Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1871-03-16
A "Reminiscences OF General Scott.

One evening alter our rubOer
said to the General, "there is one
question I have often wished to ask
you, but have been restrained by the
tear that it might be improper. Tue
General drew himself up, and said IN
his emphatic manner, "Sir, you are
incapable Of asking an improper
question" "You are very kind +; but
ii my inquiry is indiscreet I am sure
you will allow it to pass unsnswer.
ed II hear you. Sir" he replied.
"lvell, then, General. did any thing
remarkable happen to you on tho
morning of the battle of Chippe-
wa?" After brief bat impressive
silence he said, "Yes, Sir; something
did happen to me-something very
remarkable. I will now for the third
time in my life relate the story:
The 4th day of July, 1914, was
one OF extreme heat. On that day
my brigade sklrmished with a Brit
ish force commanded by General
Rail from an early hour in the morn
ing till late in the afternoon. We
had driven the enemy down the river
some twelve miles to Streets Creek;
near Chippewa, where we encamped
for the night, our army occupying
the west, while that of the enemy
encamped on the east side Of the
creek. After our tents had been
pitched l observed flag, borne by
man IN peasants dress, approaching
my marquee. He brought letter
from a lady who occupied large
mansion on the opposite side Of the
creek, informing me that she was the
wife Of a member OF Parliament,
who was then at Quebec; that her
children, servants, and . young lady
friend were alone with her in the
house; that General RIAL had placed
q sentinel before her door; and that
she veatnrcd, with great doubts OF
the propricty of the request, to ask
that would place q sentinel upon
the bridge to protect her against
stragglers from our camp. Iassurcd
the messenger that the lady's request
should be complied with. Early the
next morning the same messenger,
bearing white flag, reapeared with
a note from tho same lady, thanking
me Tor the protection she had enjoyed,
adding that, in acknowledgment Of
my clvilities, she begged that l
would, with such msmbers Of my
staff as chose to bring with me, &C.
cept the hospitalities Of her house at
q breakfast which had been prepared
with considerable attention, and was
quite ready. Acting upon an i'm
pulse which have never been able
10 analyxc or comprehend. called two
ct my aids, Lieutenanss Worth and
Watts, and returned with the mes.
sengsr to the mansion already indi
Gated. We met our hostess at the
door, who ushered US into the dining
room, where breakfast awaited us,
and where tho young lady previous.
" referred to was already seated by
the coffee.urn. Our hostess, asking
TO be excused for few minutes, re-
tired, and the young lady immediate
" served our coffee. Before We had
broken our fast Lieutenant Watts
rose from tho table to get hrs ban
dana chat being before the days of
which he had left in his cap
on sidc-table by the window, glanc.
ing through which he saw Indians
approaching the house on one side,
and red-coats approaching it on tho
other, with an evident purpose OF
surrounding it and us, and instantly
exclaimed, General, We arc be.
trayedr Springing from the table
aud .clearing the house, | saw our
danger, and remembering Lord Ch.s-
terfield had sail, Whatever it is
proper 10 do, it is proper to do wsl!.'
and as we had to run, and my legs
were longer than those OF my com
panlons, soon outstripped them. AS
we made our escape we were fired
At, hut got across the bridgein safety.
81 telt so much shame aud mortl-
fication at having SO nearly fallen in.
to trap that could scarcely fix my
mind upon the duties which now de-