General Scott   By: Marcus Joseph Wright (1831-1922)

Edited by James Grant Wilson

[Illustration: Winfield Scott]

GENERAL SCOTT

by

GENERAL MARCUS J. WRIGHT

New York D. Appleton and Company 1894 Copyright, 1893, By D. Appleton and Company. All rights reserved.

The Great Commanders Series. Edited by General James Grant Wilson.

Admiral Farragut. By Captain A.T. MAHAN, U.S.N.

General Taylor. By General O.O. HOWARD, U.S.A.

General Jackson. By JAMES PARTON.

General Greene. By Captain FRANCIS V. GREENE, U.S.A.

General J.E. Johnston. By ROBERT M. HUGHES, of Virginia.

General Thomas. By HENRY COPPER, LL.D.

General Scott. By General MARCUS J. WRIGHT.

IN PREPARATION

General Washington. By General BRADLEY T. JOHNSON.

General Sherman. By General MANNING F. FORCE.

General Grant. By General JAMES GRANT WILSON.

Admiral Porter. By JAMES R. SOLEY, late Assist. Sec. of Navy.

General Lee. By General FITZHUGH LEE.

General Hancock. By General FRANCIS A. WALKER.

General Sheridan. By General HENRY E. DAVIES.

Each, 12mo, cloth, with Portrait and Maps, $1.50.

New York: D. APPLETON & CO., 1, 2 & 5 Bond St.

PREFACE.

In the preparation of this volume the author has consulted and used with freedom the following named works: History of the Mexican War, by General Cadmus M. Wilcox; Autobiography of General Scott; Life of General Scott, by Edward D. Mansfield; Life of General Scott, by David Hunter Strother; Life of General Scott, by J.T. Headley; History of the Mexican War, by John S. Jenkins; Anecdotes of the Civil War, by General E.D. Townsend; Sketches of Illustrious Soldiers, by General James Grant Wilson; Fifty Years' Observation of Men and Things, by General E.D. Keyes; Reminiscences of Thurlow Weed, and Historical Register of the United States Army, by F.B. Heitman.

My thanks are due to Mr. David Fitzgerald, Librarian of the War Department; Mr. Andrew H. Allen, Librarian of the State Department; and Colonel John B. Brownlow, for many courtesies. I am specially indebted to Mr. John N. Oliver, of Washington city, for valuable assistance rendered me.

M.J.W.

WASHINGTON, August, 1893 .

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Parentage and birth of Scott Precocity Enters William and Mary College Leaves college and commences the study of law with Judge Robinson Attends the trial of Burr at Richmond Impressment of American seamen and proclamation of President Jefferson Joins the Petersburg troop Leaves for Charleston Returns to Petersburg Appointed captain of artillery Trial of General Wilkinson Scott sends in his resignation, but withdraws it and returns to Natchez Is court martialed On staff duty at New Orleans Declaration of war with Great Britain General Wade Hampton and the Secretary of War Hull's surrender Storming of Queenstown March to Lewiston Scott's appeal to the officers and soldiers Indians fire on a flag of truce Incident with a Caledonian priest Letter in relation to Irish prisoners sent home to be tried for treason 1

CHAPTER II.

Scott ordered to Philadelphia Appointed adjutant general with the rank of colonel Becomes chief of staff to General Dearborn Death of General Pike Leads the advance on Fort Niagara Anecdote of Scott and a British colonel Commands the expedition to Burlington Heights March for Sackett's Harbor Meets a force at Cornwall Retreat of Wilkinson Scott appointed brigadier general Attack on and surrender of Fort Erie Battle of Chippewa Lundy's Lane and wounding of Scott Retreat 23

CHAPTER III.

Is received and entertained by prominent civilians and military men in Europe Marries Miss Mayo Offspring Thanks of Congress Thanks of the Virginia Legislature voted, and also a sword Controversy with General Andrew Jackson and correspondence Prepares general regulations for the army and militia Controversy with General Gaines and the War Department about rank In command of the Eastern Division War with the Sac and Fox Indians Black Hawk Cholera breaks out among the troops 41