This army, in which it is not improbable you may be invited to take an important part, should be composed of our best regulars for the advance and of three-years’ volunteers, all well officered, and with four months and a half of instruction in camps prior to (say) November 10. I suppose there will be needed from twelve to twenty steam gun-boats, and a sufficient number of steam transports (say forty) to carry all the personnel (say 60,000 men) and material of the expedition most of the gunboats to be in advance to open the way, and the remainder to follow and protect the rear of the expedition, &c. In connection with such blockade we propose a powerful movement down the Mississippi to the ocean, with a cordon of posts at proper points, and the capture of Forts Jackson and Saint Philip the object being to clear out and keep open this great line of communication in connection with the strict blockade of the seaboard, so as to envelop the insurgent States and bring them to terms with less bloodshed than by any other plan. We rely greatly on the sure operation of a complete blockade of the Atlantic and Gulf ports soon to commence.
Hence I must strongly urge upon you to confine yourself strictly to the quota of three-months’ men called for by the War Department. The term of service would expire by the commencement of a regular campaign, and the arms not lost be returned mostly in a damaged condition. It will be inexpedient either to rely on the three-months’ volunteers for extensive operations or to put in their hands the best class of arms we have in store. It is the design of the Government to raise 25,000 additional regular troops, and 60,000 volunteers for three years. SIR: I have read and carefully considered your plan for a campaign, and now send you confidentially my own views, supported by certain facts of which you should be advised.įirst. Later, Scott’s strategy was derisively referred to as The Anaconda Plan: Winfield Scott’s The Anaconda PlanĬommanding Ohio Volunteers, Cincinnati, Ohio: McClellan describing his strategy for subduing the rebellion. On General-in-Chief Winfield Scott writes to General George B. Scott voluntarily retired on Novemand was replaced by George B. At times, Scott would doze off during meetings. President Abraham Lincoln sought Scott’s advice, however as the Civil War began, it was evident the aging Winfield Scott was not up to the demands of leading the army. Lee’s choice to side with the Confederacy, and had even asked Lee to lead the United States Army. Winfield Scott was born a Virginian in 1786, but was loyal to the Union.
His nickname was Old Fuss and Feathers, because of his reputation for strict adherence to regulations, and a propensity for fancy uniforms. There was no doubt about Scott’s leadership ability, in the War of 1812 he was once captured, and during the Mexican War he led the campaign that captured Mexico City. Since the War of 1812, Scott had participated in all of America’s military actions. At the beginning of the Civil War, General-in-Chief Winfield Scott was seventy-four-years-old, so overweight he could not mount or ride a horse, and suffered from painful gout.