General Winfield Scott Retires: The Civil War Needs New Blood
Winfield Scott was 75 years old and so overweight he couldn't mount a horse. He'd served for 53 years, fought in the War of 1812, and commanded the Mexican-American War. He resigned six months into the Civil War. George McClellan replaced him and immediately ignored his "Anaconda Plan" to blockade the South. Lincoln would eventually adopt Scott's strategy. It worked.
October 31, 1861
165 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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