February 19, 1864: Hardee Telegram to 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 telegram is from The Telegraphic History of the Civil War; a compiled album of telegrams to Beauregard from Davis, Lee, Johnston and others.

Transcript:

Kingstree – 19 White Oak

Cha Genl. Beauregard

Charleston was successfully evacuated friday night, ^(17^th), and sunday morning, ^(18^th). The troops have began to arrive at the Santee River. Your order relative to concentration body yesterday at Ridgeway received today & will be executed as rapidly as possible. Taking rail at this place. My health is improving.

W. J. Hardee

Lieu Genl

47/Collect 39.80

Citation: William Joseph Hardee (1815-1873), telegram to G.T. Beauregard. Kingstree, S.C., 19 February 1864. In The telegraphic history of the Civil War, 1861-1865. AMs 434/16