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:
Head Quarters Corinth, Ap. 21 1861
By Telegraph from Grand Junction 21
To G. T. Beauregard
My son is dead as I have been told. I want visit Corinth to get him & John Higgins wounded.
[Joe?] M. Fortenberry
+ John W. Fortenberry
Citation: J. M. Fortenberry and John W. Fortenberry, telegram to G. T. Beauregard. Grand Junction, Tenn.; 21 April 1862. AMs 1168/11