personal inter
course, to be patriotic, without sec
tional partialities or prejudiccs, to be
highly conscientious in the perform
ance of every duty, and of unrivalled
activity, and to you, Mr.. Secretary,
whom now officially address for the
last time, l beg to acknowledge my
many obligations for the uniform high
consideration have received at your
hands, and have the honor to remain,
Sir, with high respect,
[Signed,] WINFIELD SCOTT.
A special Council was convened on
Friday morning at 9 o'clock to take
the subject into consideration. 1t was
decided that Gen, Scott's request, un-
der the circumstances, could not be
declined. Gen. Mcclellan was, there.
upon, with the unanimous agreement
of the Cabinet, informed that the COM
mand of the army would be devolved
upon him.
At o'clock, p. NJ, the Cabinet again
waited upon the President and escort
ed him to the residence of Gen. Scott
Being seated, the President read to
the General the following order:
On the first day of November, A..
d., 1861, upon his own application to
the President of the United States,
Brevet Lieut.. Gen. 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 his current pay,
subsistence or allowances.
The American people will hear with
sadness and deep sorrow that Gen.
Scott has withdrawn from the active
control of the army, while the Presi-
dent and unanimous Cabinets own and
the nations sympathy in his personal
affliction, and their profound sense Of
important public services rendered by
him to his country during his long and
brilliant career, among which will
ever be gratefully distinguished his
faithful devotion to the Constitution,
the Union and the flag, when assailcd
by parricidal rebellion.
[Signed,J A. LINCOLN.
Gen. Scott therenpon arose and adj
dressed the President and Cabinet as
follows -... .'.
PRESIDENT: This honor ovcrwhclms
me it pays all services have rem
dered my country If l had any
claims before, they are all obliteratcd
by an expression of approval by the
President with the unanimous support
of his Cabinet. | know the President
and his Cabinet well. | know that
the country has placed its interest in
this trying crisis in safe keeping.
Their council arc as untiring as they
are loyal, and their course the right
one. President, You must excuse me !;
| am unable to stand longer to give
utterance to the feeling of gratitude
which Expresses me in my retirement.
l shall offer my prayers to God for
this Administration and for my coun-
try | shall pray for it with conf
dcnce in its success over all enemies,
and that speedily.
The President then took leave, Gen.
Scott giving him his hand, and saying
he hoped soon to write him private
letter, expressive of his gratitude and
affection.