Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-19
A LONG-L0ST MEDAL.
THE ONE VOTED aEsERsI WINFIELD
SCOTT BY VIRGINIA.
Found at the Evacuation By Federal
Officer and Row In His
poazession


The New York Herald Of yesterday
published the following, which will be
read with interest by the friends OF
General Winfield Scott and southerners
generally:
On the day that the Union army en-.
tered Richmond, Va, IN 1865, General
Godfrey Weitzel was in command OF the
Union forces in the immediate vicinity
OF the city, on the north side. Neither
he nor his army had the slightest idea
that the end was so near. The first in
timation was the smoke from the many
fires started and the frequent explo-
sions in the doomed city. Ho at
once ordered his available cavalry to
reconnoitre and ascertain the cause, and
a squadron of the Fourth Massachusetts,
cavalry, which was on duty at bis head
quarters, under command of Major 4.
II. Stevens and Lieutenant r. 9. Capen,
vas ordered on this duty. Upon ap-
preaching the fortifcltions they were
found to DO deserted, aud the constantly
increasing smoke and explosions from
the city confirmed the suspicious that
the Confederates had evacuated the city
and left it in flames.
General Weitze was Immediately mott
fed OF tho state of affairs and the
squadron pushed on. They entered the
city and passed through several burning
streets. Upon nearing the Confederate
Capitol they encountered a company OF
Breckinridge's Confederate cavalry, who
had been left behind TO burn the city.
They bad Just fired the State House as
the Union cavalry came up. The Con
fedoiatos fed and the Federals, after ex-
tinguishing the flames, pursued them
through and for several miles outside of
the city.
THE BURNING or RICHMOND.
At this time the lower or southern
part of the city was in flames and IN
many other sections dangerous fires had
been kindled, end it looked as il the en-
tire city would be destroyed. The
prompt arrival of the troops was the
means Of saving mucn of the finest por-
ton OF the place, aud General Weitzel
established his headquarters in the fine
residence lately occupied by Jefferson
Davis.
When the squadron Of Massachusetts
cavalry arrived at the Confederate Capt.
tol the Confederate flag was still flying
This was Immediately taken down, and
in the absence of any regular United
States flag the guidons Of The squadron
we're hoisted and remained there for over
two hours, when General De Peyster
appeared with a flag under his coat and
raised it. At this time the fires had been
extinqush(d and the building was near
ly intact
While the Massachusetts, cavalrymen
were engaged in fighting the flames an
oliicer-whose name for the present can
not be given-came upon case contain
ing papers and records which were on
fire. he endeavored TO extinguish it,
sud in doing so found round wooden
box of fine workmanship which contained
something heavy. Without making an
examination al the time he placed 1t IN
his sadde-bag, and for several days did
not think to open 1t
A MEsIESrO OF GENERAL SCOTT.
At length, when matters were some
what quoted down, he opened the box
and found that It contained bronze
and gold medal, three and half inches
in diameter and one third Of an inch in
thickness. II was Of exquisite work
mAnship and apparently of great value.
Ifproved 10 DO the medal voted 10 Gene
raj Winfield Scott by the Legislature Of
Virginia upon his return from Mexico.
II bears a fine medallion of General
Scott, with drapcd flags aud the follow
ing inscription in the centre:
The Commonwealth Of Virginia presents:
this medal - MaJOr-General Niunela scott,
us n memorial Of her admiration for the:
great aud distinguished services Of her son.
while COMMUNICATIVE hlcf Of the American.
armies IA the war with Mexico lsi'.
Tho reverse side las Doric pillar
surrounded by spread eagle, bearing
in It's beak O floral streamer, which also
encircles the pillar to the base. in tho
distance is tho City of Mexico and tie
halls Of the Monsezumas. Immediately
over this is the Latin motto "Fcct
0uoR cogitarit," and at the base Of the
DlilAr Juo KDIuS IIOllA 4lbiblh. 40
whole u surInounted with an elaborate
wreath, at the bottom OF which is tho
coat-of-arns Of the State in bold relief.
VIRGINIA TO RECOVER A SOUVENIR.
This historic medal is now in New
York city and in the possession of the
officer who captured it. 1t is his inten-
ton TO restore it to the State Of Virginia
in the near future. This he viii proba-
bly, do on the occasion of visit of some
New York regiment to Richmond or of
some other important occasion OF SINH
lar nature.
1t has been generally supposed that
the medal was destroyed, and only few
are aware Of its existence. 1t will be not
only matter Of surprise to every Viz
gilman, but Of congratulstiOn, when the
elegant trophy is returned to its original
owner, and it will doubtless be one OF
the highest-pri2ed mementoes IN the ar
chives of the State.
wans 10 Wear Uniforms.
At meeting of the Common Council
Iztl - 4ba Ttb Of Tho ,,raeapt month