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Winfield Scott Document Signed: "Winfield Scott" Winfield Scott criticizes Zachary Taylor's illegal

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Winfield Scott Document Signed:  Winfield Scott  Winfield Scott criticizes Zachary Taylor's illegal
<B>Winfield Scott criticizes Zachary Taylor's illegal order to flog a private</B></I> <BR><BR><B>Winfield Scott (1786-1866) U.S. Army General from the War of 1812 to the Civil War, lengthy Autograph Endorsement Signed</B></I> "<I>W.S.</B></I>" and "<I>Genl. Scott</B></I>" twice in text, in red ink in the margin and docket of a manuscript document bearing Scott's secretarial signature, two pages, 8" x 10", no place given, November 18, 1843. The body of the document discusses "<I>...one of the most remarkable cases of flogging which has occurred in the army for years. Briggs (the private flogged) was tried & severely sentenced for disobeying the order...Briggs was directed to sign pay & receipt rolls for the benefit of several Sutlers, without retaining money enough to satisfy his laundress, against the General Regulation No. 198...</B></I>" Scott notes that the flogging was "<I>...approved by Genl. Taylor... hearing of the illegal order & the illegal flogging, I looked into the case, & directed Genl. T. to remit the unexpired part of the sentence...</B></I>" He also condemns the court martial for the sentence and setting a bad precedent. Scott concedes, however, that "<I>...after the unpunished outrage committed upon me, by the court in the case of Lieut. Don Carlos Buel, & the infinitely more important outrage upon law & discipline, I suppose it would be useless for me further to attempt to suppress flogging in the army...</B></I>" In the margin of the second page and on the docket on the verso, Scott adds in own hand notes on the flogging case. A fascinating document considering the bitter rivalry that emerged during the Mexican War. Light creases, else Very Fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.