Burr, and, carried away by his feelings, he remarked at a public table that he had never seen but two traitors,—Generals Wilkinson and Burr,—and that Wilkinson was a liar and a scoundrel. He was therefore tried by court-martial and found guilty of having uttered disrespectful language towards his superior officer. He was sentenced to be suspended "from all rank, pay, and emoluments, for the space of twelve months." This enforced period of retirement was spent by the young soldier in the careful study of works on military science.

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When the war of 1812 broke out he was commissioned as lieutenant-colonel in the Second Artillery, and was sent to take part in the invasion of Canada. His first battle was fought at Queenstown Heights, on the Niagara River, on the 13th of October. As the New York; militia had refused to cross with him, Scott had but four hundred men under his command to oppose an enemy: numbering thirteen hundred. With desperate valor he held out for a time against these overwhelming odds, but was forced at length to surrender. In January, 1813, he was regularly exchanged, and at midsummer took Fort Erie, and by skill and bravery won his laurels at the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane. In the latter conflict he was severely wounded and was obliged to resort to Philadelphia to receive surgical aid. Though the campaign of invasion had been, as a whole, unsuccessful, his victories were made conspicuous by the contrast. Not only was he commissioned major-general, but Congress passed a resolution of thanks for his skill and gallantry and presented him with a gold medal, while the legislatures of New York and Virginia presented him with splendid swords

After the ratification of the treaty in February, 1815, over thirty years of general peace ensued. General Scott traveled in Europe, and had the pleasure of meeting many distinguished military men, among them the patriot Kosciusko. After his return to America he married Miss Maria Mayo, a brilliant and accomplished Virginian lady. He was assigned to the command of the Eastern Division of the United States Army, with his headquarters at the city of New York. He prepared "General Regulations for the Army," which were