rovided_, That should the lieutenant
general be retired under this act, it shall be without reduction in
his current pay, subsistence, and allowances."

On October 31, 1861, General Scott addressed Hon. Simon Cameron,
Secretary of War, the following communication:

"SIR: For more than three years I have been unable, from a
hurt, to mount a horse or to walk more than a few paces at a time,
and that with much pain. Other and new infirmities--dropsy and
vertigo--admonish me that repose of mind and body, with the
appliances of surgery and medicine, are necessary to add a little
more to a life already protracted much beyond the usual space of
man. It is under such circumstances, made doubly painful by the
unnatural and unjust rebellion now raging in the Southern States of
our lately prosperous and happy Union, that I am compelled to
request that my name be placed on the list of army officers retired
from active service. As this request is founded on an absolute
right, granted by a recent act of Congress, I am at liberty to say
that it is with deep regret that I withdraw myself in these
momentous times from the orders of a President who has treated me
with much distinguished kindness and courtesy, whom I know upon much
personal intercourse to be patriotic, without sectional prejudices;
to be highly conscientious in the performance of every duty, and of
unrivaled activity and perseverance; and to you, Mr. Secretary, whom
I now officially address for the last time, I beg to acknowledge my
many obligations for the uniform high consideration I have received
at your hands, and I have the honor to remain, sir, with the highest
respect, etc."

The following day, November 1st, a special meeting of the Cabinet was
convened, and it was decided that the request, under the circumstances
set forth in the letter, should be complied with. At four o'clock of
that day the President and his Cabinet proceeded to the residence of
General Scott. The scene is well described by General Edward Davis
Townsend, a member of the general's staff, who was an eye-witness, and
who says: "Being seated, the President read to the general the
following order:

"'On the 1st day of November, A.D. 1861, upon his own
application to the President of the United States, Brevet
Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott is ordered to be placed upon the
list of retired officers of the Army of the United States, without