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:
Received at Jan 14 1865
By telegraph from Macon 14 To Col. G. W. Brent
Major E. Willis orders me to rebuild bridges on West Point Road in order to work eventually I must have my men & tools from Demopolis as the work on Georgia Central must also be done. You understand my position as to Col. Meriwether I cannot sacrifice my word but will myself for my adopted country I cannot work under orders from Merriwether—Genl Beauregard must choose between us-If I cannot work under orders from some other officers.
A.S. Maxwell
Citation: A. S. Maxwell, telegram to George W. Brent. Macon, Ga.; 14 January 1865. AMs 1168/11