East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-11-05

nc tolloWlng letter from zen, Hcott
was received by tho President on Thurs
day NJ: 49, b..,.-! ...''.. 4...5 a.,,.
HEApoUARrERs OF THE ANY,
20 Hi' Washington Oct 81 1881
To the Hon Simon Ca meron, Secretary Of War:
SIR-For more than three years have
been unable, from hurt, to mount
horse or walk more than a few PAGES at
time, and that with much pain. Other
and new infrmities, dropsy and verified
vertigo, admonish me that repose of mind
and body, with the appliances of surgery
and medicine, are necessary 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 re-
bcllion now raging In the Southern States
of our so lately happy and prosperous
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 abso.
lutte right granted bya recent act Of Con
gress, | am at entire liberty to say it is
with deep regret that Withdraw myself
in these mOmentous times from the orders
Of President who has treated me with
much distinguished kindness and cour-
tcsy, whom | know upon much personal
intercourse to be patriotic, without sec
tional partiaites or prejudices. TO be
! highly conscientious in the performance
of every duty and of unrivalled activity
and perseverance, aud to you, MIR. Score
tary, whom i now officially address for
the last time, beg to acknowledge my
many obligations from the uniform high
considerations | have received at your
hands, and have the honor to remain,
Sir, with high respect,
(Signcd) WINFIELD ScorT.
a special Cabinet Council was con.
vened on Friday morning at nine o'clock,
to take the subject into considerations
1t was decided that Gen. SCOTS request,
under the circumstances of his advanced
age and iniirmities could not be declined
Gen. Mcclellan was thereupou, with the
unanimous consent of the Cabinet, noti-
fed that the command of the army would
be devolved upon him. At four o'clock in
the afternoon the Cabinet again waited
on the President and attended him to the
residence of Gen. Scott. Being seated
the President read TO the General the
following order: .f...f fjiy .sf f.,e
"On the first day of November, A. ID,
1861, upon his own application to the
President of the Uuited States, Brevet
Lieutenant-G General Winfield Scott is or
dered to be placed upon the list of retired
officers of the army of the United States,
without reduction in current pay, sub
sistence or allowance. The American
people will hear with sadness and desp
emotion that Gen. Scott has withdrawn
from the active control of the army,
while the President and unanimous Cab
met express their own and the nations
sympathy in his personal atiliction, and
their profound sense of the important
public services rendered by him to his
country during his long and brilliant ca
reer, among which will ever be gratefully
distinguished his faithful devotion to the
Constitution the Union, and the flag,
when assaulted by parricidal rebellion. -
(Sigued) I" ABRAHAM LIScoLN."
Gen. Scott thereupon rose and address
ed the President and cabinet, who had
also risen, rs follows: Il. 40 a .t.l'ill
"Mr. PRESIDENT, hishonoroverwhelm
me; it over pays all services have at
tempted to render my country. IL I had
any claims before they are all obliterated
by an expression Of approval by the Pres
ident with the unanimous support Of his
Cabinet. l know the President and his
Cabinet we'll know that the county
has placed its interests in this trying
crisis in your safe keeping. Their ooun
sells are wise. Their labors are as untir-
ing as they are loyal and their cause is
tire right one. Mr. President, you must
excuse me; | am unable to stand longer
to give utterance to the feelings Of graft
tudc which Cypress me. In my retire
nent shall offer my prayers to Cod for
this Administration and forjIny conntry.
| shall pray for it with confidence for its
success over all its enemies, and that
speedily"
The President then took leave Of Gen.
Scott, giving him his hand, and saying
he hoped soon TO write him a private
letter expressive Of his gratitude and az
! lection.