Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-06-19

taken out of prison to prepare some
rude machinery and make powder,
and he accomplished the feat.
In 1811-12 the revolution had broken
out under the brave and patriotic
priest, MoreloS, and was making
rapid headWay. The Viceroy needed
troops, and Bean was offered q COM
mission if he would enlist in the Span
ish army. He did so, with an inten-
ton which he speedily carried out, of
going over the first opportunity to the
Republicans.
The opportunity soon presented it.
self, and the brave M0relOs was ban
too glad TO have such an accession to
his staff of Republican officers. The
two became fast, firm friends. Bean
set To WOrk TO construct powder mills
to build furnaces for casting cannon,
and shops for preparing all kinds OF
arms. His services were invaluable.
He displayed such GOODNESS and
courage IN action that he soon rose to
the rank OF a Colonel. Bean was in
command Of the troops that besieged
and finally captured the city of Aea-
puic0, with its Governor who had kept
MIN in solitary confinement with his
white lizard. Bean treated his pris-
oner generously, and won the admira-
ton OF the citizens of all parties.
MOrelOs determined TO send Colonel
Bean to the United States as an agent
Of the revolutionary party in Mexico.
fortunately, Just at this iuncture. the
Tiger, a vessel under the command
of Captain Dominic, one Of Laitte's
most trusted ~lieutenants. touched at
Nautla, and Bean went On board inn
mediately and sailed for Barrataria.
IL was on this vessel that our hero
inst heard Of the war between the
United States and Great Britain. Ar
irving at the rendezvous of the buc-
cancers, LATTE concluded to accom-
pony Bean to General JacksOn's head
quarters. They threaded their way
through the bayOus, avoiding the
British, and as Ben. was well ac-
quaiDted with General Jackson, that
old hero at one placed his Mexican
ambassador in command of battery.
Through Beams influence a pardon
was granted to Lafitte, and he too re-
ceived a commission in the United
States Navy.
Except a few days in which Bean
was showing mason how to con-
struet a furnace for throwing hot shot,
Bean drilled his men regularly until
after the famous battle of June g., 1915.
Most men would have thought it
glory enough to command a battery
on that %eyentful day With Colonel
b. it was a mere episode, and as the
disturbed state of the country did not
favor his mission, he resolved to re-
turn again to Mexico. a friendship
sprang up between Bean and L9ftte.
Whilst Laitte was commissioned as
an officer in the Mexican navy to
cruise against Spanish vessels, the
Commodore furnished q vessel to ar
ry Bean back again to Mexico.
The rivalry among different chiefs
of the patriot cause had prevented
their complete triumph, and it was
to send Colonel Bean
again to the United States, and Man
de Herrara also went as an embas-
sadOr. a lad, Juan n. Almonte, ac-
cOmpanied them.
As this is the first mention of AL
mOnte's name, we must digress a little
to give him a passing notice. He was
an illegitimate son of the priest More
los, and his father was now sending
him to the United States to be educa-
ted. After the tragic death of his
AlmOnte was compelled, for
want of funds, tOquit school and enter
a store. This did not suit his ambi-
tiOus disposition, and he Joined the
expedition of Bernardo GuticereS on
Red river. When that chieftain was
appointed Governor of MatamOras
went to Mexico to push mis-
fortunes. He came into distinction
with the rising fortunes of Santa An
IA, who sent him to Texas to inspect
he condition of the colonies, and the
cost reliable statistics for 1885 are
Sund in AlmOnte's report to Santa
At the battle of San JacintO
AlmOnte commanded the cavalry, and
seems to have been almost the only
Mexican officer who kept his senses.
When Col. A. saw the rOut and de-
~nOralizatiOn of his forces, he collected
/ few hundred in a squad and surren-
Tered them in due form, and thus ar
'ested the slaughter that was fast de-
generating from a battle to a butchery.
With AlmOnte this defeat was a mere
Incident in the life of a soldier of for
une. He was cheerful, ~cOnveTsed flu
mt hand without reserve with Tex
ms whose acquaintance he had Horned
he year before. With a quick pereep-
ion of character, he alternately inter
sted and BATTERED the Texan leaders,
nd no doubt did much to prevent the
xecutiOn of Santa Anna.
We cannot follow the varied for
and vieissitudes of AlmOnte as
70 rOseto the rank of General, MEM
er of Cabinet, and foreign minister.
Is life has been but little less event
D than that of Santa Anna, his dis
.Inguished master. !
Col. Bean did not remain long in
he United States. But on his return
D Mexico the patriot cause was in a
eplOrable condition. MOrelOs had
cen captured and shot. After strug- /.
ling for some time with varying for ,
ines, in 1878 he again visited the /,
'nited States, and spent some years Z
Tennessee and Arkansas, and final ,
among other cOlOnists settled at J
lOund Prairie, in Texas. In 1925 ,
can revisited Mexico. His former :
were fully recognized by his !
ss0eiates in arms who were now in :
over. His COlOnel's commission :
as renewed and he received a COM :
and in East Texas, as Indian agent. :
this office he enjoyed the respect (;
nd confidence of all parties. When :
OvernOr Blanc0 issued his decree =
anishing the EdWardses from Tex :
!, and they organized the FREEDMAN :
Bean vas compelled from his
position TO side with Blanco.
1t his heart was not much in the
ght. He writes in his memorandum
)Ok that he had a bet on the result
it'll Senior y. II Bean was not able o
restore civil government, we was n
pay Y. twenty-five dollars. If he v
d so, Z. was to give him a jack and .
rec bottles Of wine, Bean won the II
Bean was friendly to Sam. Houston II
ID advised him to serve in the Con- Il
of Texas, 1885. When the n
volutiOn broke out, as Indian agent @
kept the CherOkees quiet and men, h
ii IN the contest between Texas and a
exIeo. Bean was very reticent. In Z
Q Mexican army men with a.
lom he had been fightinAf or Re- n
principles for twenty Rrs, Y
t the Texans were OF his raee and lt
ndred. Before the battle of San u
Houston had him arrested, al
d he retained his position in the "
.Xican army and subsequently re- II
med to Mexico and spent the bal 10
CO of his life.
IN studying the character of Bean
ere is much TO admire. His COM hs
Mons loved him like a brother, and fOI
never deserted them, and never by
IN or VlndlctlVe spirit an
len his enemies fell into his power. b
1t one time when he was a Drisonar so