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Sale 82
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Lot 801
Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant (1818-1893) A West Point graduate who fought in the Mexican American War, he became the Confederacy's first brigadier general and later a full general. He commanded the attack on Fort Sumter, and, with Joseph E. Johnston, won the First Battle of Bull Run. Transferred to the West, he was second-in-command to A.S. Johnston at Shiloh. He was relieved of his post for taking sick leave without authority in June 1862. After his recovery, he was placed in command of the defense of Carolina and Georgia coasts and he defended Charleston successfully in 1863 and '64. In May 1864 he supported Lee's efforts in Virginia and probably saved the Confederate capital of Richmond, having realized Grant's intentions toward Petersburg before Lee could be made aware of them. During the Carolinas Campaign, he served as second-in-command to J.E. Johnston.
Superb Letter signed ("G.T. Beauregard") as General Commanding, 2¼pp, "Headquarters near Chester Va., Hancock's House," May 21, 1864. To Confederate President Jefferson Davis, in Richmond, the day after securing the Howlett Line in the last battle of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign, seeking to capitalize on his victory and to secure the James River in order to prevent Union forces from moving forward. Beauregard mentions U.S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, General Butler, and General Gilmore.
"Sir, your letter of the 20th inst. has been delivered by Col. Melton. I shall do all in my power, with my limited means, to hold in check the Enemy in my front, who has nearly double my present forces, and, if possible, I will compel him to evacuate his present strong position. I received yesterday, after a severe struggle, in obtaining the shortest defensive line in front of his works, which extend from the James River to the Appomattox. The line is about three miles long, and when properly fortified, will enable me, with a small force (say about 10,000 men) to hold in check, and neutralize the force of at least 25,000 men, which the Enemy is now reported to have on the Peninsula of Bermuda Hundreds. To drive him from his present position, the best plan would then be to send a force of about 4 or 5,000 men to storm Fort Powhatan, and establish there a Battery of heavy guns to command the navigation of the James River at that point--this would be accomplished in a very few days; then, by putting into the river torpedoes and a rope obstruction, under the protection of the guns of the Fort, no Enemy's repels could pass up or down the River, and he would be compelled to abandon his present position.
With regard to reinforcing Gen'l Lee, I shall be most happy to do so, whenever you shall judge proper to order it. The prisoners taken yesterday report no part of Butler's forces ashaving been yet sent to reinforce Gen'l Grant--they state on the contrary, that a Brigade of 5 or 6,000 men was received day before yesterday by Gen'l Butler this is rather doubtful in my opinion; Gen'l Gilmore may have received a few regiments or parts of regiments from his former department--but nothing more.
I have ordered a close watch to be kept on the James River of the movements of Butler's forces in order to be informed, as soon as practicable, of any reinforcements he may send to Gen'l Grant.
I enclose herewith an approximate statement of the effective forces I now have in front of the enemy, recapitulated as follows:
Infantry…………………….13,000
Artillery………………………….850
Cavalry………………………….680
I remain Very Resply, Your Obt. Servt. G.T. Beauregard / Gen'l Comdg."
A few professional fold repairs, else fine.
Estimated Value $7,000 - 10,000.
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