Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-08-09
Mistellaneuu5.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
4 sketch OF his Life and services

Winfield Scott was born near Peters
burg in Virginia, en- the 18th of June, in
the year 11s6. He finished his studies
at the College of William and Mary, and
was admitted to the bar in 1906. After
practicing law in Virginia about year
he cmigrated to South Carolina.
Our difficulties in England caused Con-
gress to pass an act in April ls0s, to in
crease the army. Scott applied immcdi-
atey for commission in one Of the rcgi-
ments about to be raised, and in May
1908, was appointed a captain of Light
Artillery.
War was not actually declared until
June, 1872 The interval between 110s
and the declaration of war was one OF
great political excitement. Scott sided
with the Democratic party, supported the
election, and approved, advocated and
wrote in favor Of war measures.
In July, 1872, Scott was commissions
cd Lieutenant Colonel in the 2l Artillery
and proceeded to the Niagara Frontier.
In October of that year Lieutenant Eli
oft applied to Scott for assistance i'll
men, to capture the Adams and Calcdo-
MIA, two British vessels of war then lying
under the protection Of guns at Fort
Erie. The vessels were both captured !;
but Elliott was compelled to abandon the
Adams She got'aground, and the Brit
ish attempted to rc-takc her, but were re-
pulsed by the galantry of Col. Winfield
]
Scott. This was the first time he had
met the enemy-and here, as every sub,
sequcnt engagement whore he was first
/ In command, he was victorious.
\ few days after was fought the mem,
orablc battle of Queenstown Heights
Scott was the hero of the day, and cover
cd himself with glory. The battle lasted
many hours and was fought on the part
of the Americans with most fearful odd,
against them. The British army havin.
been reinforced numbered not less than
1900 men. while the Americans were re.
duecl to less than three hundred Find.
in. that the militia on the opposite shore
refused. or were unable to cross to their
aid, aul that sueeor was hopeless, Scott,
heroic band were at length compelled tc
surrender. But their gallant deeds upon
that day carried inspiration to every
heart. The disgrace of IIuli's surrender
was wiped oii-the taunts OF the enemy
checkcd-the character of the American
army redeemed Scott was carried {
prisoner to Quebec While he was there
an incident occurred which had Il most
important bearing upon the future con
duct of the war, and is deserving Of par
tleutar mention.
At the time Great Britain denied th(
RIGHT of expatriation in other words shl
denied the right OF any OF her subjects to
become citizens OF another country, con
tcndiu. that they ow2l to her perpetua
allegiance. according to this doctrine,
native of Ireland, Scotland or Eas land
VINO had cmi.ratcl to the United States
and become ueutraIlcl American cltl
zen, remained still subject OF the Brit
ish government, and forfeited his life tol
treason, if found in arms against her. The
United States denied this doctrine-hcl
naturalization laws being founded upon
the opposite theory.
While Scott was prisoner at Quebec
the British attempted to enforce thcir
doctrine of perpetual allegiance in regar'
to certain Irish prisoners found in th'
ranks of the american army at Queeas
town. The following is y description o
the scene:
scott being in the cabin of the trans
port, heard a hustle upon deck and has
tened up. There he found party o
British officers in the act of mastering tn
prisoners, and separating from the res
such as by confession or the accent OF tn
voice, were Judged to be Irishmen. Th
object was to scnl them in trgatc thcr
alongside, to England to be tried and cx
eeutcl for the crime of high treason the.
being taken in arms against their natlv
allegiance. Twenty-three had been thu
set apart when Scott reached the decN
The moment Scott asccrta.ned the obJcc
of the British officers, he commanded hi
men to answer no more questions, IN or
der that no other selection should be mad
by the test Of speech. He commands
them to remain silent, and they STREET
obeyel. This was done in spite OF tn
TIN eats of the British officers, and no
another man was separated from his CON
panions.
Scott was repeatedly commanded to 9
below, aud high alteration ensUed IA
addressed the party selected, and explain
ed TO them fully the reciprocal obhga
tions OF allegiance and protection, assrr
ing them that the United States woul
not fail to avenge their gallant aud faith
ful soldiers; aud finally pledged himself
, in the most solemn manner, that retalla
ton, and if necessary, a refusal to Civ
quarter in battle, should follow the execu
ton of any one in the party. In tn
midst of this animated haranguc, he wa
frequently interrupted by the Britis
officers, but though unarmed, could not b
silcnccd"
The Irishmcn thus selected were ser
to England. As soon as Scott was cN
l changed, he proceeded to Washington an
, reportcd the whole affair 10 the Sccretar
of War by written communlcatlon.-
This report was transmitted to Congress
and Scott in personal interviews pressc
the subject upon the attention of men
bers. An act was accordingly passed o
the 3d Of March, 1913, vesting the Pre-
idept with the power Of retaliation. l
an engagement soon after, Scott capture
number of prisoners. True to h
I n1aa kn INN. al ~ n