Henry Lee Scott

Henry L. Scott (October 3, 1814 – January 6, 1886) was a career officer in the United States Army. An 1833 graduate of the United States Military Academy, he was the longtime aide-de-camp to his father-in-law, General Winfield Scott. He served in the Second Seminole War, Mexican–American War, and American Civil War and resigned effective October 31, 1862. After retiring, Scott resided in New York City and authored 1863's Military Dictionary.

Early life and start of career Henry Lee Scott was born in New Bern, North Carolina on October 3, 1814, a son of Dr. Andrew Scott and Margaret Sarah (Guion) Scott. He was raised and educated in New Bern, and in 1829 began attendance at the United States Military Academy (West Point). He graduated in 1833 ranked 41st of 43. Among his classmates who later attained general officer rank in the U.S. Army were John G. Barnard, George Washington Cullum, Rufus King, Benjamin Alvord, and Henry W. Wessells. In addition, classmate Daniel Ruggles was a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army. They were the parents of one child who lived to adulthood, Winfield Scott (1851–1921).

Later career Scott served as acting Judge Advocate of the army's Eastern Division from September 1848 to September 1850. He remained in Europe until the end of the war, and resigned his commission in October 1862, but it was not accepted until late 1865. In letters published in 1867, McClellan and General Schuyler Hamilton told Scott that McClellan had never suspected him of spying for the Confederacy, had never accused him, and did not know how the story had originated.

Scott was a member of the Aztec Club of 1847. Following the Civil War, he was promoted to brigadier general by brevet, but he declined the honor. He died in New York City on January 6, 1886. Scott was buried at New Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.

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