May 12, 1864: Braxton Bragg to P. G. T. Beauregard

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 is one of approximately 1000 military telegrams to and from Beauregard in the Rosenbach collection.

Transcript:

Received Petersbg May 12 1864

By telegraph from Drewry’s Bluff to Genl Beauregard

11 45 AM Enemy advanced by New River Road crossing [Thomasville?] Just ahead of [illeg.]

At Eight a.m. attacked. Dispatches delivered to me by Genl Hoke for you. I will come through tomorrow, Genl Bragg desires me to say he would like to see you in Richmond upon your arrival here.

Richmond May 12^th Genl Beauregard or  Genl Hoke 5.10 a.m. Your Dispatches of yesterday about troops still in North Carolina just now Rec.d You must judge of what is essential to hold our line of rail road its safety is vital to us . Position of [Dearings?] Cavalry will no doubt be necessary to secure Petersburg & Weldon Road_That part of South Carolina Cavalry which was en route to join Hamptons if with you should come here. Signed Braxton Bragg Genl

Citation: Braxton Bragg (1817-1876), telegram to G. T. Beauregard. Drewry’s Bluff, Va.; 12 May 1864. AMs 1168/11