Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-11-06
RESIGNATION OF GEN. SCOTT.
KESIGNd IIUN Os U EN-. SCUI I.
The following letter from Lieut.. General
Scott was received by the President ON Thurs
day afternoon October 31st.

| Scott was TeCelfeu Dy the ITeS!Qtnl Oh 1UuTS-
day afternoon October 31st.
sHEADoUARTERs THE ARMY,
Washington, D. c. Oct. 81. {
ssIhe Honorable Simon Cameron, Secretary Of
Var SIR For more than three years have
been unable, from hurt, to mount horse or
walk more than few PAGES at time. and
that with much pain. Other and new infirmi-
ties-dropsy and vertigo-admonish me that
repose of mind and body with the appliance
of surgery and medicine necessary to add
little more to life already protracted much
beyond the usual space 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 late prosper
Gus and happy Union, that am compelled to
| request that my name be placed on the list of
army officers retired from active service. AS
this request is founded on an absolute righ,
granted by recent act of Congress, [ am
tirely at liberty to say that it is with deep re-
gret that | withdraw myself in these momen-
tous times from the order of President who
has treated me with distinguished kindness
and courtesy, whom | know upon muck per-
sonal intercourse, to be patriotic, without
sectional partialites or prejudices, to be highly
conscientious in the performance of every
duty and of unrivalled activity and presever-
| ance. And to you, Mr.. Secretary, whom l
now officially address for the last time, | beg
to acknowledge my many obligations for the
at your hands and have the honor to remain,
sir, with high respect your obedient servant,
[Signed] WINFIELD SCorr.''
A special Cabinet Council was convened on
Friday morning at nine O'Clock, to take the
subject into consideration. 1t was decided
that Gen. Scott's request, under the circum-
stances of his advanced age and infrmities,
could not be declined. Gen. Mcclellan was
therefore, with the unanimous agreement of
the Cabinet, notified that the command of the
army would devolve- upon him. AT four o.
clock in the afternoon the Cabinet again
waited upon the President and attended him
to the residence OF Gen. Scott. On being
seated the President read to the General the
Following order:
ssOn the first day of November, A. D., 1861,
upon his own application to the President of
the United States, Brevet Lieut.. General Win
fe Id 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 with
drawn from the active control of the army.
While the President and the unanimous Cab
met expressed their own and the nations SYM
pathy in his personal afiliction, and their pro-
found sense of the important public service
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 assailed by the paricidal rebel
lion. [Signed] ABRAHAM LINCOLN
General Scott thereupon rose and addressed
the President and Cabinet, who had also risen,
as follows:
Ppr This Uha1 ms
1t over-pays all service have attempted to
render to my country. If | had any claims
before they are all obiterated by this express
sion of approval by the President with the
unanimous support Of his Cabinet | know
the President and this Cabinet we'll. l know
that the country has placed its interests in
this trying crisis in safe keeping. Their
counses are wise, their labors are untiring.
AS they are loyal and their course is the right
one. Mr.. President, you must excuse me. |
am unable to stand longer to give utterance to
the feelings of gratitude which oppress me.
In my retirement l shall offer up my prayers
to God for this administration and for my
country. l shall pray for it with confidence
in its success over its enemies and that speed
iiy."
The President then took leave of Gen'l
Scott giving him his hand and saying she
hoped soon to write him a private letter ex-
pressive of his gratitude and Affection" and
then added
ssGeneral, you will naturally feel solicitious
about the gentlemen of your staff who have
| rendered you and their country such faithful
service. l have taken that subject into con-
sideraton. / understand that they go with
you to New York. l shall desire them at
their earliest convenience after their return to
make their wishes known to me. l desire you,
however, ito be satisfied that except the unavoid
able privatations of your counsel and society
which they long enjoyed, the provision
| which Will be made for them will be such as
to render their situation as agreeable hereafter
as it 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 Secretary of War will accom-
pany Gen. Scott to New York.
The following is the response of the Secre-
tary of War to the letter of Gen. Scott:
sWAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Nop. 1, 1861.
GENERAL: Is is my duty to lay before the
| President your letter of yesterday asking to
| be relieved under the recent act of Congress.
| In separating from you l cannot 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 momentous pc
riod OF our history. Although you cannot
remain in active service, l yet hope that
while L continue in charge of the depart
ments over which l preside, l shall at
| all times be permitted to avail myself of
| the benefits of your counsels and sage ex-
| perience. It has been my good fortune to
enjoy personal acquaintance with you for o.
yer thirty years, and the pleasant relations of
| that long time have been greatly strengthened