Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-11-13
Gen. SCOTS ioinder

WASHINGTON, Nov. l2-Gen Scott has pub
lished rejOinder To ex President Buchanan. He
(Scott) i sorry To perceive that the publication
OF bis official reports 10 President Lincoln has
given ofiense. Such result was purely incidental
and did lot enter into his (Scott's) purpose IN
drawing up the papers, but on reflection he sup
posed that. under the circumstances, ofense was
unavoidable.
Let it be remembered, ne SAYS, that the new
President had IA right to demand of me, as the
immediate commander of the army, how il hap
penel that the incipient rebels had been alowed
to coerce several of these forts, and from the bad
condition of others we're likely to gain possession
OF Them also. that previously the blame rested
on me, hence to vindicate my sworn allegiance
TO the Union and my professional conduct the
report was submitted TO President Lincoln at an
early DAY in his administration and recently 10
the world. first to account for not garrisoniDg
sufficiently the Southern forts named against an
tIcipaled treason and rebellion according TO my
recommendations, beginning December %, 1860,
repeated the next day. aud again earnestly De
cember 18Th, 18th. 2Sth and Goth
The ex President says there were no available
troops within reach.
He (Sco,r then proceeds to show that small
garrisons would at first have sufiiced for the twin
forts Jackson aud ST. Phillip. Also, that Scots
object WAS to save the Union by any means at
nillu, anu 10 1dTTl>ou all int-t NoIhc Oou
gress could have time to call for Volunteers
call which the President for such purpose might
not but have made without any special legis,a
ton with the full appreciation of every loyal man
ia the Union.
| On the second point Scott says that the ex-
| President almost loses his amiabiity in having
his neglect of the forts attributed, as he says
without the least cause TO Governor Floyd, and
he adds--All nv Cabinet must bear me witness
! that was the President my SELF responsible Tor
all the acts OF the Administration.
Now, notwithstanding the broad assumption oil
responsibility he Scott would be sorry to be
lieve that the President specially consented &c
the removal by Secretary Floyd of lis. 900 extrs
muskets and rifles. with all their implements and
ammunition, from Northern repositories 10 South
ern arsenals, so that on the breaking out OF I'd,
| maturing rebellion they might be found withou
cost except 10 the United States. ts most convent
ent position for distribution among the insurgent
of the 100 or l4J pieces OF artillery which tho
same Secretary ordered from Pittsburg TO Shl
| Island or Lake BOrgne and Galveston, Texas
for forts not vet erected
Accidentally learning, early in March, that Nm
der this posthumous order the shipment of thes
! guns had commenced | communicated the fac
TO Secretary Holt, acting for Cameron, just II
| time to defeat the rob5er. But on this point W.
may hear Elk Secretary Floyd himself at Rich
mond He expressly claimel the honor of de
feating all my plans aud soicitous respecting thu
forts, and received his reward. it being there uni
versaly admitted that but for the victory owe
me there would have been no rebellion.