General Winfield Scott

Gen. Seott was born near Petersburg, Va., on the 13th of June, 1780. At the age of seventecn ho Wás left an orphaD, and, fortuqately íor hirn those who had hiin in charge appreciated the valuo of education, and determinad to give hiin one. He was accordingly placed in a high-school in lliehmond. Thenco ho went to William & Mary's Collego, and attended law lectores a year or more. He finished his legal studies under Mr. Roberfcson, and in 180G was admitred to tho bar. Not succoeding as well as he desired around his native place, ho removed to Charleston boping to establish hiraself there. But the law of the Stato did not allow any ono to practice within its limita, who had not been a resident íor at least a year; he thcrefore abandoned bis project andreturned to Virginia. Aboutthis time the troubles in England began to assume a serious charaoter, and the expectation that war must ensue beearno general. Soott shared in the expectation, and turned from the profeesioB of law to the army. In the spring of 18U8 ho was appointcd captain of light artillery, the same vear the purchase of Louisiana frotn "Franco was effected, and Gen. Wilkinson, to whope división Scott belonged, was stationed there to protect New Orleans from any hostile demonstrations on the part of Great Britian. "The next year," saya Hoadly Hampton assumed the command, though Wilkinson remained on the field of operations. Scott coinuiding with those who believed that Wilkinson was in Burr's confidence and honce involved in the conspiracy of tho Jatter, indulged rather ireely in rernarks on his superior cfh'cer. Ho was arrested and tridd by Court martial. The first charge, that he had inteutionally withheld money from his troops, was declared groundless. Tho Second, of unoffieer-like conduct in using dierespectful language towards his snpcrior officer, was sustained, for Soott acknowledged it, and attompted to justify it. Failing in this, he was suspended from the army for ono year. To a sensitivo young officer, panting tor clistinction, this arrest of his footsteps on the theshold of his pareer, was painful in the extreme; yet he lived to be thankful for it. ■ Eeturning to Virginia, he cast about to see how ho should spend the interval of idleness. His fortune guided him to B. Watking LeiEfh, who advised him to devote him. self to the study of his profession, especially military taetics. He offered him his library and his house, and Scott spent the year in mastering his profession." The knowledge of military art ho gaiued during this period of his disgrace, the eaution and skill it taujjht him to mingle with his chivalric ieelings and courage, laid the foundation of his caroer, and present high aosition. The next year war was declarad, and i month atler, he was cornmissioned ieutenantcolonel in the 2d artilery, .hen under the command of Isard, and was oidered to assist tho army of invasión, T ere was a desperate and bloody jattle at Queenstown, he was overeóme jy forced numbers, and surrendered to 3en. Shcaffe, not however, until Gen. Van Bensclae1" had from the opposite shore sent word to Wadsworth to rereat at once, and he would send every oat he eould lay his hands on to receivo the fugitives. Col. Scott, mounted a log in front of lis troops, harangued them in a strain worthy of his great and manly eharac;er. He told them that their condition was desperate, but that Hull's surrender must be redeemed. " Let us then die !" exclaimed he, arms in hands ; our country (Iemands the sacritice. The )loqd of tho slain will mato héroes oí' the living. Those who follow will avenge pur fall, and our country's wronga. Who dare to stand !" he asked, when aloud " All !" rung along ,ho lino. Gladly would we follow this noble i9o through all the way of an adventurous life - through the attack and capture of Fort George - through the jattle of Chippewa - the battle oí Niágara, where Soott, charging at ihe iead of his cxbausted battalion, received asevere wouud which prostrated ïim; but h3 last words to Leavenwortb, as ho was borne to tho rear were, '' Charge again ! charge ! Loavenworth." Evory regimental oifioer in Scott's brigade was killed or wounded, "only one out of every four in all the army stood up unliurt." He stood fearlessly over tho sick and dying at Eock Island, whoro his kindness and humaaity to those suffering with the cholera, statnped him not only a horo on the battle field, under the excitement of carnage, but a hero in his derotednoss to those who were suffering from a disoaso, frightful cnough from its rapid effocta but rendorod still inoro appaUing by tho belief that it was contagious. " To those that can remembor the dread in which, at that time, this disease was held, the conduct oi Gen. Scott while suffering himself under tho symptone of it, proclaim him the hero of the battle-field, and friend oí humanity. It would be plcasing to follow him in his patriotic career through South Carolina, in which ho sustained the honor of the flag of our Nation, were it not for the ungrateful returns wbieh tho pcople ot that State are dow making to our greatest living hero, for services which they know not how to appreciate which, they seem not to havo tn;3 gratitude to remember ; or it would appoar that thoy wöuld pursue a course more loyal to the land he has given his days to defend. God grant his country may not be compelled to cali him to the field again, but that South Carolina aha]] bethink herself now, of the debt sho owes to him who hasso often defended her, and taking hiü example, rumember tho alitranca sho has once doclared to. " The Luid that out futliers defentlcl. " We now reach a point in Gen. Buott's lifo withiu our own visión; and very vividly do wc recolluct the exemplification oí a silvcr headed man, given to our boyish understanding of the gentlemen and warrior, one bnght June morning while walking tho field, soon aíter the butilo of Vera Cruz. - How without ostentation he lecoived thc command previously given to Gen, Taylor ; as though it v, ero a drawingroom transaction ; and how the same man that could bo so mild and inoffensivo under embarrassing circumstances, could nerve his soul to duty when difñculties oí a sterner iiature camo. From the time of his taking command oí tha army in Mexico, his landing at Vera Cruz, thu siego and capturo of the city, his march to Corro Gordo and the battlo there, the three battles of Churubuaco, "tho asaault on Chepultopec and victory there, you are familiar with. How he is cherished in the hearts of the people, where he has played a most ooospicuoua part, was evinced during the year 185Ö when uu a visit to Caliíornia. They hoard ho was coming, and for three daya and nights his arrival was anxiously looked íor. i'rom the hoights of Telegraph Hill men looked anxiously to the Golden Gato, and the waters bevond. Banners floated in every diroction, the streets of San Francisco were uanopied with garlands and banners, and overy ear was turned listening Jor thosignal. The Sabbath díuvnod brightly, and thosteamer'sgun was heard, and the guns on the Island took up tho signal, and answered. - " Gen. Scott has como!" His expressed desiro to avoid a public reception on that day, coukl not stay tho enthusiasm of the peoplo; and seated in an open carriago, he was borne through the crowded streets. Btrains of music Üoated, while from every houso-top, and balcony waved the bandkerchief, and about his path ílowers t'ell, natural offerings of a country to one whom she delights to honor.