Winfield Scott (chaplain)

Winfield Scott (February 26, 1837 – October 19, 1910) was an American Baptist minister, military officer, and politician. Shortly after graduating from seminary and taking his first job as a pastor, he left his church to lead a company during the American Civil War. Injuries sustained on the battlefield eventually led to his discharge from the military. Following the war, Scott moved to Kansas where he grew one church and established several others. He continued in ministerial and evangelical efforts in Colorado and California before becoming an U.S. Army chaplain. After retiring from the army, Scott moved to the Salt River Valley where he founded and was active in the early promotion of Scottsdale, Arizona. Despite being an ordained minister, Scott preferred the style "Chaplain, U.S.A." to "Reverend".

Scott was born to James Burt and Margaret E. (Covert) Scott in West Novi, Michigan on February 26, 1837. His family moved to Interlaken, New York when he was a child. Scott was baptized into the Baptist church in February 1853. He graduated from the University of Rochester in 1859 and Rochester Theological Seminary in 1861. Scott married Helen Louise Brown on July 13, 1859. The union produced 4 daughters.

A Baptist church in Syracuse, New York called Scott as their pastor following his graduation from seminary. He left this position in 1862 to raise a company to fight in the American Civil War and was commissioned a captain in the U.S. Volunteers. Scott became known as the "Fighting Parson" while he commanded Company C, 126th New York Volunteers. He was wounded during Battle of Harpers Ferry and twice each during the battles at Gettysburg and Spotsylvania Court House. As a result of his injuries, Scott was medically discharged from the military on September 23, 1864.

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