North Newport News , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
“Just Like Sap – Boiling, in the Stream”
1862 Peninsula Campaign
Julian Scott, (a 16-year-old musician) crossed the Warwick several times under fire to remove at least nine wounded comrades, including mortally wounded Private William Scott.
William Scott had been caught asleep on sentry duty on August 31, 1861, and a military court sentenced him to death by a firing squad. President Abraham Lincoln pardoned the “sleeping sentinel” who later stated, “I will show President Lincoln that I am not afraid to die for my country.” He died of his wounds on April 16, 1862. For his gallantry at Dam. No. 1, Julian Scott was awarded the Medal of Honor in February 1865. He remarked that the Confederate fire was, “just like sap-boiling, in the stream, the bullets fell so thick.” After the war, Scott put his battlefield experiences on canvas and enjoyed an art career.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, the Medal of Honor Recipients, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists.
Location. 37° 11.125′ N, 76° 32.442′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in North Newport News. Marker can be reached from Constitution Way, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located in Newport News Park, on the Twin Forts Walking Trail, on the north of Lee Hall Reservoir. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport News VA 23603, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. “Their Conduct was Worthy of Veterans” (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); “The Bullets Would Whistle Around my Head” (about 400 feet away); One-Gun Battery (approx. 0.2 miles away); “Every Kind of Obstruction was Skillfully Used” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ten Pound Parrott Rifle and Limber (approx. ¼ mile away); Third Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry (approx. 0.3 miles away); Battle of Lee’s Mill (Dam Number 1) (approx. 0.3 miles away); Battle of Dam No. 1 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.
More about this marker. Three photographs appear on the marker: Capt. Samuel Pingee, Pvt. Julian Scott and Pvt. William Scott, the “Sleeping Sentinel.” Images courtesy of the Vermont Historical Society.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Markers on the Twin Forts Walking Trail in Newport News Park.
Also see . . .
1. Yorktown. CWSAC Battle Summaries. (Submitted on September 7, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Tidewater Virginia, The 1862 Peninsula Campaign. Civil War Traveler. (Submitted on September 7, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,590 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on June 15, 2022, by James Dean of Chesterfield, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 7, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.