In the 1860 Federal Census, Scott owned no real estate, but had $3490 in personal property, namely six slaves (half under 7 years old).

[5] Commissioned a captain, Scott served under the local Commonwealth attorney, Col. Eppa Hunton (who had been a Secession Convention delegate and later was promoted to rank of Brigadier General) and was trained by Major and later Lt.Col.

After the war, Scott entered into a private legal practice with James Vass Brooke, which lasted until 1894.

After the restoration of civil rights to Confederate veterans, Scott won election to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1868 representing Fauquier County, and in 1870 became Warrenton's mayor.

In 1881 he followed his father's and father-in-law's path and won election as a delegate to the Virginia General Assembly, representing Loudoun and Fauquier counties.