I, for one, feel anxious that everything that is
proper should be done.
I have written this communication in great haste; and I have only time
to subscribe myself your Excellency's obedient servant.
GEORGE S. BOUTWELL.
The next day I called upon General Scott. It was apparent that he was
in no condition to organize or lead armies. He was lying upon a
lounge, and when he arose he walked with his hand upon his hip and gave
an account of his wound at the battle of Lundy's Lane. He was national
in his views of duty, and he spoke with earnestness in reprobation of
the conduct of Virginia. He spoke also of the efforts that had been
made to induce him to go with his State. He seemed like a man without
hope, but there were no indications of a lack of fidelity to the
country. Aside from the circumstance that he was a native of Virginia
and that Virginia was engaged in the Rebellion, it was too much to
expect that at his age he could cope with so formidable a movement
as the rebellion of eleven States. While I was in Washington I
presented to General Scott a young man, Henry S. Briggs, a son of
ex-Governor Briggs, whom General Scott had known when Governor Briggs
was in Congress. Young Briggs was a lieutenant in the Berkshire
regiment, then on duty in Washington. He wished for a corresponding
appointment in the regular army.
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