Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-11-15
GENERAL SCOTT.

sonal bravery and military sagacily, but
most of all by the last and most sublime
act OF his life. The resignation of his
high office the moment he saw plainly
that his strength was not sufficient 10
carry the country through the storm, and
the kindness be has uniformly shown to
his young successor, prove him great
man more than Mexico, or Niagara, or
Florida. 1t is a kind of greatness that
pushes self aside, and makes the good Of
the country the only motive to action.
The parting of Mcclellan with Scott
the one crowned with PEOPLES bless
ings, the other crowned with their hopes
and their confidence the one .pst step
ping out of the circle of active life, and
the other just stepping into it, PRESENTED
a picture which belongs to history, and
should be put upon canvas by tile most
skillful pencil of the artist.
General Scott was born just one year
before the Constitution of the United
States was ratified by the people. Eis
life, therefore, is as long as that of the
Republic. He has been witness to every
struggle through which our country has
passed since the Revolution. 1t seems
a marvel that we can look on a man, now
but six years past the allotted period OF
human life, whose childish days were
filled with the smoke of the cannon which
inaugurated our existence as free peo-
pie. God grant it may yet be said that
the life of one man stretched from the
time when the Constitution was formed
to that ia which it was proved stronger
than civil war.
Only one Of Scott's campaigns requir-
ed the qualities of great general. In
all the battles of the lakes he showed
wonderful personal bravery. Bearing a
charmed life the balls of the enemy were
harmless. In some degree unpopular
with his men while they were in camp,
on account of the rigor of his discipline !
when on the field of action he was the
of the whole force. His |
sense of honor aud his maguanimity are |
seen by the following characteristic an
ecdote: After the capture OF Scott at
Queenstown, he was supping with Gen
eral Sheafe and some British officers, /
when one asked him if he had ever
seen the Falls of Niagara. Scott replied
Yes, from the American side" To this
the other replied with sarcasm, you
must have the glory of a successful fight
before you can view the cataract in all its
grandeur" meaning, OF course, from the
Canada shore. Scott instantly rejoined,
'lf it be your intention to insult me, sir,
honor should have prompted you first to
return my sword" 1t so happened that :
at the battle of Fort George the very
Colonel was taken prisober by Scott.
Scott, forgetful of the insult, treated his
prisoner with SO great kindness, that be-
fore long he presented himself to his cap
Tor, saying, II have long owed you an
apology, SIR You have overwhelmed
me with kindness. You can noW at your
'eiSurs, Uie0 the Falls IN all their glory."
The anecdote shows that Scott was not
only gentleman, but MAN.
1t was in the Mexican campaign, how
ever, that Scott mostly showed his gen.
eraIship. Before he left Washington, lie
spent day and night in the study of maps
and maturing his plans He made him
self familiar with the country and the
people. And when he left the capital
NC hau iudtuICu CNtu tue uCbali9 Vi 'hC
And what shows his military
sagacity is that when be reached the new
he carried out his plans without
material alteration. This is what few
generals could do, and for the achieve
ment Scott deserves the highest praise.
Hereon rests bis reputation abroad.
1t is, moreover, a curious fact, that at
no period of his life did Scott have under
his command more than ten thousand
men. BY the Lakes he had but mere
handful in Florida only few regiments;
in Mexico, we think, in no one instance,
more than six thousand available men.
These seem and are but mere handful
by the side of the large army Of the Po-
tomac. How Scott would have welded /
the heavy machinery OF our military
force had he been twenty years young
err, of course no one can tell. That he /,
was 100 old to undertake the mighty task /
when its duties actually fell on him, is
only too apparent. He blames himself
for the repuIse of Bull Run, and it there
fore becomes us to keep silent. The ar
my, however, was fast becoming demor-
allied, for in order to preserve discipline,
a Generals presence must be felt by the
men. Scott could only plan; be was
compelled % TIVE. . c,hers for 'hsir eT-'