The sun., 1894-01-28

TO the bar. HIS career IN this profession came
suddenlyto an end In May. 1903 when. an out
| break Of war with England seeming immi-
nent he received from President Jefferson an
appointment TO be Captain Of artillery. Re-
cruitine a company in Petersburg and Rich
mond. he embarked for New Orleans in Febru-
ary 1909 At this time Wilkinson. who had
been in command at New Orleans. was
generally suspected Of completely in Aaron
Burr's conspiracy, and Capt. Scott In
dlscreetly expressed the belief that he
was guilty. For this assertion he was
tried by court martial and pronounced guilty
OF unof1lcerllke conduct. On his return TO
Virginia after the trial he applied himself to
the study Of military work and acquired the
technical knowledge which he was soon to
turn to account That the wilkinson affair
had not hurt him in the eyes OF the Admins
tration seems clear from the fact that on the
outbreak OF the war Of 1912. he was at the age
Of 20. appointed a Lieutenant Colonel in the
United States army. Less than year after
ward he was promoted TO the Colonelcy
OF his regiment and appointed Adiutant-
General Becoming chief OF stan to Gen.
Dearborn. then in command OF the
American forces at Fort Niagara he organized
all the staT departments. several OF which
were entirely new. while othors had fallen into
disuse since tho Revolutionary war. In
November. 1913. he was In command OF the
advance OF the army under Wilkinson destined
for the conquest OF Canada. At tho time when
Wilkinson suddenly ordered a retreat Scott
was fifteen miles in advance OF the main
American force. there being no body OF British
troops between him and Montreal and the
garrison ut the latter place comprising only
four hundred marines and two hundred sail
ors. In the spring OF 1914 Scott was appoint
cd Brigadier- -Gederal. and ordered to Join Gen.
Jacob Brown. then moving toward the Niagara
frontier. II was in the ensuing campaign that
Scott fought the battles OF Chippewa and
Lundy's Lane. which. coming after the dis
graceful failures Of Hull and Wilkinson. pro-
duced a sensation somewhat out Of proportion
to their importance. The British forces which
were beaten at Chippewa numbered about
twenty-one hundred men. and those on the
American side nineteen hundred. Gen. Brown.
In his official report OF the engagement. de-
cared Brig Gen. Scott entitled to the high
est praise our country can bestow." At Lun-
dy's Lane Scott was again outnumbered
having but thirteen hundred men against
eighteen hundred. but he routed the British.
keeping his place at the head of his
force until the end OF tho battle. although he
had received two wounds. one in the side ami
another in the shoulder. The total British loss
In the Chippewa campaign was 5000. against
1.IS3 on the American side. Scotts wounds
were so severe and painful that long time
elapsed before he was ilt for duty. In Septem-
Der. 1914. however. Philadelphia and Balti-
more being threatened by the enemy Scott.
although disabled, took nominal command OF
those cities. Two months later Congress
passed a Joint resolution mplimenting Scott
on his skill and Ealantry in the battles OF
Chippewa and Iundy's Lane. and directing the
striking and presentation to him OF a gold
medal. When the treaty of pence was ratified
by the Senate In February 1915. the appoint
ment Of Secretary OF War was offered to him.
but he declined It on tho ground that he was
too young aluding to the objection which had
been made on the score OF age when he had
been recommended for Colonel and BriCader-
General. After being employed for some time
In reducing the army to n peace establish
ment. he was ordered to Europe for profess
sional services. A few years after his return
he prepared work entitled. General ReGu-
lations :or the Army or Military Institutes"
This was the first book pu ished in the nited
States which could be accepted a manual
for both the regular troops and the militia.
The system OF infantry and rfo practice
adopted by the Government In 1926 was wholly
framed by Scott