Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-11-06
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
ID. g, Oct 81. 1861

The Hon Cameron Secretary o! War
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 iuir-
mites. dropsy and vertigo, admonish me
that a repose of mind and body, with the ap-
pliances of surgery and medicine. are neces-
sary to add little more to life already pro
tracted much beyond the usual span Of
man.
It is under such circumstances. made
doubly painful by the unnatural and unjust
rebellion new raging in the Southern States,
of our so late prosperous 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 ar absolute
right granted by recent act of Congress. |
am entirely at liberty to say that it is with
deep regret that | withdraw myself in these
momentous times from the orders of a Presi-
dent who has treated me with Dustin guished
kindness and courtesy-whom | know, upon
much personal intercourse, to be patriotic.
without sectional partiaities or predui;ces. to
be highly conscientious in the performance
of every duty, and of unrivalled activity aud
perseverance.
And to you, Mr. Secretary whom [ now
officially address for the last time. [ 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, your obedient servant,
/ (Signed) WINFIELD SCOTT.
| a special Cabinet council was convened on
| Friday morning, at o'clock. to take the
subject into consideration. 1t was decided
that Gen SCOTS request, under the ciicum-
| stances Of his advanced age and inirmities,
could not be declined.
Gen Mcclellan was, thereupon, with the
unanimous agreement of the Cabinet, notified
that the command OF the army would be de-
volved upon him.
At 4 o'clock in the afternoon the Cabinet
again waited upon the President, and a'ten
ded him to the residence of Gen Scott On
being seated, the President read 10 the Gen
eral the following order:
On the Ist day of November. y d. 1861
upon his own application to the President OF
the United States, Brevet Lieutenant Gener-
al Winfield Scott, is ordered to be placed and
hereby is placed. upon the list of retired off
GERS of the army of the United States. with
out reduction in his current pay, subsistence
OF allowance.
The American people will hear with sadness
and deep emotion that General Scott has
Withdrawn from the active control Of the ar
my. while the President aud the unanimous
Cabinet express their own and the nation 5
sympathy in his personal afliction, and their
profound sense of the important public SER
vices rendered by him to his couLtsv during
bis long and brilliant career, among which
will ever be gratefully dIstiue euished his faith
ful devotion to the Constitution, the Union
aud the fag. when assailed by a parricidai
rebellion
(Signcd) ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Gen Scot, then arose and addressed tie
President and Cabinet who had also risen,
| as follows:
.Mr. Piesi,Ient-This honor overwhelms
met overpays all service l have attempted
to render my country If had any claims
before. they are all obliterated by this tx
! preston of approval by the President. with
the unanimous support of tbs Cabinet
know the President and his Cabinent well
know that the country has placed is inter
csts in the trying crisis in safe keeping -
f Their councils are wise. their labcrs are un
tiring, as they are loyal, and this course i
the right one
Mr. President you must excuse me.
am unable to stand longer TO give uueranc
to the feelings of gratitude which opIresS me
i In my retirement | shall offer up MY prayer
e TO God for this Adm Inistration and for tn
= country I shall pray for 1t with CO, fienc
r in its success over its enemies, and tha
speedily
The President then took leave of GeLe,a
Scott giving him his hand ana saying h
hoped soon to write him private letter ex
pressye of his gratitude and affection Th
: President added:
e .General.-You will naturally feel solici
l. .ho IF Of vrh
!, have rendered you and their country sue
:. faithful service. have taken that subjec
IL into consideration | understand that the
= 90 with YOU to New York | shall desir
s them at their earliest convenience after thei
e return to rake their wishes known TO me-
= desire you, however, to be satisfied that ex
cept the unavoidable deprivation IF you cou1
sci and society which they have so long eI
e joyed the provision which will be made f
IF them will be such as TO render their stuatio
= as agreeable hereafter as ii has beeen hereto
fore
, Each member of the Administration the
1t gave his hand to the veteran, aud retired
e profound silence
e The Secretary of the Treasury aud Secret.
!. ry of War, will accompany General SEQ
J.. to New York tomorrow by the early train
:, The following is the reply of the Secret
ry of War, to the letter of Gen Scott
. "WAR DEPARTMENT !
e Washington. Nov L, 1861 (
g "Generat:-It was my duty to lay befo
l. the President your letter of yesterday, askiu
to be relieved. under the recent act of Coz
gress. IL separating from you. | cannot r,
Of frain from expressing my deep regret that yOr
r. health, shattered by long service and repeatc
nS in AZ,