Arizona republican., 1906-11-07

My intercourse with General Scott was the principal feature of my cadet ship He always spent his summers at the Point, having his office in the Ad ministrat-on building. but living at Cozzens' hotel. The old Cozzens' ho- tel was afterward destroyed by fire. and when Cozzens rebuilt it was on the site now occupied by the Cranston While l was a plebe I had the misfor- tune to be afflicted with an innamma- ton of the eyes and was sent to the hospital for a month or more. The hospital was right on the way between General Scott's office and the hotel. On an evening when the sun would be down so as not to hurt my eyes I would sit on the piazza of the hospital In passing, going to his meals or re- turning. General Scott never failed to stop and chat with me He recollected me afterward and was always very kind to me. He was present at two or three of my examinations. and al- ways took notice of my work. and once, when I had done we'll he com pEmented me highly. which of course. made me vers- proud. When I went back to the academy as an instructor, he invited me to dine with him
 "lt has been said that General Scott was very vain. If it were so he had so many other good qualities both of heart and mind, that it would be a shame to speak of any such little foibles. and I do not think that Cen eral Reyes. who so long was the mili- tary secretary Of Scott, does himself any great credit by telling so many things he considered as pointing to the vanity of the general. He was exceed fR n tions of him are Of the most pleasant character. He was great gastron- omer, and lived well and delighted in displaying his knowledge of how to live wtll. and to entertain we'll He frequently gave to the young officers what might be called pointers in that direction yet it was all done with such a kindly affectionate interest that it was robbed of all appearance of ped antry or intrusivtness. l remember that on one occasion I was dining with him when he told me that in offering wine to a guest I should always fill my own glass first so that if there were little notes from the cork or from other matter around the mouth of the bottle, they would go into my own glass and not into that of my guest. I also remember once he gave me some
 
 eat sweet potatoes. and which variety ought to be eaten with butter and which without One day the general invited one of the young officers to dine with him and had him served with champagne, while he took cIaret him self, of which he always kept a favor lie brand In explanation of this the general said that he did not give him claret as it was too good wine for him, and he could not Appreciate it. At West Point General Scott always drank his own wine. brought from New York but caused the guests to be served with that furnished by the ho tel cellars.
 'I served as instructor for five years. ] had intended resigni1g. as have said. when I was appointed instructor. but ] found the work so much to my taste that l concluded to defer leaving the army until my term as instructor should expire. When that time came. In 1860 I was offered a professorshiD in Washington university at St. Louis. and accepted it. General Scott was then commander-in-c -chief of the army and I called on him at his headquar- ters for leave of absence for four months. that being the limit of leave the commander-in-c chief could grant. ] told him of what I intended doing and after talking ver.- kindly to me. he asked why I did not apply for a years leave: that the secretary of war could grant a year. and no doubt would do so. on his recommendation. He then picked up my application and in dorsed it in such nattering terms as to cause me to blush to the roots Of my hair. The year was granted and saved me to the army. The war broke out before my leave expired and then ] got promoted so fast that I could not get out of the army When I took charge of the war department. sue ceeding Secretary Stanton, clerk in the department came to me and asked if I would like to have that en- dorsement of General Scott. and when I told him I would. he caused a certi- ! fled copy of it to be made for the files. and gave me the original which I stiH retain. and hold as one of my most valued treasures"