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 May 25th 1862
By Telegraph from Columbus Miss 24th 1862
To Gen. Jordan A. A. G.
I wrote yesterday to you asking an order to take one hundred thousand dollars of the gold belonging to the New Orleans Banks seized here by the gov’t, Col Gorgas telegraphed me to send a messenger with the money as proposed to Gen. Beauregard intending-I judge, that the genl should issue the order to me to take the gold & send the messenger—I learn that the gold will be transferred from this point tomorrow & if the Genl intends that I should act please telegraph me & send me the order by mail. Answer_
Respectfully,
Yours
W R Hunt
Maj Cmdg Arsenal
Yes certainly take $100,000 dollars or $200,000 if necessary. I send the order as requested by mail for [first service]. G.T. B.
Citation:W. R. Hunt, telegram to Thomas Jordan. Corinth, Miss., 25 May 1862. AMs 1168/11