Winfield Scott
Born: June 13, 1786
Birthplace: Laurel Hill Plantation, Petersburg, Virginia
Father: Captain William Scott 1747 – 1791
Mother: Ann Mason 1747 – 1802
Wife: Maria DeHart Mayo 1789 – 1862
(Buried: U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, New York)
Children:
Maria Mayo Scott 1818 – 1833
(Buried: U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, New York)
John Mayo Scott 1819 – 1820
(Buried: Montpelier Estate National Historic Site, Montpelier, Virginia)
Virginia “Sister May Emmanuel” Scott 1821 – 1845
(Buried: Georgetown Visitation Monastery, Washington, D.C.)
Edward Winfield Scott 1823 – 1827
(Buried: Montpelier Estate National Historic Site, Montpelier, Virginia)
Cornelia Winfield Scott 1824 – 1885
(Buried: New Cathedral Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland)
Adeline Camilla Scott Hoyt 1831 – 1882
(Buried: Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, New York)
Marcella “Ella” Scott MacTavish 1833 – 1909
(Buried: Basilica di San Lorenzo fuouri le Mura, Rome, Italy)
Education:
Attended College at the College of William and Mary
Studied law under Attorney David Robinson
Occupation before War:
Attended the trial of Aaron Burr who was accused of treason
Developed a negative opinion of General James Wilkinson
Served as a Corporal in Virginia State Militia Cavalry
Served in the Chesapeake – Leopard Affair
Attempted to Practice law in South Carolina unable to obtain license
1808 – 1812: Captain United States Army
1810: Court Martialed for his remarks about General Wilkinson
1810: His Commission was suspended for one year
1810: Fought a duel with William Upshaw
1810 – 1811: Studied Military Tactics and Strategy in Virginia
1812 – 1813: Lt. Colonel, United States Army
1812: Served in the Invasion of Canada under Van Rensselear
1812: Captured at the Battle of Queenston Heights, Canada
1812: Prisoner of War, held by the British Army
1813 – 1814: Colonel in United States Army
1813: Served in the Battle of Fort George, Ontario
1814 – 1847: Brigadier General in United States Army
1814: Served in the Invasion of Canada
1814: Served in the Battle of Chippawa, Canada
1814: Wounded during the Battle of Lundy’s Lane
1814: Brevetted Major General for his gallantry at Chippawa
1814: Recipient of Congressional Gold Medal
United States Army Commander of Maryland and Northern Virginia
Member of the Board for demobilizing the United States Army
United States Army Commander of Northeastern Department
1821: Asked to be relieved of his commander after reorganization
1832: Ordered by Pres. Jackson to take command in Black Hawk War
1832: Traveled to Charleston, South Carolina during Nullification
1835: Ordered by President to take command against Seminoles
1835: Author of Infantry Tactics or Rules
1835 – 1855: His Manual was used by the United States Army
Opposed the thinking of Edmund Gaines and Andrew Jackson
1836: Served as Commander during Creek War
1838: Commander for the removal of Cherokee from Southeastern United States
1837: Dispatched to Western New York to prevent border crossings
1839: Unsuccessful Candidate for 1840 Whig Nomination
1841 – 1861: Major General of United States Army
1841 – 1861: Commanding General of United States Army
1844: Unsuccessful Candidate for Whig Party Presidential Nomination
1846 – 1848: Commander U.S. Army during Mexican – American War
Agreed on a plan with Secretary of War to capture Northern Mexico
Drew up a plan that would bring a naval assault on the Gulf
1847: Commander of U.S. Army at the Siege of Vera Cruz, Mexico
1847: Commander of U.S. Army at the Battle of Cerro Gordo, Mexico
1847: Commander of U.S. Army at the Battle of Contreras, Mexico
1847: Commander of U.S. Army at the Battle of Churubusco, Mexico
1847: Commander of U.S. Army at the Battle of Mexico City, Mexico
1847: Commander of U.S. Army at the Battle of Molino del Rey
1847: Commander of U.S. Army at the Battle of Chapultepec, Mexico
1847: Accepted the Surrender of the Mexican Army on Sept. 14th
1848: Unsuccessful Candidate for Whig Party Presidential Nomination
1850: Advocate for the Passage of the Compromise of 1850
1852: Unsuccessful Whig Party Presidential Candidate
Often Clashed with Secretary of War Davis over travel expenses
1855: Brevetted Lt. General in United States Army
1859: Assigned settle dispute with Great Britain over San Juan Islands
1860: Convinced President to resupply D.C., Fort Sumter, Fort Pickens
Civil War Career:
1841 – 1861: Major General of United States Army
1841 – 1861: Commanding General of United States Army
1860: Sick from the effects of Protracted Diarrhea
1861: Advised President Lincoln to evacuate the Forts in the south
1861: Advised President Lincoln to Offer Robert E. Lee Command
1861: Author of the Anaconda Plan to the Win the Civil War
1861: General Scott felt McDowell was to inexperience to command
1861: Submitted his resignation from United States Army in October
1861: Supporter of Henry Halleck as his successor as Commander
Occupation after Resignation:
Traveled to Europe with his daughter Cornelia
Helped Thurlow Weed defuse the Trent Affair in Paris, France
1861 – 1866: Suffered from vertigo, gout and dropsy
1861 – 1866: Lived alone in New York City and West Point, New York
1861 – 1866: Author of his Memoirs of his service in the U.S. Army
1862: President Lincoln accepted his advice with Promoting Halleck
1864 – 1865: General Grant used a plan like the Anaconda Plan
1866: President Johnson Ordered flags flown half-staff Scott’s death
Died: May 29, 1866
Place of Death: West Point, New York
Cause of Death: Bad Health
Age at time of Death: 79 years old
Burial Place: U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, New York
MAJOR GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT was born in Petersburg, Virginia, June 13th, 1786. He was educated at William and Mary College, Virginia and studied the profession of law. After some years of practice in his profession, he became a captain in the light artillery at Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the division under General Wilkinson. For some free remarks, respecting his superior officer, he was suspended, and returning to his native State, studied his profession diligently for a year. In July 1812, soon after the outbreak of the war with England, he was appointed Lieutenant colonel, and sent to the Canadian frontier. He participated in the battle of Queenstown where he was taken prisoner.
Being shortly afterward exchanged, he acted as adjutant general under General Dearborn, with the rank of colonel, and commanded the surf boats in the combined land and naval attacks on Fort George, May the 27th, 1813. In this engagement he was seriously injured.
When in the autumn of 1813, General Wilkinson descended the St Lawrence in an expedition against Montreal, Scott led the advance. He was made a brigadier general in the spring of 1814, and having joined a camp of instruction at Buffalo, introduced the French tactics. The efficiency of his command became soon apparent. In conjunction with General Ripley, he crossed the Niagara river on July 3d, 1814, and captured Fort Erie, and part of its garrison. Moving on Chippewa, next day, and skirmishing all the way to the position of Riall, the British general, on the 5th, the battle of Chippewa was fought, resulting in the defeat of the enemy. Twenty days after was fought the battle of Lundy's Lane, in which Scott was severely wounded, and had two horses shot under him. On the close of the war, he declined a seat in the cabinet, and was promoted to major general. He was sent to Europe in a capacity, both military and diplomatic, and arrived in France shortly after the battle of Waterloo.
Several military works from his pen were found instructive and important, and were introduced into the army of the United States. He participated in the war with the Indians in 1832, and captured the head chief Black Hawk. In the same year, the Nullification troubles in South Carolina required great prudence in the commanders of the forces in the harbor of Charleston, and in this capacity Scott was conspicuous for boldness, decision, and energy. He commanded in the Seminole war in 1835-1842.
The troubles in the Cherokee country in 1838 were successfully terminated through his influence. The Canadian rebellion in 1837 threatened our amicable relations with Great Britain, and in the spring of 1839, through the influence of General Scott, the boundary question was adjusted, and finally settled in 1842 by treaty. On the death of General Macomb in 1841, General Scott became commander in chief of the army of the United States. In the war with Mexico, the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco, Chapultepec, the San Cosme, Gate of the city of Mexico, and other places, testify to the valor of this veteran.
In 1852, he received one million, three hundred and eighty six thousand, five hundred and eighty votes of the Whig party for the Presidency, but was unsuccessful. He was breveted lieutenant general in 1855. In 1859, there arose disputes with Great Britain, respecting the boundary line through the Straits of Fuca, and General Scott being sent to that distant locality settled the differences. In 1861, he gave all his influence and services to the cause of his country, secured the safe inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, defended the national capital, organized the army, and in advanced age, retired from active service, November 1st, 1861. He died at West Point in July 1866, universally lamented by the nation.
Excerpt from: Moore, James. A Complete History of the Great Rebellion: Or, The Civil War in the United States, 1861-1865. New York, Hurst & Company, 1866.
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