November 20, 1862: George B. Pickett telegram to G. T. Beauregard

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.

This is one of approximately 1000 military telegrams in P.G.T. Beauregard’s papers at the Rosenbach.

Transcript:

Charleston Nov 20 6

By telegraph from Savannah to Genl Beauregard

I am charged with building a pontoon bridge near Chattanooga and find it impossible to get rope of the proper size except of Maj Hirsh QM here who has your orders not to issue it. Genl Bragg informs me it is of great importance that the bridge be built immediately if you are willing to let me have it please telegh maj Hirsch to furnish me fifteen hundred feet of rope from two to three inches diameter or next largest size.

Geo B Pickett

Capt  Engrs in chg of bridge

Citation:George B. Pickett, telegram to G. T. Beauregard. Savannah, 20 November 1862. AMs 1168/11