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:
Head Quarters 13 1861 [i.e. 1862]
By Telegraph from Columbus 13 1861
To Gen G. T. Beauregard
The guns, caissons, carriages & battery wagon with limber went yesterday on a boat direct for Montgomery. there is a large quantity of machinery arriving here daily from New Orleans, Vicksburg, Natchez & other points designed to be located here; but this country is nearly cleared of provisions and I have directed it to be shipped further into the interior, to be put there into operation. This river will be navigable for only a few days longer & if it is unsafe to take it through Mobile . I wait by an order from you on the planters to furnish wagons to haul it from N. Fork Station on the North East & South West Railroad to Demopolis 25 miles.
W. R. Hunt
Citation:W. R. Hunt, telegram to G. T. Beauregard. Columbus, [Miss.?]; 13 May 1862. AMs 1168/11