Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-11-12

of General Scott-His Letter Of
Resignation to the Secretary of Wa, &c.
WAeHINGToN,f November 1.-The following
letter from General Scott was received by the
President on Thursday sflerno M.
HEADQUARTERS OF TIE ARMY !
Washington, October 81, 1861. {
Hon S. Cameron, Secretary of War
Sir: For more than three years have been
unable, from hurt. to mount horse, or to walk
more than a few PAGES at time, and that with
much paia. Other and new intirmties- dropsy
and vertigo-admonish Inc that the rep.,se OF
mind and body, with the appliances of surgery
and medicine, are necessary to add little more
to life already protracted much beyond
the usual span of men. 1t is under such cir
cumstances, made doubly painful BY the an
oatural and unjust rebellion now raging in the
Southern States of our so lately prosperous and
happy Union, that am compelled to request
that my name be placed on the list of army .ff1
GERS retired from active service. As this re quest
is founded On an absolute right, granted by re-
cent act OF Congress-, am entirely at liberty to
say it is with regret that withdraw myself in
these momentous times from the orders of
President who has treated me with much distin-
guished kindness and courtesy; whom know,
upon much personal intercourse. to be patriotic.
without sectional partialites or preudices; t. be
highly conscientious in the performance of every.
duty, and Of unrivalled activity and perseye-.
rance.
And to you, Mr.. Secretary, whom now address
officially for the last time beg to acknowledge nv
many obligations for the uniform high consider
alton have received at your hand, and have the
honou to remain, sir, with high respect your
obedient servant. WINFIELD SCOTT.
A special Cabinet Council was convened on
Friday morning at nine O'Clock to take the sub
ject into consideration. 1t was decided that
Gen'l Scott's request, under the circumstances OF
his advanced age and infirnities, could not be
declined. General Mcclellan was, therefore,
with the unanimous agreement of the Cabinet,
notified that the command of the army would be
devolved upon him. At four o'clock in the af
ternt on the Cabinet again waited upon the Pres
ident, and attended him to the residence of Gen
eral Scott. Being seated, the Preside,t read to
the General the following order;
On the first day of November, A. D., 1851,
upon his own application to the President of the
United States, Brevet Lieutenant General Scott
is ordered to be placed, and hereby is placed,
upon the list of retired officers of the army OF
the United States, without reduction in his cur
rent pay, substance or allowance
The American people will hear with sadness
| and deep emotion that General Scott has retired
from the active control of the army, while the
President and the unanimous Cabinet express
their own and the nations sympathy in his per-
sonal aff1iction, and their profound sense Of the
important public services rendered by him to bis
country during his long and brilliant career a.
mong which will ever be gratefully distinguished
his faithful devotion to the Constitution, the Un-
ion, and the flag when assaed By parricidal re-
bellon. CsgnedD
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
General Scott thereupon rose and addressed
the President aud Cabinet, who had also risen,
| as follows:
President: This honor overwhellns me. 1t
overPays all services have attempted to render
to my country. II had any claims before, they
are all obliterated by this expression of approval
by the President, with the unanimous support of
his Catinet. know the Pres dent and his Cab
met we'll know that the country has placed
its interests in the trying crisis in safe keeping
Their counsels are wise; their labors until
ring IS they are loyal, and their course is the
right one.
President: You must excuse me. am una
BILE to stand longer to give utterance to tie feel
ings of gratitude which cypress me. Ia my re
tirernert, shall offer up my prayers to God tor
this Administration and for my country. shall
IL Will III It's SuCC6SS over I'LL
its enemies, and that speedily
The President then took leave of General
Scott, giving him his hand, and saying he hoped
soon to write him private letter expressive OF
his gratitude and affection. The President ad-
ded
General You will naturally feel solicitude
about the gentlemen of yoar staff, who have rem
dered you and their country such faithful service.
have taken that subject into consideration.
understand that they go with yon to New York.
| shall desire them, at their earliest convenience,
after their return, to make known their wishes
to me. | desire you now, however, to be salts
fed that, except the unavoidable privation Of
your counsel and society, which they have so
long enjoyed, the provision which will be made
for them will be such as'to render their situation
as agreeable hereafter as it has been heretofore.
Each member of the Administration then gave
his hand to the veteran and retired in profound
silence.
The Secretary of the Treasury and the Sec1e-
tary of War accompany General Scott to New
York Tomorrow by the early train.
The following is the response OF the Secretary
of War to the letter of General Scott:
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Washington, Nov. 1, 1861.
General: 1t was my duty to lay before the
President your letter of yesterday, asking to be
relieved, under the recent act of Congress-. In
separating from you cannot refrain from ex-
pressing my deep regret that your health, shat
tered by long service and repeated wounds re-
ceived in your country's defence, should render
it necessary for you to retire from your high po-
sition at this momentous period of our history
Although you are not to remain in active service,
ye. hope that, while continue in charge OF
the Department over which | now preside, |
shall at times be permitted to avail my self OF the
benefits of your wise couDsels and sage expert
ence.
1t has been my good fortune to enjoy person
al acquaintance with you for more than thirty
years, aud the pleasant relations Of that long
time have been greatly strengthened by your
cordial and entire cooperation in al the great
questions which have occupied the Department
andconvulsed The country for the last six months
La parting from you, can only express the hope
that a lnercitul Providence, that has protected
you amid so many trials, will improve your
health a. continue your life long after the peo-
pie of the country shall have been restored to
their former Happiness and prosperity.
| am, General, very sincerely,
s. Your friend and servant.
s(Signed) SIMON CAMERON,
Secretary of War.
To The Ladies of Augusta and R0ckbrifge