Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-03-14
gFlistellanepas Artitles.
General .Beauregard.

There is no name better known for sci.
ence aud worth among army men, than Gen.
Beauregard.
The histories of the Mexican War, favor
ably as they have mentioned him, have fail
ed to notice two of the most conspicuous
incidents of his life, and which have gone
far to establish his fame We will relate
them, promising that we we're not in the
war, and that we repeat them from memory
on authentic information. The principal
facts will be stated accurately, though there
may be errors in unimportant details.
The first occurred below Vera Cruz. Gen.
B., then Lieutenant of Engineers, was sent
out by his Colonel (Totteu, if We remember
aright) with party of sappers to dig and
prepare trench, according to a profile and
plan prepared by the Colonel. No sooner
had Beauregard examined the ground than
he discovered great objections to the plan.
To assure himself, he climbed into a tree,
and with the aid of a marine glass, the en-
queer = GUut WtCtNDtJ uC maui q ieCouuoi-
sance and saw plainly that the trench, as
planned, would be eufladed by the enemys
cannon. Here was difficult position for
a subaltern ministerial officer. He decided
promptly, and returned to head quarters
without sticking spade. The Colonel met
him and expressed surprise that be had so
soon performed his task. Beauregard re-
piled that he had not touched it. The Colo
mel, with the astonishment military men
feel in hearing their orders have not been
obeyed, inquired the reason. He was soon
informed fit He was incredulous-"th
ground had been examined" recon
nisance was perfect" &c. The young Lieu
tenant was satisfied, however, that the re
connoisance of his old chief had not been
made like his, "from up in tree" The
Colonel, like sensible man, concluded to
make another xamination--the plan was
changed in accordance with the young Lieu
tenants views. The work done from these
trenches is matter of history-but its pages
nowhere inform US to whom the credit is
due
Our second incident occurred before the
city of Mexico A ight or two before the
attack, council of war was held. There
were assembled all the big folks, from the
(now) Lieut. General (who practices Mexi-
can tactics from the house tops in Washing
ton), including Worth, Twiggs, &c., down
to our friend Beauregard, the youngest Of
6cer in the room. The debate went on for
hours. Scott was solitary in his OPINION
Every other officer present, except one, had
spoken, and all concurred in their views.
The silent one was Beauregard. At last
Gen. Pierce crossed over and said, "You
have not expressed an opinion" "l have
not been called on" said Beauregard.-
"You shall be, however," said Pierce; and
soon resuming his seat, announced that
Lieutenant Beauregard had not given his
opinion. Being then called out, he remark
ed, that if the plan which had received the
assent of all but the commanding General
was carried into effect, it would prove dis
astrous. 1t would be another Churubusco
affair. He then detailed the objections to it
at length-and taking up the other, urged
the reasons in its favor with equal earnest
ness. The Council reversed the decision.
The City of Mexico was entered according
to the plan urged by the young Lieutenant j.;
and it would seem that his reasons Influenced
the decision. A few days afterwards Gen
eral Scott, in the presence of a number of
genera! officers, alluded to Lieut.. Beaure-
CARDS opinion at the Council, and the con-
sequences which had followed from it.
We refer our readers for further informa-
tion on this point to 1.-The life and Cores
pondence of John A. Qutman, page 353.
Some justice has been done to Beaure-
gard in the histories of the Mexican war