While Scott served with distinction in the War of 1812 and in quelling Indian disturbances, his fame is based upon the able generalship he displayed in the Mexican War. He distinguished himself at the battles of Chippewa and Lundy’s Lane in the earlier conflict and was brevetted a major general and proclaimed a national hero.

General Scott was among the generals of the period who served in Indian Wars and he took an active part in settling the “Aristook War,” one of the incidents in the tensions of boundary line disputes between the U. S. and Great Britain’s possessions.

In the Mexican War, Scott’s series of brilliant victories culminated in his march into Mexico City, where it is said the impressionable people cheered him as he entered with a plume waving from his helmet. After the war, certain charges were brought against Scott but were later withdrawn.

Scott lost the presidential campaign on the Whig ticket. In 1859 he acted as peacemaker with Great Britain over the possession of San Juan Island in Puget Sound. During the secession movement, although he was a Virginian, he remained loyal to the Union.