Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-03-15
GENERAL BEAUREaARD.

Gen. Beauregard.
The histories of the Mexican War, favors
bly, as they have mentioned him, have fail
ed to notice two of the most conspicuou
incidents Of his life, and which have gou
far to establish bis fame. We will relat
them, promising that we were not in tn
war, and that we repeat them from memo
~ on authentic information. The princi-
pal facts will be stated accurately though
there may be errors in uuimportant de-
tails.
The first occurred before Vera Cruz
Gen. g., than Lieutenant of Engineers
was sent out BY his Colonel (TotteD, if VIC
remember aright) with party of sappers
to dig and prepare a trench, according to a
profile and plan prepared by tho ColoneI
No sooner had Beauregard examined the
ground than he discovered great objections
to the plan. To assure himself, be climb
ed into tree, and the aid of the marine
glass, the engineers vade nsecun,, be made
Reconnaissance and saw plainly that the
trench, as planned, would be en6laded by
the enemy's cannon. Here was difficult
for subaltern ministerial officer. He de-
clded promptly, aud returned to headouar-
ters without sticking spade. The Colonel
met him and expressed surprise that he
had SO soon performed his task. Beaure-
gard replied that he had not touched it..
The Colonel, with the astonishment mill
tary men feel in hearing their orders have
not been obeyed, inquired the reason. He
was soon informed of it. lie was incre-
dulous-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 made like his, from up in tree.'
Ibe Colonel, like sensible man, concluded
to make another examination plan
was changed in accordanc with the young
L'eutenants views. Tue work done from
these trenches is matter of history but its
pages nowhere inform US to whom the cred.
it is due.
Our SECOND incident occurred before the
city of Mexico.
A night or two before the attack coun.
chof war was held. There were assem-
bIed all the big folks, from the (uow) Lieut..
General (who proatices Mexican tactics
from the house-tops in Washington), iDclu-
ding Worth, T~iggs, &C., down to our
friend Beauregard, tue youngest officer in
the room. The debate went on for hours.
Scott was solitary in his opinion. Every
other officer present, except one, had spo.
ken, end all coucurred in their views. The
silent one was Resuregard. At last Gen.
PIERCE crossed over and said, You have
not expressed an opinion Il have not
been called ou,' said Beauregard. You
shall be, however, said Pierce; and soon
sasuming his seat, announced that Lieut.. |
Beauregard had not given his opinion,
Being then called out, he remarked, that
it the plaR which had received the assent
OF all but the commanding General was
carried into effect, it would prove disastrous.
1t would be another ChRrbusco affair. He
then detailed the objections to it at length |
and taking up the other, urged the rea-
sons in it's favor with equeal earuestness,
The Council reversed their decision. The
City Of Mexico was entered according to
the plan urged BY the young Lieutenant;
andit would seem that bis reasons influ-
enced the decision. A few days afterwards
General Scott. in the presence of a number
Of general officers, alluded to 1t. Beaure-I
CARDS opinion at the Council, and the COZ
sequnces which had followed from it.
We refer our readers for further Informs
lion on this point to The Life and Cor
respondence Of john a. Quitman, page
$50.
Some justice has been done to Besars-
gard in the histories of .be Mexican war;
but /" ineomplsteness We have been remin
ded Of Byron's satire Oh military glory
10 be shot dead on the battle fisid, and
nave your name misspelt in tho Gazetts.'
Inc position now 30 promptly assigned
70 oeo' beaursgard Is a just tribute to bis
worth. 1t isa great satisfaction to our
people thst the eaemy can bring no taien.
against as which We canuot match with its
equal 10 our Southern land and amouQst |
al tho bright galaxy, 20 ono conld ,hs mora
acceptable than osr native born Lou;siap.
Bssuregsrd.
NeTHrse j. more silly .bsa the pl.asu.. |
some people take 10 'spsakipg thsir miuds!,
A man Of this make will say . rude thins |
for the mere pleasure Of ssying Il, whes |
opposite behaviour, fun ~ ipsopsst might |
have preserved his -kiesd o. made his hv-
tuna. = -. - 80 sT
e 50 : 49, = :
< TuxaE saasn. IA IL Ets3. s.s,xs..s ;.:n.