The Military Operations of General Beauregard in the war between the States, 1861 to 1865. Including a brief personal sketch, and a narrative of his services in the war with Mexico, 1846-8

Front matter

From a pnolograpb taken in iat>5. THE MILITARY OPERATIONS OF GENERAL BEAUREGARD IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 1S61 to 1S65 INCLUDING A BRIEF PERSONAL SKETCH AND A NARRATIVE OF HIS SERVICES IN THE WAR WITH MEXICO, 1846-8 Br ALFRED ROMAN FORMERLY COLONEL OF THE 1STH LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS, AFTERWARDS AIDE-DE-CAMP AND INSPECTOR-GENERAL ON THE STAFF OF GENERAL BEAUREGARD IN TWO VOLUMES.— Vol. L " TJiose generals only who have never commanded armies in the field have not committed errors" Napoleon at St. Helexa NEW YORK HARPER & BROTHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE 1SS4 Entered according to Act of Congress, iu the year 1883, by HARPER & BROTHERS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. AU rights reserved.

Preface

. This work, written from notes and documents authenticated by me, furnishes a correct account of my military services and conduct prior to and during the recent war between the States. It is offered as a guide to the future historian of that momentous period. In developing the truth of history, and fortifying it with evidence beyond dispute, I desire to express my appreciation of the earnest, able, and judicial manner in which the author has per formed his arduous undertaking ; and I fully endorse all his statements and comments, excepting only such encomiums as he has thought proper to bestow upon me. To General Thomas Jordan, formerly my Chief of Staff, and to Mr. "W. J. Marrin, of New York, I am indebted for valuable assistance in the obtaining of many facts and data ; also to Lieu tenant-Colonel E. N. Scott, U. S. A., in charge, at "Washington, of the publication office of the War .Records of 1SG1-C5, and to Gen eral Marcus J. Wright, agent of the War Department in the collection of Confederate Records, for copies of important papers furnished by them. G. T. Beaukegakd. CONTENTS OF VOL. I. BiooEApnicAL Sketch of General Beauregard Page 1

Chapter I

Major Beauregard appointed Superintendent of the United States Military Academy. — His Determination to Resign should Louisiana Withdraw from the Union. — Takes Command at West Point, but is immediately Relieved. — Returns to New Orleans. — Is Offered the Rank of Colonel of Engineers and Artillery in the Louisiana State Forces. — Declines. — Plau to Obstruct River near Forts. — Floating Rooms. — Is Summoned to Montgomery by President Davis. — Ordered to Charleston, S. O, to Assume Command and Direct Operations against Fort Sumter 13

Chapter II

Description of Charleston. — General Beauregard's Arrival. — Cursory Sketch of the Condition ofthe Public Mind in the South. — The lion. Robert Baruwell Rhett. — One Sentiment and One Resolve animating South Carolinians. — South Carolina Commissioners to Washington. — Failure of Negotiations. — Major Anderson Evacuates Fort Moultrie and Occupies Fort Sumter. — Hoisting of Palmetto Flags. — Steamer Star of the West.— -Governor Pickens Summons Major Anderson to Surrender the Fort. — He Declines, but Refers the Matter to Washington. — Mr. Buchanan Refuses to Withdraw Federal Garrison. — All Eyes Centred on South Carolina. — System and Plan of Operations Adopted by General Beauregard. — More Troops Volunteer than are Needed 23

Chapter III

The Confederate States Commissioners. — Their Correspondence with Mr. Seward. — How they were Deceived. — Mr. Lincoln's Sectional Views. — Letter of Major Anderson to the Adjutant-General of the Uuited States Army. — On Whom must Rest the Responsibility for the War. — Mr. Buchanan's Wavering Policy. — General Beauregard Distrusts the Good Faith of the Federal Authorities. — His Plan to Reduce Fort Sumter. — Detached Batteries. — Floating and Iron-clad Batteries. — Fort Sumtcr's Supplies Cut CONTENTS. VIII Off. — Drummond Lights. — Steam Harbor-boats. — Enfilade or Masked Battery. — Mr. Chew. — His Message to General Beauregard. — Secretary of War Apprised of Same. — His Answer to Telegram. — Blakely Rifled Gun. — By Whom Sent. — General Beauregard Demands the Surrender of Fort Sumter. — Major Anderson Declines. — Fire Opened on the Fort April 12th Page 31

Chapter IV

General Beauregard Makes no Material Changes in the Distribution of Forces in Charleston. — Brigadier-General Simons in Command of Morris Island. — Brigadier-General Dunovant of Sullivan's Island. — Tone of Troops. — The First Shell Fired from Fort Johnson. — The Only Motive Actuating the South. — At 5 a. jr., April 12th, every Battery in Full Play. — Sumter Responds at 7 o'clock. — How our Guns were Served. — Engagement Continued until Nightfall. — Firing Kept up all Night by our Batteries. — No Response from Sumter. — Conduct of the Federal Fleet. — Fort Re-opens Fire on the Morning of the 13th. — Burning of Barracks. — Sumter still Firing. — Our Troops Cheer the Garrison. — General Beauregard Offers Assistance to Major Anderson, who Declines. — Hoisting of the White Flag. — Terms of Surrender. — Accident during the Salute of the Flag. — Evacuation. — Our Troops Enter the Fort, April 14th. — Hoisting of Confederate and Palmetto Flags 41

Chapter V

Condition of Fort Sumter after the Bombardment. — Repairs Begun at Once. — Mustering of South Carolina Volunteers. — Bonham's Brigade. — General Beauregard makes a Reconnoissance of the South Carolina Coast. — Recommends Works at Stono, the Two Edistos, and Georgetown. — Declines Advising Plan of Defence for Port Royal Harbor. — Yields under Pressure, but Predicts the Result. — Receives Congratulations upon the Reduction of Sumter. — Vote of Thanks of Congress. — Resolutions of the General Assembly of South Carolina.— General Beauregard is Called to Montgomery. — The President Wishes him to Assist General Bragg atPensacola. — Ho Declines.— His Reasons therefor. — Deputation from New Orleans Asking his Transfer to Louisiana.— The President Sends him Back to Charleston. —Propositions of the House of John Frazer & Co., relative to Purchase of Steamers. — Comments thereon.— General Beauregard Advocates the Plan. — Government Declines Moving in the Matter. — Silence of Mr. Davis's Book about it.— General Beauregard Ordered to Richmond.— Regrets of Carolinians at his Departure.— Letter of Governor Pickens.... 49

Chapter VI

Secession of Virginia.— Confederate Troops Sent to her Assistance.— Arrival of General Beauregard in Richmond.— He Assumes Command at Manassas.— CONTENTS. IX Position of our Forces. — His Proclamation and the Reasons for it. — Site of " Camp Pickens." — His Letter to President Davis. — Our Deficiencies. — Mismanagement in Quartermaster's and Commissary's Departments. — How he could have Procured Transportation. — Manufacture of Cartridges. — Secret Service with Washington Page Go

Chapter VII

Position of Troops in Northern Virginia. — General Beauregard Advocates Concentration, June 12th. — Letter to that Effect to President Davis. — Answer Declining. — General Beauregard Suggests a Junction with General Holmes. — Again Refused. — Division of General Beauregard's Forces into Brigades, 20th June. — Begins Forward Movement. — Instructions to Brigade Commanders. — Reconnoissances Made at the End of June. — McDowell's Strength. — General Beauregard's Anxieties. — His Letter to Senator Wigfall. — Submits another Plan of Operations to the President, July 11th 7G

Chapter VIII

General Beauregard again Urging Concentration. — Colonels Preston and Chestnut sent to Richmond, to Explain Plan. — Report of Colonel Chestnut. — The President Disapproves the Proposed Campaign. — Letter of General Beauregard to General Johnston. — Comments upon Mr. Davis's Refusal. — General McDowell Ordered to Advance. — Strong Demonstration against General Bonham. — General Beauregard's Telegram to the President. — General Johnston Ordered to Make Junction if Practicable. — Action of Bull Run.— What Major Barnard, U. S. E., Says of It— Repulse of the Enemy. — War Department Inclined to Withdraw Order to General Johnston.— General Beauregard Disregards the Suggestion 84

Chapter IX

Battle of Manassas. — General J. E. Johnston Assumes Command, but General Beauregard Directs Operations and Fights the Battle. — Superiority of Numbers Against us. — Deeds of Heroism. — Enemy Completely Routed. — Ordnance and Supplies Captured.— Ours and Enemy's Losses.— Strength of General McDowell's Army.— The Verdict of History 9G

Chapter X

President Davis and Generals Johnston and Beauregard Discuss the Propriety of Pursuing the Enemy during the Night following the Battle.— Error of Mr. Davis as to the Order he Wrote.— On the 22d General Beauregard Assigns his Troops to New Positions. — The President Confers the Rank of General on General Beauregard, subject to the Approval of Congress.— On CONTENTS. X the 25th, Address Issued to Troops by Generals Johnston and Beauregard. —Organization of General Beauregard's Army into Brigades. — Impossi bility of any Military Movement of Importance, and Why.— Army With out Transportation and Without Subsistence.— Colonel Northrop Appoints Major W. B. Blair as Chief Commissary ofthe Army.— General Beauregard Informs the President of the Actual State of Affairs.— Colonel Lee to the President.— General Beauregard to Colonels Chestnut and Miles. — His Telegram to Colonel Myers.— Answer of President Davis.— General Beau regard's Reply.— Colonel Myers alleges Ignorance of Want of Transporta tion in the Army ofthe Potomac— General Beauregard's Answer.— Cause of the Failure of the Campaign.— Effect of General Beauregard's Letter upon Congress.— An Apparent Improvement in Commissary and Quarter master Departments. — Geueral Beauregard Complains again on the 23d of August.— No Action Taken.— Suggests Removal of Colonel Northrop. —The President believes in his Efficiency, and Upholds him.— Fifteen and Twenty Days' Rations asked for by General Beauregard Page 114

CHAPTER XL

General Beauregard Suggests a Forward Movement. — Not Approved by General Johnston. — Sauitary Measures. — Deficiency in Light Artillery. — Instructions to Colonel Stuart. — Mason's and Munson's Hills. — General Beauregard Proposes to Hold Them. — General Johnston of a Different Opinion.- — Popularity of General Beauregard. — He Establishes His Headquarters at Fairfax Court-House. — Proposes Another Plan Involving Decisive Battle. — General Johnston Deems it Better not to Hazard the Movement. — Organization of the Forces into Divisions. — General Beauregard Advises that the Army be Placed Under One Head. — President Davis Invited to a Conference at Fairfax Court-House. — Scheme of Operations Submitted. — Generals Johnston and G. W. Smith Approve it. — Troops in Splendid Fighting Condition. — The President Objects. — No Reinforcements can be Furnished, and no Arms in the Country. — Review of Mr. Davis's Remarks on the Subject. — He Proposes a Plan for Operations Across the Potomac. — The Commanding Generals do not Consider it Feasible 131

Chapter XII

Signal Rockets and Signal Telegraph.— General Beauregard Advises Coast Defenses at New Orleans, Mobile, Galveston, and Berwick Bay, and Calls Attention to the Exposure of Port Royal. — Counsels General Lovell Concerning River Obstructions between Forts St. Philip and Jackson. — General Johnston Orders the Troops into Winter Quarter's. — Onr Lines Formed at Centreville.— Drainsville and Ball's Bluff. — General Beauregard Proposes to Intercept General Stone's Retreat, and also Suggests Resolute Attack against McClellan's Right. — Unfriendly Correspondence Between War CONTENTS. XI Department and General Beauregard. — Uncourteous Language of Mr. Benjamin. — General Beauregard Exposes the Ignorance of the Acting Secretary of War. — Controversy in the Press about General Beauregard's Report of Battle of Manassas. — His Letter to the Editors of Richmond Whig. — The President Accuses General Beauregard of Attempting to Ex alt Himself at His Expense. — He Upholds Mr. Benjamin and Condemns General Beauregard. — Dignity and Forbearance of the Latter.. ..Page 152

Chapter XIII

Creation of the Department of Northern Virginia. — Distribution of New Confederate Battle Flags. — Debate in Congress about the Action of the President with Regard to General Beauregard's Report of the Battle of Manassas. — Telegram of the Hon. James L. Kemper Concerning it. — General Beauregard's Answer. — Letter of Colonel Pryor on the Same Subject. — Commentaries on the Executive Endorsement. — Governor Moore Forwards Resolutions of Louisiana Legislature, Congratulating General Beauregard. — Circular to Division Commanders about Leaves of Absence. — Congress Passes an Act in Regard to the Matter. — Its Effect. — General Beauregard's Plan of Recruitment 170

Chapter XIV

The Part taken by General Johnston in the Battle of Manassas. — ne Assumes no Direct Responsibility, and, though Superior in Rank, desires General Beauregard to Exercise Full Command. — President Davis did not Plan the Campaign; Ordered Concentration at the Last Moment; Arrived on the Battle-field after the Enemy had been Routed. — Pursuit Ordered and Begun, but Checked iu Consequence of False Alarm. — Advance on Washington made Impossible by Want of Transportation and Subsistence.. 191

Chapter XV

Colonel Pryor, of the Military Committee of Congress, Visits General Beauregard at Centreville, to Propose his Transfer to the West. — General Beauregard finally Yields to the Wishes of Congress and the Executive. — He Parts with his Army on the 2d of February, and on the 4th Arrives at Bowling Green. — Iuterview with General A. S. Johnston. — Succinct Review of the Latter's Situation. — Ignorance of the War Department with Reference to his Forces. — General Beauregard Desires to go Back to his Army in Virginia. — General Johnston urges Him to Stay and Assume Command at Columbus. — Inspection of the Works at Bowling Green. — What General Beauregard Thinks of Them. — He Suggests Concentration at Henry and Donelson to Force a Battle upon Grant. — General Johnston Fears the Risk of such a Movement, and Adheres to his own Plan of Operations. — Fall of Fort Henry. — Conference at Bowling Green. — Memorandum of General Johnston's Plan of the Campaign. — His and General CONTENTS.

Polk's Army to Operate on Divergent Lines. — Evacuation of Bowling Green. — General Beauregard Asks for Specific Instructions. — Letter to Colonel Pryor. — Fall of Fort Donelson. — Its Effect upon the Country. — Criticism of General Johnston's Strategy Page 210

Chapter XVI

General Beauregard Telegraphs for Instructions after the Fall of Donelson. — General Johnston's Answer. — Colonel Jordan's Report of the Situation at Columbus. — General Beauregard Calls General Polk to Jackson, Tennessee, for Conference. — Opinion of the Latter as to the Strength of Columbus. — He Concurs, however, in General Beauregard's Views. — Evacuation of Columbus Authorized by the War Department. — General Beauregard's Detailed Instructions to that Effect. — Defects in River Defences at Columbus. — Governor Harris of Tennessee. — General Johnston Retreating towards Stevenson, along the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. — His Letter of February 18th to the War Department. — Depression ofthe People. — General Beauregard Resolves to Replenish the Army. — Makes Use of the Discretion given him by General Johnston. — His Plan of Operations. — Believes Success Depends upon Offensive Movement on Our Part. — Calls upon the Governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee; and also upon Generals Van Dorn, Bragg, aud Lovell, for Immediate Assistance. — Sixty and Ninety Days Troops. — The War Department not Favorable to the Method Proposed, but Finally Gives its Assent. — General Johnston Requested by General Beauregard to Change his Line of Retreat and Turn towards Decatur, so as to Co-operate with him. — General Johnston Accedes to his Request 232

Chapter XVII

Evacuation of Columbus.— How the Enemy Discovered It.— Loss of Ordnance Stores, Anchors, and Torpedoes.— Island No. 10.— Difficulty in Placing Guns in Position.— Federal Gunboats might have Passed Unhindered. Small Garrison under Colonel Gantt Reinforced by General McCown with Part ofthe Garrison of Columbus.— Defences at New Madrid to be held until the Completion of the Works at Fort Pillow.— Remainder of General Polk's Forces Assembled upon Humboldt.— Preparations for an Offensive Movement by the Enemy.— Danger of Isolation for General Johnston.— General Beauregard's Letter to him.— The Great Battle ofthe Controversy to be Fought at or near Corinth.— General Johnston accedes to General Beauregard's request, and Begins a Movement to Join him.— General Beauregard Assumes Command.— Arrival of General Bragg's Forces at Corinth.— Corinth the Chief Point of Concentration, as Originally Decided upon.— General Beauregard Appeals to the War Department for the General Officers Promised him.— Their Services Greatly Needed.— Unwillingness and Apathy of the War Department CONTENTS.

XIII CHAPTER XVTII. General Beauregard Orders the Collection of Grain and Provisions, and Establishes Depots of Supplies. — His Appeal to the People to Procure Metal for the Casting of Cannon. — Warning Preparations of the Enemy. — Arrival of Federal Divisions at Savannah. — General Sherman's Attempted Raid to Destroy the Railroad. — Burning of Small Bridge near Bethel Station. — General Pope Before New Madrid. — The Place Abandoned. — ■ General Beauregard's Instructions to General McCown. — General Mackall Relieves him. — Bombardment of Island No. 10. — What might have been the Result had the Enemy Disembarked at once at Pittsburg Landing. — The Troops we had to Oppose Them. — What General Johnston Thought of Bolivar as a Base of Operation. — Recommends it as more Advantageous than Corinth. — Why General Beauregard Preferred Corinth. — He Presses Concentration there, as soon as the Intentions of the Enemy become Sufficiently Developed. — Success of his Plan. — Co-operation of the Governors of Adjacent States. — Troops Poorly Armed and Equipped. — The Enemy begins Landing at Pittsburg. — Arrival of Hurlbut's, Prentiss's, McClernand's, and the Two Wallaces' Divisions. — Force of the Army Opposing us. — General Buell. — His Slow Advance on Nashville. — Is at Last Aroused by Order to Unite his Forces with those of General Grant. — Aggregate of Buell's Forces in Tennessee and Kentucky. — Our only Hope for Success was to Strike a Sudden Blow before the Junction of Buell and Grant Page 254

Chapter XIX

Arrival of General Johnston at Corinth. — Position of his Troops on the 27th of March. — Offers to Turn Over Command of the Army to General Beauregard, who Declines. — General Beauregard Urges an Early Offensive Movement against the Enemy, and Gives his Views as to Plan of Organizing the Forces. — General Johnston Authorizes him to Complete the Organization already Begun. — General Orders of March 29th. — Reasons why the Army was Formed into Small Corps. — General Beauregard Desirous of Moviug against the Enemy on the 1st of April. — Why it was not done. — On the 2d, General Cheatham Reports a Strong Federal Force Threatening his Front. — General Beauregard Advises an Immediate Advance. — General Johnston Yields. — General Jordan's Statement of his Interview with General Johnston on that Occasion. — Special Orders No. 8, otherwise called "Order of March and Battle." — By Whom Suggested and by Whom Written. — General Beauregard Explains the Order to Corps Commanders. — Tardiness of the First Corps in Marching from Corinth. — Our Forces in Position for Battle on the Afternoon ofthe 5th ; Too Late to Commence Action on that Day. — Generals Hardee and Bragg Request General Beauregard to Ride in Front of their Lines. — General Johnston Calls General Beauregard and the Corps Commanders in an Informal Council.— General Beauregard Believes the Object ofthe Movement CONTENTS.

XIV Foiled by the Tardiness of Troops in Arriving on the Battle-field. — Al ludes to Noisy Demonstrations on the March, and to the Probability of Buell's Junction, and Advises to Change Aggressive Movement into a Re connoissance in Force. — General Johnston Decides Otherwise, and Orders Preparations for an Attack at Dawn next Day.— Description of the Field of Shiloh.— Strength of the Federal Forces. — What General Sherman Tes tified to.— We Form into Three Lines of Battle.— Our Effective Strength. — Carelessness and Oversight of the Federal Commanders. — They are not Aroused by the many Sounds in their Front, and are Taken by Surprise Page 205

Chapter XX

Battle of Shiloh. — Varied Incidents and Events of the First Day. — Enemy Taken by Surprise. — His Lines Driven in. — Entire Forces Engaged on Both Sides. — Triumphant Advance of our Troops. — General Johnston in Command of the Right and Centre. — General Beauregard of the Left and Reserves. — Allurements of the Enemy's Camps. — Straggling Begins among our Troops. — Death of the Commander-in-Chief. — General Beauregard Assumes Command and Renews the Attack all along the Line. — Enemy again Forced to Fall Back and Abandon other Camps. — Evidence of Exhaustion among the Troops. — Straggling Increasing. — General Beauregard's Efforts to Check it. — Collects Stragglers and Pushes them Forward. — Battle still Raging. — Capture of General Prentiss and of his Command. — Our Troops Reach the Tennessee River. — Colonel Webster's Batteries.- — Arrival of Ammen's Brigade, Nelson's Division, of Buell's Army. — Its Inspiriting Effect upon the Enemy. — The Gunboats. — Intrepidity of our Troops.— Their Brilliant but Ineffectual Charges. — Firing Gradually Slackens, as the Day Declines. — At Dusk General Beauregard Orders Arrest of Conflict. — Troops Ordered to Bivouac for the Night, and be in Readiness for Offensive Movement next Day.— Storm during the Night. — Arrival of the Whole of Buell's Army. — Gunboats Keep up an Incessant Shelling.... 283

Chapter XXI

Difficulty of Collecting and Organizing Commands during Night ofthe Gth. Firing Resumed Early next Morning.— Nelson's Brigades Cross the Tennessee. — Positions Taken by the Federals.— Chalmers's Brigade and a Mixed Command Force Back Nelson's Advance.— At 8 a. m. the Confederates are Driven Back with tho Loss of a Battery. — They Regain the Position and Battery at 9. — Critical Situation of" Ammen's Brigade.— New Position Assumed by the Confederates.— Crittenden's Division Engaged.— Absence of General Polk from the Field.— His Timely Arrival at 10.30.— His Charge with Cheatham's Brigade.— Organization of Federal Army during the Night of the 0th.— Inaction of General Sherman on the Morning ofthe 7th.— General Breckinridge Ordered Forward. Enemy Driven Back on our Whole Line.— Advance of Federal Right Winw CONTENTS.

XV Its Repulse. — At 1 p. m. Enemy on our Left Reinforced. — General Bragg Calls for Assistance. — General Beauregard in Person Leads the 18th Louisiana and Other Troops to his Aid.— Predetermination of General Beauregard to Withdraw from the Battle-field.— Couriers sent to Corinth to Inquire about General Van Dorn. — Preparations for Retreat. — Guns and Colors Captured by Confederates on the Oth. — Slow and Orderly With drawal of Confederate Forces. — Inability of the Enemy to Follow.— Reconnoissance of General Sherman on the Morning of the 8th. — Con federates not Disorganized. — Their Loss During the Battle. — Computa tion of Numbers Engaged on Both Sides. — Federal Loss Page 308

Chapter XXII

Commentaries on the Battle of Shiloh : I. Wrhy Generals Johnston and Beauregard did not Soouer Move the Army from Corinth. — II. Their Reasons for Forming their Lines of Battle as they did. — III. Why the Confederate Attack was Made Chiefly on the Enemy's Right, and not on his Entire Front. — IV. Demonstration of the Fact that the Confederate Attack took the Enemy Completely by Surprise. — V. General Beauregard's Opinion and Criticism of General Sherman's Tactics during the Battle. — VI. Refutation of the Charge that the Confederate Troops were Withdrawn too soon from the Battle-field on the Evening of the Gtb. — Comparison Drawn by Mr. Davis between General A. S. Johnston and Marshal Turenne. — VII. General Beauregard's Opinion as to the Fighting of the Confederates during the Battle of the 7th. — VIII.

Correction of the Absurd Story that General Beauregard did not Leave his Ambulance during the First Day of the Battle, and, when Informed of General Johnston's Death, " Quietly Remained where he was, Waiting the Issue of Events" 320

Chapter XXIII

General Beauregard's Insistance on the Evacuation of Columbus. — Documents Relating to the Matter. — General McCown to be put in Command of Madrid Bend. — He is Called by General Beauregard to Jackson for Instructions. — He Repairs to Madrid Bend. — Dispositions Made for its Defence. — Commodore Hollins to Co-operate with Land Forces. — Number of Troops under General McCown. — Arrival of General Pope on the 28th of February in Front of New Madrid. — Colonel Plummer Establishes a Battery on the River. — Apprehensions of General McCown. — General Beauregard's Despatch to General Cooper. — General McCown Exhibits still Greater Anxiety. — General Beauregard Doubts General McCown's Capacity. — Successful Evacuation of Columbus. — Attack Commenced on New Madrid March 12th. — Conference of General McCown with Commodore Hollins on the 13th, and Evacuation of Forts. — General Beauregard Applies for General Mackall.— Garrison of New Madrid Transferred to Opposite Bank of River and Island No. 10.— General Beauregard Orders CONTENTS. all Surplus Guns, Supplies, and Boats to Fort Pillow.— Fall of Island No. 10 on the 7th of April.— General Pope's Forces Transported to Vicinity of Fort Pillow. — General Pope Ordered to Pittsburg Landing. — Want of Capacity of Commodore Hollins. — General Beauregard's Various Tele grams and Orders. — He Detains General Villepigue in Command of Fort Pillow.— Instructions to Captain Harris. — Surrender of New Orleans. — Bombardment of Fort Pillow.— The Montgomery Rams.— General Beauregard has Steam Ram Arkansas Completed, Equipped, and Manned. — History of the Arkansas.— Tribute to Captain Isaac Brown and Crew.— Prisoners with Smallpox Sent to Fort Pillow.— What Became of Them — Letter to General Villepigue, May 28th. — He is Directed by General Beauregard to Prepare for Withdrawing his Troops from Fort Pillow.— Fort Evacuated 1st of June.— Responsibility of Various Movements Left to General Beauregard Page 352

Chapter XXIV

Troops Resume their Former Positions after the Battle of Shiloh. — General Breckinridge Forms the Rear Guard. — General Beauregard Recommends General Bragg for Promotion. — Preliminary Report Seut by General Beauregard, April 11th, to the War Department. — Difficulty of Obtaining Reports of Corps Commanders. — Their Reports sent Directly to the War Department. — Inaccuracies Resulting Therefrom. — General Beauregard Proposes an Exchange of Prisoners. — General Pope Gives no Satisfactory Answer. — General Van Dorn's Forces Reach Memphis on the 11th. — Despatch ofthe 12th to General Smith. — A Diversion Movement Determined upon by General Beauregard. — Captain John Morgan. — He is Sent by General Beauregard into Middle Tennessee and Kentucky. — Efforts to Force Buell's Return to those States. — Location of General Van Dorn's Forces at Corinth ; of Generals Bragg's, Polk's, and Breckinridge's. — Bad Water. — Mismanagement of Commissary Department. — Necessity of Withdrawing from Corinth. — Tupelo Selected for next Defensive Position. — General Beauregard Resolves to Construct Defensive Works Around Vicksburg. — General Pope Takes Farmington. — Confederate Attack. — Federal Retreat. — On the 25th General Beauregard Calls a Council of War.— Evacuation of Corinth Resolved Upon. — General Beauregard's Instructions to his Corps Commanders. — Dispositions Taken to Deceive the Enemy. — Retreat Successfully Accomplished.— False Despatches of the Enemy. — Correct Account by Correspondents. — General Force in Error.— Retreat Considered Masterly. — Dissatisfaction of the War Department.— Interrogatories Sent by President Davis.— General Beauregard's Answer 370

Chapter XXV

General Beauregard is at Tupelo on the 7th of June.— The Main Body of his Army Arrives on the 9th.— Telegrams Sent by him to Various Points.— His CONTENTS. XVII Communication to General Cooper. — He Places Colonel Forrest in Command of the Cavalry Regiments in Middle Tennessee. — General Beauregard's Ill-health. — He is urged by his Physicians to Take a Short Rest. — He Finally Consents. — Order Sent to General Bragg from Richmond. — General Beauregard's Despatch to General Cooper, June 14th. — His Letter to the War Department, June loth. — General Beauregard gives Temporary Command of his Department to General Bragg, and Leaves Tupelo on the 17th. — General Bragg Notifies the Government of the Fact. — President Davis Removes General Beauregard, and Gives Permanent Command of his Army and Department to General Bragg. — Comments on President Davis.- — General Bragg's Despatch to General Beauregard. — His Reply. — Mr. Randolph's Telegram. — General Beauregard's Letter to General Cooper. — Misstatements Contained in President Davis's Book. — Public Sympathy with General Beauregard. — General Bragg's Letter to Mr. Forsyth. — His Letter to General Beauregard. — Answer to the Same. — General Beauregard's Plan of Operations in Tennessee and Kentucky. — Interview of the Hon. Thomas J. Semmes and Edward Sparrow with President Davis, September 13th. — Petition of Senators and Representatives for General Beauregard's Restoration to his Command. — President Davis's Refusal. — Notes of the Interview, by Mr. Semmes. — Comments upon President Davis in Connection with these Events. — Successful Result of Military Operations from Bowling Green to the Retreat to Tupelo Page 400 APPENDICES 421 I.— B BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GENERAL BEAUREGARD BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OP GENERAL BEAUREGARD.

The greatest boon that can be bestowed upon a people is the adequate setting forth of the history of their illustrious men. The achievements of these, duly recorded, stand forth as beacon lights to guide coming generations; and as a just appreciation of greatness indicates worth in a people, and points to future ad vancement on their part, so surely does indifference to merited renown denote popular degeneracy and decay. We therefore welcome every honestly meant publication con cerning the struggle of the South for independence — a struggle replete with acts of heroic valor, and resplendent with examples of self-sacrifice, fortitude, and virtue. Few, even now, are the remaining leaders of the great contest through which we have passed ; and, as time goes on, gradually diminishing their number, the day approaches when nothing will be left of them except a memory.

They must die, but the grand principles they strove, at so great cost, to maintain must not be buried with them. The Southern people, shackled by years of poverty and political helplessness, and circumscribed as they are in their sphere of action, cannot forget the teachings which, to them and to their posterity, embody the true meaning of our institutions. In recording the causes for which the South armed and sent to the field her manhood and her youth, and in holding up before the public mind the great ability of some of her leaders, the devotion of all, we not only perform a sacred duty to our country and those who will come after us, but mark out the way for them to that peace, liberty, and prosperity which we failed to at tain for ourselves. I.— It is in furtherance of these views that the following biograph ical sketch is offered, of one of the most patriotic, skilful, far seeing and heroic chieftains of the Confederate army ; whose military career and successes have called forth the admiration of Europe as well as of America, and of whom Louisiana, his native State, is — and well may be — fondly proud.