The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-03
the HEAD OF the ARMY.
The Late and Present Com
manders-in- Chief.
WINFIELD SCOTT AND GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN,
&C., &C.. 60.


command
army and from active service On the 14h OF june 1908
he entered the service Of the country and the s1s
October 1851 he retired thus having served this
nation an uninterrupted term Of nfty-throe years
His retirement from the high position which he ha.
occupied for 30 many years with honor and distinction
% himself and advantage to the interests OF the nation
renders review OF his military services and career
peculiarly appropriate at this particular time. II
may DO said with truth that the principal events
In the last my years Of his life would, to .
great extent, embrace the most prominent
and important facts in tho history Of the country AL
though no has been honored with the highest ONCE
In the gift Of the people, no man has occupied more
distinguished and exalted position and Of his con
temporares will MI larger space in the future annals
q the great republic. His withdrawal from the active
duties Of official life, and his generous resignation Of his
command into the hands Of general much his
Junior, indicate . seif-abnegation that proves the
truth OF the time honored adage that he only who
command himself is truly qualified to govern others.
Lieutenant General Winfield Scott is a native Of vrgi.
MIA having boon born in Petersburg the 13h Of june
17S6. He is Of Scottish descent and would appear,
from the records Of his family, that his great
military abilities inherited the namc boing .
celebrated one IN the military annals Of Scotland 1T the
battle OF Cuoden in I7o disastrous to the last hopes
Of the his grandfather played conspicuous part
culinary struggle for the British 1t may, how.
ever be safely stated that Of his family ever to
such distinction In the pursuit Of His ancestors
having been ardent supporters Of tho unfortunate
6tuars the defeat OF the Pretcnder tho battle Cu
OGDEN led to their involuntary exile well that
their royal leader. The Scott family their arrival in
Che then British colonies settled down Virginia. whero
"a we have already stated, the future general Of
tho American republic was born His preparatory
education having been completed, he entered VIII
dam and Mary College, where he devoted couple Of
years TO the study Of the higher branches leay ing
college he entered tho profession Of the law and the
ago OF twenty admitted to the bar As Charleston,
South Carolina appeared to the mind Of the young
yer 70 present fruitful field for the successful
practce-of his profession he proceeded that city
the autumn OF 1907. Here however, he not sue
cessfM as he DESIRED and having satisfied himself that
fortune and amo were slow 10 reward him In this pur
suit he determined to leave Charleston and return the
North. II may in fact well be doubted from his subse
quent career, whether tho ncnstions Of young Scot
qualified him for the peculiar duties and labors Of the
legal profession His mind naturally adapt
Cd 70 more active and vigorous nfc-a life
made upcf the dangers ond pers Of the battle ZELDA
life in camp and feld-in which only tho sterner quail
ties OF tho soldier eoud hope to achieve success Ac
cordingy no entered the army and although his first
experience Of military life rather dscouragng still
ne was determined to persevere in the which
ne had chosen 1t appears that in 1909 the conduct Of
his superior ofhcer-Genera Wilkinson-ed him to in
dulge In expressions which though just betrayed
want Of discretion which, viewed with cnency might
be regarded pardonable in who had Just enter
ID the army. The regidty Of military discipline
b . stranger TO tAs milder virtue Of cemency
and after trial by courtl martial, sentence Of sus
pension from pay and service for twelve months
gxpnN orA nOn-
not welded to She profession Of arms this would have
proved encouragement too great be borne but Scott
had made his final resolution, and determined 70
perssvere despite Of all obstacles The twelve months
Tor which no suspended devoted unremtting
study Of military science that the proclamation Of
war in 1872, between the United States and Great
Britain ers better qualified to lead his cou.
srymen against Che enemy. He was at this time pro-
oted TO the position Of Lieutenant Colonel Of artillery
and he acquired the reputation Of being one Of tho
best o6Acers In that Important department OF the
army At the battlo OF Queenstown Heights his in
erepidity and skill . commanding officer were
Or the first time brought out In . most con-
Spicuous and creditable manner. The engagement
Was one Of the most desperate recorded in tho an.
mails Of American waIfare and, although ended in the
1esa Of the American forces the victory Of the enemy
was dearly purchased. Scott, with his surviving com.
sades was captured and sent TO Qeboc he soon
Afterwards liberated by exchange Of prisonera In
this battle his personal daring lofty stature rendered
aim prominent mark for the Indian shareholders.
Nho In the instance recorded in the life Of Washing
ton exerted their skin TO the utmost, but without sue
esss TO bring him down. Failing in open, manly conflict
1sroy their fearless and intrepid foo they had
20 Indian cunning and reachery carry their fell de-
sign Gaining 10 hiprison two Of them rushed upon
him. but folded by tho superior agility and strength
of Scott well as by the fortunate interpos ton of Capt
Coffin Of the British army to whose timely presence In
the hour Of danger his escape from his savage enemies
partly attributable Gho bravery Of Scott recognized
In substantial manner after his release by his promo
ton to the position Of Adutant General chief the
sta under General Dearborn who at that time COM
manding the Northern frontier. The Justice of this
promotion was made manifest by his conduct the
capture Of Fort George at which he severely wound
% by splinter, after performing prodiges of valor
At the battle Of Chippewa, tho credit of which the com
nanding officer generously acknowledged due tosco
he added another brilliant page to the history Of his
country and another leaf to the chapes which
day adorn his brow But it at Niagara that he
even surpassed himself. Here he twice wounded,
once by bullet through the shoulder and the second
time by spent ball. Placing himself at the head of his
men he cheered them the attack and although the
British had the advantage hesirengh of their position
they gave way before the terrible charge Of the Amer
and fed in confusion leaving Scott who was the FIRST
man to enter in possession of the fort. Tho victorious
commander hauled down the British coors with his
hand and amid the cheers Of his brave troops III two
actions the 10th and 11h November 1Sl3 he again
defeated the enemy. These fought at Fort Matilda
and Hoophole creek.
These constant attracted to him the eyes OF
The whole country, who regarded with the most cnhus
astic admiration the brilliant Of the young officer
sor he had not yet quite attained his twenty
year. At that ago. and the 9th of March, 1914 he
promoted to the rank OF Brigader General, with the
hearty approval Of all CLASSES Of his countrymen.
We have referred to his bravery at Chippewa;
but we would not be doing justice to his gallant
conduct did we fail to notice an incident which
occurred during TINT battle. and which affords happy
illustration of the iniomahlc character Of The man.
As tho two armies approached to close quarters Scott
called aloud to McNcs battalion, g The enemy say we
are good at long shot, but cannot stand the cold iron.
call upon the Eleventh instantly to give the lie to that
SANDER. Chargeln And, responding with an exlitant
hurra they did charge and with vengeance. Sweeping
upon Tic enemy with the force Of a mountain torrent
ewollcn by autumn floods, they drove them from the
aeld and that, too, with their own favori,e weapon