The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-11-07
GEN. SCOTT RESIGNS THE CMHE f
COMMAND OF THE ARMY.
Gen. BIc CIellaH Accepts the Ap20 n isae IN I
to lhc Chief Command.


WASHINGTON, Nov. /, 1861.
The following letter from Gen. Scott was receiv.
ed by the Pr resident ON Thursday afternoon:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
WASHINGTON, oct. 81 1861. (
The Hon. S. CAMERON, SECRETARY OF WAR:
SIR For more than three years have been
unable to mount a horse or to walk more than
few PAGES at time, and that with pain. Other and
new intirmities- dropsy and vertlgo-admonlsh me
that repose OF mind and body, with the appliances
of surgery and medicine, are necessary to add
little more to a span alseady protracted beyond
the usual span of man. 1t is under such circum-
stances made doubly painful by the unnatural
and unjust rebellion now raging iii the Southern
States of our SO lately prosperous ana happy I'm
ion, that am compelled to request that my name
be placed the list OF army officers retired from.
active service. AS this request is founded on
absolute right, granted by a recent act OF Con
gress entirely at liberty to say that it is with
deep regret that withdraw myself from the orders
of President who has treated me with much dis
tinguished kindness and courtesy; whom know,
from much pleasurable Intercourse. to be patriot
c without sectional partialities or pIeudices, to
be highly conscientious in the performance of ev-
cry duty, and of untring activity and perseye-
rance, and to you, Mr.. Secretary, whom now of
icially address for the last time beg to acknowl
edge my many obligations for the uniform high
consideration 1 have received at your hands, aud
have the honor to remain, Sir, with high respect,
WINFIELD SCoTT.
A special Cabinet Council was convened on Fri
to consideration. 1t was decided that Gen. SCOTS
request, under the circumstances of his advanced
az and infrmItes, could not be declined Gen.
Mcclellan, thereupon, with the unanimous Con-
sent of the Cabinet, was notified that the command
of the army would devolve upon him.
At four o'clock in the afternoon, the Cabinet
again waited on the President and attended him to
the residence of Gen. Scott. Being seated, the
President read to the General the following or
der:
Z" On the first day of November, A. D., 1861 up
on his own application to the President ofthe Uni
ted States Brevet Lieutenant General Winfield
Scott, is ordered to be placed, and hereby is plac
ed upon the list of retired officers of the army of
the United States, without reduction of pay, sub
sstence or allowances. The American people will
hear with sadness and deep emotion that Gen.
Scott has Withdrawn from the active control of the
army while the President and the unanimous
Cabinet express their own and the nations sympa-
thy in his personal affection, and their profound
sense of the important public services rendered by
him to his country, during his long and brilliant
reer, among which will ever be gratefully distin
guished his faithful devotion to the Constitution
and the flag, when assailed by parricda rebellion.
"AbRAHAM LINCOLN"
Gen. Scott. thereupOn, rose and addressed the
President and Cabinet, who had also risen, as fol
lows
"MR. President This honor overwhems me.
1t overpays all services have attempted to rem.
der my country. If had any claims before, they
are ali oblterated by an expression of approval
from the HreSlQont, Win Inc unanimous support |
of his Cabinet. l know the President and his Cab |
met well. know that the country has placed its
interests in this trying crisis in safe keeping Their
counsels wise their labors as untiring as
they loyal and their cause is the right one
MIR. President, you must excuse me; am unable |
to stand longer to give utterance to the feelings of
gratitude which Cypress me. In my retirement |
/ shall offer my prayers to God, for the Admins
tration and for my country | shall pray Tor it
with confidence of its success over all enemies and
that speedily"
The President then took leave ofGen. Scott Civ
ing HIM his hand and saying he hoped soon to |
write him private letter, expressive of his graft
tude ana affection.
GEN. M'cLELLAN's ACCEPTANCE.
Major Gen. Mcclellan last night issued the fol. |
lowing order:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY
Washington, ID. c., Nov. !, 1861.
GENERAL ORDER NO. l9.
In accordance with General Order No. "a from
the War Department. hereby assume command
of the armies of the United States. In the midst
OF the difficulties that compass and divide the ma
ton, hesitation and selfdistrust may well accom-
pany the assumption of so vast a responsibility;
but confidlng as do, IN the loyalty, discipline and
courage Of our troops, and believing, as do that
Providence will favor our just cause, / cannot
doubt thai success Will crown efforts and sac
rifces. The army will unite with me in the feel
ing of regret that the weight many years and the
effect of increasing lnfirnies, contracted and in
ensifed in his country's service, should lust now
remove from our head the great soldier Of our ma
ion, the hero who in his youth raised high the
reputation OF his country IN the field of Canada,
which he sanctifed with his blood who in more
nature years proved to the world that American {
skill and valor could repeat if not eclipse the ex
1loits of corteZ IN the land of the Montezurnas:
whose whole life has been devoted to the service
II his country whose whole efforts have been di-
ected to uphold our honor at the smallest sacri-
ice of life a warrior who scorned the selfish glo.
les of the battlefield, when his great faculties as
! statesman could be employed more profitably
or his country citizen who in declining has Civ
n to the world most shining instance Of loyalty
disregsrdng ali ties of birth and clinging to the
,ause of truth and honor. Such has been the ca t
Ger of Winfield Scott, whom it has long been the
elight of the nation to honor both as q man and I
older, While we regret his loss, there is one /