Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-11-08

VERMONT wArcHMAN u JOURNAL.


! Hon. s. Cameron, Secy. Of War
StR:-For more than three years | have
been unable from hurt to mount horse or to
walk more than few PAGES at time and that
with much pain other and new infrmities,
dropsy and vertigo, admonish me that repose
of mind and body with the appliances of sur
gerry and medicine arc necessary to add lit
tie more to life already protracted much be-
yond the usual span of man. 1t is under such
circumstances made douby painful by the I'M
natural and unjust rebellion now raging in the
Southern States of our so lately prosperous
and happy Union that | am compelled to re-
quest that my name be placed on the list Of
army officers retired from active service As
this request is founded on an absolute right
granted by recent act of Congress, am entire
ly at liberty TO say it is with deep regret that
1 withdraw myself in these momentous times,
from the orders of a President who has treat
ed me with much distinguished kindness and
courtesy whom know upon much personal
intercourse, to be patriotic without sectional
Partially or preiudices to be highly consci-
entious in the performance Of every duty, and
ofunrivaled activity and perseverance And
to you Mr.. Secretary whom I now officially
address for the last time, beg TO aoknowl-
edge my many obligations for the uniform
high consideration ! have received at your
hands. and have the honor to remain, Sir with
high respect Your obt Servant,
(Signod) WINFIELD SCoTT.
special Cabinet Council was convened on
Friday morning, at nine o'clock to take the
subject into consideration. 1t was decided
that Gen. SCOTS request, uuder the circum-
stances Of his advanced age and infrmites,
could not be refused. Gen. Mcclellan was
therefore, with the unanimous agreement Of
the Cabinet, notified that the command of the
army would be devolyod upon him.
AT four o'clock in the afternoon, the Cab
met again waited upon the President and
attended him TO the residence Of Gen. Scott.
Being seated, the President read to the Cen
cral the following order
On the first day of November A. ID. 1861,
, upon his own application to the President Of
e. the United States. et-Lieutenant General
1, Winfield Scott is ordered to be placed, aRd
z hereby placed, upon the list Of retired officers
d Of the army Of the United States without re-
II ducuon in his current pay, subsistence or al
Is owance
The American people will hear with sad
ness and deep emotion that Gen. Scott has
g withdraw from the active control Of the army.
d The President and unanimous Cabinet eX-
press their own and the nations sympathy
o iu his personal ahlic.i0n and their profound
y ed by him TO his country during his long and
NJ brilliant career among which will ever be
p gratefully distinguished his faithful de-
voHon to the Constitutions the Union and
the Flag, when assailed boy paricidal rebel
'i lion.
ID Signed ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
:, Gen. Scott thereupon rose and addressed
1t the President and Cabinet, who had also ris-
Ir en- as follows
he Mr.. President, this honor oyerwhelms me.
g II overpays all services I have attempted to
be- render to my country n l had any claims,
y they are all obitcrated by this expression OF
"a approval by the President, with the remain
pf ing support of bis Cabinet / know the
y President and this Cabinet we'll know
II that the country has placed its interests in
Of this trying crisis in safe keeping. Their
M counsels are wise. Their labors are as un-
ip firing as they arc loyal. aud their course is
% % the right one. Mr. President, you must ex-
e. cuse me. am unable 10 stand longer TO give
m utterance TO tbs feelings of gratitude which
al Cypress me In my retirement, shall offer
Of up my prayers 90 God for this Administra-
" ton and for my country ] shall pray for il
On with confidence 10 iis success over all enc
~ mics, and that speedily
The President then took leave of General
ns Scott, giving him bis hand and saying he
M. hoped soon 20 write him a private letter, ex
prcssiye Of his gratitude and affection. The
n President added General. You will natural
o. ly feel solicitudo abou, The gentlemen Of youi
90 staff, who have rendered you and their coun.
try suc- faithful services, have taken that
he subject into consideration. l understand
"- that they 90 with you TO New York. | shall
bis desire them at their earliest convenience attei
lat their return. to make their wishes known tC
rr. me desire them now, however, TO be salts
bt fed that except the unavoidable priyation o
ne your council aud secretary, which they hav,
ns so long enjoyed the provision which will b,
Oh made for them viii DO such as to render tbei
be situation as agreeable hereafter as it has beer
heretofore Each member Of the Admins
tration then gave his hand to the veteran
il and retired in profound silence.
NY The following is the response of the Score
pg tary of War to the letter Of Gen Scott:
up WAN DEPARTMENT.
he Washington, Nov, /, 1851.
.ye GENERAL lit was my duty to lay be
G5 fore the President, your letter of yesterday
me asking to be relieved, under the recent act O
'is Congress. In separating from you, canno
refrain from expressing my deep regret tina
ON your health, shattered by long service and re
peated wounds received in your country
up defence, would render it necessary Tor yoi
'1d to retire from your high position. A
,ne this momentous period OF our history al
do though your are not to remain in active service
ON yet hope that while / continue in charge O
the department over which now preside
me shall at times be permitted to avail myself o
tee the benefits of your wise couRsels and sage ex
'ns perence. Ithas been my good fortune to enio,
,ed personal acquaintance with you FOR owe
ia thirty years. and the pleasant relations Of tina
70 long time have been greatly strengthened b,
on your cordial and entire cooperation ia all tn,
great questions which have occupied the de
NJ. partment, and conyused the country for tn,
in last six months. In parting from you, car
nnt only express the /, pc that a merciful Provi
MD donce that has protected you in man,
IA trials will improve your health and contiuu,
len your life long after the people Of the countr,
be- shall have been restored TO their former hap
J." piness and prosperity.
,l |, am General, very sincerely your lrienC
no and servant,
~ Signed SIMON CAMFRoN