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Story
September 29, 1902
Freeland Tribune
Freeland, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
In 1803, Sir Walter Scott, despite lameness, claimed exemption from army reserve duty as a veteran volunteer cavalry member in Edinburgh, showing his enthusiasm for service.
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Full Text
Walter Scott as a Volunteer.
The recent discovery in Edinburgh of a summons calling upon Sir Walter Scott, advocate, to attend and join the Edinburgh army reserve during the troubled period of 1803, has been followed by the unearthing of Scott's reply. Dated from Lasswade Cottage, July 22, 1803, and addressed to Mr. James Laing, clerk to the lieutenancy of the city of Edinburgh, the letter reads as follows: "Sir-As I observe by the enclosed summons that I am drawn a soldier of the army of reserve, I beg to inform you it is my intention to claim the exemption provided in favor of volunteer cavalry, having been for 12 years a member of the Edinburgh troop of the R. M. Lothian V. Cavalry. I understand from Col. Dundas that the adjutant, Mr. Adams, is to supply the lieutenancy with a list of the corps, in which you will find my name regularly inserted. If further verification of the exemption is requisite, have the goodness to acquaint Mr. Adams for me.
I remain, sir, your obedient servant,
Walter Scott." In spite of his lameness, Scott was an enthusiastic-and immensely popular--volunteer, and used to turn out to drill at five in the morning.-London Chronicle.
The recent discovery in Edinburgh of a summons calling upon Sir Walter Scott, advocate, to attend and join the Edinburgh army reserve during the troubled period of 1803, has been followed by the unearthing of Scott's reply. Dated from Lasswade Cottage, July 22, 1803, and addressed to Mr. James Laing, clerk to the lieutenancy of the city of Edinburgh, the letter reads as follows: "Sir-As I observe by the enclosed summons that I am drawn a soldier of the army of reserve, I beg to inform you it is my intention to claim the exemption provided in favor of volunteer cavalry, having been for 12 years a member of the Edinburgh troop of the R. M. Lothian V. Cavalry. I understand from Col. Dundas that the adjutant, Mr. Adams, is to supply the lieutenancy with a list of the corps, in which you will find my name regularly inserted. If further verification of the exemption is requisite, have the goodness to acquaint Mr. Adams for me.
I remain, sir, your obedient servant,
Walter Scott." In spite of his lameness, Scott was an enthusiastic-and immensely popular--volunteer, and used to turn out to drill at five in the morning.-London Chronicle.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
What keywords are associated?
Walter Scott
Volunteer Cavalry
Army Reserve
Exemption
1803
What entities or persons were involved?
Sir Walter Scott
Mr. James Laing
Col. Dundas
Mr. Adams
Where did it happen?
Edinburgh, Lasswade Cottage
Story Details
Key Persons
Sir Walter Scott
Mr. James Laing
Col. Dundas
Mr. Adams
Location
Edinburgh, Lasswade Cottage
Event Date
July 22, 1803
Story Details
Discovery of a 1803 summons for Sir Walter Scott to join the army reserve and his reply claiming exemption as a long-time member of the Edinburgh troop of the R. M. Lothian V. Cavalry, despite his lameness he was an enthusiastic volunteer.