Charles Scott, born in Cumberland County, Virginia, in 1733, was
in the colonial service as a non-commissioned officer at the time
of Braddock’s defeat in 1755. At the beginning of our struggle for
independence, he raised and commanded the first company south of the
James River. In April, 1777, Congress promoted him from colonel to
brigadier-general. At the retreat of Lee from Monmouth, Scott was
the last to leave the field. Having been previously employed in the
recruiting service in Virginia, that State was anxious he should be
intrusted with the duty of her defence; Washington, however, ordered
him to South Carolina, and he became a prisoner at the capture
of Charleston, and was not exchanged until near the close of the
war. In 1785, he removed to Woodford County, Kentucky, filling the
gubernatorial chair of that State from 1808 to 1812, and dying there on
the 22d of October, 1813.