The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-12-04

i1lltle ulu tne veteran, Wnen ne palu tnlS
remarkable compliment to the young engi-
neer, within sight of the United States flag
floating from the towers OF the Montezumas,
imagine that the same young engineer, after
a Few years had matured his experience,
would defeat his plans and ront his "grand
army " on the field of Manassas.
We may be permitted one further extract
from this excellent biography Of one of the
most distinguished Of Southern patriots, es-
pecialy as the anecdote is told in the Ian.
guage Of Lieut.. Beauregard:
"During the nighto the 18th (Sep. lS47.) J
Gen. Qulman and were cropping along in
the dark, in front Of our position, in search
Of q suitable site for second battery he de-
sired 70 have. The General pertinaciously
insisted that the ground before US was high.
expressed my doubts, when suddenly he
disappeared head deep in the Piedad canal
could not forbear rating the General about
his high land and asking what be thought
Of ItnOw He readily admitted that it was
rather lower than he had taken il to be. We
did not give up, however. but scrambled out
and nrated our battery, and by daylight had
our guns in position and our matches light
ed.n
The entry Of the American army into the
city uf Mexico, as described By Lieut.. Beau
regard, was not very imposing, or like that
Of triumphant host. lie says:
"'ihe sight we presented marching into
that immense city, being nearly all Of Us
covered with mud, and some with blood. some
.limping, some with arm in scarls, and others
with heads IN bandages, followed by two end
less lines Of gaping leperos and rabble, was
anything bot glorious in appearance"
Lieut.. Wilcox said that Gen. Quitman had
but one shoe on, having lost the other the
might before in the canal, the particulars Of
which adventure have been already related.
On his return from Mexico in ls4s, Beau
regard received sword Of honor from the
planters Of Plaquemine at St. Bernard. Ii
vas that sword he were at the bombardment
OF Fort Sumter. when the first great blow
was struck for Southern independence, and
where he covered himself with imperishable
glory for his cool, undannted courage, and
unsurpassed skill 10 engineering. Before
the attack il had been ridiculously asserted
by the Northern press that the fortress was
not Jnly impregnable, but in very short
time, caald lay Charleston, which was com
pletely at lis mercy, in ashes; bur after the
surrender 81 Maj. Anderson, With the peril.
dy iha, has distinguished both political aud
miiiiatY leaders ~ tie North, ihe whole wa
affect regarded AMI claimed BY The press
Wrestling the laureis from the brow which had
won, and so richly deserved 10 wear them.
The bravery and skill of Anderson had been
exaggerated to an absurd extent, while the
high Qualifications Of Beauregard, which had
achieved glorious triumph. we're disp.raged
a. nothing extraordinary. and 1.-THE flood wa.
/ but a very small shower" But not 50 The
brave sons Of the Palmetto State, who exc.
culed his plans, while they witnessed, and
were cheered by hrs cool, determined saloi
aud scientific strategy. With an electti.
force, his name aud deeds were impressed
upon every Southern heart. TO endure there
IN living light forever. The name Of Beau
regard has become household word. ard like
that Of Washington, will henCefutth be syla
bed by numerous tongues in town aud eonn
try, 10 honor of him who defended a nation'
rights, and forever entitled himself to III,
grateful remembrance of the people.
Ia 1855, his friend. President Franklin
Pierce, with whom he had shared dangers il
Mexico, knowing his worth aud distinguish
cd scientific attainments, gave him the sn
perintendcncy Of the construction Of the New
Orleans custom huuse-a service 10 whicl
he was admirably adapted, a., in the mani
wears he w4s employed hy government ol
the different forts, millions passed lIh;sn 4,
his hands, in the disbursement, = ,be sci.
was % scraPulously eeSfth ,he sub.treasar.
tlrment of his aeesgifted states owed him on,
cr, 10 1861 Z
ceiIk 1860, President Buchanan, aware Il
4 thc hieh qualifications IT Beaurcgard, Mi,
was then Breyct. Colonel II United State
Engineers. appointed him Superintendent b
the Military Academy of West Point, whirl
NJ Mad lefl, iwcnty.une years beiOre, viii
such distinguished honor ~ hls class. and 4
,hc duties II which position lie brought baci
thc experience gathered il active and sclea
,ifie sersicc during that period. But dnt
aud lie promptings 81 bis own generous IN
pulses directed him elsewhere. The dat
\ cloud that rose in the North was huserin
over the country, threatening 70 discharg
the fury Of its elements upnn the loved Ian
Of his birth. When Louisiana seeded itol
the Federal Union, denird there the equallt
prescribed by the original compact. az
. claiming The free and untrammeled privilege
, Of separate, sovereign State, he resishf
{ his position In the army. aud on his retdf
! TO New Orleans entered as private IN th
second company Of New Orleans Guard
, The seouel'is known. Transferred TO q
command of the forces al Charleston, at q
' critical moment, he struck the blow whic
) wrested the stronghold on Sumter from q
n minions Of the despot, and gave to the snai
i. that prestige which eliminated 10 glory
c the fields Of Bull Run and Manassas. u
2 world has been apprised Of the gallanlry aa
4 heroism he displayed on the latter occasion
(. aud how his presence and daring inspire
g his wcared forces with new life aud emery
\ The order Of battle, and the STRATEGY
Z FEas 4Ysf5 40