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3 September,1861, the 3rd Vermont Infantry regiment moved with General Smith's brigade into Virginia felling trees and throwing up fortifications for the defense of Washington, principally on the fort at first named Fort Smith; in honor of General William F. Smith, but after wards known as Fort Marcy. While here, an incident occurred which created no small sensation in the army, was widely published in the newspapers and became a fruitful theme for poetry and romance.
William Scott, a private in Co. K, of the Third Vermont, was found asleep on his post, while on picket duty; was tried by court martial for the crime, found guilty, and sentenced to be shot;the first sentence of the kind on record in the army. Scott was only twenty-two years of age, of good character, and had been on picket duty two nights in succession, having voluntarily taken the place of a sick comrade the night before. His case aroused great sympathy. A petition for his pardon was signed by hundreds, from privates of the various regiments of the brigade up to General Smith, and was taken to Washington by Chaplain Parmelee.
The sentence was promulgated on the 5th of September, and was to be executed on the morning of the 8th. In the evening of the 7th, the matter came to the knowledge of President Lincoln, and he at once granted a respite of the sentence. His order for a stay of the execution was telegraphed to Camp Advance; but hearing nothing from it and fearing it might have miscarried, Mr. Lincoln ordered his carriage, and a little before midnight, after a drive of nearly ten miles, made his appearance at the brigade HQ, to reiterate his order in person, and make sure of the life of the young Vermonter. Next morning the arrangements for the execution went on. The brigade was drawn up in hollow square, a shooting party detailed, and Scott was brought out, as if for death. He was deadly pale, and an occasional shudder shook his exhausted frame, but he asked for no mercy. The following order was then read:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC: Washington, September 8. Private William Scott, of Company K. of the Third regiment of Vermont volunteers, having been found guilty by court martial of sleeping on his post while a sentinel on picket guard, has been sentenced to be shot, and the sentence has been approved and ordered to be executed. The commanding officers of the brigade, the regiment and the company, of the command, together with many other privates and officers of his regiment, have earnestly appealed to the Major-General commanding, to spare the life of the offender, and the President of the United States has expressed a wish that as this is the first condemnation to death in this army for this crime, mercy may be extended to the criminal. This fact, viewed in connection with the inexperience of the condemned as a soldier, his previous good conduct and general good character, and the urgent entreaties made in his behalf, have determined the Major-General commanding to grant the pardon so earnestly prayed for. This act of clemency must not be understood as affording a precedent for any future case. The duty of a sentinel is of such a nature, that its neglect by sleeping upon or deserting his post may endanger the safety of a command, or even of the whole army, and all nations affix to the offense the penalty of death. Private William Scott of Co. K. of the Third regiment of Vermont volunteers, will be released from confinement and returned to duty.
By command of
MG General McClellan, S. WILLIAMS, Asst. Adjt.-General.
The camp rang with cheers for President Lincoln after the dismissal of the parade, and Scott returned to his company, to do good service as a soldier, and to give his life seven months later, while gallantly charging the rebel rifle pits at Lee's Mill.
While not a micro, this cache is a small Tupperware container good for coins or other flat items. Some of the original contents: Small log book with pencil and sharpener; coins, smiling stickers, key rings.
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