The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1893-05-19
Srlrtt Mistellanll.
The Late Gen. BealI.

On the o4th of March, 1870, the boly OF
Commodore Stephen Decature, the naval
hero of that age WAS carried OIL. of the old
mansion at the corner of Jackson place aud IL
street to its resting place in the Congressional
cemetery, and from there it was removed to
Philadelphia where under amonumental tomb
it lies buried. The pallbearers who officiated
on that occasion so long ago, were Commodore
Tingey, Commodore MoDough, Commodore
Porter, Commodore Rogers, Capt Ballard,
Lieut.. Mcpherson of the navy, and Gen.
Jacob Brown and Gen. Jesup OF the army.
Seventy y-three years afterward the body OF
threshold of the same historic mansion to its
last resting place. Edward Fitzgerald beale,
the hero Of another generation, will ne aPage
in American history second to none OF the
naval heroes who have preceded him. His
achievements are recorded IN the remarkable
events occurring in the Mexican war and IN
the early history of California. His life was
full of adventure, in which herOisn and
remarkable endurance are mingled. To save
his comrades, under the command Of Gen.
Kearney, who were surrounded by the
Mexicans and reduced TO the last extremity
he volunteered with Kit Carson to penetrate
the Mexican lines and carry intelligence of the
con dition of kearney's command to the fleet
under Co mmodore Stockton at San Diego,
and obtain relief. Such an achievement
by much suffering and danger,
is almost without PARALLEL in our history.
Succeeding that feat of courage and endurance
his ride from San Diego to Washington alone
as bearer of dispatches, and though detained
at the City of Mexico and at Vera Cruz
several days he made that remarkable journey
in forty seven days. These events in his
life are part of the history of the country ant
are recalled by his death at this time. Gen
Beale was successful in his military career,
limited as it was to subduing the Indi .ns il
the newly conquered territory Of New Mex
leo and California, and in civil life as sur
veyor general of California and sure-inten-
dent of Indian affairs aud as United States
minister to Austria he maintained the honor
and dignity of his country. He performed
those duties to the entire satisfaction Of the
governments. Gen. Beale was essentially
Washingtonian. He was born there, most of
his life was spent there and there he died. The
memory of MIN and his boyhood will be
cherished by the few who remain. Even in
that early period of his life he gave evidence
of the pluck and endurance which ma lie him
q hero to his companions.
His introduction to Gen. Jackson was
characteristic Of the boy and the President
Ned Beale, as he was to us then was flight
ing pitched battle, in a retired place then
in the grounds of The Presidents house with
a local pugilist and getting the better Of him,
when Gen. Jackson appeared on the spot and
stopped the fight. We all knew him and ran
but Ned remained and the old hero helped
him Oh with his jacket, asked who he was
and said 81 am Jackson if you ever want
ANYTHING com, TO me-" Years after he did
90 and told the general h, was the boy who
fistins and reminded him of his promise, and
the President, tearing piece OF paper from a
letter before him, WI ote on it to the Secretary
of the Navy to give this boy midshipm ms
warrant" Col Benton, in a speech in the
Senate, relates the incident of Beale's volun-
teering to get relief for Kearney's army and
speaks of him as youth born within sight of
the Capitol and the de seendant of two
heroes, who had received medals a d thanks
81 ~ a., t0 He
tells the story of the achievem ,nts Of Beale
and Kit Carson m ost graphic lily.
The historic IN ,nsion where these two
naval heroes died is one Of the lLnlm .rks Of
digrti ii reminder of the past
1t has had many distinguish III occupants,
Edward Livingston, when Secretary of State
Sir Charles Vaughan, British minister; Mr..
Clay, when ,cretary of State Mr.. Dallas,
Mr.. Van Buren, Mr. kirk of Alabama, Jas. l.
Orr, when Speaker cfthe House of representa-
lives Judah = Benz min, when Senator, and
others.
Gen. Beale told me of an incident which
reads almost like page from some romance.
After he had purchased the house and it was
being repaired lady called one day and
asked to be allowed to 90 to the parlor on the
second floor, and he escorted her throu h the
bricks and mortar and other Building ma.eria
the halls were filled with, and on re aching it
she burst into tears and said; SIN this room
| was married, aud in this no Use have pass I'd
some of the baopest days of nv life, and |
anne here with the desire aud intention of