Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-06-15
LHE LAST HOURS OF GEN. SCOTT.

| e he'"iuo correspondent WrltlDg
from West Point under date of the goth
of May, gives the annexed particulars of
the Lieutenant Generals last hours.
For forty years past he has made West
Point his summer residence, and it was for
this purpose that he came here by a special
steamer on Thursday, the 10th inst. At
this time he was very feeble, as, indeed, he
has been for some years past. In spirit,
however, he was as cheerful as usual, al
though to his most intimate friends he fre.
quently stated that he believed his end
was drawing nigh. On the day of his arri.
val he said to Capt. Boynton that he had
come to West Point to die. Capt. Boyn-
ton replied that hehoped not. The General
repeated his statemened, by which it would
seem he had a presentiment that his mortal
career was reachingit its close. Notwihstand. .
ing his feebe health, however, he was able
to rise as usual every morning, and went
out riding every afternoon, until Sunday,
when his physician advised him to remain
at bis roons. On Saturday afternoon he not
only took bis accustomed drive 10 Cozzens.
but devoted several hours in writing letters.
lie was exceedingly weak after this labor,
but apprehended no i'll effects from it, al
though be felt more than usually exhausted;
During the night he slept soundly, and
in the morning seemed to be much refreshed,
but he kept his bed for most of the day, in
obedience with the wish of his physician,
assistant surgeon of the post Dr.. Marsh.
On Monday, hia daughter, Mrs. Hoyt, who
came upon visit from the city on Satur-
day. returned 10 New York, leaving her
father, as she supposed, on fair way to
recovery. He was in excellent spirits; and
although lie felt assured that the end was
nigh, he did not apprehend that death was
then standing by the bedside. ready at any
moment to give the fatal blow.
During Monday night lie experienced
chill, but the doctor thought it would pass
off in the ordinary manner, and that no
Immediately unavorable result would
come of it. This, however, did not prove
to be the case. From that time until his
lips were closed forever he uttered but
few words. Even this fact did not create
any alarm among the officers of the post,
the General had experienced so many at
tacks OF illness during his sojourns at
this place periodically. At Q o'clock this
morning, te was known to be very i'll, but
although he died at l:5 o'clock, 1t was not
until l0:45 that it became evident that
death was very near. At this time the
chaplain of the post, the Rev. J. A. French,
was sent for, and Immediately hurried to
the bedside of tie dying man. Gen. Scott
was unable to speak word, but sigui6ed
by look and motion that he was conscious
that he was soon to die. The Chaplain
took his hand, and asked him several CUES
tions, which were answered by a slight
pressure, which conveyed to those present
the assurance that the dying chisftain was
resigned TO his fate, was seady to die like
soldies, Christian and man. Rev.
Mr. French then solemnized the last sscra.
mental offices, and while he was giving
| utterance to a prayer the spirit of General
Winfield Scott took its fight. Besides the
Chaplain, there were present at the time,
General g. w. Collum, Superintendent of
the Military Academy; Assistant Surgeon
Marsh, and the Generals body servant.
The Intelligence of the death of General
Scott was at once communicated to the
garrison Of regulars stationed here aad al
so to the cadets. The regular business Of
the place was suspended, and the flags
were lowered 10 bali staff, General Cul-
lum at once tele9raphed Ia Sacatarv sts,