Former Whig presidential candidate General Winfield Scott had joined the Army in 1808, was a veteran of the War of 1812, victor in the Mexican-American War, and had served as general-in-chief of the Army for twenty years. Aged seventy-four, grossly overweight, and beset by medical problems, he requested retirement. He was replaced the next day with Major General George B. McClellan. Scott saw the Union's victory before he died at West Point in May 1866. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
Frank Moore, ed., The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events, with Documents, Narratives, Illustrative Incidents, Poetry, Etc. (New York: G.P.Putnam, 1861), III: 266.
Record Data
Date Certainty
Exact
Type
Personal
