March 6, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
There is no name better known for science and worth among army men, than Gen. BEAUREGARD.
The histories of the Mexican War, favorably as they have mentioned him, have failed to notice two of the most conspicuous incidents of his life, and which have gone far to establish his fame. We will relate them promising that we were not in the war, and that we repeat them from memory on authentic information. The principal facts will be stated accurately, though there may be errors in unimportant details.
The first occurred before Vera Cruz.
Gen. B., then a Lieutenant of Engineers, was sent out by his Colonel (TOTTEN, if we remember aright) with a party of sappers to dig and prepare a trench, according to a profile and plan prepared by the Colonel. No sooner had BEAUREGARD examined the ground than he discovered great objections to the plan. To assure himself, he climbed into a tree, and with the aid of the marine glass, the engineer’s vade mecum, he made a reconnoisance, and saw plainly that the trench, as planned would be enfiladed by the enemy’s cannon. Here was a difficult position for a subaltern ministerial officer. He decided promptly, and returned to headquarters without sticking a spade. The Colonel met him and expressed surprise that he had so soon performed his task. BEAUREGARD replied that he had not touched it. The Colonel, with the astonishment military men feel in hearing their orders have not been obeyed inquired the reason. He was soon informed of it. He was incredulous–ground had been examined–“reconnaissance was perfect,” &c. The young Lieutenant was satisfied, however, that the reconnaissance of his old chief had not been made like his, “up in a tree.” The Colonel, like a sensible man, concluded to make another examination–the plan was changed in accordance with the young Lieutenant’s views. The work done from these trenches is matter of history–but its pages nowhere inform us to whom the credit is due.
Our second incident occurred before the city of Mexico.
A night or two before the attack, a council of war was held. There were assembled all the big folks, from the (now) Lieut. General (who practices Mexican tactics from the house tops in Washington), including WORTH, TWIGGS, &C., down to our friend BEAUREGARD, the youngest officer in the room. The debate went on for hours. SCOTT was solitary in his opinion. Every other officer present, except one, had spoken and all concurred in their views. The silent one was BEAUREGARD. At last Gen. PIERCE crossed over and said, “You have not expressed an opinion.” “I have not been called on,” said BEAUREGARD. “You shall be, however,” said PIERCE; and soon resuming his seat, announced that Lieut. BEAUREGARD had not given his opinion. Being then called out, he remarked that if the plan which had received the assent of all but the commanding General was carried into effect, it would prove disastrous. It would be another Churubusco affair. He then detailed to objections to it at length–and taking up the other, urged the reasons in its favor with equal earnestness. The council reversed their decision. The city of Mexico was entered according to the plan urged by the young Lieutenant; and it would seem that his reasons influenced the decision. A few days afterwards General SCOTT, in the presence of a number of general officers, alluded to LT. BEAUREGARD’s opinion at the Council, and the consequences which had followed form it.
We refer our readers for further information on this point to “The Life and Correspondence of JOHN A. QUITMAN,” page 353.
Some justice has been done to BEAUREGARD in the histories of the Mexican war–but in its incompleteness we have been reminded of BYRON’s satire of military glory: “To be shot dead on the battle field, and have our name misspelt in the Gazette.”
The position now so promptly assigned to Gen. BEAUREGARD is a just tribute to his worth. It is a great satisfaction to our people that the enemy can bring no talent against us which we cannot match with its equal in our Southern land; and amongst all the bright galaxy, no one could be more acceptable than our native born Louisiana BEAUREGARD.