Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard was a Louisiana-born general of the Confederate States Army. He had graduated second in his class from West Point in 1838 and was an admirer of Napoleon. He achieved fame early in the Civil War for commanding the Fort Sumter bombardment and as the victor of the first battle of Manassas. He later served in the Western Theater (including Shiloh and Corinth), Charleston, and the defense of Richmond, but his career was hampered by friction with Jefferson Davis and other generals.
This telegram is from The Telegraphic History of the Civil War; a compiled album of telegrams to Beauregard from Davis, Lee, Johnston and others.
Transcript:
Dispatched by Telegraph from Smithfield March 20 1865
To Gen Beauregard
Genl Elzy being sent to Macon in command of artillery will not interfere with Genl Cobb’s local command, please so inform them. I think it will be better for you to bring up Lee. All artillery without horses including that which was at Smithfield should be sent immediately a far as Greensboro.
J.E. Johnston
Citation:Joseph E. Johnston (1807-1891), telegram to G.T. Beauregard. smithfield, 20 March 1865. In The telegraphic history of the Civil War, 1861-1865. AMs 434/16