Private Letters of General Scott and Ex-President Buchanan's Reply

What it is

This is a short pamphlet published in New York in 1862, containing private letters written by Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott about the political and military crisis of early 1861, together with former president James Buchanan's own published reply defending his actions.

Why it matters

After leaving office, Buchanan faced strong criticism for his handling of the secession crisis that preceded the Civil War. This pamphlet preserves his own defense of his conduct, written in response to Scott's letters, offering a direct window into how Buchanan sought to answer his critics.

Look closer

• Why might Buchanan have felt it necessary to publicly respond to Scott's letters?
• What does the existence of this pamphlet tell us about how contested Buchanan's presidency was after it ended?
• What does Buchanan's reply include, and what might it leave out or downplay?