The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-06-18
Select sMisfeHany.
A Dinner with General Scott in 1861.

month to month great deal OF valuable
historical matter. We reprint from the
current issue an entertaining sketch, not
lacking in historical interest
1t was on the morning of that gloomy
day in Washington on which came the
news that the United States navy yard
opposite Norfolk, Virginia, had been evac-
uated and burned.
was at the time inspector-ge of
the District Of Columbia, and in command
of the district troops-all the infantry
and cavalry which the government then
had at its disposition for the defense OF
the federal district, the preservation OF
order in the capital, and the guarding OF
the public buildings and archives of the
nation. 1t was my duty to so station the
troops that all the approaches to the city
should be constantly watched; and | held
possession not only of the "long-bridge"
and "chain bridge" over the Potomac,
but also had pickets stationed far out on
the roads leading into the city, and
nightly guards in all the principal public
buildings.
Each morning at nine o'clock was re-
quired to appear in the Office of the
generali in chief acknowledgement Scott),
to make report in person to him of the
occurrences of the past night and to re-
ceive his orders for the day. Each even
ing l also reported in person to him at
his quarters, after his dinner, to inform
him of all that had happened during the
day and to receive any special orders for
the night. On the morning in question
entered General Scott's Office at the usual
hour, and found him busily engaged in
writing. AS 1 approached and saluted,
the general looked up over his spectacles,
and on seeing who had entered, said,
little sharply: Colonel Stone, you will
please come and dine with me this after
noon at half-past four o'clock. Good
morning sir | " and Immediately resumed
his writing.
Knowing what serious news the general
had received, was not at all astonished
at his unusual reception, and, saluting in
silence, l withdrew, to pass busy day in
perfecting arrangements for the defense
of the city and public buildings. 1t was
believed that force on the Virginia side
of the Potomac was preparing to seize the
capital. Punctually at halfpast four
o'clock in the afternoon / presented my
self at the generals residence, and on en-
tering found his valet, Clark, placing the
soup on the table. General Scott received
me with preoccupied air, motioned me
to my place at the table, and sat down
Immediately. The soup was served and
disposed of in perfect silence, and the
tureen removed. A large roasted chicken
was then placed before the general, who
said "Colonel Stone, will you do me the
favor to carve that chicken 2" And then,
as proceeded to comply, and placed the
knife at the wing joint, he cautioned me,
every little of the breast with the wing
please E" his peculiarities on little things
at the table not quitting him even in his
anxiety about great matters. l served
him to what l knew he liked, and the
dinner progressed in silence; but this
silence was broken by knock at the door,
and an orderly entered with Geographic
dispatch. The general received the mis-
sive, opened and read it, and then, push.
ing forward his plate, called: "Clark,
bring me pen, ink and paper F" These
were quickly brought; the general wrote
rapidly for moment; and holding up
the paper, said, sadly: "Colonel Stone,
we have fallen upon evil days. To think
that man who has known me so long
and so we'll as my old friend, John Jordan
Crittenden, should find it necessary to send
me telegraphic dispatch, to which l have
to make such an answer as this and he
read as follows:
ITO the Hon. John Jordan Crttenden, Lex
ington kentucky:-l have not changed. have
had no thought of changing | am for the
Union. WINFIELD SCoTT."
The telegram was sent off, and the gen.
eral continued d" In these evil days nc
man has entire confidence in any other
man. Even my old friend Crittenden felt
the necessity of being treasured by word
direct from Newell as he knew my
sentiments short time SINCE"
The simple meal went on in silence,
and was soon finished. A decanter OF
wine stood between US on the table, and
had been untouched. General Scott said
"Colonel Stone, you will find that sherry
very good" 1 took the decanter and
filed first his glass, then my own. He
raised his glass slightly, and, looking over
it at me very intently, he said "Gosport
piled, quietly: Yes, general" He con-
tinued " Harper's Ferry bridge has been
burnedl' Again replied Yes, gen
eral." Again he spoke: The bridge at
Point of Rocks was burned some days
sincel" l replied: " Yes, general" He
continued "The bridges over Gunpowder
Creek beyond Baltimore have been
burned !" l still replied Yes, general.
He added They are closing their coils
around us, sir !" Still replied, in the
same tone: Yes, generally swell, sir,
said the general, " invited you to come
and dine with me to-day, because hoped
that you could listen calmly to that style
of conversation. Your very good health
sir |" And he drained his glass, while
bowed, and followed his example. "Now,
said the general, how long can we hold
ont here? ?" l replied: "Ten days, gen
eral, and within that time the North vii
come down to u.s."
"How will they Gomez The route
through Baltimore is cut off"
"They will come by all routes. They
will come between the Capes of Virginia
up through Chesapeake Bay, and by the
Potomac. They will come, if necessary
from Pennsylvania through Maryland di
rectly to us and they will come through
Baltimore and Annapolis"
DWELL, sir, how many men have you 2
In all, general, there are four Thousand
nine hundred. But that number includes
the battery of artillery near your head
quarters, and the ordinance men at tn
arsenal, not under my command, and WHIT