Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-06-13
The Death OF General Scott.


General Winfield Scott is dead Few the words
of the dispatch announcing the sad event. but to-day
| millions are reading the mournful intelligence and
reverently thinking of the great soldier now laid
low. Peacefully and calmly he passed away to the
future life-his task performed his work done. The
last of the men whose valorous deeds shed such lus
tire on American arms in the younger days of the
Republic in its struggles against the power and greed
of England, who won for the army and himself an
unending fame, so gloriously confirmed in latter
years BY the operations in Mexico is numbered with
the past.
General Scott was born on the 9th of June 1886,
in the city of Petersburg Virginia and consequent
ly at the time of his decease within few days
of completing his eghtieth year. He was of Scotch
descent his parents having emigrated to the then
colonies before the breaking out of the Revolution.
He received ordinary education, but being full
of ambition and DESTROYS of making n mark in the
world he commenced the study of the law and prac-
ticed for a short period. What he might have done
as lawyer is unknown. At this time Congress had
resolved to increase and reorganiZe the army. Young
Scott, filled with patriotic ardor, and remembering
the stories of the Revolution, decided to adopt a
military life. With this idea he entered the ranks
of the army corporal of cavalry, procuring such
books he could find military subjects, and soon
mastered their contents. Fortified thus he pass ed
his examination, and the Sd of Nav 1908, re-
ceived his commission as captain of Light Artillery,
and was stationed at Baton Rouge, La, under the
OF OeneTdI NlIklUSOn. mere ne
some time, but having made refereneein some man
ner to the completely of that officer in the great con-
spiracy of Aaron Burr he was tried and suspended
from command. But he did not remain idle. He
had conceived liking for the life of a soldier and
lost no opportunity of acquainting himself with the
theory and practice of military science. When it
became certain that hostilites must break out be-
tween the United States and Great Britain it was
resolved to further increase the regular army and
in consequence Captain Scott was advanced to the
grade of lieutenant colonel in the Second Regiment
of Artillery, and ordered to the frontier with all
possible haste. Arriving at Lewistown he found
the battle of Queenstown Heights in progress Our
men were suffering for want of reinfOrcements, and
the militia who were on the American side of the
river, refused to to the rescue. Colonel Scott
however, went over, and at once took part in the
affair. But the enemy were reinforced, while the
mortality among officers such that the COM
mand deveolved upon Scott. He attempted to
withdraw, but was interrupted and taken prisoner
with the remnant of the command. Finally he was
released and took part in the attack Fort George
May q, 1913, capturing flag with his own hands
and receiving wound. In the fall of that year he
commanded the advance of Wilkinson's descent of
the st. Lawrence. Early in 1914 he was made
Brigadier General. In this capacity he, on July g.
1874 fought the battle of Chippewa, and twenty
days after that of Lundys Lane where he was
twice wounded and had two horses shot under him
These victories were not only important in their i'm
and the army with prestige and ardor that told
well on subseq uent occasions. Peace at length
concluded and General Scott was offered a seat in
the Cabinet as Secretary of War, but he declined,
preferring to go to Europe for time. On his re-
turn he was much impressed with the want of
definite system of military instruction, and accord
ingly he published in 1926, his General Regulations
for the Army and in 1885 the treatise on Infantry
Tactics. These works attracted much attention at
the time, and within few years were the standard
authorities for the field intructon of the soldier
General Scott directed the operations in the Black
Hawk war, in 1892, and in hesame year subdued by
coercive measures the ncpent treason of the South
Carolina fllibusters. In 1885 began the Seminole
war, which gave rise to some animadversions upon
his conduct in carrying it on, but he acquitted
He superintendent the removal of the Cherokees to
the west Of the Mississippi and in 1887 was instru-
mental in preventing bloodshed and another rup-
ture between this country and England, by his ac-
ton in regard to the patriot war " in Canada.
In lS41, by the death of General Macomb he be-
came commander chief of the army, and in 1916
commenced the campaign against Mexico. His
brilliant execution of the task assigned him. his I'M
broken series of victories over a vastly superior
force, on his march from Vera Cruz to the City of
Mexico, are known to all. His administration of
affairs after the suspension of hostties secured him
the respect of the inhabitants. Called again to
count for his action, he was once more trumphanty
acquitted.
In 1852 his friends persuaded him to become the
candidate of the Wing party for the Presidency :;
but the canvass was unsuccessful, and he remained
soldier. In 1855 the grade of Lieutenant General
was revived by Congress, and General Scott was
promoted to that rank by brevet. In 1859, he went
to the Northwest, to settle the boundary difficulties
caused by the action of Gen. Harvey in forcbly oc-
cupying Vancouvers Island.
The rebellion commenced, but he never cred
in his allegiance. To the Government that he had
served long he remained as true as Steel He Sc
cured the Inauguration of Mr. Lincoln in 1861, and
was charged with organizing the volunteer force
He protested against the movement at Manassas, but
without avail. He continued in command until the
first of November, when, on his own request he was
relieved from duty having served ffty-three years
in the army. He was succeeded by Gen. Mcclellan,
who announced the fact to the army in general or
ders General Scott went to Europe to regain his
health and partly succeeded, so that he was enabled
to complete his memoirs recently published. Du-
ring last winter he made visit to the South, but
stormy and eventful life had left its unfailing i'm
preston, and he returned to West Point, where he
remained until yesterday, when he breathed his last
He lived to the rebellion put down and the
try free, and them full Of years and honors he went
to his reward.
The funeral will take place on Tuesday next from
the chapel of the Military Academy, and the inter-
ment will be made with appropriate ceremonies in
the West Point Cemetry, to be shrine for the loyal
people of the country TO visit to ponder over the
glorious of the brave soldier.-PhiLadclphio