WINFIELD SCOTT
One of the finest military leaders the U.S. has produced pens a letter regarding the sale of pews and other articles left behind in his home
Autograph Letter Signed: "Winfield Scott", 4p, 3½x5½ (conjoining leaves). New York, 1849 December 14. To Captain E. D. Townshend. In full: "I have just received your note of yesterday & return you my thanks for the trouble you have had on the subject of the pews. After writing to you, the other day, I learned from Colo. Freeman, that you have advertised the pews & I am sure that you have done everything for the best. It only remains to be helped that you may soon obtain a purchaser for the inner pew. I left in my late residence at Washington several articles which I wished sold. My friend Mrs. Ulrich disposed of a grate, for as I understood, from Sergeant Olive-$15. There was also, a hall stove, with it fifes & drums. Mrs. U. caused the stove to be taken to her house. I asked Sergt. Olive to get Dyer, the auctioneer, to send for it in order to a sale. There were further left in the house, some pieces of oil, floor cloth, in the two entries. Olive promised that he would under the directions of Mrs. Ulrich, try & get something for those articles. May I beg you to gather up the small items, by the aid of the Sergeant, which may have been rec'd for me. I put under cover a receipt for the money on acct of the outer pew. If the paper be not sufficient, I will give any other that may be required. Be sure before making a remittance to deduct all cost & charges. With my best respects & regards to the ladies. I remain very truly yrs." General Scott (1786-1866) rose to Major General in the War of 1812. During the Mexican War, he captured Vera Cruz, defeated the Mexicans at Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey and Chapultepec and occupied Mexico City. He was General in Chief of the U.S. Army from 1841-1861. The last presidential nominee of the Whig Party, "old Fuss n' Feathers" lost the election of 1852 to Democrat Franklin Pierce. Scott deserves to be recognized as one of the finest military leaders the U.S. has produced. His campaign from the coast to Mexico City, against a foe more skilled and tenacious than is generally recalled today, was bold, and brilliantly executed. The "Anaconda Plan" he proposed to President Lincoln in 1861, calling for a blockade of southern ports coordinated with a combined army/navy push down the Mississippi River to cut the Confederacy in half, provided the framework for ultimate Union victory. Fine condition.