Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-02-24
! Reminiscence of General Scott.


been restrained by the fear that it might
be improper" The General drew him-
self up, and said in his emphatic man
ner: Sir, you are incapable of asking
an improper question" | said, "fou
are very kind but if my inquiry is in
discreet / am sure you will allow it to
pass unanswered" +" | hear you, Sir"
he replied. "Well then, General, did
any thing remarkable happen to you on
the morning of the battle of Chippewaf
After brief but impressive silence be
said "Yes, sir something did happen
to me-something very remarkable. l
will now for the third time in my life re-
late the story
The 4th day of July, 1914, was one of
extreme heat. On that day my brigade
skirmished with British force COM
manded by General Riall from an early
hour in the morning t II late in the af-
ternoon. We had driven the enemy
down the river some twelve miles to
Streets Creek, near Cippewa, where we
encamped for the night, our army occu-
pying the west, while that of the enemy
was 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 mar
quee. He brought letter from a lady
who occupied large mansion on the op-
posite side of the creek, informing me
that she was the wife of 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 Rail had placed
sentinel before her door; and that she
ventured, with great doubts of the pro-
priety of the request, to ask that would
place sentinel upon the bridge to pro-
tect her against stragglers from our
camp. | assured the messenger that the
lady's request should be complied with.
Early the next morning the same messen-
ger, bearing white flag, reappeared
with note from the same lady, thank
ing me for the protection she had enjoy
ed, adding that, in acknowledgement of
my civiIities, she begged that l would,
with such members Of my staff as |
choose to bring with me, accept the hos
pitalities of her house at breakfast
which had been prepared with consider
able attention, and was quite ready. Act
ing upon an impulse which have new
er been able to anaiyze or comprehend,
] called two of my aids, Lieutenants
Worth and Watts, and returned with
the messenger to the mansion alread in
dicated.
We met our hostess at the door, who
ushered us into the dining room, where
breakfast awaited us, and where the
young lady previously referred to was
already seated by the cofeeurn. Our
hostess, asking to be excused for few
minutes, retired, aud the young lady i'm
mediately served our coffee Before we
had broken our fast Lieutenant Watts
rose from the table to get his bandana
Chat being before the days Of napkins
which he had left in his cap on side
table by the window, glancing through
which be saw Indians approaching the
house on one side, and red-coats APPROACH
ing it on the other, with an evident pur-
pose of surrounding it and us, and in
stantly exclaimed, General, we are be-
trayed p Springing from the table and
clearing the house, l saw our danger,
and remembering Lord Chesterfield had
said. Whatever it is proper to do, it is
: proper 10 do well" and as we had to run
and my legs were longer than those of
my companions, l Isoon outstripped them.
As we made our escape we were fred at
but got across the bridge in safety.
/ / felt so much shame and modification
at having SO nearly fallen into trap,
that l could scarcely fix my mind upon
, the duties which now demanded my un-
) d v ded attention. / knew that had
committed greatindiscretion in accept
t ing that singular invitation, and that if
any disaster resulted from it | richly de-
served to lose both my commission and
my character. constantly found N.Y.
? self wondering whether the lady really
intended to betray us or whether we had
/ been accidentally observed. The ques-
ton would recur even amidst the ex-
citement of the battle. Fortunately my
presence and services in the field we're
not required until Generals Porter and
Ripley had been engaged at intervals
for several hours so that when my bri-
gade, with Towson's artillery, were or
dered to cross Streets Greek my nerves
and confidence had become measerably
: quieted and restored. need not describe
the battle of Chippewa. That belongs