Evening journal., 1910-06-15

As Assistant Secretary of state under
my father. l came to meet General Win
field Scott quite often from the time of
Lincon's first Inauguration until the
Mexican War veteran resigned his com
mission as head of the United States
Army. remember distinctly how earnest
he was in his declarations that the Union
must be preserved at all costs. and how
greatly he regretted that his physical in
frmitics made it impossible for him TO
take active command of the Union
Armies. But my most vivid recollection of
him centers about the time when he
called at the state Department just before
re left Washington for Europe"
SO said the venerable Frederick W. Sc
wv at a time when he was relating
to me some of the inside incidents con
nected with our greatest war.
1T was in October of 1851" continued
Mr.. Seward. that General scott. who
was then as. retired, and soon afterward
he called at the state Department to say
gcod-bye as he was on the point OF sailing
for Europe partly because of his health
and partly to undertake some special ser
] vice lot ENtclNltilA AallNNilA VI NNAA 81
tho conversation turned 10 the war. and
after we had discussed the latest develop
ments OF the conflict the General, whose
/ Typographical knowledge Of the South was
/ extensive from his travels all through it
both as an officer and an excursiouist
called for a man OF the United States.
When it was spread out before him he
/ proceeded 10 point out a method of con-
Quoting the war which he declared, could
not fail to result successfully, IL carried
out properly.
" Here is Washington he said, using
I his forefnger as a pointer, and the Poto-
mac and Ohio rivers are natural lines OF
i defense toward the South Now. Washing
ton must he strongly intrenched and forti
fed. in fact. made practically impregnable
. Perfect communication with the Nortf
must he maintained, so that supplies may
be obtained az any time. Thus protected, il
will require but a small garrison to de
fend the national capital Then organic
a suitable army and send it into Virginia
IL doesn't matter especially whether w
capture Richmond or not, what is of mucl
greater Importance is to drive the force
under the Command of General Joseph +
Johnston out of the State. or, better still
capture the entire Confederate army fl
that section.
The next step must be TO open th
Mississippi river from its source to fl
mouth and to keep it oper With certaii
points on the rver we'll fortified, especial
ly the junction Of the Mississippi and Ohio
at Cairo Ill., only small garrisons viii b
reeded to keep the river open.
Finally. let an army he organized fl
the West When all is ready let thi
force move eastward IL win find plenty &
cat ON it's way, but IL should always b
kept within easy communication OF on
or two bases Of supplies. Thus with tn
forces I'm Virginia pressing south and tn
army of the West making its way cast
ward the enemy must gradually. but sure
ly. be embodied All the time, Of course, a.
effective blockade should be maintained
The vital point Is not TO waste time q
the attempt to capture cities, but 10 de
stroy or dispense the Confederate armies
"As he finished and turned away iron
the map some one asked the General hoy
long. IN his opinion it would take 10 carr
the plan of campaign he had outlined to
successful conclusion.
4 should think year at most woul
be sufficient. was the reply.
at was strategy Of the sort advocate
by General Scott that finally PREVAILS