Year: 1861

From a friend who has Just returned from
Washington, we have been. listening to a vivid
description of the scene, now daily one, in one
of the lofty apartments of the war Office where
Gen. Scott passes many hours of the day and
night, at time of life when most men naturally
court ease but which the old hero is now devoting
20 the greatest achievements of his eventful and
honorable career the demonstration ofthe strength
and power OF a republican form of government.


Enfeebled in body, but clear minded and vigor-
Gus in intellect as ever, General Scott is now
cheerfully undergoing labors that would overtax
the strength of many far his juniors in life and in
service An early hour of the day finds him sur
rounded by his aids and advisers, and not until a
late hour of the night does the work cease The
hustle and din of the city and camp Is hushed at
nightfall but not for many hours later does the
headquarters of the Lieut. General lose its fea-
lures Of activity.


The scene on the day in question was one on
which the pencil of Leutze would dwell loving
" to the production of painting that should be
vivid history. Gen. Scott, suffering more than
usual by an attack Of gout, lay half reclining on
lounge drawn into the center of the large apart
ment, his feet resting upon pillows, mot the Pill
low of Tennessee, upon whom, II the fellow does
not retreat to a ditch, he will set his foot pres
ently.)


About the old chieftain, whose massive frame
seemed more impressive from the contrast, were
gathered men in uniform of army and navy,
eminent citizens in the plain BLACK civilian 5
dress, with here and there one whose dress and
features told of rough service on some errand,
whose results were now to be reported to the
modification or extension of some one or other of
the vast comprehensive plans of the war depart
ment.


On the wall opposite the lounge occupied by
Gen. Scott were suspended two large military
maps of Virginia and Maryland, with all their
careful Details closely presenting the country, its
features, accesses, fastnesses and approaches.
1t was noticeable that about Harper's Ferry,
Richmond and Norfolk were drawn large circles
within which the details became more minute
with symbols and signs abundant, of significance
to military men, the key to which belongs to the
war Office


BY General SCOTS side lay long light reed
which he made use of in pointing to different To-
calities on these maps. Aids, amanuenses, ad-
visers, all were busy, quietly and all without stir
or confusion. In that room and on such scenes
and consultations hangs safely the fate of this
war, in the speedy and condign punishment OF
traitors. Probably no one but the hungrier of the
Washington correspondents, will regret or fail to
applaud the wisdom of the War Department, OF
indeed of the Government rs a whole, in only
sparingly admitting to confidence the newspapers
and the general public. 1t is enough to know
that the Government is thoroughly at work in al
its departments for tire crushing out of treason
and that General Scott is indeed close and vol.
untary "prisoner" to duties whose execution will
make the setting sun of the old hero illustriou:
in all time.-Chicago Tribune.