This is part of my "Learning something new...." history series using United States postage stamps as our history book.
To read previous posts in this series, simply click here.
The next stamp in our history book is the 24¢ denomination featuring Winfield Scott
(1786-1866), issued in 1870:
My wise old grandmother would often refer to a constant complainer as an "old fuss and feathers." Well the original "old fuss and feathers" was none other than Army General Winfield Scott.
General Scott served on active duty for 47 years, longer than any other person in U.S. history. Along with being known as Old Fuss and Feathers, his distinguished military career earned him the moniker of "Grand Old Man of the Army." General Scott commanded military forces in the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Black Hawk War, the Second Seminole War, and the Civil War. He was the primary architect of the military strategy known as Anaconda Plan that was used to defeat the Confederacy. He also served as Commanding General of the United States Army for twenty years, longer than any other holder of the office.
In 1852, the United States Whig Party nominated General Scott as its presidential candidate. What's particularly interesting about that is that the incumbent President, Millard Fillmore, was a member of the Whig Party, so he effectively was thrown out of the election by his own Party in favor of General Scott, who would go on to lose the election to Democrat Franklin Pierce.
In 1856, General Scott becamse the first General since George Washington to be promoted to Lieutenant General, although he received it via a military brevet, which is a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily and without the pay of the higher rank.
Other interesting facts about Winfield Scott:
- Born on his family's plantation near Petersburg, Virginia.
- Graduated from the College of William and Mary.
- Was an attorney before being commissioned as a Captain in the United States Army
- His commission was suspended for one year after being court-martialed for criticizing his Commanding General.
- Earned his moniker of "Old Fuss and Feathers" for his insistence on military appearance and discipline for soldiers in the United States Army, most of whom were volunteers.
Historians rank General Scott highly as both a military strategist and a battlefield commander.- Find his papers at the Clements Library at the University of Michigan.
- Cities, Counties, and military outposts are named for General Scott in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
- Lake Winfield Scott in Georgia is one of that state's highest in elevation.
- The General Winfield Scott House in New York City was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973.
- Some historians think the exclamation "Great Scott!" came from one of General Scott's soldiers.
- The Scott's Oriole is named after him.
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Sources:
- "Agent of Destiny: The Life and Times of General Winfield Scott," by John Eisenhower
- "Winfield Scott: The Quest for Military Glory," by Timothy Johnson
- "Winfield Scott and the Profession of Arms," by Allan Peskin
- Cherokee Nation web site
- Wikipedia
- Arago: People, Postage, and the Post
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