Year: 1861




WASHINGTON, Nov. /, 1861.
aETIRENENT OF GENERAL sooTr-INTEREsTING COR
REsPoNDENCE BETWEEN THE GENERAL AND THE
SECRETARY OF wAR-6ENERAL MCCLELLAN AP-
POINTED TO THE CHIEF COMMAND OF THE ARMY.
General Scott has retired from the command Of tho
army OF the United States today


The following letter from General Scott received
by the President on Thursday afternoon


HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, +,


WASHINGTON, Oct. 81, 1851.
The Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War


S-For more than three years have been unable from
hurt to mount horse to walk than few PAGES
at time and that with much pain Other and in
nrmites-dropsy and vertigo-admonish that repose
ef mind and body, with the appliances Of surgery
and medicine, are necessary to add little
more to life already protracod much beyond the usual
span Of man. It s under such circumstUccs made dou
bly, painful by the unnatural and unjust rebellion
raging in the Southern States Of lately prosperous
and happy Union, that compelled request that my
name be placed the list Of army officers retired from
active service As this request founded absolute
right, granted by recent act Of Congress- entirely
at liberty 10 say 1t s with deep regret that withdraw
myself, in these momentous times, from the orders Of
President who has treated with much distinguished
kindness and courtesy, whom know upon much person.
al intercourse TO be patriotic without sectional PARTIAL
ties prejudices to be highly conscientious the per-
formance of every duty and of unrvalled activity
perseverance, And to you, Mr. Secretary whom now
officially address for the last tmc beg acknowledge
my many obligations for the uniform high considcra-
tion have received at your hands, have the honor
TO remain, sir with high respect, your obedent servant


WINFIELD SCOTT.
special Cabinet Council was convened this morning
talo :,
was decided that Gen. scotts request under the cir
cumstances OF his advanced age inrmities could
not be declined. Gen. Mcclellan thereupon with the
unanimous agreement Of the Cabinet notified that the
command Of the army would be devolved upon him.
At four O'Clock in the afternoon tho Cabinet again
waited upon the President and attended him the resi-
dence Of Gen. Scott Being seated the President to
the General the following ORDER


On the first day Of November, A. D. 1861 upon his
application to the President of the United states
Breve Lieutenant General Winfield Scott ordered to be
placed, and hereby placed upon the list Of retired o
Of the army of the United satcs without reduction
in his current pay, subsistence or allowances


The American people will hear with sadness and deep
emotion that General Scott has withdrawn from the
active control Of the army while the Presiden. and



sympathy in his personal aicti,n and their profound
OF the important public services rendered by him
his country during his long and brill career among
which will be gratefully distinguished his faithfu
devotion to the constitution the Union and tho flag when
assailed by parricidal rebellion


ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
General Scott thereupon and addressed The Prcai
dent and Cabinet, who had also risen as follows
rREsIpESr-Ths honor overwhelms me- II overpays
all services have attempted to render to my country
II had any claims before they all oblterated by this
expression Of approval by the President with the re-
naming suppor. of his Cabinet I know the President
ard this Cabinet well. l know that tho country has
placed its interests in this trying crisis in safe keeping
Ther counses wise, their labors untring as
they are loyal, and their course is the right one.


President, you must excuse am unable to stand
longer TO give utteance TO the feelings OF gratitude which
opprcss me. In my retirement shall offer up my
prayers to God for this administration and for my con
try. shall pray for it with confidence in its success oye
all enemies, and that speedily.


The President then took leave Of General Scott giving
him his hand and saying he hoped to write him
private letter expressive Of his gratitude and affection
Tho President added


GEvERAL--You will naturally feel solictude about the
gentlemen Of your staff who have rendered you and their





into consideration. understand that they 20 with ycu
to New York. ahai desire them at their earliest con-
yenieucc, after their return, TO mako their wishes
known TO | desire you now, however, to
be satisfied that, except the unavoidable prvation
Of your counsel and Secretary, which they have long
enjoyed the provision which win be made for them
will be such az render their situation as agreeable
hereafter as it has been heretofore


Each member Of the administration then gave his
hand the veteran, and retired in profound silence
Tho following is the rcponse Of the Secretary OF War
10 the letter of General Scott


WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, Nov. ], 1861.
GENERAu-It was my duty to lay before the President
your etter OF yesterday asking to bo relieved under the
recent act Of Congress In separating from you cannot
refrain from expressing my deep regret that your health
shattered by long service and repeated wounds received
in ycur countrys defence should render necessary for
you 70 retire from your high position at this
momentous period Of your history. Although you
are not TO remain in active service, yet hope
shat whc continue in charge Of tho department over
which now preside, shall at times bc permitted to
avail myself Of tho benefits Of your wise counses and