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:
Hd Qrs May 8th 1862
By Telegraph from Vicksburg 8 1862
To Genl Beauregard
Fortified here on an extensive scale—guns of large caliber in position. People here will fight. If possible, I would like to remain & help defend the City. Enemy’s gunboats returned down river last night.
Lt. Chas Gibson
Citation: Charles Gibson, telegram to G. T. Beauregard. Vicksburg, Miss.; 8 May 1862. AMs 1168/11