The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-08-07
Who Oysrrulcd General Scott /.

The Netc YORK Times mas the following in
relation 10 conversation with Gen. Scott
on the Tuesday before the late battle. II is
reported, now that know the result of
his advice being dsregarded, but il shows
that the old hero is yet in the tall possess
sion of his faculties and justly appreciates
the military position of the country and the
true point where the rebels ought 10 be
struck, as is evident to any one who takes
glance at the map:
On the Tuesday preceding the battle,
Gen. SCatt, at his own table, in presence of
his aids and single guest, discussed the
whole subject OF this war, in all lis paris,
and with the utmost clearness and accuracy
He had distinct and well-defined opinion
on every point connected with it, and stated
what his plan would be for bringing il 10 a
close, if The management of it had been
left in his hands. The main object of the
war, he said, was TO bring the people OF the
rebellious States 10 feel the pressure of the
Government TO compel them TO return to
their obedience and loyalty. And This must
be done with the least possible expenditure
of life, compatible with the attainment of
the object. No Christian nation can be
justified, ne said, in waging war in such
way as shall destroy sol lives, when the
object of the war can be attained al a cost
OF 500. Every man killed. beyond The
number absolutely required. is murdered
Hence, he looked upon all shooting OF pick
els, all scouting forays not required in order
TO advance the general object OF the war,
all destruction OF life, on either side, which
did not contribute TO the general result, as
so mary acts OF unjusIi6able homicide.
If the matter had been leii TO him, he said
he would have commeced by perfect
blockade of every Southern port on the At
iantic and the Gulf Then he wonld have
collected large force at the capital for de-
tensive purposes, and another large one on
The Mississippi for offensive operations
The summer months, during which ii is
madness 10 take troops south OF St. Louis,
should have been devoted TO tactical instruc-
tion, and with the first .rosts of autumn he
would have taken column of $4,000 we'll
disciplined troops down The Mississippi and
taken every important point on that river,
n Orleans included. at could have been
done, he said, with greater ease, with less
loss of lie, and with lar more important
results than would attend the marching of
an army TO Richmond y AT eight points
the river would have been defended, and
eight battles would have been necessary /;
bat in every one of them success could have
been made certain for us. The Mississippi
and the Atlantic once ours, the Southern
States would have been compelled, by the
natural and inevitable pressure OF events 10
seek, by a return 10 The Union, escape
from the ruin that would speedily over
whelm them out OF il. 'Trhis, !" said ne, "was
my plan. But am only a subordinate. 1t
is my business 10 give advice when il is
asked, and 10 obey orders when they are
given. / shall do Il. There are gentlemen in
the Cabinet who know much more about
war than do and who have lar greater in
fiuence then have in determining The plan
OF The campaign. There never was a more
Just and upright man than the President
never one who desired more sincerity 10
promote the best interest of the country
But there are men among his advisers who
consult their own resentments lar more
than the dictates OF wisdom and experience
-"and these men will probably decide the
plan OF The cam paign." | shall do, or at
tempt, whatever arm ordered TO do. ''Bui
they must not hold me responsible" Ii ]
am ordered 10 go 10 Richmond | shall en-
deavor 10 do il. But know perfectly well
that they have no conception OF The difficult
| ties we shall encounter. i know the couu.
| uy-how admirably adapted it is 10 defence
and how resolutely and obsiinately il will
! be defended. ! would like nothing better
than 10 take Richmond now that IL has
been disgrac ed by becoming the capital OF
the rebel Confederacy. feel resentment
towards it, and should like nothing better
than 10 scatter lis Congress TO the winds
Bot have lived long enough 10 know that
human resentment is a very bad foundation
for public policy; and these gentlemen
will live long enough 10 learn 1t also. ] shall
fight when and where am commanded -
but if ! am compelled TO fight before am
ready, they shall no: hold me responsible
| These gentlemen take The responsibility o
their acls, as ] am willing to take that oi
mine. But they must not throw their re
sPonsibility on my shoulders f"