Scott’s ultimate triumph came in his brilliantly executed capture of Veracruz (shown here, with Scott in foreground) and 300-mile overland march and capture of Mexico City in the Mexican-American War. His experiences in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a conflict fought between the United States and the United Kingdom, with their respective allies, from June 1812 to February 1815. Historians in Britain often see it as a minor theatre of the Napoleonic Wars; historians in the United States and Canada see it as a war in its o…
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| Winfield Scott | |
|---|---|
| Signature | |
| Nickname(s) | "Old Fuss and Feathers" "The Grand Old Man of the Army" |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
What did Winfield Scott do in the Civil War?
Winfield Scott (June 13, 1786 – May 29, 1866) was an American military commander and political candidate. He served as a general in the United States Army from 1814 to 1861, taking part in the War of 1812, the Mexican–American War, the early stages of the American Civil War and conflicts with Native Americans.
What did William Scott do in the war of 1812?
Scott commanded a Brigade at the Battles of Chippawa and Lundy’s Lane; at the latter, he suffered a serious wound that took him out of the rest of the war. For his actions at Lundy’s Lane, he received a brevet promotion to Major General. Following the War of 1812, Scott helped standardize the drill regulations for the army.
How many battles did William Scott win in the Revolutionary War?
In one of the most stunning campaigns in American history, Scott had landed on a hostile shore, won six battles against a larger army, and captured the enemy's capital. Upon learning of Scott's feat, the Duke of Wellington referred to the American as "the greatest living general."
What role did Winfield Scott play in the trail of Tears?
Winfield Scott. In 1838, he oversaw the infamous Cherokee Removal, better known as the Trail of Tears. On July 5, 1841, Scott assumed office as Commanding General of the United States Army, its most senior position, and was promoted to Major General. In this role, he led American forces in Mexico during the Mexican-American War,...
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What did general Winfield Scott conquer?
On March 9, 1847, U.S. forces under General Winfield Scott invaded Mexico three miles south of Vera Cruz. They encountered little resistance from the Mexicans massed in the fortified city of Vera Cruz, and by nightfall the last of Scott's 10,000 men came ashore without the loss of a single life.
How many wars did Winfield Scott fight in?
three major warsHe lived to see the Union win the war, dying at West Point on May 29, 1866 at age 79. His military career spanned fifty-three years, forty-seven of which were as a general, and three major wars.
What Battle is Winfield Scott Hancock best known for?
the Battle of GettysburgHancock's most famous service was as a new corps commander at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1 to 3, 1863.
Was Winfield Scott a war hero?
Winfield Scott was a hero of the Mexican War (1846–1848), the last Whig Party candidate for U.S. president, and commanding general of the United States Army at the start of the American Civil War (1861–1865).
Who won the Battle of Gettysburg?
Union General George MeadeThe Battle of Gettysburg, fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, from July 1 to July 3, 1863, ended with a victory for Union General George Meade and the Army of the Potomac. The three-day battle was the bloodiest in the war, with approximately 51,000 casualties.
How did U.S. beat Mexico?
The Mexican-American War was formally concluded by the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. The United States received the disputed Texan territory, as well as New Mexico territory and California. The Mexican government was paid $15 million — the same sum issued to France for the Louisiana Territory.
Who won the Civil War?
The NorthFact #8: The North won the Civil War. After four years of conflict, the major Confederate armies surrendered to the United States in April of 1865 at Appomattox Court House and Bennett Place.
Did the Union or Confederate win the battle of Gettysburg?
Union victory. Gettysburg ended Confederate general Robert E. Lee's ambitious second quest to invade the North and bring the Civil War to a swift end.
Was general Hancock wounded at Gettysburg?
Major General Winfield Scott Hancock Hancock was wounded while sitting on his horse on July 3 at Gettysburg. The bullet entered his right thigh and lodged, carrying in some foreign material. An improvised tourniquet staunched the bleeding. The wound remained a constant problem for Hancock until a surgeon, Dr.
Who created the Anaconda Plan?
Union General Winfield ScottAnaconda plan, military strategy proposed by Union General Winfield Scott early in the American Civil War. The plan called for a naval blockade of the Confederate littoral, a thrust down the Mississippi, and the strangulation of the South by Union land and naval forces.
What rank was general Hancock?
McClellan recognized Hancock's potential and made him a Brigadier General in William “Baldy” Smith's Division. On May 5, 1862, Hancock took the initiative in the Battle of Williamsburg and occupied two abandoned redoubts. Despite an overall Union loss, Hancock's reputation skyrocketed because of this battle.
Was the Anaconda Plan successful?
Ridiculed in the press as the "Anaconda Plan," after the South American snake that crushes its prey to death, this strategy ultimately proved successful. Although about 90 percent of Confederate ships were able to break through the blockade in 1861, this figure was cut to less than 15 percent a year later.
What war did Winfield Scott fight in?
Black Hawk War. Siege of Veracruz. Battle of Cerro Gordo. Battle of Contreras. Battle of Churubusco. Battle for Mexico City. Winfield Scott (June 13, 1786 – May 29, 1866) was an American military commander and political candidate. He served as a general in the United States Army from 1814 to 1861, taking part in the War of 1812, ...
What battle did Scott serve in?
He served with distinction in the Battle of Chippawa, but was badly wounded in the subsequent Battle of Lundy's Lane.
What did Scott do after Napoleon's defeat?
Scott obtained a leave of absence to study warfare in Europe, though to his disappointment, he reached Europe only after Napoleon 's final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Upon his return to the United States in May 1816, he was assigned to command army forces in parts of the Northeastern United States.
Why did the Patriot War break out?
In late 1837, the so-called " Patriot War " broke out along the Canadian border as some Americans sought to support the Rebellions of 1837–1838 in Canada. Tensions further escalated due to an incident known as the Caroline affair, in which Canadian forces burned a steamboat that had been used to deliver supplies to rebel forces. President Van Buren dispatched Scott to Western New York to prevent unauthorized border crossings and prevent the outbreak of a war between the United States and the United Kingdom. Still popular in the area due to his service in the War of 1812, Scott issued public appeals, asking Americans to refrain from supporting the Canadian rebels. In late 1838, a new crisis known as the Aroostook War broke out over a dispute regarding the border between Maine and Canada, which had not been conclusively settled in previous treaties between Britain and the United States. Scott was tasked with preventing the conflict from escalating into a war. After winning the support of Governor John Fairfield and other Maine leaders, Scott negotiated a truce with John Harvey, who commanded British forces in the area.
Why was Scott convicted of a court martial?
In January 1810, Scott was convicted in a court-martial, partly for making disrespectful comments about Wilkinson's integrity, and partly because of a $50 shortage in the $400 account he had been provided to conduct recruiting duty in Virginia after being commissioned.
Why did Scott join the army?
In early 1808, President Thomas Jefferson asked Congress to authorize an expansion of the United States Army after the British announced an escalation of their naval blockade of France, thereby threatening American shipping. Scott convinced family friend William Branch Giles to help him obtain a commission in the newly expanded army. In May 1808, shortly before his twenty-second birthday, Scott was commissioned as a captain in the light artillery. Tasked with recruiting a company, he raised his troops from the Petersburg and Richmond areas, and then traveled with his unit to New Orleans to join their regiment. Scott was deeply disturbed by what he viewed as the unprofessionalism of the army, which at the time consisted of just 2,700 soldiers. He later wrote that "the old officers had, very generally, sunk into either sloth, ignorance, or habits of intemperate drinking."
Where was Winfield Scott born?
At the time, the Scott family resided at Laurel Hill, a plantation near Petersburg, Virginia.
What was Winfield Scott Hancock's military career?
Commissioned a brevet second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Hancock spent the next two years serving in Indian Territory and as a recruiting officer in Ohi o and Kentucky. His first combat experience came during the Mexican-American War (1846-48), in which he served under his namesake, ...
What was the name of the battle that was fought between the Union and the Confederate forces?
Winfield Scott Hancock: Battle of Gettysburg. Hancock’s most legendary battle came in July 1863, when the Union and Confederate Armies met near the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. On the first day of the engagement, Hancock assumed command of the I, II, III and XI Corps after Major General John Reynolds was killed in action.
What did Hancock order at the Battle of Williamsburg?
At the Battle of Williamsburg, Hancock ordered a counterattack that routed Confederate forces and captured a rebel flag. McClellan later praised the performance, earning Hancock the lifelong nickname “Hancock the Superb.”.
What was the first battle that Hancock was in?
Hancock was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Churubusco in August 1847, and later saw action at the Battle of Molino del Rey.
What was the name of the Union General who ordered a charge on the heavily entrenched Confederate lines?
His unit was heavily engaged at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862 when commanding Union General Ambrose Burnside ordered a charge on the heavily entrenched Confederate lines.
What was the significance of Hancock's leadership in the Battle of Pickett's Charge?
Told he was unnecessarily risking his life, he is said to have remarked, “There are times when a corps commander’s life does not count.” Hancock’s leadership ultimately helped the Union forces win the day, but he was badly wounded during the battle when a bullet struck his saddle and bounced into his thigh.
Where was Winfield Hancock born?
Winfield Scott Hancock was born on February 14, 1824, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. One of two identical twin brothers, he was named after Winfield Scott, the preeminent American military commander of the time. After attending school at Norristown Academy, in 1840 Hancock earned a nomination to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Hancock struggled with West Point’s rigorous academic demands, finishing 18th in a class of 25 upon graduation in 1844.
What battle did Scott fight in?
He was captured by the British in that campaign, but he was exchanged in 1813 and went on to fight in the battles of Chippewa ( July 5, 1814) and Lundy’s Lane (July 25), where his success made him a national hero.
Who was Winfield Scott?
Winfield Scott, (born June 13, 1786, Petersburg, Va., U.S.—died May 29, 1866, West Point, N.Y.), American army officer who held the rank of general in three wars and was the unsuccessful Whig candidate for president in 1852. He was the foremost American military figure between the Revolution and the Civil War.
What rank did Scott get in Mexico City?
For this service he was honoured by appointment to the brevet rank of lieutenant general.
What rank did Scott have?
By war’s end he had attained the rank of major general. Scott remained in military service, studying tactics in Europe and taking a deep interest in maintaining a well-trained and disciplined U.S. Army.
Why did Scott lose the election?
A prominent Whig, Scott won his party’s presidential nomination in 1852 but lost the election to Democrat Franklin Pierce, mainly because the Whigs were divided over the issue of slavery. In 1855 he was promoted to lieutenant general, becoming the first man since George Washington to hold that rank. Scott was still commander in chief of the U.S. Army when the Civil War broke out in April 1861, but his proposed strategy of splitting the Confederacy—the plan eventually adopted—was ridiculed. Age forced his retirement the following November.
Who was the General in Chief when Lincoln took office?
Winfield Scott was the Federal general in chief when Lincoln took office. The 75-year-old Scott—a hero of the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War—was a magnificent and distinguished soldier whose mind was still keen, but he was physically incapacitated and had to be retired…
Where did Scott go in the war?
When the War of 1812 began, Scott was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Second Artillery Regiment and transferred to the Niagara region. His first action was at the Battle of Queenston Heights, where he commanded the American landing party.
Where did Winfield Scott live?
Winfield Scott. Winfield Scott’s illustrious life began on June 13, 1786 in Dinwiddie County, Virginia . His military career began in May 1808, shortly before his 22nd birthday, when he was appointed a Captain in the U.S. Light Artillery.
What did Scott do at Lundy's Lane?
Following the War of 1812, Scott helped standardize the drill regulations for the army. He was passed over for command in 1828 prompting his resignation, which was denied by the army.
Why did the Fort George attack go bad?
Because of friction with the New York Militia, the attack went badly for the Americans who were forced to surrender. Held by the British until 1813, Scott was exchanged and paroled; he returned to duty and was promoted to Colonel. He led the attack that captured Fort George, suffering a wound in the process.
When did Scott become a captain?
His military career began in May 1808, shortly before his 22nd birthday, when he was appointed a Captain in the U.S. Light Artillery. Early in his career, Scott openly criticized the Commanding General of the Army, James Wilkinson, earning him a court martial for insubordination in 1810 and a suspension of his commission for one year.
Who was the commander of the Cherokee?
In 1838, he oversaw the infamous Cherokee Removal, better known as the Trail of Tears. On July 5, 1841, Scott assumed office as Commanding General of the United States Army, its most senior position, and was promoted to Major General.
Early years
Winfield Scott was born to William Scott (1747–1789) and Anna Mason (1748–1803) on Laurel Branch, the family plantation in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, near Petersburg, Virginia, on June 13, 1786.
Army captain
Scott's long career in the United States Army began when he was commissioned as a captain in the Light Artillery in May 1808, shortly before his 20th birthday.
War of 1812
The army promoted Scott to lieutenant colonel in July 1812. Scott served primarily on the Niagara Campaign front in the War of 1812. He took command of an American landing party during the Battle of Queenston Heights (Ontario, Canada) on October 13, 1812.
Peacetime activities
Brigadier General Winfield Scott supervised the preparation of the first standard drill regulations for the Army and headed a postwar officer retention selection board in 1815. He also served as president of Board of Tactics in 1815.
Civil War
When the American Civil War began in the spring of 1861, Scott was 74 years old and suffering numerous health problems, including gout, rheumatism, and dropsy. He was also extremely overweight and unable to mount a horse or review troops.
Legacy
Scott served under every President from Jefferson to Lincoln, a total of fourteen administrations. Scott served a total of 53 years of active service as an officer - including 47 years as a general. Scott is one of a very few American officers who have served as a general in three major wars. (The others are Douglas MacArthur and Lewis B.
Scott on U.S. Postage
General Winfield Scott is one of very few US Army Generals to be honored on a US Postage stamp. He was the first General to appear on a postage stamp after Washington, who was portrayed as a general on an issue of 1861. The first Winfield Scott stamp issue was released to the public in 1870, four years after the General's death at West Point.
How many battles did Scott win?
In one of the most stunning campaigns in American history, Scott had landed on a hostile shore, won six battles against a larger army, and captured the enemy's capital. Upon learning of Scott's feat, the Duke of Wellington referred to the American as "the greatest living general.".
What battle did Scott take part in?
Having joined Rensselaer's command, Scott took part in the Battle of Queenston Heights on October 13. Captured at the battle's conclusion, Scott was placed on a cartel-ship for Boston. During the voyage, he defended several Irish American prisoners of war when the British attempted to single them out as traitors.
What was the name of the general who was suspended for a comment he made about James Wilkinson?
This came to fruition in May 1808 when he received a commission as a captain in the U.S. Army. Assigned to the Light Artillery, Scott was posted to New Orleans where he served under the corrupt Brigadier General James Wilkinson. In 1810, Scott was court-martialed for indiscreet remarks he made about Wilkinson and suspended for a year.
Why was Scott a court martial?
In 1810, Scott was court-martialed for indiscreet remarks he made about Wilkinson and suspended for a year. During this time, he also fought a duel with a friend of Wilkinson, Dr. William Upshaw, and received a slight wound in the head.
What did Scott do in law school?
Departing school, Scott elected to read law with prominent attorney David Robinson. Completing his legal studies, he was admitted to the bar in 1806, but soon tired of his chosen profession. The following year, Scott gained his first military experience when he served as a corporal of cavalry with a Virginia militia unit in the wake of the Chesapeake - Leopard Affair. Patrolling near Norfolk, his men captured eight British sailors who had landed with the goal of purchasing supplies for their ship. Later that year, Scott attempted to open a law office in South Carolina but was prevented from doing so by the state's residency requirements.
Why was Scott ordered to remove the Cherokee?
While troubled about the justice of the removal, he conducted the operation efficiently and compassionately until being ordered north to aid in resolving border disputes with Canada.
What city did Scott attack?
Having reached the edge of Mexico City, Scott assaulted its defenses on September 12 when troops attacked Chapultepec Castle.
Overview
Winfield Scott (June 13, 1786 – May 29, 1866) was an American military commander and political candidate. He served as a general in the United States Army from 1814 to 1861, taking part in the War of 1812, the Mexican–American War, the early stages of the American Civil War and conflicts with Native Americans. Scott was the Whig Party's presidential nominee in the 1852 electi…
Early life
Winfield Scott was born on June 13, 1786, as the fifth child of Ann Mason and her husband, William Scott, a planter, veteran of the American Revolutionary War, and officer in the Dinwiddie County militia. At the time, the Scott family resided at Laurel Hill, a plantation near Petersburg, Virginia. Ann Mason Scott was the daughter of Daniel Mason and Elizabeth Winfield, and Scott's parents chose hi…
Early career, 1807–1815
In early 1808, President Thomas Jefferson asked Congress to authorize an expansion of the United States Army after the British announced an escalation of their naval blockade of France, thereby threatening American shipping. Scott convinced family friend William Branch Giles to help him obtain a commission in the newly expanded army. In May 1808, shortly before his twenty-second birth…
Family
In March 1817, Scott married Maria DeHart Mayo (1789–1862). She was the daughter of Abigail (née DeHart) Mayo and Colonel John Mayo, a wealthy engineer and businessman who came from a distinguished family in Virginia. Scott and his family lived in Elizabethtown, New Jersey for most of the next thirty years. Beginning in the late 1830s, Maria spent much of her time in Europe bec…
Mid-career, 1815–1841
With the conclusion of the War of 1812, Scott served on a board charged with demobilizing the army and determining who would continue to serve in the officer corps. Andrew Jackson and Brown were selected as the army's two major generals, while Alexander Macomb, Edmund P. Gaines, Scott, and Eleazer Wheelock Ripley would serve as the army's four brigadier generals. Jackson be…
Commanding General, 1841–1861
On June 25, 1841, Macomb died, and Scott and Gaines were still the two most obvious choices for the position of Commanding General of the United States Army. Secretary of War John Bell recommended Scott, and President Tyler approved; Scott was also promoted to the rank of major general. According to biographer John Eisenhower, the office of commanding general had, since its …
Retirement, consultations, writings, and death
Scott grew very heavy in his last years of service, and was unable to mount a horse or walk more than a few paces without stopping to rest. He was often in ill health, and suffered from gout, dropsy, rheumatism, and vertigo. After retiring, he traveled to Europe with his daughter, Cornelia, and her husband, H. L. Scott. In Paris, he worked with Thurlow Weed to aid American consul John Bigelow in def…
Legacy
Scott holds the record for the greatest length of active service as general in the U.S. Army, as well as the longest tenure as the army's chief officer. Steven Malanga of City Journal writes that "Scott was one of America’s greatest generals ... but he had the misfortune to serve in two conflicts—the War of 1812 and the controversial Mexican-American War—bracketed by the far more signi…