Lot 2
Beauregard, Pierre G.T. -- Civil War-date Letter With Orders to Retreat After First Battle of Corinth (1818-93) Confederate general; he ordered the first shots of the Civil War during the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April 1861. Letter signed "G.T. Beauregard / Genl. Comdy," one page, blue paper, 8 x 5¼", Rienzi, Miss., May 30 (18)62. "For Gen'l Bragg, or Officer Comdg. at Tuscumbia Bridge on Shunpike Road from Corinth to Kossuth." After losing the Battle of Shiloh, Confederate forces had retreated to Corinth, but Union forces under General Henry Hallek laid siege to the town in May. Rather than surrender, Beauregard's troops slipped away toward Tupelo. To Bragg he writes: "Unless otherwise instructed before that period expires, you will take up your line of march from your present position to Carollville and Baldwin at sundown tomorrow evening. Meanwhile should you be in need of provisions you can send a part of your Cavalry to this place for some. Be sure to destroy the bridge across the Tuscumbia and otherwise obstruct the road before leaving your position." Light stain does not affect legibility; small pinhole at blank top left margin, else fine. The loss of the important rail center of Corinth prevented further Confederate attempts to regain western Tennessee. General Grant used Corinth as his base of operations to seize control of the Mississippi River Valley, especially the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Estimate Value $1,000 - UP
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| Realized $1,625 |
