Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-08
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, I
!. E..s Washington, October 81. {

+ Tile Hon. s. Cameron, Sec'y.of Var:
SIR: For more than three years 1 have
been unable from hurt to mount a horse OF
to walk more than few PAGES at Q time, and
that with pain. Other and new infrmities
-dropsy and yertigo--admonish me that re-
pose Of mind and body, with the appliances
of medicine, are necessary to add little
more to q life already protracted much be-
yond the usual span of man. 1t is under
sneh circumstances, made doubly painful by
the unnatural and unjust rebellion now rag
ing in the Southern States of our lately SO
prosperous and happy Union, that I am
compelled to request thab>py name be plac-
ed on the list of army officers retired IRON
active service. As this request is founded
on an absolute right, granted by recent
act of Congress, l am entirely at 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-
tesy, whom know, from much pleasurable
intercourse, to be patriotic, without sections
al partialities or prejudices; to be highly
conscientious in the performances OF
every duty, and of untiring ac-
tivity and perseverance and to you,
Mr.. Secretary, whom / now Off
cially address for the last time, / beg to ac-
knowledge my many obligations for the uni
form high consideration have received at
your hands, and have the honor to remain,
sir, with high respect, ss.-. ~
80 signed. WINFIELD ScoTr.
A special Cabinet Council was convened
! on Friday morning at nine o'clock to take
the subject into consideration It was de-
acided that Gen. SCOTS request, under the
circumstances of his advanced age and mfr
mites, could not be declined. Gen. McClel-
Ian was thereupon, with the unanimous
agreement Of the Cabinet, notified that the
command Of the army would be dsvolved
I At four O. clock in the afternoon the Cabi-
net again waited on the President and at
tended him to the residence of Gen. Scott.
Being seated, the President read to the Gen.
eral the following order: -s.,.as s.
On the first day of November, A. d. 1861,
upon his own application to the President
of the United States, Brevet Lieutenant Gen.
eral Winfield Scott is ordered to be 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 win hear with sadness
and deep emotion that Gen. Scott has with
drawn from the active control of the army,
while the President and the unanimous Cab
met express their own and the nations SYM
pathy in his personal affiiction, and their
profound sense of the important services
rendered by him to his country during his
long and brilliant career, among which will
ever be gratefully distinguished his faithful
devotion to the Constitution and the Union
and the flag, when assaulted by parricidal re-
bellion. -. =. sse-.sa lssssas.sa -, =.
Csigned1 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. :
2 Gen. Scott thereupon rose and addressed
the President and Cabinet, who had also
risen as follows: IS s.e.lssss 8. 4 81,
ssl Mr. PresideBt This honor overwhelms me.
It over pays all servicea I have attempted to
render my country. If I had any claims
before, they are all obliterated by an ex-
preston of approval by the President, with
the unanimous support Of his Cabinet I
know the President and his Cabinet WE'LL.
I know that the country has placed its inter
ests in this trying crisis in safe keeping
Their counsels are wise; their labors are
as untiring as they are loyal; and their
cause the right one. Mr.. President, you
must excuse me; am unable to stand longer
to give utterance to the feelings Of graft
tude which Cypress me- In my retirement
] shall offer my prayers to God for this adj
ministrstion and for my country. I shall
pray for it with confidence in its success
over all enemies, and that speedily. 7ie8
{ The President then took leave Of General
Scott, giving him his hand and saying he
hoped soon TO write him a private letter ex-
prcssiye Of his gratitude and affection.