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:
Dispatched by telegram from Richmond 5 March 1865
To Maj. Genl. J. F. Gilmer Chf Eng Bureau
Col. Talett has made requisition for a bridge equipage of seven hundred feet for Staunton River Capt. Smith will forward tomorrow morning to Lt. Norwood Engr troops at Staunton River & complete equipage for four hundred feet of bridge including twenty one (21) boats and in additional by the same train the equipage exclusive of boats and anchors for the hundred feet more. The additional boats to be forwarded as soon as made should it be a matter of pressing important to have boats at once in North Carolina you could telegraph to Genl. Stevens requesting that the train be forwarded to North Carolina Capt Smith will press forward the boats and with twenty (20) additional men can them thirty in ten or twelve days it may be difficult to procure ropes or anchors. There are forty pontoon wagons completed.
A . L. {Roves?]
Col. & Asst to Chf Engrs
Citation: A. L. [Roves?], telegram to J. F. Gilmer. Richmond,5 March 1865. AMs 1168/11