Scott was General-in-Chief of the Union armies at the outbreak of the war.
He was a man of immense power and prestige, unmatched in the annals of American military history. But he was far too old for the job - a consequence of the reluctance of the American people to pay for a large standing army, and offer good prospects to young potential commanders.
Scott's original sizing-up of the war situation was remarkably accurate. Like very few others, he knew it would be a long war, and he planned accordingly. The idea was to blockade the Southern ports and squeeze the life out of the Confederacy before invading the South.
This plan was immediately ridiculed as the 'Anaconda' - far too slow for the short, glorious and almost bloodless war that most people on both sides visualised.
In fact, Congress eventually put into effect a plan very similar, with Grant ending the system of prisoner-exchange - slowly strangling the South as it ran out of manpower.
As an aside, Winfield Scott was a candidate for the US presidency in 1852. He ran as a Whig.
depression
Zachary Taylor used General Winfield Scott as the leader of the army.
During the War with Mexico it was General Winfield Scott. During the Civil War, it was Jefferson Davis.
The post of General-in-Chief was held by Winfield Scott, George McClellan, Henry Halleck and Ulysses Grant.
General Winfield Scott.
Winfield Scott
depression
At the start of the Civil War, Winfield Scott was the Commanding General of the Union Army.
Zachary Taylor used General Winfield Scott as the leader of the army.
Winfield Scott Hancock
Winfield Scott, the first UnionGeneral-in-Chief of the Civil War.
Winfield Scott was old and ill and unable to go to into. If he had a horse it was hooked to a carriage. Thus, no name ever mentioned...........
To barraged lees army
Zachary Taylor used General Winfield Scott as the leader of the army.
General Winfield Scott was the general in chief of the Union's military as the US Civil War unfolded.Not long after the armed conflict began, he left that position and became part of West point's administration.
At the start of the Civil War in 1861, Lieutenant General Winfield Scott was 74 years of age and physically unable to lead troops in the field. Nevertheless, he advised President Lincoln on military affairs and is attributed with the basic strategic plan for the North during the war, the so-called "Anaconda Plan", which laid out a long-term strangling of the South, militarily and commercially.
During the War with Mexico it was General Winfield Scott. During the Civil War, it was Jefferson Davis.