Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-06-01

Davis and Beauregard early in the war More
than one historian has pointed out how Davis
suffered from the deluson that he was great
military stratesist and he would brook no I'm :
reference with his strategy OF Waging a de-
fensive war and trying to defend every part Of
the far-lnng empire of the South.
In contrast to this attitude was Beauregard's
desire for d concentration Of the Confederate
forces Iii the vitality important places and the
Waging of a smashing offensive war which
would decide the issue as quickly as possible
One Of the most interesting ifs" of the Civil
war is what might have happened If this Creole,
reared in the Napoleonic tradition, had been
given free hand from the outset There is
no doubt that he had In him the markings Of
great soldier but he seems always to have just
missed success-whether because Of his own
shortcomings or because of circumstances over
which he had no control, 1t is difficult to say.
Beauregard was born on plantation In Loui-
sana just 115 years ago-May IS, 1S18-when
that state was still more French than American.
From the first he had a passion for guns for
horses, for everything military. SO when he
was sent to school In New York. conducted by
the brothers, Pengnet, two excaptains of Ma
poleon and listened to their tales of the great
campaigns In which they had fought under the
Little Corporal, this passion was only intensified.
The natural result was appointment to the
United States Military academy at West Point
in 1884. One Of his instructors there was a
Kentnckian named Robert Anderson. little
over quarter of century later the former
student was to order Mis- soldiers to open fire
on the fort defended BY the former instructor
but he was not present when the fort was sur
rendered. 1T would be nm unhonorable thing
he declared, ITO be present at the humiliation
of his friend"
In 1888 Beauregard was graduated from West
Point second In a class of 45. One Of his class
mates named Irwin Mcdowell And %
years later Irwin Mcdowell and Pierre Gustave
Toutant Beauregard to be commanders Of
the opposing forces when Bull Run creek In Vir-
ginia received its bloody baptism.
After graduation Beauregard, a lieutenant In
the engineers corps, first helped in the construc-
ton of Fort Adams in Rhode Island. Then he
was sent to take charge of an engineering prof.
ect at Barataria bay. So he came back to his
own Creole country. There he met and fell In
love with the lovely Laurie Where and when
they were married two of the most distinguished
families In Louisiana were united
Then came the Mexican war and during that
conflict he was twice brevetted for gallant and
meritorious service, first as captain, for his
gallantry at Contreras and Churubusco, and
again a major for bravery in the battle OF
Chanltepec. He returned to New Orleans as a
local hero and was presented with a golden
sword. But the years which followed were dull
and uneventful ones and Beauregard was rapid
ly slipping into obscurity.
Then by pulling certain wires he succeeded
In getting himself appointed as commandment at
West Point. This was two days after Lncon's
election In 1860 and when 1t seemed certain that
Louisiana would secede from the Union. On
his way to New York Beauregard stopped off In
Washington to explain to his superior officers
that should Louisiana withdraw from the Union
he must follow his state. The result was that
he was superintendent at West Point for only
five days. when he was ordered back to LouI-
siana, thus establishing record for brefness
In the time which any officer held that post
Louisiana seeded and Beauregard, the engl-
neer, who had prepared and presented com
prehensiye program for the defense of the Mis-
slssipp river passage was called to Montgomery
for special meeting with Provisional President
Jefferson Davis. HE kissed his wife good:by