Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/686

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

throughout the war. His one regret was tliat he, too old for service in the ranks, was unfitted for military command. Later, in the spring of 1862, when marauders were terrorizing his community, he gathered to- gether a few of his older friends and neigh- bors and led them in the pursuit. Sur- rounding the marauders in a house a few miles west of Warrenton, insensible to fear, he stepped up to demand their surrender, when without a word, through the partially open door, he was shot through the heart and instantly killed. Thus untimely died, foully murdered by two stragglers from the Federal army, one of the ablest and most devoted to Virginia's many able and de- voted sons.

In the full vigor of his intellect and the maturity of his great powers, foreseeing with the unerring vision of a prophet, the full consequences of his act, with unswerv- ing loyalty and unshaken courage, without a moment's hesitation he laid his all upon the altar of his state and rests to-day in a lonely grave far from the haunts of the teeming multitude. He rests well and sleeps peacefully at his beloved Oakwood, his an- cestral home, in the bosom of the county whose delight it was to honor him. ever relying upon his power, his wisdom and his services, a reliance which never failed and to which he was true even unto death.

Over his grave there stands a marble shaft, upon which is inscribed the follow- ing simple but eloquent tribute: "His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him, that nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man'."

In the "Richmond Dispatch" of May 9, 1862, a few days after his death, there ap- peared the following just tribute to his memory :

THE LATE ROBERT E. SCOTT.

This eminent citizen, who was foully murdered by a gang of Yankee marauders we yesterday alluded to, was a native of Fauquier and oldest son of the late Judge John Scott of that county, one of the most eminent jurists of his day. The family are all distinguished for talent; Captain John Scott, who was the original commander of the Black Horse Troop, and Dr. Martin Scott, formerly a professor in the Medical College of this city, younger broth- ers of Robert E., having already earned a high reputation, the one by his political writing and the other by his skill in his profession.

Robert E. Scott was educated at the University of Virginia, which he entered during the first ses- sion in 1825, and did not leave until he had passed

through all the classes, he took at college the stand which he maintained through life. He became noticed at once among his companions for his high spirit and lofty contempt of anything mean or shuf- fling, not less than for his powerful understanding, and earnest application to his studies. Throughout the time of his sojourn at the University, he stood among the first in his classes, and left the institu- tion with a high reputation of a mind stored with knowledge, he commenced the practice of law about the year 1830, and almost at a bound placed him- self on the same platform with the best and oldest of his associates. What he once gained he never lost. His application was equal to his talent, and he improved every day to the hour of his death. When that deplorable event occurred, he was among the ablest lawyers Virginia has ever pro- duced. Between the years 1835 and 1840 he was elected to the Legislature from his native county, and continued to represent it for many years. Among the many men of powerful talent who were in the Legislature during the time of his service he met with no superior. Had it been his fortune to represent his district in Congress it is believed that he would have made a national reputation, not in- ferior to that of any man who has represented Vir- ginia in its time. He was in the late Convention and was distinguished for the zeal with which he opposed secession, as long as he believed it possi- ble consistently with honor to hold on to the Union. Robert E. Scott was a man with the most inflex- ible integrity. He thought for himself, and he thought powerfully. When his convictions were once settled, he maintained them with unflinching tenacity. Yet his firmness great as it was never degenerated into brute obstinacy. He was always open to reason, and if he seldom changed his mind it was because he was accustomed to study every question thoroughly before he made it up. He is believed to have been a perfectly just man, and his high spirit could not brook the manifestation of injustice on the part of others. Had he been a younger man he would doubtless have been a dis- tinguished officer in this war, for he had all the requisites of a great general except experience. Calm, unshaken courage; a high order of talent; great force of character: a will as determined as that of Ceasar and that talent for commanding the obedience of men without which all other talents are thrown away upon a general. It must make the blood of every Virginian boil in his veins when he thinks upon his fate. Robt. E. ScoTT.

Robert Eden Scott married Henningham Watkins Lyons, daughter of James Lyons, of Richmond, born in 1800, died December 18, 1882, and his wife, Henningham (Wat- kins) Lyons ; James Lyons was distinguish- ed as a lawyer in Richmond and as a mem- ber of the Confederate States congress.

Robert Eden Scott Jr. was born in Fau- quier county. Virginia, October 15, 1858. He attended the Warrenton Male Academy, the Virginia Military Institute, and Rich- mond College, from which he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in the