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 in P.G.T. Beauregard’s papers at the Rosenbach.
Transcript:
By Telegraph
Nashville Tenn
Feby 16th 11:30 PM
Genl Polk
The Fort surrendered this morning at 4 O’clock to 70,000 of the enemy. 1,500 of the Enemy killed and wounded. Our loss 500. Heavy reinforcement were received by the enemy during the night. The General officers believing it impossible to hold the Fort decided to Capitulate to save great loss of life.
Genl’ Floyd with a part of his Command arrived in Clarksville by river. Gen’l Pillow is retreating by land with a large body of troops and will make a stand at Clarksville. Genl Buckner who is reported to have been captured cut his way through and is now at Clarksville. Col. Forrest with a part of his Command also cut their way through and are now at Clarksville. Pillow is certainly safe, also Floyd & Buckner
Citation: Unknown author, telegram to Leonidas Polk. Nashville,16 February 1862. AMs 1168/11