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:
Corinth April 2nd 1862
By telegraph from Jackson April 2nd 1862
To Gen. Beauregard
Col Pickett with three hundred and twenty six of his command is at Humbolt-four bridges beyond the Obion were destroyed those at and over the Obion were not. Col Pickett’s surprise was due to a negligent arrangement of Picketts the enemy advanced on a road which was not guarded. The enemy I am informed left Union City a few hours after the occupation. Col Jackson is at Trenton I could not telegraph this Am from Humbolt arriving owing to a difficulty of the wires.
G. W. Brent
Major
Citation: George William Brent, telegram to G. T. Beauregard. Jackson, Miss; 2 April 1862. AMs 1168/11