May 25, 1864: J. T. Coldwell telegram to P. 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 and other generals.

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

Transcript:

Dated Richmond May 25 1864

Rec’d at Chester 25

To Genl Beauregard

Your telegram of this date rec”d. Please order your Quarter Master to erect the poles from Head Quarters to the turnpike. I will send a man with wire down tomorrow.

J. T. Coldwell

Supt CS Mili Tel Lines

Citation: J. T. Coldwell, telegram to G. T. Beauregard. Richmond, 25 May 1864. AMs 1168/11