Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-11-08

Msws 81 the week.

received by the President on Thursday morn.
ing: ~ s,-
'flssSDSs.4ts.s or 2, ras A .ss
The Hon. S. Cameron, Secretary Of War:
SIR.-For more than three years I have
been unable, from "a. hurt, to mount horse
or walk more than few PAGES at a time, and
thst.withpain Other new infirmities, drop
sy and vertigo, admonish me that repose OF
iniAd and body, with the appliances of sur.
gerry and medicines, are necessary to add a
little more to q life already protracted much
be5bnd the usual span of man. 1t is under
such circumstances made doubly painful by
the unnatural and unjust rebellion now ra-
ging in the Southern States, of our so lately
prosperous and'haPpy Union, that am COM
pellcd'torelucst that my name be placed on
the list Of officers retired from active service.
As this request is founded on an absolute
right guaranteed by recent act of Congress,
am entirely at liberty to say it is with
deep regret that withdraw myself in these
monlentous times from the orders of Pres
ident who has treated me with much dis
tinguishcd kindness and courtesy; whom
know upon much personal intercourse to be
patriotic without prejudices or partialities,
conscientious in the performance Of every
duty and of unrivalled activity. 10 you,
Mr.. Secretary, whom now officially address
Ter the last time, beg to acknowledge my
slrany obligations for the uniform high con-
Biderations | have received at your hands,
and have the honor to remain, t
[signed.l WINFIELD SCOTT.
A special Cabinet Council was convened
on Friday morning at nine O'Clock, to take
the subject into consideration. 1t was de-
c:ded under the circumstances of his advan-
ced age and infirmities that his request could
not be declined. ys E E.'-.t ae .J
Gen. Mcclellan was thereupon, with the
unanimous agreement of the Cabinet, in
formed that the command of the army would
devolve upon him. At four o'clock in the
afternoon the Cabinet again waited on the
President and escorted him to the residence
of Gen. Scott being seated the President
read to the General the following order:
On the first day of November A. d. 1861,
upon his own application to the President of
field Scott is ordered to be placed, and is
hereby placed upon the list of retired officers
of the army of the United States, without
reduction in his current pay, subsistence or
allowances. The American people will hear
with sadness and deep sorrow that General
Scott has withdrawn from the active control
Of the army, while the President and unani-
nous Cabinets own and the nations SYM
patty in his personal atfliction, and their pro-
found sense of important public services rem
dered by him to his country, during his long
and brilliant career, among which will ever
be gratefully distinguished, his faithful de-
votion to the Constitutions the Union and
the flag when assailed by parricidal rebellion.
[signed] .' , A. LINCOLN.
Gen. Scott thereupon rose and addressed
the President and Cabinet, who had also
arisen, as follows:
This honor overwhelms me; it overpays
all services have attempted to render my
country; If I had any claims before, they
are all obliterated by an expression of ap-
prevail by the President with the unanimous
support of his Cabinet. know the Presi-
Slentand:his Cabinet well. l know that the
country has placed its interest in this trying
crisis in safe keeping. Their councils are as
untiring as they are loyal and their course
the RICH one Mr.. President, you must excuse
me, am unable to stand longer to give ut
terance to the feelings Of gratitude which
Expresses me in my retirement shall offer
my prayers to God for this Administration
and for my country. shall pray for it with
confidence in its success over all enemies
and that speedily. .-. ... .. .-.. .-.
The President then took leave from Gen.
Scott, giving him his hand and saying that
he hoped soon to write him private letter
expressive of his gratitude and affection.
sE.F. -.. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
r.. Washington, Nov. I, 1861.
GENERAL ORDER NO. 10.
from the War Department, hereby assume
command Of the armies Of the United States.
In the midst of the difficulties which encom-
pass and divide the nation, hesitation and
distrust may well accompany the assump-
ton of so vast a responsibility but conf
ding as I do in the loyalty, discipline and
courage Of our troops, and believing as do
that Providence will favor our just cause,
cannot doubt that success will crown our
efforts and sacrifices. The army will unite
with me in the feeling of regret that the
weight of many years and the cares of in
creasing infirmities contracted and intensi-
fled in his country's service, should Just now
remove from our head the great soldier Of
cur nation, the hero, who in his youth raised
high the reputation ofhis country in the field of
Canada, which he sanctifed with his blood
VINO IN more future years, proved to the
world that American skill and valor could
repeat, if not eclipse the exploits of Cortez
in the land of the Montezumas whose whole
efforts have been directed to uphold our hon
or at the smallest sacrifice of life; a warrior
who scorncd the selfish glories of the battle
field, when his great faculties as a statemen
could be employed more profitably for his
country a citizen, who, in his declining
years, has given to the world most shining
instance of loyalty in disregarding all ties Of
birth and clinging still to the cause of truth
and honor. Suchhas been the career-such
the character of Winfield Scott, whom it has
long been the delight Of the nation to honor,
both as q man and soldier. While we re-
greet his loss there is one thing we cannot re-
greet, the bright example he has left for our
emulation. Let us all hope and pray that
his declining years may. be passed in peace
and happiness, and that he may be chcered
by the success of the country and the cause
he has fought for and loved 80 well. Beyond
all that, let us do nothing that can cause him
to blush for us, let no defeat of the army he
has SO long commanded, embitter his last
days, but let our victories illuminate the close
of q life so grand.
1Signedl GEO. B MCCLELLAN.