September 19, 1861

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Trimble

General Beauregard, commanding the Confederate Army of the Potomac, writes to General Trimble, commander of forces located at Evansport, Virginia. He states "It is more than probable that either another naval expedition is contemplated by the Federalists or a landing on the Eastern shore of Virginia, but not of the importance you contemplate for McClellan is aware that we could neutralize his expedition by a bold move across the Potomac & then on to Washington! which would be at our mercy. We can afford to lose even Richmond but they cannot. Washington and Maryland..." He instructs…

GLC02690

May 21, 1864

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Letter

Title: to Daniel Harvey Hill

Clerical copy of a letter by Beauregard, with Beauregard's signature attesting that it is a "true copy." Beauregard informs Hill that President Davis refuses to assign him to command until Hill makes "the application for orders in the field", which he has already refused to do (see GLC00864-Beauregard's request to have Hill transferred, with Bragg's and Cooper's responses). Also relates that General Bushrod Rust Johnson has been promoted to command the Second Division and General Robert Frederick Hike will command the First Division. Writes "It is useless, I hope, for me to say how I regret…

GLC03013

April 18, 1859

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horatio G. Wright

Discussing the poor health of a "promising...young officer" and possibility of "another such terrible epidemic" as had recently hit the men.

GLC03499

May 10, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Broadside

Title: [Broadside version of a letter to Braxton Bragg]

Printed broadside version of a letter from Beauregard to Braxton Bragg encouraging aggressive tactics. Bragg had the letter printed as a broadside "for the information and guidance of this army." States "When without orders or at a loss to know what to do in action, they must rapidly advance in the direction of the heaviest firing-for the art of war consists in the concentration of masses against fractions of masses; moreover, our motto should be 'Forward, and always forward,' until victory may perch decisively upon our banners. The more rapid the attack, the weaker, habitually, the…

GLC03514

July 17, 1861

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Letter signed

Title: to Richard S. Ewell

Brigadier General Commanding Beauregard writes to General Ewell to give instructions on troop position and permit an attack on Centreville, if the opportunity arises. Letter written shortly before the First Battle of Bull Run.

GLC03782

April 26, 1864

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Letter signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Beauregard, commanding the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia, writes to Bragg, Confederate Commander in Chief at Richmond, Virginia. Transmits anonymous communications (not included), indicating that General Ambrose Burnside's column intends to move against Petersburg, Virginia, via City Point and the James River. Writes "I have already under date of the 25th instant, advised you as to the scattered condition of the Troops in this Department, and fear they could not be assembled in time to offer a stout resistance to a determined and enterprising Enemy advancing from that…

GLC03550

1861-1865

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. T. Doswell

Dated "Saturday morning." Beauregard encloses a note (not included) from "a gentleman who had offered me that servant girl & her family." Two of the family recently died, and though Beauregard regrets their death, he is "glad it has occurred before they had been bought." Doswell was likely a financial agent and/or merchant in New Orleans.

GLC03564

May 4, 1875

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Page M. Baker

Beauregard thanks Barker for his "vigorous defense of myself in your paper in answer to abuses of the Chicago Tribune." Also states that he is aware "that my letter to Governor Porter was not polite, but the charges of Mr. Sherman had to be met." Baker was editor of the New Orleans Bulletin.

GLC04027

April 23, 1864

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Manuscript document signed

Title: to his troops

By order of Braxton Bragg, Beauregard assumes command of the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia, and lists the names of his personal staff: First Lieutenants A.R. Chisholm (Beauregard's aide-de-camp) and A. J. Toutant; Captains John M. Otey and Robert Ferry; Majors Henry Bryan and Giles B. Cooke; Colonel D. B. Harris; Majors E. Willis and F. Malloy; and Surgeon S. Choppin.

GLC04487

September 17, 1847

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Letter signed

Title: to John Quitman

Co-signed by Lieutenant M. Lovell, Adjutant General. Describes the falls of Mexico City and Chapultepec in detail and praises his supporting officers. Also discusses the rebuilding of sand bag parapets. Mentions having been wounded.

GLC04499

February 23, 1861

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Manuscript document

Title: [Beauregard's copy of an official letter relative to his resignation from the Army]

A copy in Beauregard's own hand of the letter stating "Your resignation has been accepted by the President of the United States." Pencilled docket, also in Beauregard's hand, states "Mrs. Slidell left Wash, Feby 26. 1861 to return to N.C. Mr. Slidell had arrived in N.C. the Saturday preceding, but what date?" The original letter of resignation from the Army was sent by E. D. Townsend from Washington, D.C.

GLC04462

March 14, 1861

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Manigault

The letter discusses sending ammunition & weapons to Morris & Sullivan Islands.

GLC04461.02

May 2, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Printed document

Title: Message rallying troops before an anticipated battle at Corinth, with illegible signature

Calls on the "Soldiers of Shiloh and Elkhorn" to "drive back into the Tennessee the presumptuous mercenaries collected for our subjugation." Tells his men "We are about to meet once more, in the shock of battle, the invaders of our soil, the despoilers of our homes, the disturbers of our family ties. Face to face, hand to hand, we are to decide whether we are to be freemen, or the slaves of those who are free only in name...Let the impending battle decide our fate, and add one more illustrious page to the history of our Revolution; one to which our children will point with noble pride,…

GLC04593

September 1, 1860

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Manuscript document signed

Title: Annual report of Major G. T. Beauregard, Corps of Engrs- for the works under his charge during the year 1860.

Includes a report on the status of defenses at Proctor's Landing, Virginia. Beauregard notes that operations at the Landing were closed 30 September 1858 for want of funds, and that a fort keeper has manned the fort since. Reports that 30 August 1860, a severe storm destroyed Proctorville, and damages sustained by the fort require repair. Lists details of the necessary repairs. Reports on the status of Fort Jackson, Louisiana, which was closed at the end of December 1858. Jackson is also scheduled for repair. Lists costs of repairs needed. Includes a report on Fort St. Philip,…

GLC06180

circa April 28, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsement regarding defense of New Orleans]

Beauregard's signed pencil docket on telegram from General Mansfield Lovell regarding defense of New Orleans. Lovell telegramed Beauregard to inform him that he is prepared to defend New Orleans, but "will not be responsible for the loss of life to women & children if the city is bombarded." At the bottom of this telegram, in pencil, Beauregard has written his reply, saying "I believe the attempt to defend New Orleans with troops now would cause it unnecessary destruction and loss of life. But all Forts on Rivers & Lakes ought to be held to the last extremity."

GLC05812

March 12, 1888

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. T. Lawsing

Beauregard replies to an inquiry about the origins of the name "Stonewall" for General Thomas J. Jackson after the 1st Battle of Manassas (Bull Run). He refers him to his article titled "Bull Run" and published in the Century. He remarks, "Most of us wore our old U.S. Uniforms at the Battle [of Bull Run] with our state buttons instead of the old ones." He informs Lawsing that he was the first brigadier general appointed in the Provisional Army of the Confederacy, and was the 5th full General appointed after the Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) on July 21, 1861.

GLC07082.02

April 27, 1865

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Manuscript signed

Title: Copy of farewell address to his personal and general staff

Addressed to Major Henry Bryan, his assistant adjutant and inspector general. Marked "copy." Entire document appears to be in the same hand. A later biographical note about Henry Bryan is written on verso in ink.

GLC07152

December 14, 1863

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. O. W. Lebert

General Beauregard, Commander of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, writes to Mrs. Lebert in Alabama, on "the 158th day of the siege" (referring to military activity in Charleston Harbor). He relates that he transmits photographs (not included), and hopes to receive photographs of Mrs. Lebert and Octavia in return. Refers to Captain B., who regrets not being able to return to Mobile, Alabama. He reports that the ship Monitor sank in the Charleston Harbor during a gale two nights before. Referring to the Monitor as the "Weehawken," he writes "Only 28 yankee liver men lost…

GLC06395

January 15, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jordan

Lists eight items he intends to have General Samuel Cooper pay special attention to during his inspection. Advises Jordan not to cast blame on anyone when talking to Cooper. Notes accusations against himself that he is usurping power. Venting his disaffection with Confederate leaders, he writes: "Bah! What men to direct affairs in our struggle for Independence! Compare them to Washington, Lafayette...?" Beauregard was then commanding general of the Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia. Jordan was on Beauregard's staff through much of the Civil War; at the time he was a colonel…

GLC00039

April 13, 1858

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E.C. Wharton

Informs Wharton that he wants the return of an interest-free loan, but since Wharton cannot afford it, he will not call the loan. Offers advice on the conduct of Wharton's life, urging him to "apply your intelligence and your energies to one object only."

GLC00025

January 11, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John L. Manning

Discusses prospects for a battle before the spring, and is doubtful one will occur. Discusses both their health. Discusses officers in and out of camp. Mentioned are Beauregard's chief of staff David R. Jones, staff member John S. Preston, Confederate General Earl Van Dorn, Confederate General Bushrod Rust Johnson, Confederate Brigadier General Edmund Kirby Smith, and Union General George McClellan. Beauregard was commanding general of the Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia, at the time of this letter.

GLC00028

February 21, 1862

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Earl Van Dorn

Beauregard, Confederate Commander of the Military District of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, writes to Van Dorn, Confederate Commander of the District of the Mississippi, Department #2. He states that "the fate of Missouri necessarily depends on the successful defense of Columbus & of Island no. 10, hence we must, if possible, combine our Operations not only to defend those positions, but also to take the offensive as soon as practicable to recover some of our lost ground ... At all events, we must do something or die in the attempt ... " He informs Dorn that he requested 5,000 men…

GLC00296

April 11, 1861

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Manuscript letter

Title: to Robert Anderson

Pencil copy of Beauregard's letter to Anderson demanding that Fort Sumter be surrendered and evacuated. Will permit that the flag "may be saluted by you upon taking it down." Page two contains pencil drawn copy of the watermark, and page three a penciled copy of the stationery impress mark. This copy differs slightly from the official version of this letter.

GLC01127.02

January 1865

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Manuscript document signed

Title: Special field order No.

Relieves General John B. Hood of his command of the Army of Tennessee at his own request. Assigns Lieutenant General Richard Taylor in his place. Written on printed stationery of the Head-Quarters, Military Division of the West. With pencil docket on verso possibly added at a later date.

GLC01177

26 November 1864

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Special orders sent to William J. Hardee]

Indicates that Lieutenant General Richard Taylor will report to General Hardee in Savannah, Georgia until the "present emergency shall have passed." Taylor is ordered to inspect the condition of Major General Wheeler's cavalry.

GLC01179.01