The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-11-09
Resignation of General Scott,
Gen. Mcclellan put iii Command,
Interview between the President,
Cabinet, and Gen. Scott.

Gen. Winfield Scott the war-worn
veteran has resigned the command of the
National Army and retired to private
life, laden with the honors Of long.
brilliant and patriotic career. On
Thursday afternoon Oct. 3lst., the
following letter:
HEADQUARTERS OF TIE ARMY,
WASnINGToN, Oct. 81, 1851.
The Hon. s. Cameron, Secretary of Var:
"S,R For more than three years
have been unable from hurt t. mount Il
horse, or to walk more than few PAGES
at time, and with that much pain
Other and new inirnitics, dropsy and
vertigo, ad,uonsh me that rcposc of
mind and body with the appliances Of
surgery and medicine are necessary to
add little more to 4 life already pro-
tracted much beyond the usual span of
man. 1t is undcr such circumstances,
made doubly painful by the unnatural
and unjust rebellion now raging in the
Southern States of our so l;*tly prosper
Gus and happy Union, that | am COM
PEELED to request 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 a
recent act of Congress, | am entirely a.
liberty to say it is with deep regret that
withdraw myself i'll these moulcntous
times from the orders Of President who
has treated ME with much distinguished
kindness and courtesy whom l know,
upon much personal intercourse, to be
patriotic without sectional partialities or
prejudiccs, to be highly conscientious
in the performance of every duty, and of
unrivaled activity and perseverance !:
and to you, Mr. Secretary, whom now
officially address for the last time, l beg
to acknowledge my many obligations for
the uniform nigh consideration l have
received at your hands, and have the
honor to remain, Sir, with high respect,
Your obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT"
A special Cabinet Council was con-
vcned, Friday morning, at 8 o'clock, to
take the subject into consideration. 1t
was decided Gen. Scott's 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 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 lst day of November, A. D.
1861, upon his own application to the
President of the United States, Brevet
Northumberland 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 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 services
rendered by him TO his country during
his long and brilliant career, among
which will ever be gratefully distin-
guisbed his faithful devotion to III, Con-