The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-28

III =
people went there to see It, Speaking cf
ms unusual size recalls an anecdota which
the general often told upon himself with
Keen enjoyment IL seems that his favor
lie dog was a ST. Bernard of extraordinary
proportions, IS immense for dog as he
LOT man One day little boy was pass
ing Hampton Place Nhen he saw the dog
come outs He stopped quite still in sur
price and said "Oh. what a great dig
DOG. Just then the general appeared, and
the small urchins eyes fairly PLUGGED as
ne exclaimed out loud: "Ohi on Oh
" nat a great big man.
AFTER Gen. Scott left Elizabeth he fire.
quently returned there from his West
Point homo 10 visit his wfe's brother Ed
ward G. Mayo. The latter was dstin-
gulshed as the only man who had ever
beaten the general at chess, a game of
winch he was Unfortunately fond. When
success did not attend him he became
very irritable and those in the room I'M
der him could tell how the game was
progressing by his fierce stamping on the
moor when his opponent was victorious.
W hen all was serene ana quiet it meant
that the general was having things his
own way. He was also devoted to whist,
which he often played with his old friends
Of the army. A gentleman who sometimes
played with him gave me recently most
interesting account of the games. 1t
would seem the old warrior had two sets
OF manners for these occasions. Should he
be playing with civilians, no one could
be more sauve and polite and nothing
more peaceful than the games which en-
sued. But a game with some of hiss old
officers. which he much preferred, was
very different affair indeed. His ancient
feelings of command and discipline could
not be repressed and woe betide the poor
subatern who was so unfortunate as TO
make a misplay The storm of wrath
which descended on his unlucky head was
enough to make him quake-maJor, colo
ner or general though he might be.
Gen. Scott was not educated at West
Point and started Ife with the intention
of being a lawyer. He was admitted to
the bar in 1906 and the following year, as
a newly-fledged lawyer, went to witness
the trial of Aaron Burr. II was al this
time that the outrage committed by the
British frigale Leopard on the United
States frigate Chesapeake filed the whole
country with indignation. and President
jefferson issued a proclamation interdict-
ing the use of our harbors to all British
vessels, and calling for volunteers to en-
force the edict. The proclamation reach
Ell Richmond late in the evening and
caused great excitement. That night Scott
bought d fine charger borrowed the UNI
form Of a tall trooper who happened 10 DC
absent, rode twenty-five miles 60 Peters
burg, and early in the morning presented
himself as an applicant TO the Petersburg
Cavalry, into which he was enthusiastic
cally received Thus his whole career was
changed, and in one night the lawyer be
came the soldier destined TO unfurl the
victorious Stars and Stripes of his coun-
try on the palace walls of the Plaza OF
Mexico and to become the foremost mill
tary figure Of his day.
In 1903 Scott entered the regular army
with the commission of captain of light
artillery and was quickly promoted from
one rank to another until, in 1914, he be-
came brigadier general. Two months aft
er this latter promotion he gained great
distinction by his dashng victory of Lun-
dys Lane. At the close of the war he was
offered a seat in the cabinet as secretary
of war, which he declined. He was APP
pointed major general, with the thanks
of congress, and presented with gold
medal for his services. When he returned
home after the war of 1872 he met his for
mer schoolmaster. James Hargrave, a
Quaker, who had endeavored in vain while
the future general was at the tender age
of Il to instill sentiments of mildness and
meekness into his martial bosom On all
sides Gen. Scott had received the ova-
ton due a victorious hero, but Hargrave
while greeting him, shook his head sadly,
and said: Friend Winfield, friend Win
field, 1 always told thee not to fight, butt
noticing the smiles arouhd-"as thou
woudst fight, l am glad that thou weren't
beaten
Soon afterwards he was married to Ma
ria Mayo, a celebrated Virginia belle,
whom he had courted in vain. He had
addressed the capricous beauty in every
grade of military rank to which he was
promoted from the time he was captain,
and finally met with success as Gen,
Scott, commander-in-chief of the forces
of the United States, Miss Mayo was not
ed for her wit, and when her friends at
lra all of nd
she quickly asserted that at was not she
who had changed, but he-from a captain
TO a major general!'
In 1s47 Gen. Scott was assigned to the
command Of the army in Mexico. and his
splendid campaign there is a matter Of his
tory. There he also gave, as some one
expressed il, "a postgraduate course" TO
a number Of young officers fresh from
West Point who We're later to gain renown
at the heads of opposing armies on an
even harder and sterner field. In his army
were numbered L. S. Grant, Robert e.
Lee, Jefferson Davis Mcclellan, Joseph
e. Johnston, A. S. Johnston, John c. Penn
berton, Buckner, Longs treet, and many
others who afterwards became celebrated.
Age and intirmity prevented Scott, then
lieutenant general from taking part in
the civil war, and caused him to retire from
service, returning to its scabbard the
sword which had been used in his
country's service for more than half a CEN
fury He had been engaged in three great
wars, and victorious on ten hard fought
fields of battle.
When he retired he was waited upon by
President Lincoln at the head of his cab
met. who in a touching address took leave
of him. Testimonials were sent him by
several states, Governors and cities; two
from Philadelphia, signed by thousands of
names, one headed by Horace Binney the
other by Joseph 1ngersoll; another from
ST. Louis; New York ard Virginia voted
him swords; the legislature of New Jersey
heaped expressions of appreciation upon
the retired soldier, and in his first annual
message 10 Congress December, 1850
President Lincoln made distinguished men,
ton of his services. The various gold
medals which he received were exhibited
N~~~~-~~~<~-~