Description:

Winfield Scott
[Washington, D.C.], October 23, 1826
Winfield Scott 3x Signed ALS to Sec. of War Re: Board of Tactics, 2 Months Before Standardizing Body Was Triumphantly Adjourned
ALS

A 2pp autograph letter signed three times by American military commander Winfield Scott (1786-1866); the first time at its conclusion, as "Winfield Scott"; the second time in the postscript as "W.S."; and the third time speaking of himself in the third person within the first paragraph of the text as "the President of the Board." October 23, 1826. "Board of Tactics." [Washington, D.C.]
The letter is accompanied by a separate address leaf, also engrossed by Scott. Expected wear and weathering commensurate with age including gentle toning, flattened transmittal folds, a few with closed tears; and a few extra wrinkles. Isolated ghost ink impressions or ink bleed-through not affecting legibility. Else near fine. 7.875" x 9.625."

Winfield Scott, then in his role as President of the Board of Tactics, wrote this memorandum to U.S. Secretary of State James Barbour (1775-1842) regarding internal affairs, specifically, which officer was going to serve as Recorder (or Secretary) of the Board of Tactics. The level of diligence and deliberation that Scott displays in this letter concerning just a small detail was typical of his approach to all things organizational, which earned him the nickname "Old Fuss and Feathers."

Scott wrote Secretary of War Barbour in full:

"Board of Tactics
Octr. 23, 1826

Sir:

Lieut. Tone who is mentioned as a recorder of this Board, in your order of the 5th instant, + who had been previously instructed, with Lieut. Eakin, to report personally to the President of the Board, has not appeared, + had not by letter or otherwise reported himself. It is very probable that he may be confined by sickness. No such rumour however has been received.

On the organization of the Board, on the 20th instant, Lieut. Eaken was appointed Recorder, under the power delegated by your order of the 5th instant. In the opinion of the Board no other recorder will be necessary.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
With respect
yr most obt. Servt.
Winfield Scott.

P.S. I have to add, that at this moment, half past eleven o'clock a.m., Lieut. Tone made his appearance at the Board + has been informed that we should await your decision on his subject.

W.S.

Hon:
J. Barbour
Sec. of War."

Winfield Scott, already a seasoned military commander, had focused on standardizing and professionalizing the U.S. Army after the War of 1812. Scott studied French military tactics abroad in 1815-1816, personally translating several manuals written by Napoleon Bonaparte, and he also eventually drafted authoritative tactics textbooks employed by the U.S. military for the next two decades. In 1815, 1821, 1824, and 1826, Scott served as the President of the Board of Tactics, a body appointed by the U.S. Secretary of War to draft best practices for the military. The Board of Tactics was comprised of a handful of generals from both the U.S. Army and the Militia. In the last two months of its existence, the Board of Tactics had been "closely occupied in preparing systems of Cavalry, Artillery, and Infantry Exercise, for the use of the Militia, and in reporting a plan of organization, by which this great arm of National defence may be rendered more efficient," stated the December 19, 1826 issue of the "Richmond Enquirer." Secretary Barbour adjourned the Board of Tactics in late December 1826 after declaring a job well done by its administrators.

Legendary military commander Winfield Scott saw action the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars, the Black Hawk War, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War. During his 53-year-long career in the U.S. military, Scott forged a reputation for reliable and firm command. Scott witnessed, experienced, and participated in many major military events of American history: he was a British prisoner of war in 1812; he supervised the forced removal of the Cherokee; he served as military governor of Mexico City; and he implemented the highly successful blockade of Southern port cities.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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