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Call and Smith ordered back at the very moment when Baker was ordered to cross? If we wanted Leesburg, McCall could have taken it without the loss of a man, as his movement in mass had already caused its evacuation, and the enemy did not return in force until after McCall had retreated. If we did not wish to capture Leesburg, why did we come at all? Of what use is a 'slight demonstration' even, without results? These are questions which the people will ask, and no man can satisfactorily answer. Why were not reinforcements sent from Edwards' Ferry to Colonel Baker? The distance was only three and a half miles. We had fifteen hundred men across at two o'clock on Monday, and the universal concurrent testitimony of officers and men is, that a reinforcement of even one thousand mensome say five hundred, and one gallant captain swears that with one hundred men he could have struck them upon the flank, and changed the result of the day. Why were not reinforcements sent? Stone swears that there were batteries

between Edwards' Ferry and Ball's Bluff, which would have utterly destroyed any force he could have sent to Baker's relief, and that Baker knew it. But Stone was not sustained by a single witness; on the contrary, all swear that there were not, to their knowledge, and that they did not believe there were any; and a civilian living on the spot, and in the habit of passing over the ground frequently, swears there were none; and again, Stone, when questioned as to the erection of forts under his range of guns, upon his second examination, swears positively that there is not a gun now between Edwards' Ferry and Ball's Bluff, and never has been. Why, then, were not reinforcements sent from Edwards' Ferry? Let the men who executed and planned this horrible slaughter answer to God and an outraged country."

Such was the criticism freely expended upon this unhappy movement to Ball's Bluff. Like many other acts of the war, it awaits the judgment of a fuller investigation, on ampler testimony, than has yet been made public.

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THE RETIREMENT OF GENERAL SCOTT, NOVEMBER 1, 1861.

THE exhausting labors of the summer of 1861, with the numerous anxieties attending upon the public service, had their effect upon the constitution of the veteran General Scott, who up to this time had borne at Washington, in his capacity of Lieutenant-General, the burden of responsibility in the direction and superintendence of the national forces. As the war increased in magnitude, it was evident that this vast and engrossing work must be transferred to other hands. Rumors, accordingly, of the approaching retirement of General Scott from his high rank and duties at the

capitol, began to be spread abroad in the autumn. Indeed, provision for such an incident had been made in the extra session of Congress, in a section of the Act for the organization of the military establishment, which secured to the brevet Lieutenant-General, in case of his retirement, his full current pay and subsistence, or allowances. On the 1st of November the expected event took place. A special meeting was held on the morning of that day by the Cabinet at Washington, when the following letter by General Scott was presented: "Headquarters of the Army, Washington, October 31,

RETIREMENT OF GENERAL SCOTT.

1861. The Hon. S. Cameron, Secretary
of War. Sir: For more than three years
I have been unable, from a hurt, to mount
a horse, or to walk more than a few
paces at a time, and that with much pain.
Other and new infirmities, dropsy and
vertigo, admonish me that repose of
mind and body, with the appliances of
surgery and medicine, are necessary to
add a little more to a life already pro-
tracted much beyond the usual span of
man. It is under such circumstances,
made doubly painful by the unnatural
and unjust rebellion now raging in the
Southern States of our so lately prosper-
ous and happy Union, that I am com-
pelled to request that my name shall be
placed on the list of army officers retired
from active service. As this request is
founded on an absolute right, granted by
a recent act of Congress, I am entirely at
liberty to say it is with deep regret that
I withdraw myself in these momentous
times from the orders of a President who
has treated me with much distinguish-
ed kindness and courtesy ; whom I know,
upon much personal intercourse, to be
patriotic without sectional partialities or
prejudices; to be highly conscientious in
the performance of every duty, and of
unrivaled activity and perseverance;
and to you, Mr. Secretary, whom I now
officially address for the last time, I beg
to acknowledge my many obligations for
the uniform high consideration I have
received at your hands, and have the
honor to remain, Sir, with high respect,
your obedient servant, WINFIELD SCOTT."
Action was immediately taken upon the
letter by the Cabinet. It was decided
that, under the circumstances of General
Scott's advanced age and infirmities, the
resignation be accepted, and at the same
meeting it was resolved that the com-
mand of the army be assigned to Gen-
eral McClellan.b

On the afternoon of the same day the
Cabinet again waited upon the President,
and attended him to the residence of
General Scott. Being seated, the Pres-

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ident read to the General the following
order: "On the 1st day of November,
A. D. 1861, upon his own application to
the President of the United States, Bre-
vet Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott is
ordered to be placed, and hereby is
placed, upon the list of retired officers of
the army of the United States, without
reduction in his current pay, subsistenee,
or allowances. The American people
will hear with sadness and deep emotion
that General Scott has withdrawn from
the active control of the army, while the
President and unanimous Cabinet ex-
press their own and the nation's sympa
thy in his personal affliction, and their
profound sense of the important public
services rendered by him to his country
during his long and brilliant career,
among which will ever be gratefully dis-
tinguished his faithful devotion to the
Constitution, the Union, and the flag,
when assailed by parricidal rebellion.-
ABRAHAM LINCOLN."

General Scott thereupon rose and ad-
dressed the President and Cabinet, who
It overpays
had also risen, as follows: "President,
this hour overwhelms me.
all services I have attempted to render
to my country. If I had any claims be-
fore, they are all obliterated by this ex-
pression of approval by the President,
with the remaining support of his Cab-
inet. I know the President and this
Cabinet well. I know that the country
has placed its interests in this trying
crisis in safe keeping. Their counsels
are wise; their labors are as untiring as
they are loyal, and their course is the
right one. President, you must excuse
me. I am unable to stand longer to give
utterance to the feelings of gratitude
which oppress me. In my retirement I
I
shall offer up my prayers to God for this
Administration and for my country.
shall pray for it with confidence in its
success over all enemies, and that speed-
ily." The President then took leave of
General Scott, giving him his hand, and
saying he hoped soon to write him a

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private letter expressive of his gratitude hope that a merciful Providence, that and affection. The President added: has protected you amid so many trials, General: You will naturally feel so- will improve your health, and continue licitude about the gentlemen of your your life long after the people of the staff, who have rendered you and their country shall have been restored to their country such faithful service. I have former happiness and prosperity." taken that subject into consideration. I understand that they go with you to New York. I shall desire them, at their earliest convenience, after their return, to make their wishes known to me. I desire you now, however, to be satisfied that, except the unavoidable privation of your counsel and society, which they have so long enjoyed, the provision which will be made for them will be such as to render their situation hereafter as agreeable as it has been heretofore." Each member of the Administration then gave his hand to the veteran, and retired in profound silence.

The following letter was also addressed, the same day, to General Scott by the Secretary of War: "General: It was my duty to lay before the President your letter of yesterday, asking to be relieved, under the recent act of Congress. In separating from you I cannot refrain from expressing my deep regret that your health, shattered by long service and repeated wounds received in your country's defense, should render it necessary for you to retire from your high position at this momentous period of our history. Although you are not to remain in active service, I yet hope that while I continue in charge of the Department, over which I now preside, I shall at times be permitted to avail myself of the benefits of your wise counsels and sage experience. It has been my good fortune to enjoy a personal acquaintance with you for over thirty years, and the pleasant relations of that long time have been greatly strengthened by your cordial and entire coöperation in all the great questions which have occupied the Department, and convulsed the country for the last six months. In parting from you, I can only express the

A general order from General McClellan completed the official bulletin of the day, occupied with this important transaction. "Headquarters of the Army, Washington, November 1, 1861. In accordance with General Order, No. 94, from the War Department, I hereby assume command of the armies of the United States. In the midst of the difficulties which encompass and divide the nation, hesitation and self-distrust may well accompany the assumption of so vast a responsibility, but confiding as I do, in the loyalty, discipline, and courage of our troops, and believing as I do, that Providence will favor ours as the just cause, I cannot doubt that success will crown our efforts and sacrifices. The army will unite with me in the feeling of regret that the weight of many years, and the effect of increasing infirmities, contracted and intensified in his country's service, should just now remove from our head the great soldier of our nation, the hero, who in his youth raised high the reputation of his country in the fields of Canada, which he sanctified with his blood, who in more mature years proved to the world that American skill and valor could repeat, if not eclipse, the exploits of Cortez in the land of the Montezumas, whose whole life has been devoted to the service of his country, whose whole efforts had been directed to uphold our honor at the smallest sacrifice of life, a warrior who scorned the selfish glories of the battle-field, when his great qualities as a statesman could be employed more profitably for his country, a citizen who, in his declining years has given to the world the most shining instance of loyalty in disregarding all ties of birth, and clinging still to the cause of truth and honor. Such has been the

SPEECH OF GENERAL MCCLELLAN.

career and character of Winfield Scott, whom it has long been the delight of the nation to honor, both as a man and as a soldier. While we regret his loss, there is one thing we cannot regret-the bright example he has left for our emulation. Let us all hope and pray that his declining years may be passed in peace and happiness, and that they may be cheered by the success of the country and the cause he has fought for and loved so well. Beyond all that, let us do nothing that can cause him to blush for us; let no defeat of the army he has so long commanded, embitter his last years, but let our victories illuminate. the close of a life so grand. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General Commanding U. S. A."

The presentation of a sword to General McClellan, one of the first incidents of his new command, by a committee of the Common Council of Philadelphia, on the 3d of November, called from him a characteristic reply. "We honor you," said the chairman in his address, "as a representative man, as representing loyal Pennsylvania, whose every family sends to this contest a father or a son, as opposed to a rebellion against her part and lot in the inheritance from our sires, and in accordance with a sentiment unalterably declared, that she will permit no armed dictation at home or abroad, which has for its object the diminution of a single bond of the Union or the least fibre of its strength. General, an active mind led you to leave during peace the art you learned so thoroughly. War has restored you to it with high responsibilities. You have been favored largely with a success which has sealed the good opinion of your earlier promise. From the peaceful arts has risen with you a mighty army, which, it is to be hoped, but not before a decisive blow has been struck, will soon retire again to the same peaceful pursuits." To this and other remarks of a like tenor, General McClellan responded. "I ask you, sir, to give my

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It

warmest and deepest thanks to the honorable body you represent, for this entirely unmerited compliment. I could thank you better if I thought that I deserved it; but I do not feel that I do. Nothing that I have yet accomplished would warrant this high compliment. is for the future to decide whether I shall realize the expectations and hopes that have been centred in me. I trust and feel that the day is not far distant when I shall return to the place dearest of all others to me, there to spend the balance of my days among the people-from whom I have received this beautiful gift. The war cannot be long; it may be desperate. I ask in the future forbearance, patience and confidence. With these we can accomplish all, and while I know that in the great drama which may have our hearts blood, that Pennsylvania will not play the least, I trust that, on the other hand, she will play the highest and noblest part. I again thank you, and ask you to convey to the Council my most sincere thanks for the sword. Say to them that it will be my ambition to deserve it hereafter. I know I do not now."

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A day or two after the good opinion expressed of the young General by his brother Pennsylvanians was reiterated by the Secretary of War Cameron on a visit to New York, where he was called upon to address a political gathering of the Union Club, from the portico of the Astor House. After alluding to the devotion of the North to the cause of the war, he briefly noticed some of the circumstances of the struggle. We certainly," said he, "had some reverses in the commencement, and there were some excuses to be made for them. The people of the North are a working people, engaged for the last fifty years in the peaceful pursuits of civil industry. For more than fifty years the South had been meditating this foul rebellion, and were preparing for war, while the North was consolidating peace and harmony.

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They were not content with their own so often in a long career earned the resources, but they began by stealing gratitude of his countrymen. that which belonged to us. The honest man who was in the War Department not long ago stole all our munitions of war and sent them South, and when the rebels were ripe for revolt, they stole everything that they found ready to their hands. There have been reverses in every war, and we have had ours. But I believe we have passed our day of reverses. When the war commenced we were without money, without men, without arms. All our money and arms had been stolen by those who had meditated rebellion. But now the case is very different. We have plenty of money, plenty of arms, and an abundance of men. And more, we have the brave and gallant young General at the head of our army. That young soldier is the idol of his troops, because of his solicitude and care for them. In every contest, so far as his career has gone, he has been victorious. Since he has assumed the command of our armies his constant care has been to have his men disciplined and instructed in the art of war, so as to ensure a victory when he shall be prepared to move with the immense host at whose head he now stands."

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General Scott, the morning after the proceedings attending his resignation, left Washington for New York on a special train, accompanied by his staff, the Secretaries of War and the Treasury, and a number of other distinguished persons, including Governor Sprague of Rhode Island, and General B. F. Butler of Massachusetts. General McClellan took leave of him at the depot in an affecting farewell. A couch was fitted up for the invalid General in the single passenger car of the train. The route taken was by Baltimore, through Harrisburg to Jersey City, and though the day was stormy, the inhabitants everywhere turned out in numbers to greet the arrival of the toil-worn General, who had

A few days after his arrival at New York General Scott was waited upon at his lodgings in the Brevoort House, by a Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Union Defence Committee of the City, when resolutions were presented and addresses made appropriate to the occasion. To the address of Mr. Perit, in behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, General Scott replied: "The language of praise is sweet when it comes from high sources of intelligence and moral worth; and sweet also is the consciousness of having labored hard through a long life to merit it. His measure was full and overflowing. The great calamity which had befallen the country-the rebellion found him far advanced in life; and the labors, responsibilities, and anxieties which it had thrown upon him, had broken him down. He was now but a wreck. If the calamity had occurred three or four years before it would have found him vigorous, and in a condition to do some service in meeting it; and he would have met it, he flattered himself, successfully. Although he was hors du combat, yet he was happy to say-and his opinion on this subject might be of some value that he had left on the field a large and patriotic army, in which were many of the best citizens of the country, the best of officers and men, commanded by Generals of great merit; Generals capable of achieving victory. On the field were young and vigorous men, competent to perform all the duties which the country requires of them. Major-General McClellan, a man of scientific attainments and genius, and of respectable experience; Major-General Halleck, another officer of genius, science and discretion, who would meet all the expectations of his Government and country, and many brigadiers and Colonels of great worth.

"He (General Scott) did not, therefore, despair of the Union; he was even

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