Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-03-14
HEIgaaIsr-oeneraI Beauregnra.

Prom l1c Cltrles-1n O1urier.
A gentleman, who served with distinguishes Ell
honor ss commissioned officer Of high rank
in the Palmetto regiment, has called our at
tsntion to ClaiThorne's graphic and spirited
account Of The attack upon The City Of Mex
leo. Our object in reproducing this narrative
Of that glorious battle viii be perceived by cur
readers.
The biographer OF Gen. Quitman tells US
that Gen. Scott, In the council Of war held on
the eve Of the engagement, desired bis officers
to express their opinions as to the best point
OF attack on the capital. After they had done
so, the genersl-in-chief, the writer goes on to
say then called on Lieut. BesHregard, whose
conduct at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo and Con
treraG, bad strongly attracted his attention.
That young officer observed that, inasmuch as
be diff ed is toto with his brother engineers
be feH difidence in expressing bis We've;
that, BE night Ct the 7tb he bad been
reconn southern front Of the city:
that be. ~fenses hourly increasing
in profile 4 armament; that in
his oplni, n Antonio was
stronger th. approach was
open to the v III ,he.enemv.
cut up with dee. nes, and almost entirely
under water; that, moreover, there was no pos
sibility Of attacking there by the flank or
resr-our most successful tactics with the
Mexicans. Santa Anna exnscted an alta cE In
receive Us, and it is maxim in wa leyer to
do what your enemy expects OF VIII svou to
DO" That al military authorities agreed that
the best way to attack a large city. not sufi-
ciently armed and gsrrisoned, is simply to make
the strongest demonstration practicable at
one Of its points, and then, by rapid move
ment during the siEht, to attack suddenly
about dsybreak some other point more or less
remote, at the same time keeping up a simu-
lea a. Hhrr r.-svr h.
strstion had been made; that, as the gener-
sl-in-cbief had stated, By 90 doing we would
have the advantage Of making the real attack
on that part OF the city which offered the
greatest facilities for the construction Of bat
teries (if required) and the movement Of
troops and that, by first seizing Chspults-
pee, ws secured pivot to move upon any part
Of the circumference Of the city, even though
eventually we might find ourselves compelled
20 attack those same southern gates.
Gen. Scott having asked If any other officer
present had any opinion to submit, General
Pierce said, after what be had Just listened to,
be asked permission to change his opinion.
He was now in favor Of the attack By Cha
pultepse. The genersl-in-ehief then, rising
to the full majesty Of bis stature, said: ave
shall atteck BY the western gates; the gen.
eral officers will remain for orders; the meet
ing is dissolved"
The writer adds the following note:
A fortnight afterwsrd, when our army was
within the city, while Gen. Scott was riding
with Generals Twiggs and Smith on the San
Como road, meeting Lieut.. BesuregaTd with
Col Hitchcock and Mr.. Trist, be said in a
tone Of feignsd severity "Young man, / wish
to reprimand you, and ] wish the whole army
was present; but these generals represent it.
Why did YOU advise ne to attack by the vest
ern gates You now see the consequences
We have taken this great city and the halls Of
EEoatezuma, after few hours hard fighting,
nth only a loss Of 500 men. Be careful
Ia kre, cir, Of such bad advice to your
Sc