From the War of 1812 (1812-15) to the Civil War (1861-65) and many battles in between, Winfield Scott was one of America's leading military commanders. He was so popularly known that he ran for president in 1852. His father, William Scott, had been a captain during the American Revolution (1775-83).

Scott was born on June 13, 1786, on his parents' large farm near Petersburg, Virginia. His father died when Scott was six years old, leaving his mother, Ann, to raise him alone. She died when he was seventeen. After one year each of high school and college, he began to study law. He soon started his own practice, traveling around Virginia to provide legal aid where needed. In 1807, Scott watched the treason trial of former vice president Aaron Burr (1756-1836). Scott declared publicly that he believed Burr and his cohort, General James Wilkinson (1757-1825), were guilty. Scott's statement angered Wilkinson...