The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-08-02
Gen. Seott's Plan

tue iOuOWpg accOunt OF an lnterVioW win
Gen. Scott, ia which the latter revealed his
plan Of prosecuting the war:
On the Tuesday preceding the battle,
Gen. Scott, at his own table, in presence
Of his aids and a single guest, discussed
the whole subject Of this war, in ell It's
parts. and with the utmost clearness and
accuracy. lie had distinct and well de.
fined opinion on every point connected
with it and stated what his plan would
be for bringing il TO a close, il the man.
agement Of il had been left 10 his hands
The main object Of the war, he said, was
to bring the people OF the rebellious States
TO feel the pressure Of The Government
10 compel them to return to their obedience
and loyalty. And this must be done with
the least possible expenditure OF life com.
palibie with the attainment OF the object
No Christian nation can be justified, he
said, in waging war in such way as shall
destroy sol lives, when the Object Of the
war can be attained at a cost of 500
Every man killed beyond the number alb
solaiely required, is murdered. Hence
he looked upon all shooting of pickets, all
scouting foravs not required in order &c
advance the general objec, Of the war, al
destruction Of HE, on either side, which
did not contribute to the general result
as SO many acts OF unjusifable homicide
Ii the matter had been left 10 him, he
said, be would have commenced by g
perfect blockade Of every Southern por
on the Atlantic aHt the Gulf. Then b,
would have collected large force at tho
Capital for defensive purposes-and an
other large one on the Mississippi fo
offensive operations. The summer months
during which il is madness to take troop
south Of 81. Louis, should have been de
voted TO tactical instruction and will
the first frosts Of Autumn he would hav,
taken column OF 80, 900 well disciplined
troops down the Mississippi, and iaker
every important point on that river, New
Orleans included. II could have bee,
done, he said, 'wiih greater ease, soiM les
loss of life, and aoiM far more imDorton
reSnlts than would attend the n,orching o.
an Army TO Richmond. At eight point
the river would probably have been de
Tended, and eight battles would hav
been necessary; but in every one Of then
success could have been made certain 70
us. The Mississippi and the Atlanli
once ours, the Southern States would hav,
been compelled, by the natural and inev
liable pressure Of events, TO seek, by
return to the Union, escape from the ruiz
that woull speedily overwhelm them on
ofit. This, said he. was my plan. Blu
l am subordiGate. II is my business /,
give advice when j! is asked, and 10 obey
orders when they are given. I shall d
M There are gentlemen in the Cabine
| who know much more about war than
do, and who have far greater infuenc,
than l have in deter mining the plan Of tn
campaign. There never was more Jus
and upright man than the President
never one who desired more sincereI
to promote the best interests Of tn
country. But there are men among hi
advisers who consult their own resen,
ments far more Than .he dictates of wis
dom and experience, ,--and these men Wil
probably decide the plan of the compaig,
l shall do or attempt whatever l am OF
dered 10 do. But they must not hold n,
responsible. II am ordered 10 20 T.
Richmond.I shall endeavor TO do il. Blu
l know perfectly well that they have n
conception Of the difficulties we shall hav
to encounter. know the country, ,-ho,
admirably adapted it is 10 defence, an,
how resolutely and obstinately i. will b
defended. l would like nothing bette
than to take Richmond now that il ha
been disgraced by becoming the capital @
the Rebel Confederacy, L feel resentmer
towards il. and should like nothing bette
than to scatter its Congress to the winds
But have livedlong enough TO know tbs
human resentment is a very bad founda
tion for public policy and these ger
: tlemen will live long enough to learn
also. l shall do what am ordered.
shall fight when and where / am com
manded. Bat if I am con,pslledto 6gi
before 1 am ready. they shall not hold nj
responsible. These gentlemen must TAX
the responsibility Of their acts, as al
willing to take that OF mine. But the
mus, not throw their responsibility on N
shoulders.