Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-11-13
Gen. scotr,s Rejoind 70 President
HUchOnnn.

| Bncb0nhh,
WMHIEoTon, Nov. I2-Gen. Scott publishe
rejoiDder to ex-Presdent Buchanan. III
(Scott) 10 sorry TO perceive that the publication
Of his official report to President Lincoln ha
given Gffenss. That result was purely incl
dental, and did not enter Into bis (Scott'e) pur
pose in drawing up the papers but on reflection
he supposes that under the circumstances, the
offense was unavoidable. Let II be remember.
ed, he says, that the new President had right
to demand of me, the immediate commander
Of the army, how it had happened that the In
olpient rebels had been allowed TO coerce sew
ersl of those forts, and, from the bad condition
OF others, were likely to gain possession Of them;
also, that primarily the blame rested exclusive
ly on me. Hence, 10 vlndicate my sworn alle-
glance to the Union and my professional con-
duct, the report was submitted to President
Lincoln at an early day In his Administration, ,
and recently to the world.
First, To account for not having garrisoned
sufficiently the Southern forts named, against
treason and rebellion, according to my recon-
mendatons, beginning October %, 1860, re-
ported the next day, and again earnestly De-
cember 18th, 18th, 28th and Both, the eK Pres.
ident says there were no available troops with
In reach He (Scott) then proceeds TO show
that email garrisons would at first have sufficed
for the twin forts Jackson and 81. Phillip; also
that Scott's object was to save TO the Union,
by any means at hand, all those works until
Congress could have time to authorize call
for Volunteers call which the President for
euch purpose might no doubt have made with
out any special legislation, with full approba.
tion Of every loyal man In the Union.
On the second point, Scott says that the ex.
President almost loses his amiability in having
his neglect Of the forts attributed, as he says,
without the least cause, to Gov. Floyd; and he
adds, "all my Cabinet must bear me witness
chat was the President myself, responsible for
all the aots Of the Administration" Now,
Notwithstanding the broad assumption of re.
sponsibility. he (Scott) would be sorry to be-
lieve that the ex-Presldent specially consented
to the removal, by Secretary Floyd, of one
hundred and fifteen thousand extra muskets
and rihes, With all their implements and
ammunition, from Northern repositories
to Southern arsensls, go that on the
breaking out of the maturing rebellion, they
might be found without coat, except to the
United States, in the most convenient position
for distribution among the insurgents South;
or Of the one hundred and twenty or one hund.
red and forty pieces Of artillery which the same
Secretary ordered from Pittsburg to Ship Island,
In Lake Borgne, and Galveston, Texas, for forts
not yet erected. Accidentally learning early
in March that under this posthumous order the
shipment OF these guns had commenced, |
communicated the fact TO Secretary Holt, act
Ing for Cameron, just In time to defeat the
robbery. But on this point we may hear ex
Secretary Floyd himself at Richmond. He ex.
pressly claimed the honor Of defeating all my
plans and solicitations respecting the forts, and
received his reward, IL being there universally
admitted that but for that victory over me,
there would have been no rebellion.
Third Mr.. Buchanan complains that pub.
lished without permission, on January l8, 1861,
my views addressed to him and the Secretary
of War, October ~ and 30, 1860; but that act
was caused, as explained to him at the time,
by the Misrepresentation Of my views in one of
the earlier speeches Of the same ex.Secretary,
after his return to Virginia.
Fourth. One of my statements complaining
Of the joint countermand cent through the Sec.
retarys Of War and Navy, to prevent the land
ing al Fort Pickens Of Capt. Vodges' company un-
less the fort should be attacked, Is cited By the
ex.President to prove singular want of men,
ory on my part, aud note from ex Secretary
Holt is adduced to show that had entirely sp-
proved Of the joint countermand the day that
y was prepared. Few persons are Gs little
Hhoie W uidko Wl55tabement Dy aCclQent a9
Mr. Holt, and no one ia more incapable of
making one by design. Yet have not the
slightest recollection Of an interview with him |
IN this subject. do remember, however, th a.
Mr.. Holt, on some matter of business, approach.
ed my bedside about that time, when was suf.
fering from an excess of pain. Mr.. Buchanan,
Mr.. Holt and myself were all landsmen, and
could know but little Of the possibility of landing
troops on an open sea beach and surf Mr.. Toucy |
Secretary Of the Navy, with officers of inteli- |
sence and nautical experience, ought to have
said plumply that if Vodges could not land ex
sept In case Of an attack upon Fort Pickens. he |
might as well have remained at Fortress Mon
roe, as the prohibition placed tho fort, 80 far
As he was concerned, at the mercy Of the rebels.
Possibly there are other parts of the reply
which superficial reader may think rsqui1es
or elucidasion, and indeed here il sn.
other marked for me by my kind visitor.
Fifth, The ex President has brought together
a labyrinth Of dates respecting the arrival and
departure of rebel commissioners, armistices,
etc., with which, as had no official connection,
| may have made an unimportan. mistake or
two; but as Ihave not by me the means of re-
covering the clue to those windinge, shall not
attempt to follow him.
(signed) WINFIELD SCOTT.
Fifth Avenue Hotel, Nov. 8, 1862.