Winfield Scott to Edwin Stanton and others

May 29, 61

Remarks.

On a memorial, signed by their Excellencies, the Governors of Ohio, Illinois & Indiana, and handed to me yesterday, by the second of those high functionaries.

1. The signers are of "opinion that the U. States should, at an early day, take possession of prominent points in Kentucky - such as Louisville, Covington, New Port, Columbus, &c. Memphis, New Orleans &c &c and the railroads leading from the same, South."

Independent of this paper, the U.S. had occupied New Port, adjoining Covington, and Col. Anderson had been directed to establish his head quarters as the Commander of the Department of Kentucky, at Louisville, and in conjunction with the Surveyor of the Customs, there, to restrict exports thence by land & water. And Major General McClellan had been instructed to give reasonable aid to the friends of the Union across the Ohio & across the Mississippi. Under this authority he might, if he had thought it expedient, have occupied Columbus. But many of the wisest & best Union men in Kentucky have strongly intimated that thrusting protection upon their people is likely to do far more harm than good, & probably, the danger can be better estimated at home, than by friends abroad.

2. The memorial suggests that if Col. Anderson cannot find loyal Kentuckians enough to sustain the Union cause in Kentucky that

regulars might be employed &c. But Col. A. had already raised two regiments of loyal Kentuckians &c.

3. The signers next say that if their "suggestions be approved, Major General McClellan should, at once, be advised &c." & add: "It is important that the plan of the campaign, in the West, should be fixed upon, & that the Major Genl. of the Division should be furnished the means, & be instructed to shape the military movements of his Department so as to carry it into effect at the earliest period"

Promising that it is for the Government to furnish the means, I in great deference to their Excellencies, beg to say that, in two letters addressed to Major Genl. McClellan, dated, respectively, the 3d & 21st instant, I had given, to the best of my poor abilities, a plan of campaign (somewhat unlike their suggestions) in order that he might shape his "military movements" & prepare his means of execution accordingly.

4. The suggestions of the governors conclude with this proposition: "Authority ought also to be given to occupy points in Tennessee & Missouri."

In discussing the memorial before Gov. Yates & several U. States Senators, it was urged by some of the latter, & I think, concurred in by his Excellency, that Memphis ought to be immediately occupied. This would, certainly, be to begin a campaign without preparation. (Let us suppose Memphis to be threatened: Before the expedition could

reach the point of attack - say with 10,000 men - the enemy would certainly interpose at least the double of that number, & if we commence with 20,000, the same thing would occur, when the cries for reinforcements being constantly repeated would probably sweep Ohio, Indiana Illinois &c of their respective quotas of volunteers, & leave us nobody, from those States, for pushing the war to a close at the right season; for the troops about Memphis would not only have lost the opportunity of acquiring tactical instruction, during the summer & autumn, but would be so enfeebled, by fevers, as to be scarcely able to do duty before late in the winter.)

These remarks, & a copy of the memorial are respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War.

Winfield Scott

Head Quarters of the Army

Washington, D.C.

May 29, 1861.

Reply of General Scott

To May 29 - 1861

Govs Yates, Dennison, and Morton suggesting a plan for the safety of Ky.

The Gen. gives his views.