The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-11-09
Retirement OF General Scott.

Retirement OF General scott
On Friday of last week Gen. Scott for
mally asked the President to be relieved
of the duties of his office as Commander
inchief of the army of the U. S. The fol-
lowing is his letter to that effect:
"HEADouARrERs THE Army,
"WAsHiSCMoS. Oct. 81, 1861.
{" The Hon s. Cameron Secretary Of War:
SIR-For more than three years Rave
been unable from hurt, to mount a
horse, or to walk more than few PAGES
at q time, and that with pain. Other and
new nfrmities-dropsy and vertigo-ad-
monish me that repose of mind and body,
with the appliances of surgery and medi-
cine, are necessary to add a little more to
life already protracted much beyond the
usual span of man. 1t is under such cir
cumstance, made dOubly painful by the
unnatural and unjust rebellion now raging
in the southern States of our so lately
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 it is with deep regret that
withdraw myself, in these momentous
times, from the orders of u 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
prejudices, to he highly conscientious in
| the performance of every duty, and of un-
| rivalled activity and perseverance, And
to you, Mr.. Secretary, whom l now official
ly address for the last time, | beg to &C.
knowledge my many obligations for the
uniform high consideration have receiy-
ed at your hands.
81 have the honor to remain, sir,
with high respect,
(Signed) "WINFIELD SCoTr
A special Cabinet council was convened
on Friday morning at nine o block to take
the subject into consideration. 1t was de-
cided that Gen. SCOTS request, under the
circumstances of his advanced age and in
tirmities, could not be declined General
Mcclellan was thereupon, with the unani-
nous agreement of the Cabinet, notified
that the command of the army would be
devolyed upon him.
At 1 clock in the afternoon the Cabinet
again waited on the President and attend
cu MN ~ tHc iSsiheHCt Vi uSil ccOtl-
Being seated, the President read to the
General the following order:
con the lst day OF November, l. D. 1851,
upon his own application to the President
of the United States. Breyet Lieutenant
General 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 allowance
" 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 unani-
nous Cabinet express their own and the
nations sympathy in his personal affiic-
ton, and their profound sense of the inn
portant public services rendered by him
to his country during his long and bril-
liant career among us, which will ever be
grea;fully distinguished, his faithful devo-
ton to the constitution, the Union, and
the flag, when assailed by parricidal rebel
lion.
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN"
Gen. Scott thereupon rose, and address
cd the President and Cabinet, who had
also risen, as follows:
me. 1t oyerpays all services | have at
tempted to render my country. If | had
any claims before, they are all obitcrated
by an expression Of approval by the Presi-
dent, with the unanimous support of his
Cabinet / know the President and his
Cabinet well | know that the country
has its interests IN Ibis trying crisis in safe
keeping. Their counsels are wise their
labers are as uutiring as they are loyal and
their cause the ri sht one President, you
must eqcuse ME; ! am unable to stand any
longer to give utterauce TO the feelings of
gratitude which Cypress me. In my re-
tirement shall offer up my prayers teGod
for this administration and for my country
! shall pray for 1t, with confidence in its
success over all enemies and that speedily"
The President :hen took leave Of Gen.
Scott, giving him his hand, and saying
that he hoped soon to write him private
letter expressive of his gratitude and af-
lection
Gen Mcclellan has issued an order &C
eepting the Command-in Chief of the army
and eulogizing Gen. Scott
Gen. Scott, with portion of his staffar
rived at New York on Tuesday, whence
in a few days he will sail for France, where
his FIRMLY now is While he laws down
his nffice however, he is to receive its
honors and emoluments the same rs here
tofore, provision to that end having been
made in anticipation ofthis event by special
act of Congress.