Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-11-02
BY TELEGRAPH.
NIGHT DISPATCHES.


Ian Appointed TO the Command Of the
Army.
WASHINGTON, November 1.-The follow.
ing letter from Lieutenant General Scott,
was received by the President on Thursday
afternoon:
"HEAD QUARTERS OF THE Army,
"WAsHmGToN, d. c., Oct. 81.
"7he Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of
War:
"SR; For more than three years I have
been unable, from hurt, to mount horse or
walk more than few PAGES at time, and
that with much pain. Other and new in
firmities, dropsy and vertigo, admonish me
that repose of mind and body, with the ap-
pliances of surgery and medicine are neees-
sary to add a little more to 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 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 an absolute
right granted by a recent act of Congress,
am entirely at liberty to say that it is with
deep regret that withdraw myself in these
mcmentous times from the orders Of Presi-
dent who has treated me with distinguished
much personal intercourse, to be patriotic
without sectional partialities or prejudices,
to be highly conscientious in the perform
ance of every duty and of unrivaled activity
and perseverance.
ITO you, Mr.. Secretary, whom now of.
fcially address for the last time, beg to ac-
knowledge my many obligations for the uni
form high considerations 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 convened
on Friday at 8 o'clock to take the subject into
consideration. It was decided that GeDeral
Scott's request under the circumstances of
his advanced age and in6rmities could not
be declined. General Mcclellan was there.
upon, 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 Cabi.
net again waited on the President and at
tended him to the residence of General Scott.
| On being seated, the President read to the
General the following order:
On the Isl day of November, 1861, upon
| his application TO the President of the U nited
States Bfevet Lieutenant General Winfield
Scott is ordered 10 be placed, and hereby is
| placed, upon the list of retired officers of the
army of the United States, without reduction
in bis current pay, subsistence or allow
| auces.
The American people will hear with sad
ness and deep emotion that General Scott
has Withdrawn from the active control of the
army, while the President and the unani-
nous Cabinet express their own and the
| nations sympathy in his personal affliction,
end their profound sense of the important
public services rendered by him to his coun.
try during his long and brilliant career,
aIuoDg which will ever be gratefully distin-
euished bis faithful devotion to the Consti-
iu,iop, the Union and the flag, when assailed
ny a Tarricidal rebellion.
'GSigped] ABRAHAM LINCOLN"
Ger eral Scott thereupon rose aud ad-
dressed the President and Cabinet, who had
also risen, as follows:
MIR. PRESIDENT: This honor overwhelms
me; it overpays all services have attempted
70 render my country. If | had any claims
before, they are all obliterated by this ex
preston of approval by the President, with
The unanimous support of his Cabinet
81 know the President and this Cabinet
well. know that the country has placed
its interests, in this trying crisis, in safe
keeping. Their councils are wise; their la
bors 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 shall offer up my prayer
10 God for this Administration and for my
country. l shall pray for it with confidence
in its success over its enemies, and that
speedily"
The President then took leave of General
Scott giving him his hand and saying he
hoped soon to write him private letter, ex.
pressive of his gratitude and affection.
The President added:
General, you will naturally feel solici
tu6e about the gentlemen of your staff, who
have rendered you and their country such
faithful services. l have taken that subject
into consideration.
81 understand that they go with you to
New York. l shall desire them at their
earliest convenience after their return tc
make their wishes known TO me. I desire
you, however, to be satisfied that, except the
unavoidable privatiOn of your counsel snC
society, which they so long enjoyed, the pro
vision which will be made for them will b.
such as to render their situation as agreeabl
hereafter as it has been heretofore"
Each member of the Administration thel
gave his hand to the veteran, and retire
in profound silence.
The Secretary of the Treasury and tn
Secretary of War will accompany Geners
Scott to New York tomorrow by the earl
train. rs
The following is the response of the Secrs
taIy Of War to the letter of General Scott
"WAR DEPARTMENT,
"WAsHINGToE, D. O., Nov. l, 1861.
; General, it is my duty to lay before tn
President your letter of yesterday, askin
to be relieved under the recent act of Cor
gress.
"In separating from you, can not refra
from expressing my deep regret that you
health, shattered by long service and rC
pested wounds, received in your country
defense, should render it necessary for 70
to retire from your high position az this me
mentous period of our history. Althoug
you are not to remain ia active service, yt
hope that while continue in charge of tn
Department, over which | now preside,
shall at all times be permitted to avail my
self OF your counsels and sage experience.
ut has been my good fortune to enjoy
personal acquaintance with you for ovt
thirty years, and the pleasant relations
that long time have been greatly strength
, ened by your cordial and entire cooperate
in all the great questions which have occl
pied the Department and convulsed II
country for the last six months. In partin
from you | can only express the hope that
merciful Providence, which has protecte
you amidst SO many trials, will improve yor
: health, and continue your life long after Il
people of the country shall have been r.
: stored to their former happiness and pro
: perity.
, ~ am, General, very sincerely,