The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1861-11-07
WINFIELD SCOTS RESIGNATION.
HEADQUARTERS, October 81, 1861


The HoS. SIMON CAMERON: Sr-For
more than three years | have been unable,
from hurt, to mount a horse, or to walk
more than few PAGES at time, and that
with pain. Other and new infrmities
(dropsy and vertigo,) admonish me that
repose of mind and body, with the appli-
ances of surgery and medicine, are neces-
sary to add a little more to life already
pro:ractcd much beyond the usual span of
man. Il is under such circumstance, made
doubly painful by the unjust and unnatural
rebellion now raging in the Southern States
Of our so lately happy and prosperous Un
! ion, that | am compelled TO request that my
name be placed on the list of the army Off
GERS retired frem 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 re-
gret that | Withdraw myself in these mo-
mentous times from the orders of a Presi-
dent who has treated me with much distin-
guished kindness and courtesey whom L
know, upon much personal intercourse. to be
patriotic without sectional partialities and
prejudices, to be highly Conscientious in the
performance of every duty, and of uurivaled
activity and perseverance,. And to you, Mr..
Secretary, whom now officially address for
the last time, | beg to acknowledge my many
obligations for the uniform high considera
tions | have received at your hands, and
have the honor to remain, sir,
With high respect,
TSignedl WINFIELD SCoTT.
A special Cabinet Council was convened
on Friday morning, TO take the subject into
consideration 1t was decided that General
Scott's request, under the circumstances Of
his advanced age and infrmities, could not
be declined.
Gen. Mcclellan was, thcreupon, with the
unanimous agreement of the Cabinet, mott
fed that the command of the army would
be devolyed upon him at four o'clock in the
afternoon.
The Cabinet again waited on the Presi-
dent, and attended him to the residence of
Gen. Scott. Being seated, the President
read to the General the following order:
On the lst day of November, 1861, upon
his own application TO the President of the
United States, Brevet Lieutenant G General
Winfield 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 current pay, sub
sistence or allowances. The American pso-
pie will hear with sadness and deep emotion
that General Scott has withdrawn from the
active control of the army, while the Presi-
dent and the unanimous Cabinet eSnress
their own and the Nations sympathy in his
personal affections, and their profound
sense Of the important public services rem
dered by him to his long and brilliant
career, among which viii ever be gratefully
distinguished his faithful devotion to the
Constitution and the Union, and the fac
when assailed by parricidal rebellion.
ISignedl ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
General Scott then arose and addressed
tho President and Cabinet, who had also
arisen, as follows:
ar. President This honor overwhelms
it over PAYS all services | have attempted
to render my country. If had any claim:
before, they are all oblitarated By an ex
preston Of approval By the President, wi,l
the unanimous support Of his Cabinet
Well know that the country has place;
its interest, in this trying crisis, in safi
keeping. Their counsels are wise; thei
labors are as untiring as they are loyal, AM
their cause the right one.
President: You must excuse; | an
unable to stand longer, to give utterance t