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.
Transcript:
Telegram to Pres’t. Davis
Chesterville S. C.
February July 21/65
G. T. Beauregard
General
Relative to the capture of Washington. Urgent request for concentration of troops
Chesterville S. C. Feby 21/65
8h am
President JeffDavis
Richmond Va
Should enemy advance into N. C. towards Charlotte & Salisbury as is now almost certain, I earnestly urge a concentration in time of at least 35,000 Infantry & artillery at latter point if possible to give him battle there & crush him. Then to concentrate all forces against Grant & then to march on Washington to dictate peace. Hurden & myself can collect about 15,000, exclusive of Cheathams & Stewarts Corps, not likely to reach in time – if Lee & Bragg could furnish 20,000 more at the fate of the Confederacy would be secure.
G. T. Beauregard
Citation: G. T. Beauregard (1818-1893), autograph telegram signed to Jefferson Davis. Chesterville, S.C.; 21 Feb.1865. Ams 358/23