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:
May 17 1862
By Telegraph from Washington via Fayette 17th 1862
To Brig Genl Tho Jordan
The telegraph operator at Natchez refuses to leave there according to my order. Natchez has been surrendered to. the Enemy is in their possession. their soldiers walking the streets this morning. Is it proper that my dispatches to open should go there? the Operator claims an order from Gen’l Smith at Vicksburg to remain at Natchez. Am I to be deprived of the use of the line in such manner. Has Gen’l Smith any authority over my command? Please define my power & authority & rank when in contact within my command with other Confederate officers. Please order another operator here. This one is liable for mutiny & sedition.
C. Dahlgreen
Commander Confe
Citation: Charles G. Dahlgren (1811-1888), telegram to Thomas Jordan. 17 May 1862. AMs 434/16