The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-02-26
Ethan Allen Hitchcock.
BY OBSERVER.

Editor of Waterman The people of
the Green Mountain State are perhaps
not aware that q movement is on foot
to honor the memory and partially re-
quite the services of one of the most
distinguished of her sons. Next to
General Scott, the oldest general who
rendered eminent services in the War
for the Union was Ethan Allen Hitch
cock of Vermont. In two years more
1t will be century since his birth in
the town of Vergennes. When sixteen
years old he received an appointment
to West Point, because he was a bright
and studiOus lad, but still more because
he was grandson of Ethan Allen,
who captured old I'll" and a son of
Samuel Hitchcock, who was appointed
judge of the Circuit Court by George
Washington. The boy got through in
three years, and at once took high rank
among his fellows. He was recalled,
and was made instructor in tactics for
three years and afterwards commandant
of cadets for four years more, having
charge of the military education Of
many OF those commanders who went
to the front in rank as soon as Fort
Sumter was fired on.
Ethan Allen Hitchcock was in the
armies of the United States more than
forty-three years, and was in every war
this country had after 1912. He re-
linquished furlough for the purpose
of fighting in the Florida War, and
brought off the survivors and buried
the victims of the "Dade massacre"
He was Gaines inspector general, and
finished the war by removing the last
OF the Seminoles. He was one of the
nrst in the Mexican War; was Taylor's
inspector-general at Buena Vista, aud
was brought across the Rio Grande on
stretcher. He recovered rapidly; be-
came SCOTS inspector. general in his
advance from Vera Cruz; was in all the
prominent battles of the war; was bre.
veted colonel and brigadier- general for
gallantry, and was present at the sur.
render of the City of Mexico. After
this he saw continual service in the In
dian troubles of the West, and discussed
S2,OOO,OOO without the loss Of cent.
In 1855 Scott granted him leave of
absence. Jefferson Davis, who was
then secretary of war and had had
dispute with Scott as to superior au-
thoritY, countermanded the leave. Scott
insisted, and to prevent Scott from re-
signing Hitchcock rendered his resigna-
ton, which was accepted. When the
rebellion broke out Hitchcock was the
first officer recalled to the army by
Scott end was rendered the commission
of major-general. At first he declined,
on account of age and consequent in
tirmities, but Stanton and President
Lincoln insisted, and he came to Wash
ington and became, during the war,
their military adviser in the war de.
partment and the White House. He
was made commissioner for the ex-
change of prisoners, and later commits
sary-general of all prisoners in our
hands. He was among the very last
mustered out Of service in 1867.
Thereafter he attempted to have bis
name placed on the retired list of the
army, privilege of which he was de-
prived by the contention between Scott
and Davis in 1856 There was no OBJ
lection to his request, but the bill was
lost during the last hours of congress
and he died civilian. The bill now
before congress provides a pension of
$50 month for his widow. No oppo-
sition has developed to the bill, and, as
Mr.. Morrill, and Mr.. Gallinger have it in
charge in the senate and General Grout
in the house, it seems certain to be-
come law.