Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-11-02
OUR MILITARY BUDGET
RETIREMENT OF LIEUT.. GEN. .corr.


active service noised about last ht causing
no little sensation although such action had been
anticipated as likely enough to happen at any mo-
ment on account Of the physical infrmties of that
distinguished officer. The following correspon-
dence will be read with the deepest interest:
GENERAL SCOTT TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
Headquarters Of tbs Amy.
Washington, October 81, 1861.
The Hon. 3. CAMERON, Secretary Of War.
Sir: For more than three years I have been I'M
able, from hurt, 70 mount a horse, or to walk
more than a few PAGES at a tune, and that
with much pain Other and new inirmities-
dropsy and vertigo-admonish me that repose Of
mind ard body, with the appliances Of surgery
and medicine, are necessary to add little more
TO life already protracted much beyond the
usual span Of man.
II is under such ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS doubly
painful by the unnatural ard unjust rebellion now
raging In the Southern States of $50 ats) pros
porous ard happy Union--tnat am compelled TO
request that my name be placed the list Of army
officers retired from active service.
As this reques. IS founded absolute right
granted by a recent act of Congress, am entirely
az liberty TO say 1t ts with regret that withdraw
myself, In these momertous times, from the orders
Of a President who has treated me with dstin-
guished kindness and courtesy; whom know,
upon much personal Intercourse, to be patriotic
without sectional psrtislites pre- Iudices to be
highly conscientious In the performance Of every
duty, and OF unrivalled activity and perseverance,
And to you, Mr. Secretary, whom now ofiei-
ally address for the last tin9 beg to acknng-
ledge my many obligations, for the uniform high
consideration have received at your hand; and
have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect,
your ooedient servant WINFIELD SCOII.
IHE sEcRErAkY OF wAP To GENERAL SCOTT
Wdr Department, November 1, 1861.
General: IL was my duty to Law before the
President your letter CT yesterday, asking to be
retired under the recent act Of Congress
In separating from you, cannot refrain from
expressing nv deep regret that your health, shat
cd htylO nd
In your countrys defense, should render 10 neces-
sary for you to retire from your high position at
this momentous period OF our history Although
you are not TO remain in &C i've service, vet hope
that, while 1 continue in charge Of the Depart
ment over which ] now preside, | shall at times
be permitted to avail myself of the benefits Of
your wise counsels and sage experience
IL has been my good fortune 10 enjoy q personal
acquaintance with you for over thirty wears and
the pleasant relations of that long time have been
gready strengthened by your cordial and entire
occupied the Department and convulsed the coun-
try for the last six months. In parting from you
i can only express the hope that merciful Provi-
dence, which has protected you amidst 80 many
Trials, will improve your health and continue
your life long after the people Of the country shall
have been restored to their former happiness and
prosperity.
sn, General, very sincerely, your friend and
servant, SIMON CAMERON,
,,., g.. Secretary Of War.
The letter Of Lieut.. General Scott was laid be-
fore Cabinet meeting called Yesterday morning
for the purpose; when the President, in view of
the reasons set forth in the letter Welded to the
request OF the Lieutenant General, and under the
authority Of the late act Of Congress placed him
on the retired list Of the army, with the full paw
and allowance Of his rank and Major General
Mcclellan was Informed that the command of
the army now devolved upon him.
dent, mpanied by the Cabinet, proceeded to
the residence Of General Scott, when the Presi-
dent read to him the Official order carrying out
his decision a. follows:
ORDER OF IHR PRESIDENT.
On the frsfuay Of November. A. d. 1861, upon
his own application to the President Of the Uni
ted States, Brevet Lieutenant General Winfield
placed upon the list OF retired Officers Of the army
Of the United States, without reduction of his cur
rent pay, subsistence, or allowances.
The American people will hear with sadness
and deep emotion that General Scott has with
draw from the active control Of the army while
the President and unanimous Cabinet express
tneir own and the nations sympathy In his per-
sonal fhletion and their profound sense Of the
important public services rendered by him to his
country during his long and brilliant career
among which will ever be gratefully distin-
me Union, and the Flag, when assailed by parri-
1ioAi feoelnon ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
The venerable General, oppressed by iniirmity
and emotion, rose with difficulty to make to the
President his acknowledgements, which he did In
toushing terms, concluding with the declaration
that the kindness manifested towards him on this
occasion he felt to be the GROWING reward Of a
long life spent In the service Of his country, aud
his deep conviction Of the ultimate triumph of
the national arms over rebellion, and the happy
termination Of the present unnatural and parrici-
cldal war.
The President responded In feeling manner,
expressing The profound sentiment Of regret with
which the country az well az himself would part
with public servant so venerable In wear. and 40
nlusnious for the services he had rendered
The remarks Of both were mutually kind, patrt.
otie, and impressive. At the close Of the inter-
view the President and Cabinet shook the ared
General by the hand, and took their leave
The Lieutenant General left Washington this
norniag at O'Clock, In q special train, for New
York, via Harrisburg, &c, accompanied by the
ssssstary Of War and Secretary Of the Treasury.
IL stated in the Nev York papers that General
ecou Intends spendinga few days IN that city.
ana vfh fheA sefl fos Europe to join his family.
AAJok sENERAL MCCLELLAN ASSUMES The COM
nAHD OF THE ARMY.
HsadgHaYteTs of the AyulV
Washington, ID. c., November 4. 1851
6enssal Orders, No 10
In aceordance with General Order No, "a. from
tns war Department, hereby assume command
o. me Armies Of The United States In the midst
OF NE dimeultiss which Encompass and divtd.
fne nation, hesitation and self-distrust NAV we'll
accompany the assumption Of SO vast q r,,y,ons,.
billy but connding, as do, In the loy.Itp ai,.
cipiine, and courage Of our troops and 6elisy,na
n do, that Providence will favor our. n IT, is;
cause, cannot doubt that success will clown an,
efforts and sacrifices - Va ouf
The army will unite with me in the f.e,tnr y,
rsgret that the weight Of MANY years and the e8ect
OF Increasing infrmities, contracted and intrnsi.
Ned In his country's service, should lust now
remove from our head the great soldier Of our
nanon-the hero who, In his youth raised higb
tne reputation Of his country on the neIds Of
Canada, which he sanctined with blood; who in
more mature years, proved to the world that
American skill and vslor could repeat IL not
eclipse, the exploits Of Cortez In the land of the
montEemss WHOSE whole life has been devoted
70 tne service Of his county; whose whole efforts
1--we oeen aifeeted TO uphold our honor at small
ea sscrinee Of Life; q warrior who scorued the
seinsn giofies OF the battle field when his preaf
Quanues AZ statesman could be EMPLOYED more
PfonnoIy Tor his country; 9 citizen who. I'm his
declining years, has given 10 the world The mort
shining Instances Of loyalty in disr.g.rding ali
ties Of birth, aud clingfng stu 70 The causr Of
ruth and honor Such has been the ca,err sucb
toe character Of Winfield Scott W hom A. IA. 49,,