The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-11-29
PLEA FOR A MARKER
FOR WILLIAM SCOTT
The Groton Boy in the Civil War Who
Was Saved By President Lincoln
After Being Condemned
to Be Shot.

There are few people in Vermont
who have not heard Of William Scott.
For the benefit of those who have not
heard of him, it may be said that he
was born in Groton, and enlisted from
that town in the Sd Vermont infantry
in the Civil war. One night he voun-
teered to do picket duty in the place Of
a sick comrade, and on the following
night he was himself detailed for the
same duty. Not wishing to be consid
cred coward he accepted his lot with
out a protest or explanation, but when
the guard came around in the night, he
was found asleep at his post He was
court -martialed and sentenced to be
shot.
His comrades, seeing the injustice of
the procedure. went at once for help to
| Judge L. 4. Chitteuden of Vermont,
! who at that time was register Of the
treasury Of the United States, and an
intimate friend of President Lincoln.
Chittenden told them that he could do
nothing for their comrade, for he we'll
knew the unwiIingness Of army officers
to make OF change any orders that
could possibly interfere with the dis
cipline of the army He said, however,
that he would lead them to the only
man in the world who could possibly
help them.
Within a few minutes the soldiers
found themselves in the office of Presi
dent Lincoln, where they were hidden
by Chittenden to present their case.
As a result Of this interview, the order
for SCOTS execution was eountermand-
ed. On the afternoon of the same day,
President Lincoln went out to Chain
Bridge to investigate the case person
ally and to see that his orders concern
ing Scott were obeyed He had a long
talk with Scott, during which he asked
him about his home and friends in Yer
mont. He told him that he was not
going to be shot for going to sleep when
he could not help 1t, especially as the
offense was directly after heavy
march and double picket duty. Scott
expressed his gratitude TO Lincoln, and
was soon back with his old comrades.
Scott subsequently did good service
in the army, and was mortally wound
ed at Lees Mills on the peninsuar As
he lay dying, he requested the boys, if
they ever had opportunity, to thank
President Lincoln for giving him a
chance TO die like a soldier in battle,
rather than rs coward at the hands
of his comrades
Recently there have been attempts
to discredit this story, but history re-
cords nothing that has a firmer foun-
dation in fact SCOTS comrades again
and again confirmed the truth Of the
story. Cen w. r. Smith, in his report
OF the battle at Lees Mills, quoted in
Benedict's vermont in The Civil Wal"
gives an account Of the bravery of sew
.ral individual soldiers in the battle
He heads the list with William Scott,
and tells of his bravery and the man
ner of his death.
Judge Chittenden, who was in posi-
tion to know as much as anyone about
the affair, has written the Scott story
as chapter of his "Recollections Of
Lincoln and His Administration, pub
ished several years ago by Harper &
Brothers The interest in the story
was such that the publishers issued a
separate edition Of the chapter in the
form Of a little volume entitled, Lin
} coin and the Sleeping Sentinel" The
story has found its way into textbooks
for schools; at least the "Child's Book
of American History" published by Lit
tie, Brown & CO., devotes whole chap
ter to it. Several Of the Lincoln biog-
raphies give space to Scott; notably the
life by Lord Charnwood, which Is prob
ably the best book on Lincoln from an
Englishman's standpoint.
John Drinkwater, one Of the greatest
Of English poets has written play
entitled, abraham Lincoln" which has
been acted for months before immense
audiences in London theatre The
interest in the play was SO great in
this country that an American edition
was published in October by Houghton
Midlin Co. which has already gone to
its fourth printing. The introduction
is by Mr.. Arnold Bennett, who, in
speaking Of the popularity Of the play
in London, says, Nobody can dine out
in London to-day and admit without d
blush that he has not seen Abraham
Lincoln Monarchs and princes have
seen it. Archbishops have seen it,
Statesmen without number have seen
it," This play is soon to be presented
in a New York theatre, and will with
out doubt be seen in all the leading
American cities in the near future An
interesting and significant feature Of
this play is the story of William Scott,
introduced to show the great heart of
Lincoln, his unfailing devotion to the
cause of justice and humanity, and the
consummate care with which he attend
ed to small details of government bust
ness when the life or happiness Of the
humblest fellow man was at stake.
Nearly opposite the old cemetery in
West Groton, on the state road to
Barre, may be seen the foundation Of
the cottage where William Scott lived
as boy, and from which he enlisted in
the service of the Union There, by
the roadside should be erected a gran
tie tablet to the memory Of this humble
West Groton lad, who faced the eaemv
like true soldier, died like a hero, and
who, through this relation with the
great Lincoln, is known wherever the
English tongue is spoken
Waldo. r Glover.
Williamstown, VT, Nov 2s.~l0l0.