Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-11-07

| "" i"uiS""y vi IaSt week, the 3lst day d
October, 1861, 1t. General Winfield Scott sem
the President, through the proper department
the following letter, resignng his position as
Commanding General of the United States ar.
mics:
HEADQUARTERS or THE ARMY,
WASHINGTON, Oct. 81, 1861.
1.-THE Hon. S. CAMERON, Secretary of War:
"SIR: For more than three years | have
been unable from hurt to mount horse. or
to walk more than few PAGES at time. and
that with much pain. Other and new infrmi-
ties, dropsy and vertigo, admonish me that re-
pose OF mind and body with the appliances of
surgery and medicine are necessary to add a
little more to a life already protracted much
beyond the usual span of man. 1t is under
such circumstances, 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 10 re-
quest that my name shall 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 en-
tlrely at liberty to say il is with deep regret
that | withdraw myself in these momentous
times from the orders of a President who has
treated me with much distinguished kindness
and courtesy; whom know, upon much per-
sonal intercourse to be patriotic without sec
tlonal partaities or prejudices to be highly
conscientious in the performance of every duty.
and OF unriva' cd activity and perseverance
and to you, Mr.. Secretary, whom now official
~ address for the last time, beg to acknowl-
edge my many obligations for the uniform high
consideration have received at your hands,
and have the honor to remain, Sir with hish
respect,
Your obedient servant
"WINFIELD SCOTT"
A special Cabinet Council was convened on
Friday morning, at 8 o'clock, to take the SUBJ
ject into consideration. 1t was decided that
Gen. SCOTS request, under the circumstances
OF his advanced age and infrmities, could not
be declined Gen. Mcclellan was thereupon.
with the unanimous agreement Of the Cabinet,
notified that the command of the army would
be devolved upon him.
AT 4 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
"On the LIST day of November, A. ID. 1861.
on his own application to the President of the
United State, Brevet Lieutenant. General Win
field 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 allowance.
"The American people will hear with sadness
and deep emotion that Gen. Scott has with
drawn from the active control of the army.
while the President and unanimous Cabinet ex-
press their own and the nations sympathy in
his personal afiliction, and their profound sense
OF the important public service rendered by him
to his country during his long ard brilliant ca
reer, among which will ever be gratefully dis
tirgushed his faithful devotion to the Constitu-
ton, the Union, and the flag, when assailed by
parricdal rebellion.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Gen. Scott thereupon rose and addressed the
President and Cabinet, who had also risen, as
follows:
president: This hour overwhclms me. II
overpays all services have attempted to rem.
der to my country If had any claims before,
hey 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. know that the coun-
Try has placed its interests in this irving crisis
n safe-keepng. Their counses are wise their
abors are as untiring as they are loyal. and |
heir course is the right one
president, you must excuse me. | am un
bile to stand longer to give utterance TO the
ceilings OF graft ude which Cypress me. In my
shall offer my prayers to God for
ms Administration, and for my country. |
hall pray for it with confidence in its success
'ver all enemies, and that speedily"
The President then took leave of Gen. Scott.
living him his hand, and saving he hoped soon
write him private letter expressive of his
and affection. The President added:
GENERAL: You will naturally feel solicit
ude about the gentlemen of your staff. who
ave rendered you and their country such faith
ll service. | have taken the subject into con-
Iteration. | understand that they 90 with
GU to New V rk. | shall desire them at their
ariiest convenience, after their return, to make
neir wishes known to me. desire you, now,
owever, to be satisfied that, except the un-
voldable privation of your counsel and soci-
~, which they have so long enjoyed, the pro-
lslon which will be made for them will be such
TO render their situation hereafter as agree
BILE as it has been heretofore"
iach WeinOef OF Inc Administration then |
ave his hand to the veteran, and retired in
rofound silence.
The Secretary of the Treasury and the Sec
'tary of War accompany Gen. Scott to New
ork to morrow by the early train.
The following is the response of the Sereta-
of War to the letter of Gen. Scots
"WAR DEPARTMENT.
"WAsHINGTON, Nov. /, 1861.
GENERAL; 1t was my duty to lay before
e President your letter of yesterday, asking
be relieved, under the recent act of Congress. ,
separating from you l cannot refrain from ,
pressing my deep regret that your health, !
altered by long service and repeated wounds
ceiyed In your country's defense, should rem
r 1t necessary for you to retire from YOUR $
gh position at this momentous period of our q
story. Although you are not to remain in
i've service, yet hope that while continue
charge OF the department over which now !
eslde, shall at times be permitted to avail !,
vself OF the benefits of your wise counsels y
d sage experience. 1t has been my good q
tune to enjoy personal acquaintance with a
u for over thirty years, and the pleasant re- ;,
ions OF that long time have been greatly .
enlightened by your cordial and entire CO. /,
Grafton in all the great questions which have 4
cupied the Department, and convulsed the ii
lntry for the last six months. In parting u
m you, | can only express the hope that =,
reiful Providence, that has protected you, II