Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-01-31

botO. ana other North Carolina towns. Zen
eral Mcclellan says they cannot do 50 without
badly exposing Norfolk, Richmond, and
Charleston, one or all. In fact, between
dread Of our position at Beaufort, panic over
Schoepfs success at Mill Spring, solicitude
for the safety Of Norfolk aud necessity Of
maintaining the entire present force at Manas-
sas, they can hardly find heart or hands to
resist Burnside most exposed movements.
MCCLELLAN AND BEAUREGARD IN
MEXICO.
Seated in my tent, ono evening, just before
the battle OF the city Of Mexico, the captain
came to me with Corporal | have been re-
quested to send trusty non-commssioncd
officer to the general council to- night as a mes
senger. Will you 60 p ! replied in the af-
frmatiye, thanking the captain for his conf
dence. Our company at that time, detached
from its regiment, was doing special duty at
Gen. SCOTS headquarters. In the discharge
Of that duty, had made point Of being spe.
cially attentive, and thereby gained the con-
hdcnce Of our captain, and once or twice was
commended by old Fuss and Fathers, himself
! brushed up my clothes, and frightened my
shoes and brass plates in the neatest manner
possible that evening, and presented myself
to the adjutant general for instruction.
found that the council about 90 meet for the
consideration Of Gen SCOTS plans for taking
the city, was to be composed of all the colo
ncls in the division, and that my duty would
be TO 60 on errands and to attend 90 bring
ing chairs, paper, or whatever might be re-
qured.
Well the council met,and ] was at my post
1t was the finest body Of military men | had
ever seen together, and when they assembled
around that table, and the old General stood
towering high above the rest, could not help
but 90 admire him more than ever. After the
customary salulation and organization, they
sat dow in regard to rank, beginning with
Gen. Wool. and succeeding each other in
seats, as seniority of rank gave them privi-
legc. IL was no time for delay and the gem
eral poke rapidly and with earnestness oc-
casionally referring TO some one on the right
or left for information or confederation. Thus
carefully and explicitly were the movements
and marches, the sallies aud sorties, the whole
plan developed, 50 that all seemed to under
stand
But presently flaw was discovered. some
thing was wrong, aud saw by the pcrplexed
look of those around the table that a
very serious mistake had been made,
but from what cause my knowledge of mill
iary affairs did not enable me TO Judge. A
dispute arose between some colonel and the
eugiueer-in-chiei, in regard to the position
and strength Of some battery, and the topo-
graphy of the surrounding country The
colonel said that frequent reconnaissance of
the ground, from the fact of his being en-
campcd near the place in question, led him
even in direct opposition to the chart OF
the engineer, to protest against its truthful
ness, and he would urge upon the general to
make himself sure Of the condition Of affairs
before he fully completed his plan.
But this would not do; il was necessary
7 that very important and vigorous movements
should take place upon that very section of
the defense, and without correct knowledge
Of the place, action could not be carried on
with safety of certainty. 1t seem, in fact, TO
be a main point at which positive success
would have to fall TO the American forces
Finally, the colonel said that there was a
young man, lieutenant in his regiment. who
had correct chart OF the dctcnses and the
map of the domain thereto adjacent The
( engineer-in-cheif sneeringy suid Very
we'll, sir, you had better send for your author
ity, and let us see this great map The
aAnaral Nodded hia anprnual and tho epi.,.-l
gave me the name and address Of the lieuten-
ant
The encampment was not very far away. ]
mounted my horse and rode off in haste to
the regimental headquarters, and found the
very man was in search OF in the colonel $
tent with draugLting papers on the table be-
fore him, and sketches II the city and its sur
roundings scattered everywhere. handed
him the note, which he read and hastily tore
up, asking me if | could wait until be could
l. o
not long to wait lie came back in a few mo-
ments, and carefully wrapping up his surveys
he placed them in a long tin case, and mount.
ing, prepared to follow me. On the way he
conversed with so much earnestness and In
such a mild, interesting manner, that / fell
encouraged to chat and talk. contrary to my
5 usual practice when on horseback. He in
formed me that he was a graduate at Wesl
e Point, and that he had there fallen SO mucl
in love with the science of geometry that b,
had made it almost his constant study anC
now he found it very interesting, in the inter
) walls of duty, to make sketches and survey
T of the city.
When we arrived at the generals quarter
) again. the lieutenant was introduced, and a
D his coonel's request, produced his charts
D The party were astonished at their finish anC
r they were found to be perfectly correct, Gen
t Scott came forward and grasping the younl
= lieutenant by the hand, personally compli
= mented him on his skill, and thanked him 70
his efficiency The chief engineer, somewha
e chagrined at this display of tearing on tn,
2 part of his young rival, sneeringly said "Gen
3, eral, perhaps this young man has some plan b.
, which this part Of the defenses may be at
tackled" Upon inquiry, it was found that h,
had plan, which was produced with som
: degree Of reluctance aud laid before the as
e. semby. 1t was read and criticised, and cor
n rected, and finally to make long story short
e adopted with some amendment by the coun
= Gil. This displeased the engineer, who seem
a ed to think that the lieutenant, though bu
n a few years his junior had no RICH; to dispa
G so much knowledge Of science which di,
b, not belong to his branch of the service.
. 81 need not tell you" continued the cor
n pora, that in the taking Of Mexico few
a days after, the plan offered by this ieutenan
r was of signal service, and that he was brevet
e ted soon afterwards.
r Here the story ended, and the sergeant re
r lapsed into his pipe and silence" We al
y looked for while into the fire. when one O
the sentinels asked what the name of thi
G young lieutenant was. He slowly pulled th