Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-27
FROM the CnarleSton III
General Beauregard,

There is no name better known for science |
and worth among army men than General Bean |
regard.
The histories of the Mexican War, favorably
as they have noticed him, have failed to mention
two of the most conspicuous incidents of his life
and which have gone far 10 establish his fame
We will relate them, promising that we were not
in the war, and that repeat them from mem
ory on authentic information. The principal
facts will be stated accurately, though there NAV
be errors in unimportant details.
The first occurred before Vera Cruz.
General B., then Lieutenant of Engineers,
sent out by his Colonel (Totten, ii we re-
member aright,) with party of sappers to dig
and prepare a trench, according TO u profile and
plan prepared by the Colonel. No sooner had
Beauregard examined the ground then he discov-
cred great objections to the plan. To assure him
self, he climbed into tee, and with the aid OF
the marine glass, the Engineers rade mccurn he
made Il reconnaissance, and saw plainly that the
trench, as planned, would be enilaGed by the en-
emys cannon Here was difficult position for a
subaltern ministerial officer. He decided promptly
and returned to headquarters without sticking
spade The Colonel met him and EXPRESSED sur
prise that he had soon performed his task
Beauregard replied that he had not touched it.
The Colonel, with the aslonishment military men
feel in hearing their orders have not Leen obey ell
inquired the reason. lie was soon informed of
it. He WAS incre relulouS-"the ground had been
examined"-''the reconnaissance was perfect"
&c. The young Lieutenant was satisfied, how
ever, that the reconnaissance of his old chief had
not been made like his, "from up tr e." The
Colonel, like a sensible man, concluded to make
another examination-the plan was changed in
accordance with the young Leuienant's views.
The work done from these trenches is a matter of
history-but its pages nowhere inform us to whom
the credit should be given.
Our second incident occurred before the City
of Mexico.
night or two before the attack. council Of
war was held There were assembled all the big
folks, from the (now) Lieutenant General (who
practices Mexican tactics from the house tops in
/ Washington,) including Worth, Twiggs, &c,
down to our friend Beauregard, the Youngest Off
Ger in the room The debate went on for hours
Scott was solitary in his opinions. Every other
| officer present, except one, had spoken, and
all concurred in their views. The silent one
was Beauregard. At last General Pierce crossed
over and sid:
"fou have not expressed opinion
81 have not been called on said Beiuregard.
"You shall be, however," said Pierce; and
soon resumng his seat, announced that Lieuten
ant BeIuregard had not gwen his opinion. Being
then called out, he remarked, that if the plan
| which had received the assent of all but the COM
mandng General was carried into effect. il would
prove disastrous. IL would be another Cherubus-
co affair. He then detailed the objections to it at
length-and taking up the other, urged the rea-
sons in its favor with etal earnestness. The
council reversed their decision. The City OF
Mexico was entered according to the plan urged
by the youg Lieutenant; and it would seem that
his reasons influenced the decision. A few days
afterwards General Scott, in the presence of a
number of general officers alluded TO Lieutenai
Beauregards opinion at the council, and the con.
sequences which had followed from it,
We refer our readers for further information
on this point to "The Life and Correspondence
of John A. Quitman," page 353.
Some justice has been done to Beauregard in
in the histories of the Mexican war-but in its in.
completeness we have been reminded of Byron
satire on military glory: ITO be shot dead on
the battle field, and have your name misspelt in
! the Gazette"
The position now so promptly assigned to Gen
Beauregard is just tribute to his worth. Ii is
great satisfaction to our people that the enemy
can bring talent against US which we cannU,
match with its equal in our southern land; and
amongst all the bright galaxy, no one could be
; more acceptable than native born Louisiana
Beauregard