Winfield scott biography civil war christopher

Winfield Scott is recognized as one of the greatest military officers in American History. He served in The War of 1812, The Black Hawk War, Mexican-American War and was the senior officer at the outbreak of the Civil War.

His plan, the Anaconda Plan, was used to defeat the Confederacy.

He served as Commanding General of the United States Army for twenty years. He served under seven different Presidents.

Early Life

Winfield Scott was born to William Scott and Ann Mason on June 13, 1786.

His father was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and served as an officer in the Virginia militia.

At the age of six, his father died, and at the age of seventeen, Winfield Scott lost his mother. 

The following year, after his mother's passing, he attended the College of William and Mary.

He did not stay long, as he left the college to study law under the attorney David Robinson.

Within two years, he had attained admission