The National tribune., 1907-07-25
IUIH q. IstStTVt CUTpS.
18th Pa. Reserve Corps.

played upon his apprehensions for the
safety of Washington-growing out OF
his complete ignorance of war-as well
as upon his personal aspirations / be-
lieve that the leaders of the radical
branch of the Republican Party pre-
ferred political control in one section
of d divided country to being in the
minority in u restored Union.
Not only did these people desire the
abolition of slavery. but its abolition in
such a manner and under such circum-
stances that the slaves would at once be
endowed with the electoral franchise,
while the intelligent white man of the
South should be deprived of it, and per-
manent control thus be secured thru
the votes of the ignorant slaves, COM
prise SO large portion of the seeded
States.
Influenced by these motives, they
succeeded but too well in sowing the
seeds of distrust in Mr.. Lincoln's mind,
$50 that. even before / actually commenc-
ed the .Peninsular campaign / had lost
that cordial support of the Executive
which was necessary to attain success.
1t may be said that under these cir
cumstances II was my duty to resign my
command. But 1 had become warmly
attached to the soldiers. who already
had learned to love me well: all my
pride was wrapped up in the army that
1 had created, and / knew of no COM
mander at all likely to be assigned to it
in my place who would be competent
to conduct its operations"
Gen. Scott's Retirement.
In spite of all. Gen. Mcclellan retained
influence enough to be appointed Com
mander-in-Chief of all the Armies of the
United States by the same order which
retired the veteran Lieut. Gen Winfield
Scott from active service. Gen. Scott
was little inclined to give up the reins of
authority. but his rapidly increasing in
firmitieS, the representations of those
Immediately around him, and every
days reminder that the baton of abso-
lutte command of the army, SO dearly
priced by him, had virtually passed
into the hands of Mcclellan, decided
him to withdraw.
Still another reason came which was
kept very quiet. Gen. Scotts son-in-
law, of the same name, had been Il
member of his staff for IL years, and
held the rank of Colonel. He was a
North Carolinian and disloyal at heart.
tho he made show of being faithful to
his father-in-law and General. Several
| important leaks of information from
| headquarters directly to the enemy were
Ltraced to him. Out OF consideration for
| his father-in-law, and part of the con-
ditions of the Generals retirement, he
was allowed to go on the retired list and
leave the country. He went abroad with
F, Gen. Scott.
| Gen. Scotts letter to the President.
taken in connection with the long and
brilliant record of the proud old war
chief, is strongly pathetic.
Headquarters of the Army,
| Washington. d. c., Oct. 81, 1861.
The Hon. S. Cameron, Secretary of
| War.
Sir: For more than three years ]
have been unable, from a hurt. to mount
a horse or walk more than a few PAGES
at time, and that with much pain.
Other and new infirmities. dropsy and
vertigo, admonish me that a repose OF
mind and body, with the appliances OF
Isurgery and medicine, are necessary to
add little more to life already pro-
ltracted much beyond the usual span OF
man.
1T is under such circumstances, made
doubly painful by the unnatural and
unjust rebellion now raging in the
lSouthern States of our so late prosper
Gus and happy Union, that 1 am COM
PEELED to request that my name be
placed on the list of Army officers re-
tired from active service.
las this request is founded on an abb
solute right granted by recent act OF
congress, am entirely at liberty to say
that 1t is with deep regret that with
draw myself, in these momentous times
from the orders of a President who has
treated me with distinguished kindness