WTNFIELD SCOTT. GIKM. S€€)TT. /^/^^-'^^^^ THE LIFE WINFIELD SCOTT. I, jfTrHEADLEY, ATTTHOB OF "NAPOLKON AND HIS MAE8HALS," " WA8H1XGT0N AND HIS OBNBEAM," &0., &c., &a NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNER, 124 GRAND STREET. 1861. VI PREFACE. this as it may we trust and believe that he will live to see the great scheme he has devised for the suppression of this unnatural rebellion successfully carried out and the flag of the union waving over an undivided country. In view of the struggle on which he has entered I have thought it desirable to trace his past history up to the present time, on which such momentous destinies hang, to refresh our memory with an account of his gallant deeds, and to contemplate from the new point we occupy, the man to whom we have committed our destiny. A grateful people will soon be called to close up the record of his glory, and place him beside Washington, while one epitaph will answer for both, " Saviour of his Coun- try." Those who are interested in the military career of the chief leaders of the rebel army, who won all their laurels under the Stars and Stripes and leadership of the noble old patriot they are now in arms against, will find some account of them in the latter part of the work. CONTENTS WINFIELD SCOTT VAoa CHAPTER I. Scott's Birth and Parentage— Became a Lawyer— Enters the Army—His Trial by Court-martial, and Suspension— His Studies— Re-enters the Army —Battle of Queenstown— Scott a Prisoner— Conflict with two Indians- Protection of his Irish Soldiers— Attack and Capture of Fort George, . II CHAPTER n. Scott superintends the Camp of Instruction at Buffalo— Drills the Army- Crosses the Niagara— Pursues the Marquis of Tweesdale behind the Chip- pewa— Battle of Chippewa— Company of Backwoodsmen— Battle of Niagara —Charge of Miller— Scott's Wound and Last Orders— Journey to Wash- ington—Reception at Princeton— Black Hawk War— Scott amid the Cholera— Is challenged by Jackson— Becomes interested in the cause of Temperance— Takes command in South Carolina to crush the Disunionists —Settles the Difficulties on the Northern Frontier— Pursuea the Chero- kees. . . M CHAPTER HI. S«ott preserves peace on the Maine boundary— Friendship between him and the Governor of New Brunswick— Appointed Commander-ln-Ohlef— Vlll CONTENTS. PAQl Treatment at "Washington— Takes charge of the Army in Mexico— Mar- tial Law orders — Fire in the Eear— Landing at Vera Cruz — ^The Siege and Capture of the City — March to Cerro Gordo — ^The Battle — ^Entrance of Jalapa— Of Puebla— Eeduction of the Army, .... TO CHAPTER IV. The Army at Pnebla— Description of the Scenery— Arrival of Eelnforce- ments— Departure for Mexico — Ascent to the Cordilleras — Magnificent Scenery — First View of the Plain and City of Mexico — The Koad found Impassible— Difficult March round Lake Chalco to the Acapulco Road — Attack on Contreras — Suffering and Anxiety of the Army at Night- Storming of the Fort— Enthusiastic Eeception of Scott by his Victorioua Troops— San Antonio Taken— The Three Battles of Churubusco— The Flight and Pursuit— Scott after Battle— The Mexicans propose an Armis> tice, . ... 98 CHAPTER V. The Armistice— Scott resolves to carry Chapultepec by Storm — ^Description of the Fortress— Battle of Molino del Rey— The Field after the Victory— The Condition and Prospects of the Army at this time — Misbehavior of the Government — Defence of Scott— His Plan of assaulting Chapultepeo— Day preceding the Battle— The Final Attack, IM WINFIELD SCOTT. CHAPTER I. Scott's Birth and Parentage— Became a Lawyer— Enters the Army—His Trial by Court-martial and Suspension— His Studies— Ee-enters the Army— Battle 03 Queenstown— Scott a Prisoner— Conflict with Two Indians— Protection of hia Irish Soldiers — Attack and Capture of Fort George. WiNFiELD Scott was born on the 13th of June, 1786, near Petersburgh, Yirginia. His ancestors were Scotch. Tlie elder brother of his grandfather fell on the field of Cnlloden ; and the latter, involved' in the same rebellion, emigrated to this country, and com- menced the practice of law in Yirginia. He lived, however, but a few years, leaving two sons and several daughters. Winfield was the youngest of the sons, and w^as only five years of age at the time of his father's death. Twelve years after, the wife followed the husband to the grave, and young Scott, seventeen years old, was left an orphan in the world. It was determined by those w^ho had the charge of him, to give him an education, and he was placed at a High School in Eichmond, under the charge of Mr. Ogilvie, 14 -VYINFIELD SCOTT. a man of distinction. Thence lie went to William and Marj's College, and attended law lectures for a year or more. He finished his legal studies under Mr. Robertson, a Scotchman, and in 1806 was admitted to the bar. He had galloped through his course at a pace that precluded thoroughness, and proper fit nesR for his profession. Preparatory studies, college, law course, and all, occupied only three years, and at the age of twenty he was a practising lawyer. The rapidity with which he disposed of the piles of learning, ordinarily deemed essential to a finished lawyer, remind one of Goldsmith, who went through the whole circle of sciences in Edinburgh in six months. Kot succeeding very well around his native place, young Scott removed to Charleston, in the hopes of establishing himself there ; but the laws of the State forbade any one to practise law within its limits who had not been a resident for at least one year, and failing to obtain an exemption in his favor, he abandoned his project, and returned to Virginia. At this time the troubles with England began to assume a more serious character, and the expectation became general that they would end in war. Scott shared in this expectation, and like many other gallant young men of the south, turned from the profession of law to the army. In the spring of 1808, a bill for the en- largement of the army passed Congress, and Scott TRIED BY COUKT MARTIAL. 15 who had applied for a commission in the new regi- ments, was appointed a captain of light artiller3^ During this year the purchase of Louisiana from France was effected, and General Wilkinson was stationed there to protect New Orleans from any hostile acts on the part of Great Britain. Scott be- longed to his division. The next year Hampton assumed the command, though Wilkinson remained on the field of operations. Scott, coinciding with those who believed that "Wilkinson was in Burr's con- fidence, and hence involved in the conspiracy of the latter, indulged rather freely in remarks on his supe- rior officer. As a natural consequence, he was arrested and tried by court-martial. The first charge, intended as a mere rider to the second, that he had intention- ally withheld money from his troops, was declared groundless. The second, of unofiScer-like conduct in using disrespectful language towards his superior oflScer, was sustained, for Scott acknowledged it, and attempted to justify it. Failing in this, he was sus- pended from the army for one year. To a sensitive, ambitious young oflScer, panting for distinction, this arrest of his footsteps on the threshold of his career, was painful in the extreme ; yet he lived to be thank- ful for it. Returning to Yirginia, he cast about to see how he should spend the interval of idleness. His for- tunate star guided him to B. Watkins Leigh, who ad- vised him to devote himself to the study of his pro 16 WINFIELD SCOTT. fession, — especially military tactics. He offered liim Lis library and his house, and Scott spent the year in mastering his profession. The knowledge of military art he gained during this period of his disgrace, the caution and skill it taught him to mingle with his chivalric feelings and boiling courage,' laid the foun- dation of his after brilliant career. The cloud at this time along the political horizon gathered thicker and darker every hour, and the young captain of artillery feared it w^ould burst be- fore he should assume his place and rank. The hol- low, disgraceful peace, however, continued, and at the close of the year he again took his position in the army. The next year, war was declared, and a month after, in July, he was commissioned lieutenant-colo- nel in the 2d artillery, then under the command of Izard, and was ordered to the Magara frontier to assist the army of invasion. The two companies of Towson and Barker were under his command, with which he was to protect the navy yard at Black Kock. At this time the northern army, numbering be- tween eight and ten thousand soldiers, was princi- pally concentrated in two points. One portion lay near Plattsburgli and Greenbush, and was under the direct command of General Dearborn, wdio was also commander-in-chief of all the forces on the northerri AT NIAGARA. 17 frontier. The otlier portion was congregated at Lewistown, under the command of General Stephen V^an Eensalaer, of JSTew York, while 1,500 regulars, under General Smythe lay at Buffalo, a few miles distant. There were a few troops stationed also at Ogdensburg, Sackett's Harbor, and Black Rock. Tlie discontent produced by Hull's surrender, and the loud complaints against the inaction of the northern army, together with the consciousness that something must be done to prevent the first year of war from closing in unmixed gloom, induced General Yan Rensalaer to make a bold push into Canada, and by a sudden blow attempt to wrest Jamestown from the enemy, and there establish his winter quarters. The cutting out of two English brigs* from under the guns of Fort Erie, by Lieutenant Elliot with some fifty volunteers, created an enthusiasm in the Amer- ican camp of which Gen. Yan Rensalaer determined to avail himself. Giving the command of the expedition to his cousin. Col. Solomon Yan Rensalaer, a brave and chivalric ofiicer, the latter on the 13th of October, at the head of three hundred militia, accompanied l)y Col. Chrystie with three hundred regular troops, * One of those, the Caledonia, afterwards did good service as a part of the fleet of Perry on Lake Erie. The other having gone aground, was burnt, to prevent recapture. 18 WINFIELD SCOTT. began to cross tlie river. It wanted still an lioni to daylight, wlien the two columns stood in battle array on the shore. Tlirough carelessness or inabil- ity to obtain them there were not sufficient boats to take all over at once, and they were compelled to cross in detachments. The boat which carried Col. Chrystie being badly managed, was swept away by the current, and finally compelled to re-land on the American shore. This gallant officer was woimded while thus drifting in the stream, yet soon after he made another attempt to cross, and succeeding, led his troops nobly until the close of the action. Col. Yan Rensalaer having effected a landing, formed on the shore and marched gallantly forward. The whole force at this time did not exceed one hundred men. These, however, were led up the bank and halted to wait the arrival of the other troops that kept arriving, a few boat loads at a time. But daylight now having dawned, the exposed posi- tion of this detachment rendered it a fair mark for the enemy, who immediately opened their fire upon it. In a few minutes every commissioned officer was either killed or wounded. Col. Yan Rensalaer finding that the bank of the river afforded very lit- tle shelter, determined with the handful under his command, to storm the heights. But he had now received four wounds, and scarcely able to stand BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN. 19 gave the command to Captains Ogilvie and Wool,^ wlio gallantly led on and swept everytliing before them. The fort was carried and the heights occu- pied, amid the lond huzza of the troops. The ene- my were driven into a strong stone house, from which they made two unsuccessful attempts to regain the ground they had lost. Brock flushed with the easy victory he had gained over Hull, rallied them by hig! presence, and while attempting to lead on the gren- adiers of the 4:9th, fell mortally wounded. This for a time gave the Americans undisturbed possession of the heights, and great efforts were now made to bring over the other troops. Gen. Yan Rensalaer, after the fall of his cousin, crossed over and took the command, but hastening back to urge on the em- barkation of the militia, the command fell on Gen. "Wadsworth, who, however, cheerfully gave the control of the movements to more experienced officers. Daylight had seen this brave little band form on the shores of the river under a galling fire, the morning sun glittered on their bayonets from the heights of Queenstown. The victory seemed won ; and the day so gloriously begun would have closed in brighter effulgence, had not the militia on the farther side refused to cross over to the assistance of their hard-pressed comrades. A stone house near * Now General Wool. - 20 WINFIELD SCOTT. the bank defended by two light pieces of artillery, still played on the boats that attempted to cross, and the Americans on the Canada side, having no artil- lery, were unable to take it. The firing from this, and soon after the appearance of a large body of Indians on the field of battle, so frightened the mi litia, that neither entreaties nor threats could induce them to embark. Through utter want of orderly management, half of the twenty boats had been destroyed or lost, still it was not the want of the means of transportation that held them back, but conscientious scrujples about invading an enemy's territory. Attempting to mask their cowardice un- der this ridiculous plea they stood and saw the dan- gers thicken around their comrades who had relied on their support, without making a single effort to save them from destruction. Lieutenant-colonel Scott by a forced march through mud and rain, had arrived at Lewistown with his regiment at four o'clock in the morning, and just as the troops were embarking. He begged permission to take part in the expedition, but the arrangements having all been made, his request was denied. He therefore planted his guns on the shore and opened his fire on the enemy. But seeing how small a pro- portion of troops were got across, and perceiving also the peril of Yan Eensalaer's detachment, his young and gallant heart could no longer allow him to be an TAXES co:m]viand of the akmy. 21 idle spectator, and taking one j/iece of artillery lie jumped into a boat with his adjutant Roach, and pushed for the opposite shore. Wadsworth imme- diately gave the command of the troops to him, and his chivalric bearing and enthusiastic language soon animated every heart with new courage. Six feet five inches in height and in full uniform, he pre- sented a conspicuous mark for the enemy. Had his regiment been with him, Queenstown would have been a second Chippewa. Considerable reinforcements, however, had ar- rived, swelling the number to six hundred, of whom three hundred and fifty were regular troops. Those, Scott, assisted by the cool and skilful Capt. Zitten, soon placed in the most commanding positions, and waited for further reinforcements. Just before, a body of ^Ye hundred Indians, whom the firing had suddenly collected, joined the beaten light troops of the English. Encouraged by this accession of strength, the latter moved again to the assault, but were again driven back in confusion. Still the enemy kept up a desultory engagement. On one occasion, the Indians, issuing suddenly from the forest, surprised a picket of militia, and following hard on their flying tracks, carried consternation into that part of the line. Scott, who was in the rear, showing the men how to unspike a gun, hear- ing the tumult, hastened to the front, and rallying a 22 WINFIELI) SCOTT. few platoons, scattered tliose wild warriors with a single blow. But while the day was wearing away in this doubtful manner, a more formidable foe aj)- peared on the field. General Sheaffe, commanding at Fort George, had heard the firing in the morning, and a little later the news of the death of Brock was brought him. His trooj)s were immediately put in motion, and soon after midday the little band that had from day dawn bravely breasted the storm, saw from the heights they had so gallantly won, a column eight hundred and fifty strong, approaching the scene of combat. IN'ot in haste or confusion, but with slow and measured tread, they continued to advance. The three hundred Americans watched the approach of this new force with undaunted hearts, and turned to catch the outlines of their own advancing columns, but not a bayonet was moving to their help. At this critical moment news arrived of the shameful mutiny that had broke out on the opposite shore. The entreaties of Yan Rensalaer, and the noble example of "Wadsworth, and the increasing peril of their comrades, were wholly unavailing — ^not a soul would stir. This sealed the fate of the American detachment. Three hundred, sustained by only one piece of artillery against the thirteen hundred of the enemy — their number when the junction of the advancing column with the remain- ing troops and the Indian allies should be effected — SPEECH TO THE TEOOPS. 28 ct^nstitiited hopeless odds. General Van Rensa- lear, from the opposite shore, saw this, and sent word to Wadsworth to retreat at once, and he would send every boat he conld lay hands on to receive the fugitives. He however, left everything to his own judgment. Colonels Chrystie and Scott, of the regulars, and Mead, Strahan, and Allen of the militia, and officers Ogilvie, Wool, Totten, and Gib- son McChesney, and others, presented a noble yet sorrowful group, as they took council over this mes- sage of the commander-in-chief. Their case was desperate, yet they could not make up their minds to retreat. Col. Scott mounting a log in front of his troops, harangued them in a strain worthy of the days of chivalry. He told them their condition was desperate, but that Hull's surrender must be re- deemed. " Let us then die," he exclaimed, '' arms in hand. Our country demands the sacrifice. The example will not be lost. The blood of the slain will make heroes of the living. Those who follow will avenge our fall, and oi^r country's wrongs. "Who dare to stand ?" a loud " All " rang sternly along the line.* In the meantime Gen. Sheaffe had arrived, but instead of advancing immediately to the attack, slowly marched his column the whole length of the American line, then countermarched it, as if to make sure that the little band in front * Vide Mansfielci's Life of Scott. 24 W" INFIELD SCOTT. was all the force lie had to overcome. All saw at a glance that resistance was useless, and retreat almost as hopeless. The latter, however, was resolved upon, but the moment the order was given to retire, the whole broke in disorderly flight towards the river. But there were no boats to receive them, and a flag of truce was sent to the enemy. The messenger, however, never returned ; another and another shared the same fate. At last Scott tied a white handkerchief to his sword, and accompanied by Captains Totten and Gibson, crept under one of the precipices, down the river, till he arrived where a gentle slope gave an easy ascent, when the three made a push for the road, which led from the valley to the heights. On the way they were naet by Indians, who having fired on the officers, rushed forward, with their tomahawks, to kill them. They would soon have shared the fate of the, other mes- sengers, but for the timely arrival of a British of- ficer, with some soldiers, who took the officers to Gen. Sheaife, to whom Scott surrendered his whole force. Two hundred and ninety-three were all that survived of the brave band who had struggled so long and so nobly for victory. Several hundred militia, however, were found concealed along the shore, who had crossed over, but skulked away in the confusion. The entire loss of the Americans in this unfortunate TAKEN PRISONER. 25 expedition, killed and captured, was about one thou- sand men. General Yan Rensalaer, disgusted with the conduct of the militia, soon after sent in his resignation. Brock was next day buried " under one of the bastions of Fort George," and at the request of 8cott, then a prisoner, minute guns were fired from Fort Niagara during the funeral ceremonies. Above the dull distant roar of the cataract, the minute guns of friends and foes pealed over the dead, as with shrouded banners the slowly marching column bore him to his last resting place. Cannon that but a few hours be- fore had been exploding in angry strife on each other, now joined their peaceful echoes over his grave. Such an act was characteristic of Scott, who fierce and fearless in battle, was chivalrous and kind in all his feelings. While a prisoner in an inn at Niagara, Scott was told that some one wished to see the " tall American." He immediately passed through into the entry, when to his astonishment he saw standing before him two savage Indian chiefs, the same who would have killed him when he surrendered himself a prisoner of war, but for the interposition of a British officer. They had come to look on the man at whom they had so often fired with a deliberate aim. In broken English, and by gestures, they inquired where he was hit, for it was impossible that out of fifteen or twenty shots 2 2(5 WINFIELD SCOTT. not one had taken eifect. The elder chief, named Jacobs, a tall, powerful savage, grew furious at Scott's asserting that not a ball had touched him, and seizing his shoulders rudely, turned him round to examine his back. The young and fiery Colonel did not like to have such freedom taken with his person by a savage, and hurling him fiercely aside, exclaimed, " Off, villain, you fired like a squaw." " We kill you now," was the quick and startling reply, as knives and tomahawks gleamed in their hands. Scott was not a man to beg or run, though either would have been preferable to taking his chances against these armed savages. Luckily for him, the swords of the Ameri- can officers who had been taken prisoners, were stacked under the staircase beside which he was standing. Quick as thought he snatched up the largest, a long sabre, and the next moment it glittered unsheathed above his head. One leap backward, to get scope for play, and he stood towering even above the gigantic chieftain, who glared in savage hate upon him. The Indians were in the wider part of the hall, between the foot of the stairs and the door, while Scott stood farther in where it was narrower. The former, there- fore, could not get in the rear, and were compelled to face their enemy. They manoeuvred to close, but at evevj turn that sabre flashed in their eyes. The moment they came to blows, one, they knew, was sure to die, and although it was equally certain that CONFLICT WITH TWO CHIEFS. 27 Scott would fall under the knife of the survivor before he could regain his position, yet neither Indian seemed anxious to be the sacrifice. While they thus stood watching each other, a British officer chanced to enter, and on beholding the terrific tableaux, cried out at the top of his voice, " The guard," and at the same instant seized the tallest chief by the arm and presented a cocked pistol to his head. The next moment the blade of Scott quivered over the head of the other savage, to protect his deliverer. In a few seconds the guards entered with levelled bayonets, and the two chieftains were secured. One of them was the son of Brant, of revolutionary notoriety. The prisoners were all taken to Quebec, whence they were sent in a cartel to Boston. As they were about to sail, Scott, who was in the cabin of the transport, hearing a noise on deck, went up to ascer- tain the cause, and found that British officers were separating the Irishmen, to exclude them from mercy due to the other prisoners, and to have them taken to England and tried for treason. Twenty-three had thus been set apart when Scott arrived. Indignant at this outrage, he peremptorily ordered the rest of the men to keep silent and not answer a question of any kind, so that neither by their replies or voice they could give any evidence of the place of their birth. He then turned to the doomed twenty-three, and denounced the act of the officers, and swore most solemnly that 28 WINFIELD SCOTT. if a hair of their heads was touched, he would avenge it, even if he was compelled to refuse quarter in battle. The officers interrupted him again and again, and fiercely ordered him below. Boiling with rage, Scott indignantly refused to obey, high words and threats followed, but, though unarmed, he boldly maintained his ground. Soon after he reached Boston, he was sent to Washington, and in a short time was exchanged. He then di'ew up a report of the whole affair to the Secretary of War, and it was presented the same day to Congress. The result was the passage of an act of retaliation (March 3d, 1813). Scott never lost sight of these unfortunate Irishmen, and at the capture of Fort George, in the latter part of May, having taken many prisoners, he selected out twenty-three as host- ages, to receive the same punishment which should be meeted out to his brave soldiers. This led to similar acts on the part of the English in return, which caused much unnecessary suffering. Scotfs decision, however, saved his Irish troops. Two years after, as he was passing along the East Kiver in New York, he heard loud cheers on one of the piers, and turning his footsteps thither, found they proceeded from those very soldiers, just landed after a long im- prisonment. They quickly recognized their old com- mander and friend, and crowded around him with enthusiasm and clamorous gratitude, nearly crushing HIS IRISH SOLDIEES. 29 the still weak and wounded General in their arms. He immediately wrote to Washington, claiming in their behalf full pay, and soliciting patents for land bounties. Both were granted, and twenty-one out of the twenty-three lived to praise their benefactor in their adopted country. This love for his soldiers, care for their welfare, and rage at any neglect of their wants and rights, and stern determination to redress them, has always cha- racterized General Scott through his long military career. ISToble and magnanimous himself, he will not allow those under his protection to be treated with indignity. The campaign of 1813 opened with the capture of York. Soon after Scott joined the army at Fort Niagara as adjutant-general to Gen. Dearborn. But though chief of the staff, he claimed the right to command his own regiment in battle. The capture of York encouraged Gen. Dearborn to attack Forts George and Erie. Commodore Chaun- cey having at this time complete command of the lake, men and artillery could be easily transported across, and the vessels used to cover the landing of the troops and co-operate in any attack that might be made. Gen. Dearborn at the head of four or five thousand men, embarked on board the vessels and boats on the morning of the 26th of May. At three o'clock the following morning the signal was 30 WINFIELD BJOTT. given to weigh, and the little fleet moved silently toward the opposite shore. Col. Scott volunteered to lead the advance guard of five hundred men. These were the flower of the army, and when Gen. Dearborn placed them under his command he knew that no common obstacle would arrest their charge. Col. Moses Porter, with the field train, was close be- hind, followed by the brigades of Gens. Boyd, Sheridan, Chandler, and a reserve under Col. C. Macomb. Captain Perry volunteered to accompany Scott, and superintend the embarkation of the troops. In the mean time, Commodore Chauncey had anchored his vessels close in shore, and before nine o'clock the guns of the Governor Tompkins had silenced the fort, and Scott, with his fleet of boats, swept swiftly towards the shore. As they drew near they were met by volleys of musketry that sent the spray in a shower about them, but with loud cheers they pressed forward. They knew the army was watching them with the deepest anxiety, and each emulating his comrade, and all filled with the spirit that animated their gallant young leader, could scarcely wait for the boats to reach the land, and many leaped over and waded to the shore. Hav- ing reached the beach, Scott drew up his little band under cover of the bank that rose eight or ten feet over their heads ; from the top of which bristled some fifteen himdred bayonets. Undaunted CAPTUKES FOET GEOKGE. 31 by this formidable array and the bank that opposed his progress, Scott ordered the charge. The men, with loud cheers, sprang up the steep ascent, but when near the summit were met with such overpow- ering force that they were hurled back. Gen. Dearborn standing on the deck of Chauncey's ship, and watching through his glass the result of the charge, saw the tall form of Scott fall backward down the bank upon the beach. Bursting into tears, he exclaimed, " He is lost, he is killed !" The next moment, however, Scott sprang to his feet, and cheering on his men, led them again to the charge. Knocking up the bayonets as they clambered to the feet of their foes, they steadily pushed them back, and stood at last on the summit. Their shout of ti'iumph was echoed from the boats below and from the ships in the distance. Scott having dressed his line, ordered the charge, and closing fiercely and at once with the enemy, drove them, after a sharp ac- tion of twenty minutes, in every direction before him. Some fled to the woods pursued by Forsythe, who had effected a landing, while others took refuge in the fort. This was immediately abandoned, but not till the trains and magazines had been fired. Scott was at this time opposite the fort, and im- mediately wheeled two companies from the head of his column to arrest the flames. "When within about eighty yards, onfi::^f the smaller magazines 32 WINFIELD SCOTT. blew up, sending its fragments in every direction A piece of flying timber struck Scott and hurled him from his horse. Though much hurt, he pressed on with his men — ordered the gates to be forced, and was the first to enter. Capts. Hindman and Stockton snatched away the matches which had been applied to two other magazines, and the works were saved. Col. Porter who commanded the field artil- lery, had effected a landing directly in rear of Scott, and coming to his assistance at the close of the bat- tle, followed close on his heels in pursuit of the enemy. "When the former turned to enter the fort, the gallant colonel rushed after, to be the first to pull down the British flag. But finding Scott ahead of him, he exclaimed, " Confound your long legs, Scott, you have got in before me." JSTo sooner had the latter lowered the English colors, than he again put himself at the head of his column, in swift pur- suit of the fugitives. Disregarding the order to halt, he pressed forward five miles, when he was arrested by General Boyd in person. This ended the battle. The loss on both sides is differently stated. Gen. Dearborn in his report makes it on our side but seventeen killed and forty-five wounded, while that of the British was ninety killed, sixty wounded, and one hundred prisoners. Among the latter was an English colonel, who, the year before, at a supper party of British oflicers where Scott was pre- ins MAGNANIMITY. 33 sent just after his capture at Queenstown, asked tlie latter if he had ever seen Niagara Falls. Scott said that he had, from the American side. " But you must have the glory of a successful fight before you can view the cataract in all its grandeur," replied the officer in a sarcastic tone. " Sir," retorted Scott, if it be your intention to insult me, honor should have prompted you first to return me my sword." Scott, now the captor, repaid this insult by every attention in his power, returned the prisoner his horse, supplied all his wants, and finally obtained his return to England on parole. The British officer humbled at the contrast such conduct presented to his own, said to him one day, " I have long owed you an apology, sir. You have overwhelmed me with kindness. You can now, at your leisure, view the Falls in all their glory. In July, Scott resigned his post as chief of the staff, and received the command of a double regi- ment. In the beginning of autumn of this year, the grand campaign for the conquest of Canada, under the con- trol of Wilkinson, was set in motion. Kingston and Montreal were both to be taken, and thus both the Canadas fall into the hands of the Americans. In \hQ meantime Scott was left in command of Fort George, which he instantly set about repairing, and soon put in a complete state of defence. The com- 2* 34: WINFIELD SCOTT. mander of the British force, stationed near, imitating the course pursued by other British officers to intimi- date the American troops, sent a summons to him to surrender, otherwise he should be compelled to storm the Fort, in which case he w^ould not be responsible for the Indians. Scott replied to the messenger — " tell your general to come on and storm the Fort, I will he responsible for the Indians.''^ The enemy, however, whom he was left to watch, breaking up his camp and following Wilkinson in his passage down the lake, he was ordered to join the command- ing general with the regular troops under him. He expected to have his regiment transported in Com- modore Chauncy's vessels down the lake, but Wil- kinson refusing to let the fleet be absent several days for that purpose, he was compelled to start on foot for Sackett's Harbour, and march by way of the Genessee river, Canandagua, and Utica. Heavy rains had made the roads intolerable, and the slow and wearisome march did not keep pace with his anxiety to join the army of invasion. Meeting the Secretary of War, not far from Utica, he obtained permission to reach it on the St. Lawrence, where- ever he could. Kesigning his command to Major Hindman, he pushed on through storm and mud, and finally overtook General Wilkinson at Ogdens- burg. He immediately received the command of a HE JOINS WILKINSON. 35 choice battalion, under Colonel Macomb, and led tbe advance guard down the St. Lawrence. It is unnecessaiy to chronicle the feeble and in- efficient conduct of Wilkinson, or the memorable fight at Chrysler's farms. Scott as leader of the ad- vance guard, had several skirmishes with the enemy, but nothing of importance occurred, and on the 12th of l^ovember, this grand army of invasion was ordered to retreat before a shadow and abandon its project. The ostensible reason, the refusal of Hampton to join him with his division as agreed upon, was not sufficient to justify Wilkinson's conduct. Had Scott been placed over that army, the American flag in a few days would have waved above Montreal. CHAPTER II. Scott Superintends the Camp of Instruction at Buffalo — Drills the Army — Crossos the Niagara— Pursues the Marquis of Tweesdale behind the Chippewa— Battle of Chippewa— Company of Backwoodsmen — Battle of Niagara— Charge of Miller — Scott's "Wound, and Last Orders — Journey to Washington— Keception at Princeton— Black Hawk "War— Scott amid the Cholera— Is Challenged by Jack- son — Becomes interested in the cause of Temperance — Takes Command in South Carolina, to Crush the Disunionists— Settles the difficulties on the Northern Frontier— Pursues the Cherokees. The army went into "winter quarters, and Scott was sent to Albany to beat np recruits. In the spring, though only twenty-eight years old, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, and ordered to Buffalo, under General Brown, who soon after left him there to superintend the camp of in- struction. Like the revolutionary war, the tide of re- verses was not fairly to turn until discipline was in- troduced into the army. The troops under him, at this time were his own, Ripley's brigade of the regular army, and Porter's of the militia, together with Hindman's battalion of artillery. For more than three months, Scott subjected these immortal CROSSES THE NIAGAKA. 37 brigades to the severest discipline. The system of tactics in use had been handed down from the Ke volu- tion, and was not fit for the improved mode of warfare. Scott here for the first time introduced the French system. He first drilled the officers, and they in turn the men. So severe and constant was this drill that in the short space of three months these regular brigades became intelligent, steady and invincible as old veterans. General Brown having returned from Sackett's Harbor in the latter part of June, he immediately began to prepare for an invasion of the Canadas. The 3d of July the army crossed the Magara river and took Fort Erie without a struggle. The main British army, under General Riall, lay at Chippewa, towards which Scott pressed with his brigade, chas- ing the Marquis of Tweesdale for sixteen miles, who said he could not account for the ardor of the pur- suit until he remembered it was the 4th of July, our great anniversary. At dark the Marquis crossed the Chippewa, behind which lay the British army. This river enters the Niagara nearly at right angles. Two miles farther up. Street's Creek joins the Nia- gara also, and behind it Gen. Brown drew up the American forces. Tliis two miles of interval be- tween the streams was an open plain, skirted on one side by the Niagara river and on the other by a forest. 38 WINFIELD SCOTT. Sucli was the state of aifairs on the morning of the 5th, when Gen. Brown determined to advance and attack the British in their position. The latter had determined on a similar movement against the Americans, and unbeknown to each other, the one prepared to cross the bridge of Chippewa, and the other that of Street's Creek. The battle commenced in the woods on the left, and an irregular fight was kept up for a long time between Porter's brigade and the Canadian militia stationed there. The latter were at length driven back to the Chippewa, when General Kiall advanced to their support. Before this formidable array, the American militia, notwithstanding the noble efforts of General Porter to steady their courage, broke and fled. General Brown immediately hastened to the scene, merely saying to Scott as he passed on, "The enemy is advancing, you will have a fight." The latter ignorant of the forward movement of Riall, had just put his brigade in marching order to cross the creek for a drill on the open plain be- yond. But as the head of the column reached the bank, he saw the British army drawn up in beau- tiful array in the open field, while a battery of nine pieces stood in point blank range of the bridge over which he was to cross. Swiftly yet beautifully the corps of Scott swept over the bridge and deployed under the steady fire of the battery. BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA. 39 The lirst and second battalions under Majors Lea- venvvortli and McNeil, took position in front of the left and centre of the enemy, while the third, under Jessup, obliqued to the left to attack their right, stationed in the woods, and which threatened to outflank the American line. It was a bright, hot July afternoon, the dusty plain presented no obsta- cle behind which either party could find shelter, and the march of the steady battalions over its surface led on by bands of music, presented one of those stirring scenes which makes man forget the carnage that is to follow. The heavy monotonous thunder of Niagara rolled on over the discharges of artillery, while its clouds of spray rising from the strife of waters, and glittering in the sunbeams, contrasted strangely with the sulphurous clouds that heaved heavenward from the conflict of men beneath. Both armies halting, firing, and advancing in turn, continued to approach until they stood within eighty yards of each other. Scott who had been manceu- vering to get the two battalions of Leavenworth and M'Neil in an oblique position to the British line — the great object in an open attack — at length suc- ceeded, the two farther extremities being nearest the enemy. Thus the American army stood like an obtuse triangle of which the British line formed the base. While in this position Scott wishing to pass from one extremity to the other and being in too 40 WINFIELD SCOTT. great a hurry to go back of his lines aroxmd the tri angle, ent directly across it, taking the cross fire of both armies, as he spurred in a fierce gallop through the smoke. A loud cheer rolled along the Ameri- can lines as they saw this daring act of their com- mander. Eiding up to Towson's battery, he cried out, " a little more to the left, captain, the enemy is there." This gallant officer was standing amid his guns, and enveloped in smoke had not observed that the British had advanced so far that his fire fell be- hind them. Instantly discovering his mistake, he changed the direction of his two remaining pieces and poured a raking, destructive fire through the enemy's ranks, blowing up an ammunition wagon, which spread destruction on every side. At this critical moment, Scott rode up to M'Neil's battalion, his face blazing with excitement, and shouted, " The enemy say that we are good at long shot but cannot stand the cold iron. I call upon the Eleventh m- stantly to give the lie to that slander^ Charged Just as the order " charge," escaped his lips, came that destructive fire from Towson's battery. The thunder of those guns at that critical moment, was, to Scott's young and excited heart like the shout of victory, and rising in his stirrups and swinging his sword aloft, he cried, " Chaege, chakge the rascals." With a high and ringing cheer, that gallant batta^ THE VICTORY. 41 lion moved with leveled bayonets on the foe. Tak- ing the close and deadly volleys without shrinking, its torn and shattered front never for a moment los- ing its firm formation, it struck the British line ob- liquely, crumbling it to pieces, as it swept on with resistless power. Leavenworth did the same on the right with the same success, while Jessup in the woods, ignorant how the battle was going in the plain, but finding himself outflanked, ordered his troops " to support arms and advance." They cheerfully obeyed and in the face of a most deadly fire charged home on the enemy, and obtaining a better position poured in his volleys with tremendous efiect. From the moment these charges commenced, till the enemy fled, the field presented a frightful spectacle. The two armies were in such close proximity, and the volleys w^ere so incessant and destructive, and the uproar so terrific that orders could no longer be heard. But through his two aids Lieutenants Worth and Watts, who galloped to and fro and by their presence and gestures transmitted his orders in the midst of the hottest fire, Scott caused every move- ment to be executed with precision, and not an error was committed from first to last. The enemy driven over the Chippewa, tore up the bridge and retired to his encampment. 4:2 WIN FIELD SCOTT. The sun went down in blood and the loud requiem of Niagara which had been drowned in the roar of battle, sounded on as before over the gallant dead, while the moans of the wounded ; loaded the air of the calm summer evening. Nearly eight hundred killed and wounded, had been stretched on the earth in that short battle, out of some four thousand, or one-fifth of all engaged.* A bloodier battle was scarce ever fought. The British having been taught to believe that the American troops would give way in an open fight, and that the resort to the bayonet was always the signal of victory to them, could not be made to yield, until they were literally crushed under the headlong charge of the Americans. Gen. Brown, when he found that Scott had the whole British army on his hands, hurried back to bring up Ripley's brigade ; but Scott's evolutions and advance had been so rapid, and his blow so sudden and deadly, that the field was swept before he could arrive. M'Neil's battalion had not a recruit in it, and Scott knew when he called on them to give the lie to the slander, that American troops could not stand the * The British were 2100 strong. American troops actually engaged, 1900. British killed 138. Wounded and missing 365. Americans killed 68. Wounded and missing 267. FINAIi CHARGE. 4:3 cold steel, that they would do it though every man perished in his footsteps. Maj. Leavenworth's battalion, however, embraced a few volunteers, and among them a company of backwoodsmen, who joined the army at Buffalo a few days before it was to cross the Niagara. An incident illustrating their character, was told the writer's father by Maj. Gen. Leavenworth himself. Although a battle was expected in a few days, the Major resolved in the meantime to drill these men. Having ordered them out for that purpose, he en- deavored to apply the manual ; but to his surprise, found that they were ignorant of the most common terms familiar even to untrained militia. While thus puzzled with their awkardness, Scott rode on the field, and in a sharp voice asked Maj. Leavenworth if he could not manage those soldiers better. The Major lifting his chapeau to the General, replied, that he wished the General would try them himself. The latter rode forward and issued his commands — but the backwoodsmen instead of obeying him, were ignorant even of the military terms he used. After a few mo- ment's trial, he saw it was a hopeless task and touch- ing his chapeau in return to Leavenworth, said, " Major, I leave you your men," and rode off the fiela. The latter finding that all attempts at drill during the short interval that must elapse before a battle occurred, would be useless; ordered them to tneir 44 WIN FIELD SCOTT. quarters. On the day of the battle he placed them at one extremity of the line where he thought they would interfere the least with the manoeuvres of the rest of the battalion. He said that during the engagement, this company occurred to him, and he rode the whole length of his line to see what they were about. They were where he had placed them, captain and all, obeying no orders, except the orders to advance. Their ranks were open and out of all line ; but the soldiers were cool and collected as veterans. They had thrown away their hats and coats, and besmeared with powder and smoke were loading and firing, each on his own hook. They paid no attention to the order to fire, having no idea of " shooting " till they had good aim. The thought of running had evidently never crossed their minds. Fearless of danger and accustomed to pick off squirrels from the tops of the loftiest trees with their rifle-balls, they were quietly doing what they were put there to perform, viz., kill men, and Maj. Leav- enworth said there was the most deadly work in the whole line. Men fell like grass before the scythe. Not a shot was thrown away — ten men were equal to a hundred firing in the ordinary way. The American army rested but two days after the battle, and then advanced over the Chippewa, Scott's brigade leading. The British retreated to Burlington Heights, near the head of Lake Ontario BACKWO'ODSMEN. 45 Thither Brown resolved to follow them. Eut on the 25th, while the army was resting, preparatory to the next day's battle, word was brought that a thousand troops had crossed the river to Lewiston, for the pur- pose, evidently, of seizing our magazines at Fort Schlosser, and the supplies, on the way to the American camp, from Buffalo. In order to force them to return, Brown resolved immediately to threaten the forts at the mouth of the Niagara river, and in twenty minutes, Scott, with a detach- ment of twelve hundred men, was on the march. He had proceeded but two miles, when he came in sight of some British officers, evidently reconnoiter- ing. The force to which they belonged lay behind a strip of wood, which prevented him from seeing them. Supposing them, however, to be the frag- ments of the army he had so terribly shattered at Chippewa, he ordered the march to be resumed. But as he cleared the road he saw before him an army of two thousand men drawn up in order of battle. He paused a moment at this unexpected sight, and his eye had an anxious look as it ran along his little band. To retreat would endanger the reserve marching to his relief, and destroy the confidence of the troops. Besides, Scott never had, and never has since, iQ^im^^ ^pracUcally^ what the word " retreat" meant. He determined, therefore, hazardous as it was, to maintain the unequal contest till the other 46 WINFIELD SCOTT. portion of tlie army arrived. Despatcliing officers to General Brown with directions to ride as for life, he gave the orders to advance. The sun, at this time, was but half an hour high, and unobscured by a cloud, was going to his lordly repose behind the forest that stood bathed in his departing splendor. ISTear by, in full view, rolled the cataract, sending up its incense towards heaven, and filling that summer evening with its voice of thunder. The spray as it floated inland, hovered over the American army, and as the departing sunbeams struck it, a rainbow was formed, which encircled the head of Scott's column like a halo — a symbol of the wreath of glory that should encircle it forever. The British, two thousand strong, were posted just below the Falls, on a ridge at the head of Lundy's Lane. Their left was in the highway, and separated from the main body by an interval of two hundred yards, covered with brushwood, etc. Gene- ral Drummond had landed a short time before with reinforcements, which were rapidly marching up to the aid of Riall. Scott, however, would not turn his back on the enemy, and gallantly led in person his little army into the fire. His bearing and words in spired confidence, and officers and men forgot tht odds that were against them. Major Jessup was ordered to fling himself in the interval, between the British centre and left, and turn the latter. In the BATTLE OF NIAGARA. 47 meantime, the enemy discovering tliat lie outflanked the Americans on the left, advanced a battalion to take them in rear. The brave Mcl^eil stopped, with one terrible blow, its progress, though his own battalion was dreadfully shattered by it. Jessup had succeeded in his movement, and having taken the enemy in rear, charged back through his line, captured the commanding-general Riall, with his whole staff. When this was told to Scott, he an- nounced it to his army, and three loud cheers rang over the field. A destructive discharge from the English battery of seven pieces, followed. It was dark, and though there was a moon, its feeble light struggled in vain to pierce the smoke that curtained in the combatants. The flashes from the bat' tery that crowned the heights, and from the in- fantry below, alone revealed where they were strug- gling. Scott's regiments were soon all reduced to skeletons — a fourth of the whole brigade had fallen in the unequal conflict. The English battery of twenty-four-pounders and howitzers, sent destruction through his ranks. He, however, refused to yield a foot of ground, and heading almost every charge in person, moved with such gay spirits and reckless courage through the deadliest fire, that the troops caught the infection. But the British batteries, now augmented to nine guns, made frightful havoc in his uncovered brigade. Towson's few 4:8 WINFIELD SCOTT. pieces being necessarily placed so much lowei, could produce but little effect, while the enemy's twenty-four-pounders, loaded with grape, swept the entire field. The eleventh and twenty-second regi- ments, deprived of their commanders, and destitute of ammunition, were withdrawn, and Leavenworth, with the gallant ninth, was compelled to withstand the whole shock of battle. This single regiment appeared amid the darkness to be enveloped in fire • — with such energy and superior numbers, did the British press upon it. Its destruction seemed inevi- table, and in a short time one half of its number lay stretched on the field. Leavenworth sent to Scott, informing him of his desperate condition. The latter soon came up on a full gallop, when Leavenworth pointing to the bleeding fragment of his regiment, said, " Your rule for retreating is ful- filled," referring to Scott's maxim that a regiment might retreat when every third man was killed. Scott, however, answered buoyantly, cheered up the men and officers by promising victory' — ^pointed to the flag that still waved in the dim moonlight, and though bleeding from a wound, spurred where the balls fell thickest, and animated them by his daring courage and chivalric bearing to still greater efforts. Still he could not but see that his case was desperate, and unless aid arrived soon, he must retreat. Only liA'lTLE OF NIAGARA. 49 five or six hundred of tlie twelve hundred he at sun- down had led into battle, remained to him. General Brown, liowever, was hurrying to the rescue. The incessant cannonading convinced him that Scott had a heavy force on his hands ; and with- out waiting the arrival of a messenger, he ordered Ripley to move forward with the second brigade. Meeting Scott's despatch on the way, he learned how desperate the battle was, and immediately ordered Porter with the volunteers to hurry on after Eipley, while he, in advance of all, hastened to the field of action. The constant and heavy explosions of artil- lery, rising over the roar of the cataract, announced to the excited soldiers the danger of their comrades ; and no sooner were they wheeled into marching order til an they started on a trot along the road. Lieutenant Kiddle, who was off on a scouring expedition in the country, paused as he heard the thunder of cannon, and waiting for no despatch, gave orders to march, and his men moving at the charge de pas^ soon came with shouts on the field. At length the head of Eipley's column emerged through the gloom, sending joy through those gallant regiments, and aloud huzza rolled along their line. Brown, seeing that Scott's brigade was exhausted, ordered Ripley to form in ad- vance of it.. In the mean time, Drummond had arrived on the field with reinforcements, swelling the English army to four thousand men. At this moment 50' WINFIELD SCOTT. there was a lull in the battle, and both armies pre- pared for a decisive blow. It was evident the deadly battery on the heights must be carried, or the field be lost, and Brown, turning to Colonel Miller, asked liim if he could take it. " I will try, sir," was the brief reply of the fearless soldier, as he coolly scanned the frowning heights. Placing himself at the head of the 21st regiment, he prepared to ascend the hill. Major M'Farland with the 23d was to support him. Not having arrived on the field till after dark, he was ignorant of the formation of the ground or the best point from which to commence the ascent. Scott, who had fought over almost every foot of it since sun- set, offered to pilot him. Passing by an old church and grave-yard, that showed dimly in the moonlight, he took the column to the proper place, and then re- turned to his post. In close order and dead silence the two regiments then moved straight for the battery. It was only by their heavy muffled tread that General Drummond detected their approach. In an instant that battery of nine guns opened with terrific efi*ect. The Twenty-third staggered under the discharge, but soon rallied and pressed forward ; smitten again, it reeled backward in the gloom ; but the Twenty-first never faltered. " Close up, steady, men," rung from the lips of their leader, and taking the loads of grape- shot unshrinkingly into their bosoms, they maiched sternly on, their bayonets gleaming red in the fire BATTLE OF NIAGARA. 51 that rolled in streams down the slope. Every explo- sion revealed the whole hill and that dark column winding through flame and smoke up its sides. At length it came within range of musketrj, when the carnage became awful ; but still on through the sheets of flame, over their dead comrades, this invincible regiment held its stubborn course towards the very vortex of the battle. The English gazed with amaze- ment on its steady advance. JSTo hesitation marked its movement ; closing up its ranks after every dis- charge, it kept on its terrible way, till at last it stood face to face with the murderous battery, and within a few steps of the gunners. A sudden flash, a deafen- ing explosion, and then " Close uj>, steady, charge^' rung out from the sulphurous cloud that rolled over the shattered regiment, and the next instant it swept with a thrilling shout over guns, gunners, and all. The struggle became at once close and fierce,— bayonet crossed bayonet,— weapon clashed against weapon,— but nothing could resist that determined onset. The British were driven down the hill, and the remnants of that gallant regiment, together with M'Farland's, which had again rallied, formed between the guns and the foe. Eipley then moved his brigade to the top of the hill, in order to keep what had been so heroically won. Stung with rage and mortification at this unexpected defeat, Drummond resolved to retake that height and his guns, cost what it might ; 52 WINFEELD SCOTT. and soon the tread of his advancing columns was heard ascending the slope. Shrouded in darkness, they came on at the charge step, and in dead silence, until within twenty yards of the American line, when they halted and delivered their fire. " Charge" then ran along the line, but the order had scarcely pealed on the night air before they were shattered and torn into fragments by the sudden and destructive volley of the Americans. Rallying, however, they returned to the attack, and for twenty minutes the conflict around those guns was indescribably awful and mur- derous. No sounds of music drowned the death-cry ; the struggle was too close and fatal. There were only the fierce tramp and the clash of steel, — the stifled cry and wavering to and fro of men in a death-grapple. At length the British broke, and disappeared in the darkness. General Riple}^ again formed his line, while Scott, who had succeeded in getting a single battalion out of the fragments of his whole brigade, was ordered to the top of the hill. In about half an hour the sound of the returning enemy was again heard. Smote by the same fierce fire, Drummond with a desperate eflTort threw his entire strength on the centre of the American line. But there stood the gallant Twenty-First, whose re- sistless charge had first swept the hill ; and where they had conquered they could not yield. Scott in the mean time led his column so as to take the BATTLE OF NIAGARA. 53 enemy in flank and rear, and bnt for a sudden volley from a concealed body of the enemy, cutting his com- mand in two, would have finished the battle with a blow. As it was he charged again and again, with resistless energy, and the disordered ranks of the foe for the third time rolled back and were lost in the gloom. Here his last horse fell under him, and he moved on foot amid his battalion. Jessup was also severely wounded, yet there he stood amid the darkness and carnage, cheering on his men. The soldiers vied with the officers in heroic daring and patient suflfering. Many would call out for muskets as they had none, or for cartridges as theirs were all gone. On every side from pallid lips and prostrate bleeding forms came the reply, "take mine, and mine, my gun is in good order, and my cartridge box is full." There was scarcely an officer at this time unwounded ; yet, one and all refused to yield the command while they could keep their feet. Jessup's flag was riddled with balls, and as a sergeant waved it amid a storm of bullets, the staff w^as severed in three places in his hand. Turning to his commander he exclaimed as he took up the fragments, " Look, colonel, how they have cut us." The next moment a ball passed through his body. — But he still kept h!s feet, and still waved his muti- lated standard, until faint with loss of blood he sunk on the field. S4: WINFIELD SCOTT. After being driven the third time down the hill, the enemy for a while ceased their efforts, and sud- den silence fell on the two armies, broken only by the groans of the wounded and dying. The scene, and the hour, combined to render that hill-top a strange and fearful object in the darkness. On one side lay a wilderjiess, on the other rolled the cataract, whose solemn anthem could again be heard pealing on tlirough the gloom. Leaning on their heated guns, that gallant band stood bleeding amid the wreck it had made. It was midnight — the stars looked quietly down from their homes in the sky — • the summer wind swept softly by, and nature was breathing long and peacefully. But all over that hill lay the brave dead, and adown its sides in every direction the blood of men was rippling. Still not a heart beat faint. ISTothing but skeletons of regi- ments remained, yet calm and stern were tlie words spoken there in the darkness. " Close vjp tlie ranks^'* were the heroic orders that still fell on the shattered battalions, and they closed with the same firm pre- sence and dauntless hearts as before. It was thought that the British would make no further attemj)ts to recover their guns, but reinforce- ments having arrived from Fort George, they, after an hour's repose and refreshment, prepared for a final assault. Our troops had all this time stood to their arms, and fa7.nt with hunger, thirst, and fatigue, BATTLE OF NIAGARA. 55 seemed unequal to a third conflict against a fresh force. But as they lieard the eneiiiy advancing, tliej forget their weariness and met the onset firmly as before. But this time the ranks of the enemy did not yield under the fire that smote them, they pressed steadily forward, and delivering their volleys as they advanced, at length stood on the summit of the hill, and breast to breast with the American line. The conflict now became fearful and more like the murderous hand-to-hand fights of old than a modern battle. Battalions on both sides were forced back till the ranks became mingled. Bayonet crossed bayonet and men lay transfixed side by side. Ilind- man whose artillery had done great service from the first, found the enemy amid his guns, across which he was compelled to fight them. The firing gave way to the clash of steel, the blaz- ing hill-top subsided into gloom, out of which the sound of this nocturnal combat arose in strange and wild confusion. Scott charging like fire at the head of his exhausted battalion, received another severe wound which pros- trated him — but his last words to Leavenworth, as he was borne to the rear, were " charge againP " Charge again, Leavenworth," were his last orders as he was carried apparently dying from that fierce foughten field. General Brown supported on his horse, was slowly led away. Jessup was bleeding from several 66 WINFIELD SCOTT. wounds, every regin.ental officer in Scott's brigade was killed or wounded. Only one out of every four stood 'wp unhurt. Tlie annals of war rarely reveal such a slaughter in a single brigade, but it is rarer still a brigade has such a leader. The ghosts of regiments alone remained, yet before these the veterans of England were at last compelled to flee, and betake themselves to the darkness for safety. Sullen, mor- tified, and badly wounded, Drummond was carried from the field, and all farther attempts to take the hill were abandoned. The Americans, however, kept watch and ward, around the cannon that had cost them so great a sacrifice, till near day-break, when orders were received to retire to camp. No water could be obtained on the heights, and the troops wanted repose. Through the want of drag- ropes and horses, the cannon were left behind. This was a sad drawback to the victory, and Major Rip- ley should have detailed some men to have taken them at least down the hill. Trophies won with the blood of so many brave men were worth more effort than he put forth to secure them. A bloodier battle, in proportion to the numbers engaged, was never fought than this, l^early eight hundred Americans, and as many English, had fal- len on and around that single hill. It was loaded with the slain. Seventy-six officers were either killed or wounded out of our army of some three THE VICTORY. 57 thousand men, and not a general on either side re- mained unwonnded. Among the slain was young Captain Hull, son of the general who had so shamefully capitulated at Detroit. This young officer, who had fought one duel in defence of his father's honor, and struggled in Yain to shake off the sense of disgrace that clung to him, told a friend at the opening of the battle, that he had resolved to fling away a life which had become insupportable. Where the battle was hot- test, there his sword was seen waving his company on. For a long time he seemed to bear a charmed life, and the more he wooed death, the more she avoided him. But when the conflict was done, he was found stark and stiff where the dead lay thickest. It would be impossible to relate all the deeds of daring and gallantry which distinguished this bloody engagement. Almost every man was a hero, and from that hour England felt a respect for our arms she never before entertained. Tlie navy had estab- lished its reputation forever, and now the army chal- lenged the respect of the world. The timorous and the ignorant had been swept away with the old martinets, and the true genius of the country was shining forth in her yo.mg men, who, while they did not despise the past, took lessons of the present. Scott ^t this time, but twejity-eight years of age, 3^ 5S WINFIELD SCOTT. had shown to the country what a single youth, fired with patriotism, confident in his resources, and dar- ing in spirit, could accomplish. His brigade, it is true, had been almost annihilated, and nothing ap- parently been gained, but those err much who gra- duate the results of a battle by the number taken prisoners or the territory acquired. Moral power is always more valuable than physical, and though we are forever demanding something tangible to show as the reward of such a great effort and sacrifice, yet to gain a national position is more important than to take an army. Thus while many think that the battle of J^iagara though gallantly fought, was a barren one, and furnished no compensation for the terrible slaughter that characterised it, yet there has been none since that of Bunker Hill, more important to this country, and which, directly and indirectly, has more affected its interests. It probably saved more battles than if, by stratagem or superior force. General Brown had succeeded ir capturing Drummond's entire army. Brown and Scott both being disabled, the com- mand devolved on Major Eipley, who retreated to Fort Erie, where General Gaines soon after arrived, and relieved him. Scott's last wound was a severe one. A musket ball had shattered his shoulder dreadfully, and a long time it was extremely doubt- ful whether he ever recovered. He suffered excru- WOUNDED. 59 elating pain from it, and it was September before he ventured to travel, and then slowly and with great care. His progress was a constant ovation. The young and wounded chieftain was hailed on his pas- sage with salvos of artillery, and shouts of freemen. He arrived at Princeton on commencement day of Nassau Hall. The professors immediately sent a delegation requesting his attendance at the church. Leaning on the arm of his gallant aid-de-camp, Worth — ^his arm in a sling, and his countenance haggard and worn from his long suffering and con- finement, the tall young warrior slowly moved up the aisle, and with great difficulty ascended the steps to the stage. At first sight of the invalid, looking so nnlike the dashing, fearless commander, a mur- mur of sympathy ran through the house, the next moment there went up a shout that shook the build- ing to its foundations. A fiush passed over the pal- lid features — the eye kindled, and the enthusiastic young soldier received in that moment the reward which springs from the consciousness of having ob- tained a place in the heart of his country. He was complimented with the honorary degree of Master of Arts. Passing on to Baltimore, then threatened with an attack by the British, he finally so far recovered as to take command in the middle of October of the tenth military district, and estab- lished his headquarters at Washington City. Here, 60 WINFIELD SCOTT. and at Baltimore, he passed the winter. The treaty of peace having been received in February, he was offered the place of Secretary of War, but declined on the ground of his youth. He then was asked to serve as Secretary, till Mr. Crawford, our Minister at Paris, could return, who was designated to fill the place. This he also declined out of respect to Generals Brown and Jackson, his seniors, as the Secretary, under the President, has the control of ihe army. Having assisted in reducing the army to the peace establishment, he was sent to Europe by the Government, for the double purpose of restoring his health, and the perfecting himself in military Science. He was also entrusted with certain diplo- matic power, and was instructed to ascertain the views entertained by the European Courts of the revolutionary movements in the Spanish possessions in this country, and also the designs of England on Cuba. He received letters of introduction from Kosciusko to Marshals McDonald Oudinot and Du- pont, who had been the props of Kapoleon through his long and wondrous career. The battle of Water- loo had just been fought, and the greatest military eaptain of modern times was a homeless fugitive. Fresh from the battle-fields of his own country, young Scott trod those equally fresh and greater ones of Europe with strange feelings. Just at the VISITS EUROPE. 61 point where lie would devour all military informa- tion witli the greatest avidity, he was in the midst of scenes, and men, and distinguished officers, who were best qualified to impart it. Europe was filled with nothing but Bonaparte and his campaigns, and it was not strange that under these circum- stances, and this tuition, he should learn fast. He trod the great battle-fields of the Continent with a keen and inquiring spirit, and laid up treasures of knowledge, which afterwards served him well, and raised him and the nation from defeat and disgrace. He also attended public lectures on the subject of military art. He returned in 1816, and was given the command of the sea-board. In March of the ^ext year, he married Maria Mayo, daughter of John Mayo, of Eichmond, Yirginia, a lady of rare endowments and accomplishments. He took up his residence at Elizabethtown, wdiich continued to be his home for the next twenty years. Honors were showered on him, swords presented him by the States of Yirginia and New York, and medals struck to show the estimation placed on his services by the republic. At this time, a misunderstanding occurred be- tween him and General Jackson, growing out of an order of the latter to his division, forbidding the execution of commands of the department up"' ess transmitted through him. This General Scott in 62 WINFIELD SCOIT. couversation in 'New York pronounced wrong and mutinous. The conversation was reported to Jack- son, and a challenge was the consequence. Scott defended his opinions, but refused to accept the challenge. The hero of Chippewa and Niagara did not think it necessary to fight about so small a mat- ter, and thus nobly, by his personal example, ex- pressed his disapprobation of this barbarous and brutal mode of settling differences of opinion. Several years after, in 1823, Scott being in "Wash- ington, wrote Jackson a frank and manly letter pre- paratory to reconciliation. This was responded to in a similar spirit, and this foolish quarrel between two heroes amicably settled. At this time Scott enlisted warmly in the cause of temperance, and wrote several essays on the subject. In 1832, he was ordered West, to put an end to the Black Ilawk war. He embarked with nine hundred and fifty men, at Buffalo for Chicago, but before he had proceeded far, the Asiatic cholera broke out among the troops. The footsteps of this terrible destroyer had just been heard on our shores, and consternation and dread seized the entire population. Men and women fled from his presence, and pale horror sat on every countenance. Scott with his staff, and two hundred and twenty men were on one boat, and though he landed at Chicago only two days after the pestilence SOOTT AND THE CHOLERA. 63 appeared on board, — yet in that short interval, so swift and fearful were its ravages, that fifty-two had died, and eighty were sick. The well were immedi- ately sent forward, but this invisible foe marched in their midst. Men sunk and died in groups under the trees, and their bodies were left unburied. The inhabitants fled from the presence of the sick, who were strewn along the road. In a short time, out of the nine hundred and fifty, only four hundred remained alive. Scott, though ill himself, remained at Chicago for some time to attend to the wretched sufferers that each of the four steamboats had disgorged in that port. Apparently forgetful of his own danger, he moved amid this terrible scourge, calm and fearless as he had done over the field of battle. He visited every sick room, bent over every dying soldier, and inhal- ing at every step the poisonous atmosphere, nobly strove to allay the panic of officers and the terror of the men. This fatherly care of his soldiers has always endeared him to the army, for he shares with them every privation. As soon as he could get away he followed the track of his decimated army and hastened to join Gen. Atkinson at Prairie du Chien. He arrived the day after the battle of Bad Axe, which prostrated tlie power of Black Hawk, and ended the war. The regulars of the army were then established at Kock Island, where in the middle of August, the cholera 64: WINFIELD SCOTT. broke out, sending terror through the hearts of officers and men. Scott immediately devoted himself to the sick, and set an example of calm serenity, which evinced the true hero, far more than his desperate charges at Lundy's Lane. Says an officer an eye-witness of his conduct ; " it is well known that the troops in that service, suffered severely from the cholera, a disease frightful enough from its rapid and fatal effects ; but which came among us the more so from the known inex- perience of our medical men, and from the general be- lief at that time in its contagiousness. Under such circumstances, it was clearly the general's duty to give the best general directions he could for proper attend- ance to the sick, and for preventing the spread of the disease. When he had done this, his duty was performed and he might have left the rest to his medical officers. But such was not his course. He thought he had other duties to perform, that his personal safety must be disregarded to visit the sick, to cheer the well, to encourage the attendants, to set an example to all — in a word to save the lives of others at the risk of his own. All this he did faithfully, and when he could have no other motive than that of doing good. Here was no glory to be acquired ; here were none of the excitements of the battle-field ; here was no shame to be avoided or disgrace to be feared ; because his general arrangements CARE OF THE SICK. 65 and directions to those whose part it was to battle with sickness had satisfied duty. To those who can remember the terror which at that time paralyzed every heart, this conduct of Scott, while he himself was suffering under the symptoms of disease, will stamp him not only the hero of the battle-field, but the hero of humanity, and the true heart will encircle his brow with a wreath more enduring and sweeter to look on than that which victory has woven for his temples. The cholera having at length subsided, Scott turned his attention to the Indian difiiculties, and at length, w^ith the aid of Governor Keynolds, con- cluded satisfactory treaties with the Sacs, Foxes, and Winnebagoes. His conduct throughout the whole was marked by great ability, and while he secured the rights of his government, he won the respect and love of the savage chiefs with wdiom he had negotiated. Soon after his return he was despatched by Gen. Jackson with a confidential order to take command in South Carolina, to arrest the arm of disunion. The quiet and unostentatious manner in which he assumed the direction of affairs — the deep solicitude he felt for the welfare of the people — his earnest anxiety to preserve peace, helped to allay the excite- ment, while at the same time his secret dispositions were made with so much skill and despatch, that before the disunionists were aware of his purpose, 66 WINFIELD SCOTT. the harbor and defences of Charleston were com- pletely in his grasp and their power prostrated. In January, 1836, Scott was ordered into Florida, to bring to a close the Seminole war which Osceola was waging so fiercely against the inhabitants. This short campaign was a failure, and Scott was ordered home in an extraordinary manner. On his return to Washington, he demanded a court-martial, which declared that his Seminole campaign was well de- vised and well carried out, and that his plans for prosecuting the Creek war were also wise, and in a fair way of leading to successful results when he was recalled. The next year he was ordered to the Niagara frontier to allay the excitement occasioned by Yan Ranselaer's invasion of Canada, and the assistance rendered by American citizens to the patriots who had revolted from the British govern- ment. Enraged to find an American camp on their territory, the British resolved in revenge to seize the Caroline, a little steamer used as a ferry boat be- tween the American shore and Navy Island, on which Yan Kanselaer's army lay. A secret expedi- tion was fitted out; the Caroline was attacked while moored to the American shore, one man on board of her killed, and several wounded, and she then cut adrift, set on fire, and sent over the Falls. The news soon spread, and with it a rumor that several American citizens had been sent over the A PEACE-MAKER. 67 falls in her. Great excitement followed ; men flew to arms ; threats of retaliation were heard on every Bide, and a collision between the two govern- ments seemed inevitable. This was the state of things when Scott arrived on the scene of his early exploits, not to lead his columns to battle, but to act as a peacemaker. The winter of 1838-9 was one of constant toil to him. From Detroit to Yermont all along the line he travelled almost constantly — ^baf- fling the efibrts of conspirators — intercepting corres- pondence and allaying excitement. He frequently addressed the citizens on their duties, proclaiming everywhere that he would preserve the neutrality of the United States at all hazards. He would walk alone into the midst of a band of patriots and harangue them on the course they were pursuing, and exhort them to return to their obedience. His name was written in light on every rood of that frontier — the fields of his fame lay in sight, and the people loved and honored him despite his deter- mined hostility to their wishes. In January, the Barcelona, a steamer, was cut out of the ice in Buf- falo harbor, and taken down the river to be offered to the patriots in place of the Caroline. Scott hear- ing of it, had those in possession of her arrested, while at the same time he hired her for the United States service before the patriots could find means to guarantee the owners against loss. The Brit- WINFIELD SCOTT. isli on Grand Island, knowing for what pur- pose the Barcelona had been taken down the river, and being informed that she was on her way back, determined to sink her as she passed. Three armed schooners were also lying in wait for her. Scott had sent a pacific note to the commander of these last, remonstrating against any attack on a boat moving in the American waters. On the morning of the 16th of January, the smoke of the Barcelona was seen in the distance, as the boat slowly stemmed the rapid current. Scott saw it, and saw too that the vessels kept their position, and that on the opposite shore cannon were placed in battery, so as to sink the steamer the moment she came within range. He immediately ordered the American batteries in position, the guns loaded, and the matches lighted. The shore was lined with thousands anxiously awaiting the moment that would probably decide the question of peace or war. In full uniform, in sight of all, his tall form erect and motionless, Scott stood on the pier of Black Kock, with his eye fixed on the slowly approaching boat. The echo of the first hostile cannon would not have died away, before American balls would have been crashing into those schooners. The boat kept on her way unmolested, and the threatened rup« ture with England prevented. The whole management of this afi*air was mas- PEACE MADE. 69 terly, and exhibited the statesman, diplomatist, and patriot, in noble and striking harmony. A single mistake or foolish bravado might have precipitated the country in all the horrors of war. This triumph- ing as a peace-maker on the very spot where he had won his renown as a warrior, entitles him to a double chaplet. In the spring he was ordered to superintend the removal of the Cherokees west. Opposition and violence were expected, but General Scott by his kindness, generosity, and humanity, won the entire nation to his views, and removed those fifteen thou- sand exiles from their hunting-grounds — the graves of their fathers, and all that makes home dear, with- out being compelled to resort to a single act of vio- lence, lie exhibited a fatherly care for the red and depressed fugitives, and showed how beautiful is bravery when tempered with humanity. "While following the line of emigration, he was overtaken at Kashville, by an express from "Wash- ington, ordering his immediate presence on the northern frontier, which was again in a blaze. Hur- rying across the country, he arrived at Cleveland an