Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01127.02

Author/Creator: Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Place Written: Charleston, South Carolina

Type: Manuscript letter

Date: 11 April 1861

Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 22 x 28 cm.

Summary of Content: 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.

People: Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893., Anderson, Robert, 1805-1871.

Historical Era: Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877

Full Transcript: Headquarters, Provisional Army , CSA, Charleston, SC April 11, 1861., , Sir, , The government of the Confederate States has hitherto forbourne from any hostile demonstrations against Fort Sumter in the hope that the Government of the United States, with a view to the amiable adjustment of all questions between the two governments, and to avoid the calamities of war, would voluntary evacuate it. There was reason, at one time to believe that such would be the [struck: case] [inserted: course] pursued by the government of the United States, and under that impression my Government has refrained from making any demands for the surrender of the Fort. , But the Confederate States can no longer delay assuming actual possession of a fortification commanding the entrance of one of their harbors and [struck: necessary] [inserted: necessity] to it. , I am ordered by the Government of the Confederate States to demand the evacuation of Fort Sumter. My aids, Col. Chestnut and Capt Lee are authorized to make such demand of you. The proper facilities will be afforded for the removal of yourself yourself and command, together with [struck: with] company arms and property, and all private property - to any post in the United States which you may elect. The flag which you have upheld so long, and with so much fortitude, under the most trying circumstances [2] may be saluted by you on taking it down. , Col[struck: onel] Chestnut and Capt. Lee will for a reasonable time await your answer. , I Am, Sir, , Very Respectfully , [struck: Your obed’tt Svt], Your obt Serv’t, G. T. Beaureguard , Brig Genl. Commg[strikeout] , , Major Robert Anderson, Commanding at Fort Sumter, Charlestown Harbor , S.C., , (Copy for the original, on communal letter paper, ruled., and, The water mark the Union), shield thus., [illustration], [illustration], , The Stamp-Capitol of the US., This letter is marked at the hand., ”Recd & ansd Th Apl11, 4 pm, 1861”

Keywords/Subjects: American flag, Military History, Civil War, Immigration and Migration, Surrender, Confederate general or leader, Confederate States of America

Sub Era: The American Civil War

LOC Search Terms: United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865., United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--South Carolina--Charleston., United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Destruction & pillage--South Carolina--Charleston., United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Military facilities--South Carolina., Fort Sumter (Charleston, S.C.)--1860-1870., South Carolina--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.