Lt. General Winfield Scott Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

Winfield Scott (1786-1866) was one of the most brilliant military leaders in US history. Rising to Major General in the War of 1812, he later would lead the successful campaign from the coast at Veracruz to Mexico City during the Mexican War (1845-1846), against a foe much more skilled and tenacious than is generally recognized today. At the beginning of 1838, Scott was (unhappily but under orders) supervising the removal of the Cherokee Indian nation from the Southeast US to Oklahoma, along what became known as "the Trail of Tears." In that year, however, a serious dispute developed over the boundary between Maine and Canada. War seemed very possible. President Van Buren ordered Scott north to take command of US forces, but with secret instructions to settle the dispute peaceably if possible.